Will Toosey: Bringing Fossils Back To Life – Through Art

Reconstructing extinct life involves converting geological data, fragmentary fossils and dense scientific descriptions into scenes of nature that anyone can understand. It’s a balancing act, between portraying a species as accurately as possible, while still creating beautiful and captivating pieces of art, and revealing how awe-inspiring these creatures were.

Will Toosey is a freelance natural history artist from the UK with a life-long interest in drawing nature and prehistoric life.

‘Since a very young age I have been diagnosed with Asperger’s gifted, an advantage as I can focus and concentrate for hours until I am satisfied with the work I have achieved. I am also a palaeontologist in-training who is currently a master’s student in palaeontology at the University of Edinburgh, studying Palaeocene mammals.  In my art, although the backbone of my creative drawing methods at present involves working with digital media, I am just as satisfied with, and originally started working with, traditional media (colour pencils, biro pen, watercolour and inks). In recent years, my portfolio has expanded to include many branches of scientifically inspired artwork with a wide range of vertebrate and invertebrate life ranging from the Precambrian onwards. Most of my work is inspired, informed or influenced by the expert publications of scientists around the world as well as by my love of wildlife and nature, and some experience on fossil hunts.’

‘I have been drawing since I can remember, and I especially enjoy working on prehistoric mammals, although my interests are by no means limited to prehistoric mammals, and I enjoy illustrating pretty much anything that takes my fancy. I have always hoped to be a scientist working in palaeontology or conservation, as well as a natural history illustrator, specialising in the credible artistic reconstruction of extinct fauna (and their environments) throughout Earth’s history. The subject matter of my work varies considerably and within all of my illustrations of prehistoric life, I widely read and research my subjects, often making numerous thumbnail sketches before I even start the process of commencing the final piece.’