Mermay 2022: Paleontology Infuenced Merfolk
The final batch of drawings for Mermay! Thank you all so, so much for the response. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought this series to be so well liked and successful on so many of my social media platforms.
I felt like for the final batch, I wanted to explore how paleontology influenced merfolk would look like, and how they influence ‘modern’ merfolk. (Prehistoric Planet probably influenced my decision haha)
These are the lads and lasses that help found the formation for merfolk culture, from first-of-the-firsts like the Anomalocaris and the Tiktaalik to true giants of the sea, like Shastasaurus, Livyatan and Megalodon. The Megalodon is Kara’s personal idol. (Kara’s the great white shark featured in all previous batches, here she’s teaching kids how cool history is!)
The most important figure here in Merfolk history is actually the Mosasaurus, AKA The Ocean Lord. He was a Barbarian King who hated landlubbers and was the sworn nemesis of "The Tyrant King”. He’s revered by modern Merfolk for his combination of strength, cunning, battle prowess and magnetic personality.
However, a tablet written during his time paints a different picture of the Ocean Lord: One of an arrogant, bloodthirsty ruler whose conquering ways and obsessive hatred of the landlubbers did more harm long term than anyone could have imagined.
A shout out to @miuzes , who motivated and helped me with tips all throughout the way. Another shout out @florence-is-gay / @legendary-disaster , who made fan art of Kara!. I’m STILL freaking out! Never would I expect I’d get fan art for this! :D
