“That inherent uncertainties in the fossil record allow wide latitude in interpreting the life appearance of extinct animals is an unsubstantiated truism and one that hinders the practice and acceptance of paleontological restoration as a scientific discipline. It is also responsible for many inaccuracies that continue to plague dinosaur restorations.”
Gregory S. Paul, 1987
These few words show clearly that paleoart is not only art but a branch of the science of paleontology that requires an extensive knowledge on morphology, physiology, biomechanics, phylogeny, ecology and arts, among other things. The lack of such knowledge is responsible for these ‘inaccuracies that… plague dinosaur restorations’ and that a large amount of people insist to call ‘paleoart’. The term ‘paleoart’ must be reserved just for such reconstructions that use an explicit scientific method.
My work is true paleoart because it is always based on the original description, reviews or the most updated scientific papers about the animal that I will reconstruct. The original fossil, if available, is also an important reference. I do not use as reference restorations of other artists since it would lead to an accumulation of misinterpretation.
Also, my knowledge of Zoology helps me understanding the importance of phylogenetics to correctly suppose missing data. The Extant Phylogenetic Bracket (EPB) proposed by Lawrence Witmer (1995) is one of the techniques I employ to reconstruct soft tissues. In my research project, I am developing studies of locomotion of theropod dinosaurs. Therefore, I have a wide list of scientific papers covering studies of biomechanics, trackway studies, muscular reconstructions and physiology, all with extinct and recent animals.
For all this, my art is part of a scientific branch of paleontology known as Paleoart.