Sky Shepherds

A new environment with some new species here.

This is the first look into this particular biome- hopefully with more to come. All creatures depicted have a photosynthetic component to them - least of all the large plodding walkers, who rely most heavily on grazing for their energy intake. The creatures that resemble flowers are motile, but move less frequently. The long rope-like organism grows at a rapid pace to stake its claim over as much ground area as possible. The large round textures semi-spheres are not phased by this tactic, as they employ an electro-chemical defense over their outer surface to keep the strident ropes at bay.

are all these illustrations from the same book or something?? If so I literally need to buy it they’re so cool

It’s all my art- as soon as I’m done with a piece, I post it here. Eventually I want to put them all into a book, but that’s years away. I’m glad you like them, there’s much more on the way.

Absolutely incredible work! Do you post anywhere else?

Thank you! Yes I’m on Instagram @exobiotica

Luminous Oppugno

Submarinus luminare

Named for the Latin word for 'attack', the Luminous Oppugno is a crafty aquatic predator. Primarily nocturnal, it uses its bioluminescent-tipped rods to attract prey. Once within range, the main grasping appendage shoots out and arrests the unsuspecting victim with vigorous tenacity. Being fully aquatic (dwelling rather deeply at that) as well as nocturnal, the oppugno rarely comes into contact with sunlight, and thus has lost the capability of its ancestors to harness energy from photons. Thus, the creature must rely exclusively on its skill as a predator to meet its energy requirements. An adult oppugno usually tops out at around 5 feet long.

Quick personal promo!

When not drawing aliens, I'm a web/graphic designer. Here's my new portfolio site: michaelpbeaudry.com . Check it out if you are interested in other creative stuff I do.

I'm also on Instagram, DeviantArt, and Behance.

Ok, sorry- back to alien stuff now!

The Challenger

A new competitor has entered the misty valley. Attracted by ample food supply, the hopeful newcomer will have to contend with the reigning resident of this territory. In times of scarcity, populations begrudgingly coexist in shrinking pockets of such favorable habitat, but rain and sun have been plentiful lately, so a battle seems imminent.

Curiosity

A massive predator on the ocean floor lures in its next naive dinner guest. The smaller creatures that surround it have been waiting for this moment.

Here is a nocturnal view of a habitat in which the inhabitants have evolved extreme forms of bioluminescence. The vertical glowing blobs are the reproductive bulb form of a species with a complex life cycle (to be elucidated in following artworks). The groove-backed, ravenous creatures at the bottom are of the same species as the glowing blobs, but at a different life stage. At center is a rather placid, slow-moving consumer of the bulbs- one who has incorporated its own form of bioluminescence into its respiratory apparatus as a means of camouflage. Names and descriptions will come as soon as possible.

I like your art. It is such a beautiful place and I can see Veteris being a wonderful place to explore in your art and world.

Thank you! I have a world full of ideas to bring to life, it just takes a long time.

Life on the Seafloor

Some habitats are very consistent from planet to planet across the universe. The bottoms of deep oceans generally experience similar conditions—extremely high water pressure, zero sunlight, and a constant rain of organic debris known as marine snow. Thus, organisms on the deep sea floor of Veteris developed common traits in parallel to their counterparts on Earth. The darkness eliminates the need for most pigments, so most creatures are rather drab. In order to grab bits of food from the water column, many utilize grasping appendages covered in sticky setae. For every scrap of nourishment that can be found here, there is a creature that has evolved to exploit it. Far from being a desolate wasteland, this seemingly inhospitable environment is full of bizarre, perfectly-adapted inhabitants.