Nophtha proditor - entomology illustration (Patreon)

Commissioned illustration of Nophtha proditor - discovered and described in part by my good online friend Niko Kasalo; who generously named a new species - Naskreckiana kosemeni - after me in 2023.

Nophtha proditor is a grasshopper nearly the size of a flea. What a marvel of adaptation!

This picture started with photos of the specimen Niko sent me.

I printed and studied these diagrams, and using them drew a basic outline of the critter.

Trying to chisel details out of the nearly homogenous, wart-like texture of the grasshopper was really fun! Next, I cleaned this drawing and properly posed it.

Next up was the screentoning.

And finally, colour. A few white lines went a long way towards defining the microscopic hairs on its face, legs and body...

And, that's it! A print of this work is now on its way to Niko... Thank you all for supporting me on Patreon, and beyond!