Reptiles and Scales | makeupexploration

REPTILES AND THEIR SCALES

Scutes - Similar to scales, scutes serve the same function but instead of forming in the epidermis level (like scales) scutes form in the lower layer of skin. Scutes produce a horny outer layer which is superficially similar to scales. Examples - Turtle shell, crocodile skin.

ABOUT SCALES

A characteristic of reptiles is that their bodies are covered in scales. These scales are waterproof and allow life on land to be possibl
Reptilian scales are dry, unlike the slimy scales of amphibians - this is because reptiles have no skin glands.
There are two different types of reptile scale, one type is typical of lizards and snakes, the other of crocodiles and turtles. These are different in their arrangement over the body as well as the way that they develop.
Reptile scales are epidermal scales - they arise from the skin. Skin has two layers, the epidermis and dermis. In snakes and lizards, the scale begins as a fold of the epidermis. The dermis layer then pushes through, the upper layer becomes hardened with kerative, the dermis layer withdraws and leaves a series of hard overlapping scales.This diagram on the left illustrates the process.
The scales on turtles and crocodiles develop differently and do not overlap, instead the epidermis begins to thicken and then bony plates develop under the scales in the dermis.
When reptiles grow, they shed their scales and replace them with bigger scales - instead of adding to the scales they already have.

This research is particularly relevant; it is important to know how scales form and why, so that when I am designing I will make informed decisions, rather than creating scales from how I think scales are.

Fig. 66

Crocodile/Aligator/Turtle scales

ALIGATOR

Fig. 67.

I like the texture of this photo and I also like that it is high resolution and I will be able to zoom close in for details if I sculpt from this reference.

Fig 68.

CROCODILE

I thought this was a good close up reference of an aligator scute as It shows the texture really clearly which may be helpful for my design.

Fig. 70

I really like the texture of crocodile skin and intend to use it partially in some of my designs. I particuarly like the scute scales, I like how they are uniform yet all different - would be interesting to recreate a similar effect. I also like the various sizes of the scales. I also really like the general green colour tone.

Fig 71.

Fig. 72

Fig. 73

I really like the orangey base tone of these scales and the way that the darker tones contrast this. Once again this is a good reference image for any armour-like scales that I might want to recreate.

I dont like the colours of the scales on the left but I do like the various shapes of the scales and how there are small scales next to big scales.

TURTLES

Fig. 75

Fig. 76

These turtle scales are different from the other references that I have looked at and I wanted to include them for variety.

SNAKES

Snakes often have a keeled scale which rather than being smooth, has a ridge running through the middle of it. Most reptiles with keeled scales are not shiny and instead have a dull, non-reflective appearance (this is good for camouflage).

I really like the colours of the scales in Fig 76, I like the different tones of brown and oranges as well as the contrasting darker and lighter colours.

Fig 76.

Fig 77.

Fig 78.

LIZARDS

Fig 79.

Fig 80.

Fig 82.

Fig 82 shows a close up of an iguana horn - I like how this reference shows how the scales sit next to one another. It also shows the variation in the scales and the markings on the scales.

FIg. 81 is a reference of an iguana with beautiful colouring. I intend to use this picture as a reference for one of my make ups. I particuarly like the blue and green larger sacles which have other colours mixed in with them too.

IGUANA SCALES

I like the colouring of the Iguana below - I would like to use more interesting colours such as these instead of standard, over used greens.

Fig 81.

HORNED LIZARD

Fig. 83

These horned lizard references are such a high resolution that they are perfect for working from when painting or sculpting as I can zoon really far and the quality of the picture remains.

I love the colouring of horned lizards and these references show these colours so well. They are fantastic references which I am so glad to have found. It is also useful that there are different perspectives, as I had found it hard to find pictures of lizards from different view points which made intially designing a make up difficult.

I intend to use these horned lizard images as a basis for one of my make ups.

Fig 84.

Available from: http://jimwork.com/tag/horned-lizard/