Finally, finally, I have finished Wallace's reference completely! It's been mostly finished for a good few days, I just keep remembering things to put in, little nitpicks to change, and so on.

For those who aren't up to date on Wallace and Jessie's status, me and BlackberryCider have each made a reference for our Brachy characters! Blackberry should be publishing Jessie's soon, so keep an eye out for that! 😀

Nearer to the end, I will mention someone called 'Firefly'. That is (perhaps) Jessie's natural name, as Ginkgo is for Wallace. Just to clarify!

I haven't actually drawn stylised dinosaurs much, considering how much I love them. So, drawing this was a nice change of pace! To any fellow dino faniacs out there, please do share your feedback on the anatomy and colourations - I'd love to hear from all of you! <3

I know his neck is a bit too short, and the head is a tad disproportionate. Don't fret, I shall amend those things next time I draw him!

Anyway, without further ado, welcome Wallace, the Brachiosaurus altithorax!

Here's a closeup up of his head, because it's got some of his most distinctive features:

~~~~~

Ginkgo (as I will refer to him in these natural scenarios) grew up in the prairies inland from the Sundance Sea (yes, that's a real place name). He spent most of his life as a young Brachiosaurus, grazing on the tall grass, low-lying ferns and young trees of the immense plains.

He had always been a quiet but adventurous soul, being the first to trot and snuffle around a new copse, but also not one against spending time feeding alone below the knolls. When he was a juvenile bordering on adolescence, his youthful energy still present, he rushed into the shallows of the prairies' great lake, to cool off from the heat. However, among the long reeds, he found a surprise.

Resting from their recent fishing, Ginkgo startled a small flock of Harpactognathus. Most scattered into the air in fright. But one particularly aggressive, protective female began to mob him. She slashed at the side of his head until another young Brachi swatted her away. The Harpacto swerved across the water and started to snap at the two small Brachis, until an Amphicotylus burst out from the reeds, killing the pterosaur in a single crushing bite.

Ever since then, Ginkgo was scarred in two ways. First, the clawmarks across the right side of his face never fully healed, but appeared to grow smaller as he got bigger. And secondly, the harsh reminder that danger comes from all sides - even though he survived to grow to an adult, the memories still haunt him.

As does an especially harsh dry season, that brought a cruel drought to his prairies. The lakebeds grew dry and dusty. The grasses and trees shrivelled and died. Myriads of carnivores appeared, ready to pick off the weakened as soon as they stumbled.

Yet, Ginkgo has found a happy life in the open forests. And now, after meeting Firefly, it might get even happier.