Art and science

Mark Witton is a UK-based palaeontologist and artist. Since completing a PhD at the University of Portsmouth researching pterosaur ecology and diversity, he has predominantly worked as a consultant, author and artist, although he also remains active in palaeontological research. His artwork has been displayed around the world, from London’s Natural History Museum to Yale’s Peabody Museum. He is also known for his work researching and promoting the ‘Crystal Palace Dinosaurs’, which are among the world’s first naturalistic dinosaur reconstructions. Ahead of the bicentenary of the naming of Megalosaurus, we caught up with him to discuss the art and science of dinosaur reconstruction.