1 800 913-7906
Accurate drawings of various types of tortoises; Bolson's or Mexican Giant Tortoise, Desert Tortoise, Galapagos Tortoise, Gopher Tortoise, Leopard Tortoise, Indian Star Tortoise, Sulcatta, Red-Footed Tortoise, Russian Tortoise and several other species of tortoise, some which are critically endangered. All illustrations are hand drawn and expertly rendered. Most illustrations are available in both line art and full color. Signed prints made on acid-free archival paper are available of all drawings in the gallery. If you do not see the tortoise you're looking for please contact the artist to make a suggestion. Custom illustrations of specific tortoises can be ordered as well. For more information and pricing please call 1 (800) 913-7906 or send an email to the artist.
The wildlife drawings are also available for stock art illustration.
Tortoises are very important to me, as it was with these fascinating reptiles I started to achieve some success in field of the scientific illustration. The people I have come in contact with through the reptile shows strongly encouraged me to draw more and more reptiles, especially tortoises. I recall visiting the Como Zoo when I was a kid, and being delighted at the chance to ride them (which seems a ridiculous notion now!) Something about the anatomy of tortoises, and in fact all reptiles in general, are really conducive to the style of illustration I prefer to work in (foundational drawing done in ink and color added digitally) I've knocked out many of the world's tortoises, including all but one of the North American species, and ideally I'd like to have all extant species drawn some day. If you have a specific tortoise in mind please feel free to drop me an email to make a suggestion.
Tortoises - sometimes called "land turtles" - are a family of terrestrial reptiles found in different habitats around the world, ranging from arid deserts and scrubland to dense tropical rainforests. Like turtles, tortoises are protected by a large, heavy shell. This shell is divided into two parts; the plastron which is on the underside and the carapace which is the top part. Most tortoises are diurnal or only active during the daylight hours. Like all reptiles, they are cold-blooded and cannot regulate their body temperatures. They must use the environment, either sun or shade to maintain their needed body temperature. They are reclusive animals and will avoid contact with humans and other animals if they can. Tortoises are mostly herbivorous, feeding on grass, weeds, leafy greens, flowers and some fruits. They will also occasionally eat small invertebrates like worms or insects. Tortoises are very popular in the pet trade and thousands of people keep them as pets. This has led to their decline in some areas, and now many new and strict laws are in place to protect these the more rare and endangered animals from going extinct in the wild.
