PokéNatomy- An Unofficial Guide to the Science of Pokémon
Created by Christopher Stoll
PokéNatomy is an unofficial anatomical art project, re-imagining Pokémon through the lens of modern biology. Now, for the first time ever, you can get the incredible scientific world of Pokémon in print in a high-quality, fully illustrated, unofficial guidebook, designed to help people of all ages understand the power that's inside!
This Kickstarted 8”x10” book is over 300 pages long and contains all of the original 150 Pokémon, with full page anatomical illustrations for each Pokémon as well as detailed descriptions of their biology, behavior, and abilities.
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Presents and Pokémon!!
about 9 years ago
– Mon, Jan 09, 2017 at 05:06:49 AM
Hey everyone,
Hope you're having a merry Christmas and happy overall holiday season! The work is preceding (mostly) on schedule, and I've got some new art to show off!!
When I first started this project I had a HUGE love and respect for biology, but I'd never actually done medical illustration before. So there was definitely a learning curve, and some of the first Pokémon anatomies I created were lacking in detail. Now that I've had some practice, I think the most recent batch is looking much better.
Only problem is.... the better and better the new art looks the more I feel the need to clean up and improve the initial work that I did (like Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle) in order to keep the project's style consistent. I may end up going back and improving the original sets of Pokémon already released before they end up in the final book. So, the next update might be revised art rather than new work! Let me know what you think in the comments! :D
One last thing!! I know that a few people are hoping to give Pokénatomy as a gift to their friends and family, so for those who need a stocking-stuffer for this holiday season I've made some POKÉNATOMY CERTIFICATES that can be "redeemed" for a free copy of the book this Spring.
Just click on the blue link above and you should be able to download high-quality versions!
Thanks for reading!
And, as always, stay awesome!
Chris
The First of Many (Update)!
over 9 years ago
– Wed, Dec 14, 2016 at 08:56:02 PM
Everyone,
We made it! PokéNatomy is a success, and I owe everything to supporters like you who helped spread the word. The project has gone leaps and bounds above what I expected and I'm excited to take this weird, one of a kind, anatomical artbook to print!
I'll try not to be too sappy, but it's incredibly empowering for an artist to be able to make a living doing what they love and to find an audience as supportive as you all are. This book is important to me, and I love pouring myself into the research, writing, and designs. I can not wait until the work is fully realized, and you can flip through the pages and feel the weight in your hands. Thank you all so much, I am incredibly grateful.
Now onto STRETCH GOALS!
We managed to blow past the set goals and have unlocked a section on embryology! I'll be including some basic information and sketches of this content in my next preview update!
I also want to give you a quick rundown of how my illustrations typically go. Over the next three months I'll be giving you some behinds the scenes looks like this whenever I can! So here goes, my work for the day!
First I sketch the basic shape of the Pokémon I'd like to draw and crop the art so it occupies only half the image.
Next I shape and shade the basic form of the creature, almost like sculpting. Until I have the details clearly indicated and the art starts to take on a more three dimensional feel.
Now I add fine detail.
By flipping and aligning the art I have so far I can create a symmetrical image of the Pokémon. I use this to create an outline for the creature's biology that gets filled in by bone, muscle, and organs for the final physiological art.
Although I do a lot of research prior to starting, this is the part where I typically refine and finalize my fictional anatomy. I consult with friends and family in the medical or veterinary professions, and read up on the body systems I intend to illustrate.
Each Pokémon is an opportunity to expand my knowledge of biology and discover new things.
In this case I did a lot of reading on various muscle fiber types and how they influence the amount of force produced at any given velocity of movement. Humans have three different types of muscle fibers- slow twitch fibres (which are resistant to fatigue but slow to contract), fast oxidative fibres (which are adapted for speed and power, these contract quickly but fatigue easily), and fast glycolytic fibres (adapted for only anaerobic metabolism).
I take time to make sure I can clearly express the difference in writing, and give some thought to how Hitmonlee's legs are structured and make use of these muscle types. Not to mention, I have to come up with solutions for how the creature breathes without an apparent mouth? For this, I look to natural systems in our real world.... Does it absorb oxygen through pores like an insect? Does it have a breathing port like a dolphin's blowhole? Or does it somehow avoid needing to use oxygen at all to perform its physiological functions?
Next I finally begin illustrating the creature's anatomy, refining and adjusting as I get feedback from fans and backers like you! I started this guy early this morning (8:00) and this is how far I've gotten (it's about 11:30). Right now he's about 75% finished, and I'm working on his written entry. There's still a long way to go, but much like the project itself, it's only a matter of time until it's finished! :D
Thanks again, and stay awesome!
-Chris
Things You'll Love #2!!!
over 9 years ago
– Fri, Dec 02, 2016 at 09:22:25 AM
Hey everyone, Less than a week to go and we're still going strong! So I'd like to take a moment to recommend other projects on Kickstarter that I know you'll enjoy and that need your support just as much as PokéNatomy!
Visions of a Thousand Eyes is an ambitious collection of contemporary fantasy art, set in a beautiful 120 page tome. I love fantasy art, and this looks like one of the best, it will be printed as limited hardcover deluxe edition, exclusive to Kickstarter.
This cleverly designed matching game teaches scientific classification and evolutionary descent! It fosters science and critical thinking skills in a fun, gentle, and engaging way.
I can't recommend these two projects enough. They've been a source of personal inspiration, and helped me to better understand the goals and purpose of PokéNatomy. I've happily supported both of them, and I hope you'll give them a look!
I've got a lot more anatomical art that I want to share with you all! So stay tuned, the next art preview is going to be big! Thank you for reading. Stay awesome,
Chris
Things You'll Love!
over 9 years ago
– Sat, Nov 26, 2016 at 04:09:15 AM
Hey everyone, I've had quite a few people telling me how excited they (and their kids) are about PokéNatomy, and saying that they wish there were more projects like this one on Kickstarter! Well, wish no longer!
It's a journey through the many myths of our ancestors that teaches kids how to think, instead of what to think. This book will foster critical thinking skills, in a fun, gentle, and engaging way. Not to mention, their illustrations are incredible!
Inspired by the Neil deGrasse Tyson quote- “The planets, the stars, the galaxies, we ourselves and all of life—the same star stuff.” This incredible book consists of 26 pages of full-color illustrations. It teaches the scientifically accurate history of the universe in ways that young kids can understand. And, again.... just, beautifully put together. I'm actually in awe.
I can't recommend these two projects enough. They've been a source of personal inspiration, and helped me to better understand the goals and purpose of PokéNatomy. I've happily supported both of them, and I hope you'll give them a look!
As for PokéNatomy, we've passed the halfwaypoint and are finishing strong thanks to support and guidance of backers like you!
Chris
Way To Go! We are at 53% (Also New Art)
over 9 years ago
– Sat, Nov 26, 2016 at 04:08:22 AM
Hey all you Pokémon Researchers out there, THANK YOU for getting us past the halfway point! It's very exciting! PokéNatomy is a small campaign and just getting this far means the world.
I'm working hard on new art, deconstructing and dissecting Pokémon as fast as humanly possible! You'll see plenty more previews as the funding campaign continues, so let me know which creatures you'd like to see next IN THE COMMENTS!
If you've already supported the project GET OUT THERE and share it with your friends! Every little Tweet, reblog, and Facebook post helps! We've got 22 days to go, and I know you want those juicy stretch goals. If you haven't supported the project, know that backers will get access to content like this for the rest of the funding period (plus their cool books!)
Thank you again! Stay awesome, and keep on questioning and exploring!
