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Description
Hippotragus leucophaeus, also known as Bluebuck, exterminated in the late 18th-early 19th centuries. It is believed that by the time it was discovered by colonists in South Africa, the number of the species was no longer large. At the moment, a number of confirmed bones and stuffed blue antelopes have been preserved in various museums around the world.
Drawing this animal was one of the most difficult for me. At first it seems that I could simply use photographs of museum stuffed animals, but... almost all of them have faded or are severely deformed, apparently during production. It was necessary to change the contrast of the photographs in order to highlight the elements of lifetime coloration, constantly compare with living related species (saber antelope and roan antelope).
In addition, I looked for information in scientific publications. From them I learned that at some point there was an exchange of genes between the blue antelope and the roan antelope. So I found a point of reference for restoring the animal’s lifetime appearance. Although the blue antelope is closer in kinship to the saber antelope, it apparently resembled the roan... due to hybridization.
I am also sure that during life the animal must have looked beautiful and healthy, like all wild antelopes. Therefore, I deliberately relied on the appearance of living animals, and not on skinny museum specimens.
I won’t say that I’m very pleased with the result, but for now this is all I can do with only a meager description of eyewitnesses, a few faded stuffed animals and information about the genetics of the species.

Paper, acrylic.

Description
Hippotragus leucophaeus, also known as Bluebuck, exterminated in the late 18th-early 19th centuries. It is believed that by the time it was discovered by colonists in South Africa, the number of the species was no longer large. At the moment, a number of confirmed bones and stuffed blue antelopes have been preserved in various museums around the world.
Drawing this animal was one of the most difficult for me. At first it seems that I could simply use photographs of museum stuffed animals, but... almost all of them have faded or are severely deformed, apparently during production. It was necessary to change the contrast of the photographs in order to highlight the elements of lifetime coloration, constantly compare with living related species (saber antelope and roan antelope).
In addition, I looked for information in scientific publications. From them I learned that at some point there was an exchange of genes between the blue antelope and the roan antelope. So I found a point of reference for restoring the animal’s lifetime appearance. Although the blue antelope is closer in kinship to the saber antelope, it apparently resembled the roan... due to hybridization.
I am also sure that during life the animal must have looked beautiful and healthy, like all wild antelopes. Therefore, I deliberately relied on the appearance of living animals, and not on skinny museum specimens.
I won’t say that I’m very pleased with the result, but for now this is all I can do with only a meager description of eyewitnesses, a few faded stuffed animals and information about the genetics of the species.

Paper, acrylic.