Smithsonian.com

A classic "Brontosaurus" by Charles R. Knight

For as long as scientists have been studying dinosaurs, illustrators have been drawing them. Whether it’s precise depictions of their bones or imaginative restorations of what dinosaurs might have been like in life, paleo-illustration has been a diverse and popular field for over 150 years.

In honor of this long tradition, the Museum of Lourinhã in Portugal is hosting the 6th International Dinosaur Illustration Contest. First prize is 1,000 Euros, although there are additional prizes for other top illustrators. Entries will be accepted through May 31, 2009, and the winners will be announced by July 31, 2009, but that’s no reason to wait. If you’re a paleo-artist, or know someone who is, direct them to the contest homepage so they can get to work!