Robert Nicholls

Robert (Bob) Nicholls is a British paleoartist.

Biography Nicholls grew up in Gloucestershire, England, and now lives in Bristol with his wife and daughters. Bob began drawing prehistoric animals before he was old enough to attend school and at a very young age decided to pursue a career in paleoart. His passion for wildlife, paleontology and art inspired him throughout university at which he gained a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Visual Communication at the University of Central England in 1997 (Thesis title: Image of a Dinosaur). He stayed on at UCE to gain a Post Graduate Diploma in Visual Communication in 1997 followed by a Master of Arts in the same subject in 1999 (Thesis title: Dinosaurs from the Inside Out).

Paleocreations In 1999 Nicholls founded his own company Paleocreations, currently based in Bristol in the UK. Paleocreations specialises in creating anatomically accurate 2D and 3D reconstructions of prehistoric animals, plants, and environments. Animals are reconstructed from the inside out, from skeletal structures, soft part anatomy, and external skin, fur and feathers, for both temporary and permanent display. Bob's works are currently displayed in nearly 50 museums, institutions and aquariums across Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America, including the London Natural History Museum, GeoCenter Møns Klint, National Museum Wales, University of Cambridge, Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery and MuSe, Museo delle Scienze, in Trento, Italy. He has been commissioned to create artwork for over 40 books on natural history. He has also produced work for several broadcasting companies including the BBC, Icon Films, and National Geographic. As an active member of the palaeontological world Bob is often interviewed and written about online. He has also contributed to a number of scientific papers. Psittacosaurus model by paleoartist Robert Nicholls, based on the fossil specimens SMF R 4970. Left lateral view (A), posterior view (B), right lateral view (C), and anterior view (D). Restoration of Sinosauropteryx preying on Dalinghosaurus, by Bob Nicholls His artwork has been used by the Royal Mint for coins: in 2021, celebrating Mary Anning; in 2023 with 3 dinosaurs, one each for the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods; and in 2025 with 3 Ice Age mammals (Steppe Mammoth, Giant Deer, and Woolly Rhinoceros).