We are delighted to announce the winners of the 2026 Palaeontographical Society Marsh Palaeoart Award! This annual award was launched in 2023, and recognises talent in the depiction of fossil faunas, in keeping with the foundational aims of the Society. It is supported by the Marsh Charitable Trust. This year our guest judge was our 2025 winner, Matt Humpage.
Overall Winner: James McKay, Thalassinoides, Jurassic Yorkshire
The judges were struck by the originality of this piece, which provides a unique insight into the formation of a common trace fossil, Thalassinoides. Painted in acrylic on board, these fossilised burrows are depicted here using a cutaway through water, which is difficult to achieve. The Thalassinoides are front and centre, but the scene opens out, and the rest of the composition is alive with species. From schools of fish and ammonites, to pterosaurs, and an interaction between two large theropods in the background, providing context for the time period. There is real warmth and heart to the work, and one judge commented “it reminds me of snorkelling off a Pacific beach!” The artist clearly took great pains to be as scientifically accurate as possible, and their efforts paid off in this unique work, which is one of a series of illustrations for the upcoming book, Yorkshire’s Amazing Dinosaur Coast.
James responded, “I was over the moon to be chosen as the winner of this year’s award! It was great to know that the judges responded so positively to the image of Thalassinoides. This was one of the most challenging pictures I completed for the book, informed by my dialogue with scientists to reconstruct a past environment.”
Highly Commended: Julianne Kiely, Life Restorations of the Rhizotaxy and Growth Architecture of Oxroadia
The detail and scientific accuracy of this reconstruction of the lycopod Oxroadia, marked this work out for recognition. Drawn using digitally coloured pen and digital illustration, it was commissioned for figures and press release for a scientific paper. This Carboniferous wetland plant is brought to life through the shadow details, colouring, and composition. The judges noted the lightness of touch, the overall effect feeling like a classical piece of botanical illustration. Visually clean and simple, it showcases the growth architecture of Oxroadia in an incredibly accessible way, achieving its purpose expertly.
Highly Commended: Natalia Jagielska, Pterosaurs f(l)ight over the Jurassic Hebridean Basin
The playfulness and style of this piece of palaeoart really stood out to the judges. Created to coincide with the artist’s own scientific publication, it combines digital art with photography to capture behaviour that might have been seen in these ancient Jurassic flying reptiles. The angle and colour make for a very dynamic composition that both suited its purpose as an engaging image for press release, but also conveyed the movement and excitement of flight. The style is very unique, but doesn’t take too many liberties with the subject matter. Overall a strong entry, with a striking visual style.
Natalia said, “Scotland has seen a boom in pterosaur-related research in recent years, with multiple research papers, all of elevated importance given their geological age. Ceoptera from the Kilmaluag Formation and Dearc from the Lealt Shale Formation are both are Middle Jurassic, but we have no evidence that either crossed paths with the other. Together, they spark the imagination of dragon-like creatures that soared over Scotland 160 million years ago. It’s opening a new chapter into understanding pterosaurs and Scottish palaeontology.”