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lessthanhuman β€” Devolution

Published: 2004-11-09 18:20:12 +0000 UTC; Views: 211651; Favourites: 2610; Downloads: 13718
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Description A tail is a characteristic that I feel clearly represents the majority of the animal kingdom. With few exceptions, nearly all other creatures have a tail in one form or another. Developmentally, all human embryos have tails which, for the vast majority of the population, are gone by birth.

I consider the back and spine to be one of the most aesthetically beautiful parts of the human body. In this piece, I tried to preserve that beauty despite the obvious addition of a tail. This piece was an experiment. When I took the stock photo, I immediately knew what I wanted to do with it. It took me several months, however, to muster up enough patience and time to sit down and try to build a tail. I had initially set out to build a thick, reptilian-style tail but as I drew the initial shape, I felt a smaller, thinner mammalian style tail would blend in more naturally with the model's physique. The most difficult part was matching the lighting but I feel like it ended up looking pretty natural…for a tail anyway.

I also pointed the model's ear and made other minor modifications. Expect minor revisions.

Manipulated with Photoshop 7.0.

Stock photography from my personal collection.

***Update***

Several people have pointed out that the tail was positioned too high on the model's back. This is something that I was aware of when I posted the image. My rationale, other than the fact that this image is an experiment, was that clothing covers the actual end of the model's spine, where a tail would sprout. Despite this, however, I have managed to lower the tail as much as possible and am overall pleased with the results.

Please Full-view...you'll miss detail if you don't!
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Comments: 1283

Smileodon In reply to ??? [2010-01-18 20:40:46 +0000 UTC]

heck yea

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Loydicus In reply to ??? [2009-12-06 20:48:13 +0000 UTC]

Disgustingly beautiful.

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lessthanhuman In reply to Loydicus [2009-12-07 13:43:48 +0000 UTC]

And yeah.

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lhizette In reply to ??? [2009-11-30 16:06:11 +0000 UTC]

gingersnaps

amazing

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lessthanhuman In reply to lhizette [2009-12-02 19:59:14 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

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petrino In reply to ??? [2009-11-11 00:20:46 +0000 UTC]

lets hope evolution brings human tails back

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lessthanhuman In reply to petrino [2009-11-16 18:15:00 +0000 UTC]

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Doran-Eirok In reply to ??? [2009-11-07 03:40:45 +0000 UTC]

Really beautiful work. I think you really made it work naturally with the inherent beauty of the human body, to where it doesn't look out of place here. It's really well done.

I still think it's unfair that nearly every other species of mammal on the planet gets to have tails but we get cheated out of ours. >..>

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murasaki-o In reply to ??? [2009-10-29 20:39:11 +0000 UTC]

Nice!
Personally, I believe that the tail starting a little lower on the back, would be more realistic.
At least, in the way you made it, she gets to keep her panties in one piece.

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AlexisNexxus In reply to ??? [2009-10-27 15:54:13 +0000 UTC]

Okay, I don't know if anyone has said this yet, but I saw this and thought of the graphic novel " Black Hole" because there is a girl with a tail in the book.. and it looks a little like the one you did here. (female, short tail) Its kind of neat to see it done to be realistic. I like the wrinkles you added in the detailing.

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lessthanhuman In reply to AlexisNexxus [2009-10-27 16:03:27 +0000 UTC]

I hadn't heard of the graphic novel until someone commented that this piece reminded them of it. I like the short, fur-less tail style. It implies that the tail is growing.

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AlexisNexxus In reply to lessthanhuman [2009-10-27 16:16:25 +0000 UTC]

Its a rather interesting story. One of the girls sheds her skin. I like the thought that went into this piece, and all the pieces I have seen. It gives it a beautiful believe-ablity.

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lessthanhuman In reply to AlexisNexxus [2009-10-27 16:59:07 +0000 UTC]

Well thank you

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Thoughtful15 In reply to ??? [2009-10-27 02:06:19 +0000 UTC]

Wow very interesting lol I like it

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Ayama-Chan In reply to ??? [2009-10-27 00:09:58 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful, as always.

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TheBoyInTheIceberg [2009-10-20 02:43:02 +0000 UTC]

creepy! but really cool. i love it!

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lessthanhuman In reply to TheBoyInTheIceberg [2009-10-21 12:37:29 +0000 UTC]

Thanks

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White-WingsXX In reply to ??? [2009-09-14 11:34:21 +0000 UTC]

very realistic! sometimes i wish i had a tail...

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lessthanhuman In reply to White-WingsXX [2009-10-22 19:50:42 +0000 UTC]

I'll bet if you had one you'd hate it

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Chiron178 In reply to ??? [2009-07-14 13:05:57 +0000 UTC]

Hey, the tail isn't gone by birth! It's only so stunted and with fixed bones that it's hard to distinguish it from pelvis. EVERYONE has it.

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Lylla4 In reply to ??? [2009-06-22 22:23:17 +0000 UTC]

The tail is positioned perfectly if one studies the spine closely. With the choulders frawn upwards and longating the torso it is no closer then to perfection in this manipulation. You've made a greate job and it realy looks like the tail is real.

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lessthanhuman In reply to Lylla4 [2009-06-23 12:45:44 +0000 UTC]

Well thank you!

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Lylla4 In reply to lessthanhuman [2009-06-23 13:20:24 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome ^^

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Tragic-Reality [2009-03-19 00:27:28 +0000 UTC]

crazzzy
i thought it was real for a sec till i read about it.
you really did a great job on the lighting
i'm glad you took the time and effort to make something so distracting?
yeah lets go with that word.
lol
great job

makes me want to take a look into your gallery,
& so i shall

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lessthanhuman In reply to Tragic-Reality [2009-03-19 19:24:31 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for the comment!

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Penvmbra In reply to ??? [2009-03-18 18:50:44 +0000 UTC]

I always said we humans would be much more sexy if we had a tail

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lessthanhuman In reply to Penvmbra [2009-03-19 12:19:34 +0000 UTC]

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brandonseaber [2009-03-13 16:11:32 +0000 UTC]

the funny thing is some people still get small tails in real life

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lessthanhuman In reply to brandonseaber [2009-03-16 12:52:26 +0000 UTC]

Yup!

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Spikeghost In reply to ??? [2009-03-08 20:10:25 +0000 UTC]

OMG, it's like in Ginger Snaps
it's really well done ^^

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lessthanhuman In reply to Spikeghost [2009-03-09 13:06:28 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

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Sgtsoupie In reply to ??? [2009-02-27 01:58:30 +0000 UTC]

Spectacular!

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lessthanhuman In reply to Sgtsoupie [2009-02-27 13:21:57 +0000 UTC]

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KILLER-KING-KINE In reply to ??? [2009-01-04 01:42:38 +0000 UTC]

the tail looks very realistic, but the skinny back freaks me out, I can count all the bones... *_*

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TransboyZax In reply to ??? [2008-12-16 16:31:11 +0000 UTC]

I really like how your manipulation came out, it's really neat and even if it's true the tail could have been placed lower down the back we get the idea, the concept, which is obviously the most important here
I wonder how you did the manip, did you mostly used the stamp? layer masks? the skin texture is very well preserved and it was a brilliant idea to add beauty spots on the tail as well to make it more real!
How long have you been practicing Photoshop?

I also agree with what you say about the tail as representative of animal in in opposition to human. I remember when I was a kid I hated humanity (news are always about wars and such) and I would have thus prefered to be an animal. guess the thing I wanted the most about that matter was to have a tail

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anaiaram In reply to ??? [2008-12-13 21:28:29 +0000 UTC]

i always wanted one XD (seriously...)
*jelous*

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lessthanhuman In reply to anaiaram [2008-12-16 13:34:37 +0000 UTC]

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anaiaram In reply to lessthanhuman [2008-12-16 15:16:12 +0000 UTC]

NO PROBLEM!

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Art-of-Hails In reply to ??? [2008-11-29 23:08:34 +0000 UTC]

Beautifully done ^.^ Really wonderful perspective, and your skills are amazing.

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lessthanhuman In reply to Art-of-Hails [2008-12-02 17:59:44 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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Art-of-Hails In reply to lessthanhuman [2008-12-02 18:50:07 +0000 UTC]

You are welcome my dear!

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Nairazak [2008-11-25 16:39:17 +0000 UTC]

Amazing photomanipulation! It looks so realistic!!
I have seen pictures of human tails, but this one is more beautiful than the real human tails.

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lessthanhuman In reply to Nairazak [2008-12-02 18:00:59 +0000 UTC]

Glad you think so! Thanks!

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lusciouslala In reply to ??? [2008-11-20 11:18:23 +0000 UTC]

Freaky but WOW.


I touched my lower back after seeing this! haha.

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lessthanhuman In reply to lusciouslala [2008-11-20 14:08:17 +0000 UTC]

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bloodonthemoon5 In reply to ??? [2008-11-05 09:12:45 +0000 UTC]

This is pure brilliance! I am LOVING your art So surreal and unnatural. It makes me cringe and just adore the beauty!

This pretty picture reminds me of this: [link]


WONDERFUL!

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lessthanhuman In reply to bloodonthemoon5 [2008-11-12 17:53:46 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

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Queen-Vegeta69 In reply to ??? [2008-10-30 14:38:11 +0000 UTC]

man, totally awesome. There's a comment somewhere around here saying "I wish for people to have tails." I'm glad I'm wasn't the only one wishing that. The lighting is just perfect!!! Beautiful.

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lessthanhuman In reply to Queen-Vegeta69 [2008-10-31 15:57:33 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

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MiniCeleste In reply to ??? [2008-10-14 21:40:17 +0000 UTC]

man, how much $ would u charge for a commision, cuz i love ur artwork and i need a tf pic for a story im writing.

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