If you thought a rush hour merge onto the 101 sapped you of all dexterity, consider the plight of Steven Kutcher, an artist and biological consultant who procures his own insects and then applies watercolor to their appendages. And when they’re finished, he’s there to help them decompress:

The insects should be well fed and their consumption of paint should be avoided. The method of cleaning depends on the application of pigment and the type of insect. With beetles, I gently rinse it under running water and place it on a damp towel to remove the pigment. If done properly there is no apparent harm to the beetle.

The Darkling Beetle:                                                                                                                                                                          

                            The Hissing Cockroach:                                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                   The Tiger Moth: