Flumph (2)

 

 

Flumphs! This is my 100th post, which flew buy in the blink of a ....decade (ha!), so I wanted to post something meaningful to commemorate it in a (slightly pathetic) special way. Models that I have sculpted myself, such as these flumphs,  are of personal significance (see the original greens below). 

I had a ton of inspiration sculpting the cute little heroes and it was one of the most relaxed and fun sculpting experiences I can remember. Fitting that the subjects are so benevolent. I feel like taking a model from a ball of putty to a final artwork/game-piece is a complete journey, a realization of my imagination into something tangible - it is a very satisfying process. I don't paint my sculpting as often as I should, probably because I tend to overthink these pieces. The flumphs were not a struggle, though; my concept from start to finish was clear (though it did take many years to even track down a copy of them to paint at all). 

These jellies even have an imaginary personality to go along with their physical embodiment. Despite the grief and/or sensationalism surrounding flumphs because of their perceived ridiculousness, they are really a great classic "monster" I use frequently in games. When playing with my sons, the two flumphs are clerics seeking help and they act as a perfect support NPC. This role is spelled out in 2e as the "monastic flumph." Their exposition and healing battery game-play is engaging for new players and makes them immediately lovable sidekicks. Who wouldn't help them?

These are some of the only photos I have of the original greens, so I apologize for their quality.

Kumo Nest (2 kumo)

 I adore the L5R setting, and I have an extensive collection of the Clan War line. At this point I would consider these fellows a rather rare find. They are part of the Shadowlands army for that old game, which I always thought was odd. While they are definitely predators, they are more like spirit-animal-people rather than forces of evil. Some are definitely evil, though, and these sculpts are definitely on the creepy side with humanoid faces in their abdomens. The sculptor did a good job - I'll have to look 'em up and credit the work here.

These paint-jobs are on the older side now, but I think the effect really works. I wanted to emphasize their unnatural / spirit nature with the bright green (which I tend to use to convey "soul energy" in my paintings) and very sharply highlighted blue-black carapace. While the paint is old, the base is much younger; they have been re-based. Re-basing miniatures is a hassle, but I felt like the original base was way off theme. A few years back I ended up completely reworking the base and I am now pretty happy with how it turned out. I even like the little toppled shrine I sculpted to tie it in with my other L5R minis. So, while I have shared these elsewhere, they have never been photographed in their current form. 

From a presentation perspective spider shaped critters can be tough, so I went with multiple angles. It is a little busy, but provides a better sense of the actual miniatures.

Wyvern, Ral Partha

This wyvern is a special piece - it is possibly the longest serving miniature in my entire collection! This miniature came from the resale cabinet at my local FLGS when I was a kid, sometime in the late 80s. I remember the display of metal figures with great nostalgia; ogling all the little metal sculptures made my imagination come alive. I even managed to give it a paintjob with the Testors model paints I had at the time. Little did I know this early experience would plant a seed that would take hold many years later. I  dug this little gem out of a box of old junk after two decades in storage as my interest in the hobby rekindled. Eventually, I got around to stripping the original damaged paintjob and giving her a fresh coat. It is now one of the older paint-jobs on display in my cabinet. Who knows, maybe Ill paint it again some day.

Props to the legendary Julie Guthrie - this classic sculpt still holds up well!

Vrock / Type I demon

 

 

A mini painted many years ago. Demons lend themselves to unusual and varied colors and styles, making them interesting subjects. I really enjoyed working with the blues and purples so extensively on this piece. Vroc demons are my favorite of the classics; I hope  to paint more.

Moai Golem

 

 

I knocked out this huge size Moai  Golem from Wundervale Games from in just a few days; a speed print and paint, if you will. The hardest part was getting a nice photo in the winter sun. I kept it really simple and close to the Moai inspiration. The size and stony nature of this sentinel would make it a fierce opponent indeed for a wayward party on a remote island.