Giant Centipede (3)

These giant centipedes were a nice quick speedpaint of some slightly modified miniatures from Reaper Miniatures. while these tiny little sculpts aren't particularly impressive they fill an important role in my collection - they were painted to round out the baddies I need to run "A Most Potent Brew" (see "inferno spider" posted previously). I love running that module as a starter adventure for nearly any campaign, so I expect they will be among my most used models. I might still add an NPC for that module in the future, before I put a fork in it.

 I was pretty happy I was able to manage three pretty distinct poses from the base model, which would've bothered me otherwise. The ruddy brown color with a hint of orange that I achieved on these guys was great, and I definitely plan on using it for their (bigger?) cousins. 

Speaking of which, I always thought the use of "giant" in monster descriptions was unsatisfactory. These creepy crawlies are on 20mm bases and are probably the size of the biggest living real-world centipedes, whereas a "giant spider" is the size of a horse!

Brown Jenkin

 This is a fun one! Brown Jenkin is one of my favorite HPL antagonists. Sure, lesser known than the big squid head guy, but so disturbing, sadistic, and no less enigmatic. He is something of a household boogeyman, so naturally I had to paint him up! This piece was sculpted by Schlossbauer, and I printed it at a very small size. For reference, the base is 15mm, making it one of the smaller works in my collection; roughly in-scale with a rat. 

As the years go by, I find myself increasingly interested in smaller and smaller miniatures. I even have a few projects that are at 10mm or less, and I thoroughly enjoy printing itty-bitty models. They are fast, I guess, and as a parent , I really need that to keep a glimmer of my hobby alive.

Giant Space Hamster

I just finished this cute big guy this morning for Roleplaying & Miniatures first paint contest. I thought I was out of time so I rushed it at the end, but it turns out the contest was slightly delayed. Ah, well, it got my but in gear!

Since this is a bit of a silly topic I got a little "cheeky" with the model. The original design was missing the rear part of the harness, and my family and I decided that it was because the booty would look like it was sporting a Giant Space Thong. I obviously had to add it in. I also opted for the low road and put poops on the base. My recollection of hamsters is that they are adorable, but that they drop pellet poops everywhere very casually, so, big ol' space poops had to be on the base.

On a more serious note, because I had limited time to finish this mini (only a few days to print and paint were available in my queue), I had to focus on something other than an ultra clean paintjob with smooth transitions. Instead I opted to try and really nail the color balance. Because the model was very ruddy brown I thought I would contrast that with a bright blue base and slight tints of blue in the metals. 

I never really imagined having a GSH in my collection, but now that it is done I think it will make a fine addition to the collection. I suspect it will make a memorable NPC.
 

Inferno Spider

 

 

 I was looking for something to serve as the BBEG of the excellent introductory module "A Most Potent Brew" by Winghorn press, and I was delighted when I came across this STL! I can no longer find it, but it is a simple remix of an undead spider from one of my favorite 3D modellers, Schlossbauer, and a simple flame sculpt. Very effective, I think. I am running this adventure with my kids, and this piece definitely created the moment I was hoping for. 

In terms of painting, it isn't a very clean piece, even for a speed paint, but the fire looks good and hot, and the spider looks ....spidery, so I am calling it a win. The OSL on the floor isn't quite right - I still haven't mastered that technique without being paralyzed by fear that I will ruin the model and spending waaaay to long on it. So, even there it is a step in the right direction - I was faster at least!

 

Giant Ticks

 

Giant vermin are always useful models to have around, and they are great for quickly working on techniques. Giant ticks are a super gross option, and really pretty horrifying when you really think about them. 

These fellows were part of a speed-paint binge I went on in summer of 2017. I played with quick chitin highlights (glossy effects). I particularly like the bloated, glossy, semitransparent abdomen look. gives me the willies.

Giant Scorpion

From the vault! I completed this piece in 2011 as a 2 hour speed paint (not counting mini prep).  It came out pretty solid, and represents a turning point in my thinking about highlighting. It is still the fastest I have ever completed a piece.
The sculpt itself is almost as old as I am! despite its age it is still a great mini, and it has seen as much play time as any piece in my collection.