Creature Caster Maggot Demon, Is It Tempting Enough?

When the Creature Caster Kickstarter launched I wouldn't be surprised if I wasn't the only person to say "eh, where did the cool Nurgle-style Great Unclean One-type demon go to?" There was some info in the YouTube videos about changes to some models and it was probably explained somewhere why this model wasn't going to be part of the campaign. Frankly, I was disappointed, as it was the only model that interested me. Now we have a new rotten chap to tempt us in the shape of the Maggot Demon. There are scant details beyond the below picture, so I'm holding fire at the moment to see if we get any better views before I commit any cash.

Creature Caster Scale Reference Video - Big Nasties In Comparison to Regular Miniatures

Take a look at this short video from the guys at Creature Caster. It shows the launch models from their upcoming Kickstarter in comparison to some miniatures from GW and some other manufacturers. And don't they look great? It's impressive how they've managed to get these mega-villans to fit snugly on playable-sized bases. 

With only a week left to go until this launches I'm going to forecast that this project will get full funding within a matter of hours. It's also worth noting that on their facebook feed they've told people that there a further as-yet-unrevealed models that will be added as stretch goals if the funding goes high enough. Exciting. 

Rather Splendid Realistic Fantasy Monster Dolls

Take a look at these mini monster dolls that were created by an artist called Santani, a 'deviant artist' from Russia. I've often wondered about the possibility of doing something in 3D art myself and I find these really inspiring. Perhaps if I'm ever able to wean myself off the plastic crack...

Discovered at The Meta Picture.

A Brief History Of Dragons

Here's a nice little article from the Guardian today on dragons, presumably stoked up by the forthcoming appearance of Smaug. Slightly lighter relief than all the chatter that seems to be going on across the hobby community blogosphere about how all our games are 'broken'. Perhaps some more on that in the days to come...

Climbing Model Mountain: Monsters

Last year I wrote a series of posts called 'Climbing Sprue Mountain' to illustrate my whole collection and think about where all this plastic, resin and metal was headed. At that time a great deal of what I had really was on sprues. Twelve months on and now almost everything is built, based and primed, with plenty of models sporting the beginnings of a paint job. Progress!

So for this second annual journey to the summit of my collection I'm going to call it Climbing Model Mountain. I don't have time to do lovely 'professional' level photography, so all the photos are going to be of my models in their natural habitat; that is, on the display cabinet shelves. To begin, let's take a look at all my large monsters.

I've got plenty of these because I just love big kits and large models. These over-sized nasties all fit into my Beastmen army although I'm sure I could drop them into just about any fantasy force I was fielding.

From left to right we have: (1) my converted Razorgor utilising a boar body and manticore head; (2) what I call the Razormaw, which is a lightly converted Hordes Troll; (3) the Warhammer Giant; (4) the Jabberslythe - you'll notice I have so much basing to finish on all these models; (5) a Ghorgon, which is a model I really love and must get around to finishing; (6) a Manticore tucked away at the back there; (7) a Cockatrice with a really grimy, layered paint job half done; (8) a Chimera from Meirce Miniatures that needs a great deal of greenstuffing; (9) the Incarnate Elemental of Fire (I can't work out how to paint this one. Should it be flames or something else?); (10) a Warpfire Dragon because everyone needs a dragon, right?; (11) a Cygor / Cyclops to round off the collection, this is another great model from Meirce Miniatures.

The Dread Maw Bursts Forth

Forge World have finally released the Dread Maw model and here it is:

The rules for this beast are great: it can pop up right under enemy units. The model is pretty dynamic and I rather like it, just look at those rows of teeth. It would've been rather nice though to have more of the model above ground, maybe lancing down on it's foes, rather than just at the point it erupts through the earth. A minor point perhaps. I do hope that FW keep banging out these large monsters and don't become consumed with the Heresy.

Now THIS Is What I Call A Phoenix

We're all aware that High Elves just received a very high fantasy looking phoenix and it's a model I'd like to paint in the future sometime. It's pretty good. But it will have to wait in line behind this one, which is from Kingdom Death's Kickstarter-funded co-operative boardgame, Monster. As a fan of dark fantasy this just blew me away. I mean, just look at it... If this doesn't give my kids nightmares then nothing will!

Forge World Incarnate Elemental Of Fire - Out Of The Box

Time to take a look inside the new cabinet to see what's lurking within... And look! It's the Incarnate Elemental of Fire! This is an astonishing model. Simple as that. It's dynamic, characterful and huge. Steve Whitehead take a bow because you have created what is by far my favourite Forge World model. It's one of those models that really does need the 'experienced modellers only' warning tag attached to it mind you, so if you're not a fan of spending a good couple of hours prepping a model then this one isn't for you. I would say, however, that this chap rewards patience handsomely. 

For some reason the photos on the FW site don't really do this justice. When I saw this in person at the FW Open Day I was totally blown away. Given this could be a proxy for loads of things - giant, greater daemon, etc. - I highly recommend considering this if you're looking for a large monster or army centrepiece. It's a whole sack of WOW!

Scibor Giant

Scibor have finally released their giant. I think it looks like a really good model and it would be so much fun to paint all that flesh. Something else to add to the wish list...

Bonegrinder - Giant - Ghorgon = Size Comparison

Everyone likes a useful size comparison shot, so here's one featuring the beastmen Ghorgon, the Warhammer Giant, and the Bonegrinder Giant from Warhammer Forge. I didn't buy the Bonegrinder myself; my brother recently bought it from eBay. I think it's a rip-off, not an original. But that doesn't matter, because the model is rather neat and pretty flawless. Really, it's too big for normal gaming. But it was half normal price and it's destined for a place in an ogres army, where it's additional size will be more suitable. On another note... I really must finish my two big-bad-guys off!

Award Winning Photos Of Real Monsters

The winners of the wildlife photographer of the year contest have just been announced, see here for all the details. As a self-confessed monster lover my two favourites had to be these two ancient beasts... and beautiful they are too.

Into the mouth of the caiman by Luciano Candisani (Brazil)

Warning night light by Larry Lynch (USA)

Were-Beasts And Other Cases Of Myxoma Corpus

Alright I admit it: I just made up 'myxoma corpus'. But no matter, it sounds pretty cool (even if myxoma is a form of tumour - yuck). This post is really just an excuse to show off another miniature that's jumped straight to the top of the WANT pile.

I love were-type-beasts and am interested in getting a few different half-human-half-something creatures to add to my bray herd. I'd say this Scarsell Griffon from Privateer Press fits the bill rather well. It's available in August according to Maelstrom Games.

Manticore Conversion - Twin Tail, Bad Attitude

A further addition to the Dread Host of the Dark Lord Davey: a Manticore. This is another model this I've had my eye on since it was released by GW, particularly because it can be put together without a rider with no conversion necessary. That being said... I've decided to convert it!

When I got my hands on the scenic base from a Black Dragon as a spare with the Warpfire Dragon from Forge World I couldn't stop thinking about how I might be able to put it to use - a little bout of eBay-ing later and... voila! ... one twin-tailed Manticore with a seriously bad attitude.

Not a complex conversion this one - a little work on the feet to set it up, then a good dose of liquid and 'traditional' greenstuff to join the two tails. A few bits from the Ghorgon kit and greenstuffed spines completed the transformation.

Hopefully it won't be bucketing down with rain tomorrow and I'll be able to get the primer on this chap and get a base coat layer started. 

Evil Easter Bunny

Someone sent me this great picture, not sure where it's from, but it rather conclusively proves that bunnies can be as scary and evil as clowns. Pleasant holiday weekend one and all!

Ghorgon - Stage Two WIP

This guy is really big (6 1/2 inches from hoof to claw) and there's still plenty to do here, but I'm pleased with the progress and the choice of colours. Starting to think about the base now. I want to do something interesting, although relatively basic - I've got my eye on a few scenic bases on eBay... any recommendations?

Forge World Warpfire Dragon - Out Of The Box

Well, I did say I wouldn't be able to resist the Warpfire Dragon from Warhammer Forge... so here it is, out of the box....

Without question the best part of this kit is the detail on the head, which is simply brilliant.

Here's everything as it arrived in the understated FW packaging.

The wings and torso come from this plastic Black Dragon frame - lots of spares to play with later...

All the resin pieces.

Everything ready to come together after a good bath.

Photos at the bottom of my garden in the unseasonably warm Welsh weather.

The plastic and resin components fit together very well - a neat bit of design work

Very dynamic from all angles - this will be an excellent project

Cockatrice - Stage One WIP

Another day, another monstrosity-in-progress. This time it's the cockatrice, which is perhaps the best WFB model in finecast so far - lovely textures, very impressive. Of course, with all this detail it's taken a while to even achieve the basic coats and this is about as far as I've got so far. Other than the blue, green and red, I'll be focusing on developing the remainder of the model as a foul leathery battered hide. I like the idea of there being some beauty in the feathers and some elegance in the dragon scales, juxtaposed with a near-living decomposition in the bulk; I want to emphasise the aberrant character of this loathsome beast, bound together by chaos sorcery.   

Fenrisian Wolf Pack - Stage One WIP

Some progress on the wolf pack today. Over the brown washes I picked out a few places with a black wash before using a tan glaze (Model Color) on the legs, underbelly and facial features. This was then mixed with white ink to achieve the basis for the highlights.

Fenrisian Wolf Pack - Out Of The Box

No, of course I don't collect Space Wolves, but what fantasy gamer could resist the new Fenrisian wolf pack as a replacement for the awful old GW wolves from the early 90s? The first thing I noticed once I'd got into this box is the lack of spares - something I'm rather used to with my sprues. I suppose this is a normal 40k approach (in which case I disapprove) or perhaps these chaps are high on the fabled 'goblin index'. I've no idea, but nonetheless the sculpts are lovely and the poses wonderfully dynamic.

Six wolves would obviously have been useful as that would've made for occasional replacements for three goblin chariots, but the five in the pack are all very good - more-or-less anatomically correct with a good dose of fantasy styling.

They all stuck together easily enough and a little liquid greenstuff covered the thin gaps between parts. As they came with round bases that are of little immediate use for me, I used some spare spider rider cavalry bases, which added a pleasingly characterful WFB touch. Primed white and with a few thinned brown washes, this pack is ready to take some close attention over the next few weeks.

Ghorgon - Stage One WIP

Of all the Warhammer monster kits I've worked with, the Ghorgon is my favourite. When I put the model together I was pleased to find that the Cygor parts are all interchangeable, so I was able to make mine look even more dynamic and powerful with the upper left arm pointing upwards, and the lower right arm grasping a ripped apart statue as a weapon. I held off attaching much of the 'skull-bling' (TM GW) as, well, there is such a thing as too many skulls, even on a raging psychopathic beast such as this.

I decided to get started on the paint job yesterday as I was pretty exhausted and didn't feel up to the close attention my giant requires in the final stages - more on that next week I think. Once again I employed the white primer, bone undercoat spray method, followed by sepia shading to bring out the detail. I've started to work on the foundation tones of the skin with Flesh Tint ink from Daler Rowney - once again (yes, again again) I've found it to be perfect for me. Overall, I think I'll keep the palette very limited on this one, with the possibility of some very fine detail picked out in contrast colours. Should be fun!