Whimsical Fantasy Miniatures

Here are the first four of the twenty goblins available from Artizan Designs at North Star all sculpted by Mike Owen for their Borderlands range of fantasy miniatures.

I really like how every goblin is different and has its own character. I want to hear story’s about each one, especially since they are all named.

When I saw these two miniatures by Mike Owen of Artizan Designs I knew I’d get them. I love their design and they set light to my imagination. They are the kinds of miniatures I would think about back when I was just starting out in the hobby, back in the early 90s.

As well as giving the miniatures a careful paint job I wanted to try something different for their bases.
I thought of mushrooms straight away. After some browsing I settled on resin mushrooms from Green Stuff World that my local hobby shop sold. But disaster! They were out of stock. As I walked home I though about ordering them online but then I realised something, why not make my own from green stuff. It couldn’t be too difficult. After watching several videos on YouTube I give it a go.

I must say they were pretty straight forward to make and I used a copped up cocktail stick for their stems. The main thing I had to focus on was not leaving fingerprints in the green stuff.

This was also my first time using leafing material and I think it looks really effective but it does go everywhere as it’s incredibly light and floaty.

I enjoyed painting these miniatures so much that I’ve ordered all twenty of their Goblins as well, which I plan on doing similar bases with.

I thought I’d catch up on some backlog and I’ve had a few Moonstone models waiting to be painted. Last year I bough the box Tumbledown Street but only had only painted the one model, Fritz.

Now it’s the turn of of Agatha Tavernfrau and Quack.

Agatha was pretty straightforward to paint. I concentrated on the face as it’s a focal point of the miniature, giving her rosy cheeks. Trouble is her face now looks a little like a ventriloquist dummy.

Quack was a little more complicated to paint as their is so much detail on this miniature, especially his apron. It was a little overwhelming at first but once I blocked the main colours in it sorted itself out. I had problems with his left eye, and I’m still now entirely happy with it. I may need a small brush.

This is Sergeant Honks and Norbert Billington from Northumbrian Tin Soldier. I’ll use them as options for either a warhound in frostgrave or a warbird in Rangers to add some comic relief to the game.

I’ve had them since late last year but only thought about painting them the other day. I don’t know why I waited so long as they were a quick paint.

Here’s a little innocent bear hiding something behind his back. I wonder happens if he would drink it?

Oh so that’s what the potion does. Oh well.

After seeing this in the Northumbrian Tin Soldier shop I mentioned that I wanted to get it at some point to a friend I was with. A week later it was my birthday and this was my present. Excellent.

The Sisters

Toad Catching a Fairy

Old Grimblesnacht

I thought I’d show off this Moonstone miniature I’ve just finished. I got it late last year and I promised myself I’d get it painted up in time for this Christmas as it comes with a special Christmas themed scenario for Moonstone which can be downloaded as a pdf.

The Brute

The Range

Angry Hedgehog