I didnt need a dragon model for my current project, but I wanted one.
As the first proper 28mm fantasy project that I have worked on for twenty years, I want to make sure that my Shonen Knives project includes as many fantasy tropes as I can squeeze into it. So I made a list...
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- Dragons
- Dungeons
- Your mum
- Meeting a wizard in an inn
- Magic swords
- Naked muscular gents slathered in baby oil
- Females that are old but appear young via unwholesome means
- Gary Gygax
- Unlikely biological sources of gold generation (magic geese, necropants)
- Everything else
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A Western dragon wasn't going to cut it for my pseudo-Japanese themed Shonen Knives. After liaising with the Scale Creep Dragon Consultant, the Citadel Oriental Dragon was settled upon as the most appropriate to add to my primarily 1980's Citadel force. The same model has also been available from Ral Partha as the Celestial Dragon since the eighties.
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| "And where does that cockatrice that made you cry live... exactly?" |
At someone elses suggestion I also included the old Citadel dragonette familiar in the project. "Mama Bear" scenario hooks are an obvious immediate use for the extra model.
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| My "Shonen Knives" force, before they learned to train their dragon. |
I had some old Citadel ninja lined up for a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles project. With ninja being cross-genre - ubiquitous even - making a skirmish force out of them seemed like a good idea for someone that has more of an interest in sci-fi than fantasy.
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| The current contents of my "Fantasy Skirmish Project" box (artists impression). |
Predictability that modest plan immediately spiralled out of control. There are just far too many suitable models, myths and pop culture influences to stop at the very modest ten or so figures needed for Frostgrave.
So this dragon is the first Shonen Knives model that has been prepared specifically for playing games other than Frostgrave, such as Dragon Rampant. Note the recess for a 7mm D6 at the back to record damage in any number of game systems.
The palette on the dragon is almost identical to that used on my other Shonen Knives models to date. I find the totally “unrealistic” but very coherent visual connection that this approach gives to be pleasing in a force. YMMV.
And finally, yes I know that Japanese dragons generally have three toes (thanks Antipixi!). But this isnt a model of a real fantasy dragon, its a model of a pseudo-historical Japanese fantasy dragon. So five toes per dragon foot is perfectly cromulent.
Plus they are magic anyway for Petes sake, they can change their toes like we change socks.
"Asslessman, I choose youuuuu!" The next Dragon Metal Tag will be something sumptuous from the baby of the Scale Creeps.
I intended to write something nice about the wonderful painting and the extraordinary evocative vibe of those shots until I realised you challenged me to paint a dragon...
ReplyDeleteI have 100% confidence in your ability to show us a truly excellent example of a painted miniature dragon A-man.
DeleteIts just a matter of time, thats all. Get it painted before the end of April and we can get the pair of them photographed evocatively together!
What a magnificent specimen of a d-d-dragon :D truly a great addition to the Shonen Knives. I'm proud of you Cheetor, you get a Dragon Metal salute \m/ \m/
ReplyDelete\m/ ¥=;==;=~ \m/
DeleteThat's the best that I could come with for an ASCII dragon.
EVERYTHING else looked like a dick.
I like the way your dragon looks almost grandfatherly with his bushy eyebrows and long moustache. The fact that he's a visual treat goes without saying :)
ReplyDeleteInitially I had the carp like whisker parts painted white too, to increase that wise sensei/sifu vibe, but it made the face too visually confusing.
DeleteAs it happens on traditional dragon depictions the carp like whisker tentacles tend to be the colour of the dragons face rather than he colour of its other, hairier parts. So it made the overall paint scheme look more authentic in the end too.
As for compliments that go without saying, I have yet to meet any ;)
Wondrous job. I feel the stress building as I await my eventual nomination.
ReplyDeleteNah, not at all. Like A-Man, its just a matter of when with you, not how.
DeleteDo you have a particular dragon lined up for the inevitable tagging?
I do indeed. Not technically all dragon, but dragon enough I think, the Nick Bibby dragon ogre.
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DeleteThats perfect, a stone cold classic model. Do you plan to shoehorn it into your Fimir? Thats what I would do I reckon, but you might have another idea.
Absolutely stunning work and photography...you are really upping your game mate! And it was already at such a high level!! :)
ReplyDeleteI think you could shoe horn this guy into Frostgrave by using him as a "large construct" or the like. You've got to get him on the table...that goes without saying!!
Very kind Blue, thank you.
DeleteIts all about the world building for me. Im never going to have studio quality paintjobs and terrain, but when I get my stuff together for a shot like that it presses all sorts of buttons.
And yes, barring acts of all of your puny human "God", that model will hit the gaming table before Xmas :)
Was it not Captain Crooks when tagging you yesterday implied that you would take ages to do your dragon?! Well stick that in yer pipe and smoke it! Looks ace Paul, as ever. I love the green tones up to the yellowy tint for that purple yellow-thing as well as green. Great palette. Or should I say "Paulette"
ReplyDeletePaulette here. Paul isnt allowed out to play for the next few weeks, he has been grounded. He appreciates you taking the time to respond however.
DeleteHowever, Paul did tell me to tell you that he is pleased to have shoved the Captains challenge right into his "pipe", sideways.
He also said that sticking to the limited paulette throughout his projects make him "horny". Disgusting. Thats why he is grounded.
Absolutely gorgeous work my good man! I've a terrible soft spot for all things Japanese (suppose it's a hazard of the job), and this dragon is the cherry on an already fantastic cake. Looking forward to JBs contribution next, even though I know one of you bastards is gonna pull a spined dragon out of the bag and make me shit out of my nose with jealousy...
ReplyDeleteWho told you about the "See who can get Rochie to shit out of any "other" orifice" pool? Cheating fuckers.
DeleteI have the left eye, I dont fancy my chances. The prize is a Spined Dragon though, so y'know, Ill be doing my best to make you crap out your face. Wish me luck!
JB will knock it out of the park of course.
I have some Yakuza to paint actually, so I will be in touch for your professional opinion in fact.
Thanks for the feedback Rochie :D
My hot tip is he'll take a big dump out his willy. What kind of dragon could do that though...?
DeleteAwesome work here Cheetor!
ReplyDeleteThanks abg26!
DeleteThe way that I see it, that dragon is going to hit a table near you, if not this year, then before we are dead.
Lets do it!
Superbe ! The base and the colors palette are realised with an excelent tast. Green Highlights on scalies are marvelous. Bravo :)
ReplyDeleteNico
Thanks Nico, Im delighted that you like it :)
DeleteI enjoy using heavily saturated colours, so I tend to go for very neutral with bases. Its always a risk adding extra colour to the base, but in this case I thought that it was worth trying.
Fantastic, one of my favourite oriental models, and by tying it into your Shonen Knives you have come up with a surpassingly cool paint job! Sigh, even the green of my jealousy isn't that vibrant...
ReplyDeleteHeh, you are a wordsmith Leadhead.
DeleteThe dragon does fit in rather satisfyingly, thanks :)
As mentioned on Facebook, another amazing job! Those purples and greens! /salivates So so vibrant. Challenging yourself with painting purples was a good idea. You've definitely succeeded sir!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jordan!
DeleteThe purple is intended to be a little bit Foot Clan from the original TMNT cartoon.
The purple and green is mildly inspired by the Transformers G1 Devastator.
If it's good enough for the Incredible Hulk, the it's good enough for me.
This whole project is just great! I've already been eyeballing the Oriental Heroes on eBay because of you...
ReplyDeleteIt's a deep well you're staring into Chris, beware! Bewaare!
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DeleteCompetition on Ebay...
[GRITS TEETH]
That's "great" to hear Christopher.
;)
The Oriental Heroes range is particularly nice. The gorgeous Aly Morrison faces are as characterful as any that I have ever painted.
You won't regret it if you pick a few up.
And if you end up with any spares then you know who to contact!
Thanks for the feedback Christopher!
That's a fantastic paint job cheetor, the highlighting is wow more so along the scales, looks like it moving,
ReplyDeletemy one complaint would be the naked man in baby oil there seems to be a big push for nudity around here lately lol.
The "Gloss Varnished Barbarian Challenge" is just a matter of when Frank.
DeleteThe dragon model is very 2D really, so I made an effort to force the shadows and highlights a bit, to add some depth.
The scales (and eastern dragons in general) are quite fish like, so rather than paint them in an iridescent way the exaggerated highlighting at least suggests that I think.
Thanks for the feedback Frank!
Woow! So beautiful! The model is wonderful (I need that dragon!!), but your work here is beyond my imaginable skills. Top notch!
ReplyDeleteYour approach to painting guide is just different to mine Suber. If you wanted to paint a precise copy of that colour scheme, you definitely could, I'm certain of it. None of the process requires very high precision or is terribly complex.
DeleteRal Partha Europe commented on the Facebook thread about the dragon. It's due to be rebounded soon apparently, so you should be able to get the Celestial/Oriental Dragon from them soon.
Thanks for the kind feedback Suber!
Quite good work on a figure that I have never seen before, so hurrah! I particularly like the scales, they look just as realistic as a magic dragon should.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lasgunpacker!
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