Dragons
Black Dragon
Lore:
The Black Dragon is a swamp-dwelling tyrant, infamous for its cruel and malevolent nature. It revels in the suffering of others, often toying with its victims before delivering a final, brutal strike. It claims its territory by poisoning the land with its corrosive breath and lording over the boggy ruins of its conquests, where it hoards the sunken treasures of its slain foes. Unlike other chromatic dragons, it prefers to operate from the shadows, striking from ambush rather than engaging in a direct, fiery confrontation.
Painting Guide:
Start with a jet black basecoat for the main body, ensuring all scales are covered.
Use a deep, muted grey to apply highlights to the raised areas of the scales, shoulders, and head to define the form without making the dragon look too light.
Apply a dark green wash over the entire model to settle into the recesses, giving the scales a swampy, aged quality.
For the acid effects, use a pale, almost neon green paint. Start with the mouth and claws, and then thin the paint with water to create trails of corroding liquid running down the scales.
Finally, paint the eyes a vibrant yellow to make them stand out from the dark head, giving the dragon a sinister, watchful look.
Blue Dragon
Lore:
Blue Dragons are cunning and territorial creatures that make their lairs in the searing heat of the desert. They are masters of strategy, using their innate intelligence and control over lightning to outwit their foes. They are a vain and arrogant race, often boasting about their intellect and their powerful lightning breath. They are drawn to the power and beauty of ancient ruins and monuments, and their hoards are often filled with artifacts and relics from forgotten civilizations.
Painting Guide:
Start with a deep blue basecoat for the main body, covering all the scales.
Use a lighter shade of blue, such as sky blue, to apply highlights to the raised areas of the scales, shoulders, and head to add depth and dimension to the model.
Apply a dark blue wash over the entire model to settle into the recesses, defining the individual scales and adding shadows.
For the lightning effects, use a pale yellow or white paint. Paint thin, jagged lines radiating from the mouth and claws to simulate the raw power of a lightning bolt.
Finally, paint the eyes a vibrant yellow or white to make them stand out from the dark head, giving the dragon a piercing gaze.
Brass Dragon
Lore:
Brass Dragons are benevolent and talkative creatures that make their lairs in the scorching heat of the desert. Unlike their chromatic cousins, they are not driven by greed or a lust for power, but by a deep-seated love of conversation. They are known to be some of the most intelligent and knowledgeable creatures in the multiverse, and they will often seek out travelers to engage in long, philosophical discussions. They are also masters of illusion magic, and they will use their magic to protect their lairs from intruders. They are a great ally to any adventurer, and they will often offer their services in exchange for a good story.
Painting Guide:
Start with a bright brass basecoat for the main body, ensuring all scales are covered.
Apply a copper wash over the entire model to add shadows and a sense of age to the model.
Use a bright gold paint to apply highlights to the raised areas of the scales, shoulders, and head to give the model a shiny, metallic look.
For the fire effects, use a bright orange or yellow paint. Start with the mouth and claws, and then thin the paint with water to create trails of fire running down the scales.
Finally, paint the eyes a vibrant red to make them stand out from the metallic head, giving the dragon a fiery gaze.
Green Dragon
Lore:
The Green Dragon is a cunning and manipulative creature that makes its lair in the deepest parts of the forest. It is a master of deception and intrigue, and it will often use its innate magical abilities to trick and ensnare its enemies. Unlike other chromatic dragons, it is not driven by a lust for power or gold, but by a deep-seated love of secrets. It will often offer its services to a powerful sorcerer or wizard in exchange for a powerful secret. It is a great foe for any adventurer, and it will often use its toxic breath to poison its enemies.
Painting Guide:
Start with a deep green basecoat for the main body, ensuring all scales are covered.
Use a lighter shade of green, such as olive green, to apply highlights to the raised areas of the scales, shoulders, and head to add depth and dimension to the model.
Apply a dark green wash over the entire model to settle into the recesses, defining the individual scales and adding shadows.
For the toxic effects, use a sickly green or yellow paint. Start with the mouth and claws, and then thin the paint with water to create trails of toxic liquid running down the scales.
Finally, paint the eyes a vibrant red to make them stand out from the dark head, giving the dragon a cunning gaze.
Red Dragon
Lore:
The Red Dragon is the most feared and powerful of all the chromatic dragons. It is a creature of pure greed and malevolence, and it will often seek out the largest and most valuable hoards to claim as its own. It is a master of fire magic, and its fiery breath is a great threat to any adventurer. It is a cunning and intelligent creature, and it will often use its innate magical abilities to trick and ensnare its enemies. It is a great foe for any adventurer, and it will often use its fiery breath to incinerate its enemies.
Painting Guide:
Start with a deep red basecoat for the main body, ensuring all scales are covered.
Use a bright orange or red paint to apply highlights to the raised areas of the scales, shoulders, and head to add depth and dimension to the model.
Apply a black or brown wash over the entire model to settle into the recesses, defining the individual scales and adding shadows.
For the fire effects, use a bright orange or yellow paint. Start with the mouth and claws, and then thin the paint with water to create trails of fire running down the scales.
Finally, paint the eyes a vibrant yellow to make them stand out from the dark head, giving the dragon a fiery gaze.
White Dragon
Lore:
The White Dragon is a feral and primal creature that makes its lair in the frozen wastes of the arctic. Unlike its more intelligent cousins, it is a creature of instinct and savagery, and it will often seek out the largest and most powerful creatures to claim as its own. It is a master of ice magic, and its icy breath is a great threat to any adventurer. It is a cunning and intelligent creature, and it will often use its innate magical abilities to trick and ensnare its enemies. It is a great foe for any adventurer, and it will often use its icy breath to freeze its enemies.
Painting Guide:
Start with an off-white basecoat for the main body, ensuring all scales are covered.
Use a pale blue paint to apply highlights to the raised areas of the scales, shoulders, and head to add depth and dimension to the model.
Apply a light grey wash over the entire model to settle into the recesses, defining the individual scales and adding shadows.
For the ice effects, use a light blue or white paint. Start with the mouth and claws, and then thin the paint with water to create trails of icy liquid running down the scales.
Finally, paint the eyes a vibrant yellow to make them stand out from the dark head, giving the dragon a piercing gaze.
Wyvern
Lore:
A Wyvern is a dragon-like creature with a poisonous tail. It is a fierce and territorial creature, and it will often seek out the largest and most powerful creatures to claim as its own. It is a great foe for any adventurer, and it will often use its poisonous tail to incapacitate its enemies.
Painting Guide:
Start with a green or brown basecoat for the main body, ensuring all scales are covered.
Use a lighter shade of green or brown to apply highlights to the raised areas of the scales, shoulders, and head to add depth and dimension to the model.
Use a black wash over the entire model to settle into the recesses, defining the individual scales and adding shadows.
Finally, paint the eyes a vibrant yellow or orange to give them a fierce gaze.
Humanoids
Drow (Dark Elf)
Lore:
The Drow are a race of shadowy and cunning elves that live in the subterranean realm of the Underdark. They are masters of stealth and intrigue, and they will often use their innate magical abilities to trick and ensnare their enemies. They are a great foe for any adventurer, and they will often use their poisonous weapons to incapacitate their enemies. They are a great tool for a powerful sorcerer or wizard, as they are a cheap and effective form of cannon fodder.
Painting Guide:
The skin should be painted with a dark purple or grey color, with a light wash to add shadows and a rotting look.
The clothing should be painted with a variety of tattered and dirty colors, such as black, dark blue, or grey.
Apply a dark wash to the recesses of the skin and clothing to add grime and definition.
The eyes can be painted with a pale white or a glowing red to give them a more menacing look.
The model can be finished with some silver metallic weapons and a glossy varnish to make them look more gruesome.
Dwarf
Lore:
Dwarves are a stout and honorable race that live in the mountainous regions of the world. They are masters of stone crafting and metalworking, and they will often use their innate magical abilities to create powerful weapons and armor. They are a great ally to any adventurer, and they will often offer their services in exchange for a good story. They are a great foe for any adventurer, and they will often use their powerful weapons to incapacitate their enemies.
Painting Guide:
Start with a variety of earthy tones, such as brown, grey, and black, for the clothing and armor.
Apply a dark wash to the recesses of the clothing and armor to add shadows and definition.
The beard can be painted with a variety of brown or grey colors, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
The metallic armor and weapons can be painted with a variety of metallic colors, such as gold, silver, or bronze.
The runes and gems can be painted with a variety of bright colors, such as red, blue, or green, to make them stand out.
Elf
Lore:
Elves are a graceful and long-lived race that live in the forest. They are masters of archery and magic, and they will often use their innate magical abilities to trick and ensnare their enemies. They are a great ally to any adventurer, and they will often offer their services in exchange for a good story. They are a great foe for any adventurer, and they will often use their powerful magical abilities to incapacitate their enemies.
Painting Guide:
Start with a variety of natural skin tones for the face and hands, suchs a pale white or a light brown.
The clothing should be painted with a variety of green or brown colors, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
The hair can be painted with a variety of colors, such as a pale blonde, a bright red, or a dark brown.
The metallic armor and weapons can be painted with a variety of metallic colors, such as gold, silver, or bronze.
The model can be finished with some magical effects, such as a glowing aura around the hands or a glowing bow.
Goblin
Lore:
Goblins are a small, mischievous, and tribal race. They are known for their love of pranks and mischief, and they will often use their innate magical abilities to trick and ensnare their enemies. They are a great foe for any adventurer, and they will often use their poisonous weapons to incapacitate their enemies. They are a great tool for a powerful sorcerer or wizard, as they are a cheap and effective form of cannon fodder.
Painting Guide:
The skin should be painted with a bright green color, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
The clothing should be painted with a variety of brown or grey colors, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
Apply a dark wash to the recesses of the skin and clothing to add grime and definition.
The eyes can be painted with a vibrant orange or red to give them a more menacing look.
The model can be finished with some metallic weapons and a rusty varnish to make them look more gruesome.
Gnome
Lore:
Gnomes are a small, inventive, and magical race. They are known for their love of tinkering and magic, and they will often use their innate magical abilities to create powerful magical items. They are a great ally to any adventurer, and they will often offer their services in exchange for a good story. They are a great foe for any adventurer, and they will often use their powerful magical abilities to incapacitate their enemies.
Painting Guide:
Start with a variety of natural skin tones for the face and hands, such as a pale white or a light brown.
The clothing should be painted with a variety of brown or neutral colors, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
The hair can be painted with a variety of colors, such as a pale blonde, a bright red, or a dark brown.
The metallic armor and weapons can be painted with a variety of metallic colors, such as gold, silver, or bronze.
The model can be finished with some magical effects, such as a glowing aura around the hands or a glowing bow.
Kobold
Lore:
Kobolds are a small, reptilian, and trap-making race. They are known for their love of traps and ambushes, and they will often use their innate magical abilities to trick and ensnare their enemies. They are a great foe for any adventurer, and they will often use their poisonous weapons to incapacitate their enemies. They are a great tool for a powerful sorcerer or wizard, as they are a cheap and effective form of cannon fodder.
Painting Guide:
The scales should be painted with a rusty red or orange color, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
The clothing should be painted with a variety of brown or grey colors, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
Apply a dark wash to the recesses of the scales and clothing to add grime and definition.
The eyes can be painted with a vibrant orange or red to give them a more menacing look.
The model can be finished with some bone claws and a glossy varnish to make them look more gruesome.
Orc
Lore:
Orcs are a brutish, aggressive, and tribal race. They are known for their love of battle and their sheer strength. They will often use their great strength to overpower their enemies. They are a great foe for any adventurer, and they will often use their powerful weapons to incapacitate their enemies.
Painting Guide:
The skin should be painted with a dark green color, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
The clothing should be painted with a variety of brown or grey colors, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
Apply a black wash to the recesses of the skin and clothing to add grime and definition.
The eyes can be painted with a vibrant orange or red to give them a more menacing look.
The model can be finished with some metallic weapons and a rusty varnish to make them look more gruesome.
Tiefling
Lore:
Tieflings are an infernal, horned, and magical race. They are known for their love of magic and their powerful magical abilities. They are a great ally to any adventurer, and they will often offer their services in exchange for a good story. They are a great foe for any adventurer, and they will often use their powerful magical abilities to incapacitate their enemies.
Painting Guide:
The skin should be painted with a variety of red or purple colors, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
The clothing should be painted with a variety of black or grey colors, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
Apply a dark wash to the recesses of the skin and clothing to add grime and definition.
The horns can be painted with a variety of bone or metallic colors, with a light wash to add highlights and a sense of age.
The model can be finished with some magical effects, such as a glowing aura around the hands or a glowing bow.
Monstrous Beasts
Mind Flayer
Lore:
Mind Flayers, also known as Illithids, are psionic aberrations that inhabit the subterranean realm of the Underdark. They are infamous for their powerful psionic abilities and their insatiable hunger for the brains of other sentient creatures. They are a great foe for any adventurer, and they will often use their psionic abilities to incapacitate their enemies.
Painting Guide:
The skin should be painted with a pale purple or grey color, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
The clothing should be painted with a variety of black or dark blue colors, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
Apply a dark wash to the recesses of the skin and clothing to add grime and definition.
The tentacles can be painted with a glossy varnish to make them look wet and slimy.
The model can be finished with some glowing magical effects, such as a glowing aura around the hands or a glowing weapon.
Beholder
Lore:
A Beholder is a terrifying aberration, a floating orb with a single, massive central eye and numerous smaller eyestalks. Each eyestalk projects a different magical ray, making them unpredictable and deadly opponents. They are highly intelligent, megalomaniacal, and believe themselves to be the pinnacle of creation. They often serve as the central antagonist in a campaign, scheming and manipulating from their lairs.
Painting Guide:
Start with a purple or rust-red basecoat for the main body, ensuring all scales are covered.
Use a dark wash over the entire model to settle into the recesses, adding shadows and a sense of age.
The central eye and eyestalks can be painted with a vibrant color, such as red or green, to make them stand out from the main body.
The teeth can be painted with a pale white color, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
The eyestalks can be painted with a fleshy color, with a glossy varnish to make them look wet and slimy.
Displacer Beast
Lore:
A Displacer Beast is a magical, six-legged predatory cat with tentacles that can bend light around itself to appear to be in a different location than it actually is. They are masters of deception and illusion, and they will often use their innate magical abilities to trick and ensnare their enemies. They are a great foe for any adventurer, and they will often use their powerful tentacles to incapacitate their enemies.
Painting Guide:
The fur should be painted with a black or dark purple color, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
The tentacles can be painted with a variety of blue or purple colors, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
Apply a dark wash to the recesses of the fur and tentacles to add grime and definition.
The eyes can be painted with a vibrant yellow or white to give them a more menacing look.
The model can be finished with some magical effects, such as a glowing aura around the tentacles or a glowing weapon.
Owlbear
Lore:
An Owlbear is a magical, ferocious cross between a bear and an owl. They are known for their sheer strength and their powerful magical abilities. They are a great foe for any adventurer, and they will often use their powerful magical abilities to incapacitate their enemies.
Painting Guide:
The fur should be painted with a variety of brown colors, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
The feathers can be painted with a variety of white or grey colors, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
Apply a dark wash to the recesses of the fur and feathers to add grime and definition.
The beak can be painted with a vibrant yellow or orange, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
The eyes can be painted with a vibrant yellow or white to give them a more menacing look.
Rust Monster
Lore:
A Rust Monster is an insect-like creature with a powerful sense of smell for metal. They are known for their ability to corrode metal, and they will often use their innate magical abilities to destroy powerful weapons and armor. They are a great foe for any adventurer, and they will often use their powerful corrosive abilities to incapacitate their enemies.
Painting Guide:
The body should be painted with a variety of brown or orange colors, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
The legs can be painted with a metallic color, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
Apply a dark wash to the recesses of the body and legs to add grime and definition.
The eyes can be painted with a vibrant yellow or white to give them a more menacing look.
The model can be finished with some rust effects on all metallic surfaces.
Gelatinous Cube
Lore:
The Gelatinous Cube is a large, translucent, and mindless Ooze that cleans dungeon corridors by dissolving organic matter and absorbing objects. It is a slow and simple creature, but it is extremely dangerous in a confined space. It is a great foe for any adventurer, as it can dissolve their weapons and armor.
Painting Guide:
The body should be painted with a clear green or yellow-green transparent paint, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of depth.
You can add a few objects inside the cube, such as bones, coins, or other items, to show what the cube has eaten.
The cube can be finished with a glossy varnish to make it look wet and slimy.
Undead
Lich
Lore:
A Lich is an evil, powerful wizard who has achieved undeath through a ritual. They are known for their powerful magical abilities and their insatiable hunger for power. They are a great foe for any adventurer, and they will often use their powerful magical abilities to incapacitate their enemies.
Painting Guide:
The bone should be painted with a pale white color, with a brown or sepia wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
The robes should be painted with a variety of dark colors, such as black or dark blue, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
Apply a dark wash to the recesses of the bone and robes to add grime and definition.
The eyes can be painted with a glowing green or blue to give them a more menacing look.
The model can be finished with some magical effects, such as a glowing aura around the hands or a glowing weapon.
Skeleton
Lore:
A Skeleton is the animated skeleton of a dead warrior. They are a mindless, slow-moving creature that is driven by a primal hunger for battle. They are a great threat in large numbers, as they can overwhelm their enemies with their sheer numbers. They are often found in graveyards and other places where the dead are buried.
Painting Guide:
The bone should be painted with a bone white color, with a brown or sepia wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
The metallic armor and weapons can be painted with a variety of metallic colors, such as gold, silver, or bronze, with a rusty varnish to make them look more gruesome.
Apply a dark wash to the recesses of the bone and armor to add grime and definition.
The eyes can be painted with a glowing red to give them a more menacing look.
The model can be finished with a variety of accessories, such as a shield or a sword.
Ghoul
Lore:
A Ghoul is an undead monster that feasts on flesh. They are a mindless, slow-moving creature that is driven by a primal hunger for flesh. They are a great threat in large numbers, as they can overwhelm their enemies with their sheer numbers. They are often found in graveyards and other places where the dead are buried. They are a great tool for a powerful necromancer, as they are a cheap and effective form of cannon fodder.
Painting Guide:
The skin should be painted with a pale color, such as a pale green or a pale grey.
Apply a dark wash to the skin to add shadows and to give it a bruised and rotting look.
The tattered rags and clothing can be painted with a variety of dirty colors, such as brown, black, or grey.
The mouth can be painted with a bloody red color, with a glossy varnish to make it look wet and gory.
The base can be painted to look like a graveyard, with some tombstones and other items scattered around.
Zombie
Lore:
A Zombie is a reanimated corpse of a dead person. They are a mindless, slow-moving creature that is driven by a primal hunger for flesh. They are a great threat in large numbers, as they can overwhelm their enemies with their sheer numbers. They are often found in graveyards and other places where the dead are buried. They are a great tool for a powerful necromancer, as they are a cheap and effective form of cannon fodder.
Painting Guide:
The skin should be painted with a sickly green or grey color, with a light wash to add shadows and a rotting look.
The clothing should be painted with a variety of tattered and dirty colors, such as brown, black, or grey.
Apply a dark wash to the recesses of the skin and clothing to add grime and definition.
The eyes can be painted with a pale white or a glowing red to give them a more menacing look.
The model can be finished with some dried blood effects and a glossy varnish to make them look more gruesome.
Aberrations & Fiends
Dragon Turtle
Lore:
A Dragon Turtle is a massive, amphibious creature with a turtle shell. They are known for their powerful magical abilities and their ability to breathe steam. They are a great foe for any adventurer, and they will often use their powerful magical abilities to incapacitate their enemies.
Painting Guide:
The scales should be painted with a dark green or brown color, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
The shell can be painted with a variety of dark brown or black colors, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
Apply a dark wash to the recesses of the scales and shell to add grime and definition.
The eyes can be painted with a vibrant yellow or green to give them a more menacing look.
The model can be finished with some highlights on the shell and scales.
Chimera
Lore:
A Chimera is a three-headed monster with a lion's body, a goat's head, and a dragon's head. They are known for their powerful magical abilities and their ability to breathe fire. They are a great foe for any adventurer, and they will often use their powerful magical abilities to incapacitate their enemies.
Painting Guide:
The body should be painted with a variety of brown colors, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
The dragon's head should be painted with a vibrant red, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
The goat's head should be painted with a brown or grey color, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
The lion's head should be painted with a golden yellow color, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
Apply a dark wash to the recesses of the body and heads to add grime and definition.
The eyes can be painted with a vibrant yellow or red to give them a more menacing look.
The model can be finished with some metallic claws and a glossy varnish to make them look more gruesome.
Gorgon
Lore:
A Gorgon is a magical creature that can turn others to stone with its breath. They are known for their powerful magical abilities and their ability to breathe a cloud of gas that can turn anything to stone. They are a great foe for any adventurer, and they will often use their powerful magical abilities to incapacitate their enemies.
Painting Guide:
The skin should be painted with a grey or black color, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
The horns can be painted with a variety of bone or metallic colors, with a light wash to add highlights and a sense of age.
Apply a dark wash to the recesses of the skin to add grime and definition.
The eyes can be painted with a glowing red or green to give them a more menacing look.
The model can be finished with some rocky texture and a glossy varnish to make them look more gruesome.
Rakshasa
Lore:
The Rakshasa are a race of magical fiends with tiger-like heads and a human-like body. They are known for their love of trickery and their ability to disguise themselves as a human. They are a great foe for any adventurer, as they can trick their enemies into a false sense of security before striking.
Painting Guide:
The fur should be painted with a vibrant orange or tan color, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
The stripes can be painted with a black or dark brown color, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
The human hands can be painted with a natural skin tone, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
The clothing should be painted with a variety of rich colors, such as red, blue, or green, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
The model can be finished with some gold or silver jewelry and a glossy varnish to make them look more gruesome.
Tarrasque
Lore:
A Tarrasque is a legendary, nearly unstoppable predator. It is a creature of immense size and power, and it is known for its ability to regenerate from almost any injury. It is a great foe for any adventurer, as it can destroy entire cities with its sheer size and strength. It is a force of nature, and it is a great foe for any adventurer.
Painting Guide:
Start with a dark green or brown basecoat for the main body, ensuring all scales are covered.
The underbelly should be painted with a pale, almost white color, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
Apply a black wash to the recesses of the scales and armor to add grime and definition.
The claws and horns can be painted with a metallic color, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
The eyes can be painted with a vibrant yellow or red to give them a more menacing look.
Yuan-ti
Lore:
The Yuan-ti are a race of snake people. They are a cunning and manipulative race, and they will often use their innate magical abilities to trick and ensnare their enemies. They are a great foe for any adventurer, as they can turn their enemies into snakes with their powerful venom. They are a great tool for a powerful sorcerer or wizard, as they are a cheap and effective form of cannon fodder.
Painting Guide:
The scales should be painted with a variety of green or yellow colors, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
The highlights can be painted with a variety of gold or yellow colors, with a light wash to add shadows and a sense of age.
Apply a black wash to the recesses of the scales and armor to add grime and definition.
The eyes can be painted with a vibrant red or green to give them a more menacing look.
The model can be finished with some metallic weapons and a glossy varnish to make them look more gruesome.