Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Bael the Corruptor


Breaking news... I finished a miniature; specifically Fractured Dimensions' Bael, a testament to Paul Muller's sculpting chops currently available from Mortal Arrow. Currently is the operative word here. More on that later.


Lots of red on this one. The fleshtone is Reaper Cinnamon Red highlighted with Reaper Buckskin Pale while the cloak features Vallejo Vermillion highlighted with Reaper Olive Skin Highlight.

GW washes (Crimson to Violet to Nightshade) were used to build up the shadows. The shading of the cloak with washes alone proved suboptimal (very streaky). Some Vallejo Dark Red and Black Red fixed things.

Bael's symbol at a site in Israel
Lots of freehand on this one too.

Historical Bael (Baal) worship evidently featured a cross symbol and an association with bulls (the animal, not the basketball team). With this in mind an inverted cross/bulls-head combo seemed appropriate for the cloak.


I hadn't planed on much else in the freehand department but the mini seemed to need more so I poured it on. The scabbard even received some gemstones.

Some more Pics:





The creative team at Mortal Arrow provides a back-story for Bael including the fact that he had his tongue cut out and communicates using the severed heads of his enemies. Very cool.

Sadly, Ive learned that MA will only be selling FD minis through the end of the month (May '16). Where (and if) these minis will be available after that, I have no clue. (Well, MA's Facebook page provides a pretty big clue, but as I know nothing for sure I'll leave it at that.)

On the plus side, MA has some neat stuff of its own in the pipeline, including some fantastic giant snails by Pedro Navarro. The ever elusive flumph seems a lost cause but there may be a flail snail in my future.

20 comments:

  1. Beautiful work!

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    1. Thanks, Odie. I'm very pleased with how the cloak turned out.

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  3. That is frankly outstanding stuff Finch, absolutely mind-boggingly good painting. I am just in awe of freehand work, bearing in mind a stripey top is beyond me. Wonderful brushwork, just simply wonderful...

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    1. Thanks, Simon. Attempts at freehand often get the better of me too. Here I kept the pattern pretty simple and then highlighted and shaded the hell out of it.

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  4. Would love to see your talent on the snails Sir.

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    1. I look forward to it, Pedro. Fantastic sculpts.

      Plus, given my slow pace of late, painting snails seems entirely appropriate.

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  5. Nothing for ages and then you deliver this staggeringly good piece! Mr. Finch you have excelled yourself Sir, what a feast for the eyes.

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    1. I just paused for dramatic effect. ;)

      Thank you so much, Michael.

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  6. That is fantastic dude! love all the little details you've added as Michael says you really have excelled yourself with this one.

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  7. Spectacular work! Brilliant.

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  8. Looking good Finch, loving the freehand details, really adds to the mini!

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    1. Thanks, Chris. I see what some painters can do with freehand and my jaw hits the floor. For my part, I tried to keep it simple.

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  9. The details on that piece as a direct result of your painting skills is simply astounding. I love checking out your latest work. It keeps me grounded when I start to putting on airs - to myself XD. Great having such great paint jobs such as yours to inspire! :)

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    1. Much appreciated, sir. You provide ample inspiration yourself.

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