Reaper Miniatures Animal Companions (5) - Wolf - 77216

 

12/07/2025 - Updated with corrected title and added Julie Guthrie as the sculptor (Reaper's website was down last night when I originally posted)

This posting isn't so much about the miniature, it's about the paint. But first, this is the dog/wolf of the Companion Animals pack from my kickstarter bones stash. Looks like there are five minis in the pack to include a bear, a cougar, a bird, and what looks like a lynx.

What this post is actually about are PaintMarkers from AK Interactive - they call them PlayMarkers. I'd seen a quick youtube video a few months back but didn't really think much about them. However, my local gaming store (Emerald Tavern in Austin, TX) started to carry them so I thought that I would give them a try. I picked up a small pack called Tools & Weapons - the pack had three PlayMarkers - Gun Metal, Wood, and Leather.

Looking around for something I had this dog/wolf primered in black sitting on the shelf - so okay, I thought that's the perfect opportunity. I used the darker brown called Leather on the body avoiding the eyes and the snout. Then I used the lighter brown called Wood on the top of the fur as a bit of highlighting on the model.

Some thoughts...

• It's fun! 
• The markers are really easy to use - they have a brush-like tip.
• Using a marker to color in a model is much easier than using a brush.
• They're very opaque - there's no bleed through so you can't really blend or build up layers.
• I used the Gun Metal on some GW Brettonian helmets - worked really well - post those later.

Lots more models coming using these PlayMarkers from AK Interactive.

Kickstarter paint total 228 + 1 Animal Companion - Wolf = 229

Reaper Miniatures Bone Fiend - 91007

 

Some more fun with leftover green in the airbrush paint pot. This model was first sprayed with Dark Green, then highlights of Sick Green, and finally Light Livery Green. Once that was completed I went back in with a drybrush (the Golden Maple soft round brushes - described in earlier posts) of Bonewhite leaving the green inside to represent the energy empowering this fiendish collection of bones.

This is another miniature that gets brutalized in its conversion from metal to the Bones material. As a DM that's okay as it's just another monster in the way of my player's goals which they'll quickly dispose of within a few rounds. Bones is $2.99 while the metal is $6.99 as of this posting.

Kickstarter paint total 226 + 1 Bone Fiend = 227

Reaper Miniatures Tiik Champion - 77187

 

This is the final model in this grouping of fishmen that Reaper call their Tiiks. The Tiiks combined with a handful of Creatures of Blood Reef can make an excellent coastal encounter. Start off at the blood reef where the party encounters the creatures. After the encounter they find a passage through the coral and within the passage they encounter Tiik Warriors guarding just before entering a submerged cave where the Tiik Baron and his Champion lay claim to a long lost pirate treasure.

Unlike the other Tiik's, this model doesn't come in a metal version. I'm guessing Julie sculpted this exclusively for the Bones Kickstarter. Like the others, this was airbrushed using what was left over from working on the Hexton Hills project.

One other note about this model - it's an odd size. The champion is really oversized for the medium base, but doesn't quite fill and looks a bit small on the large base. Therefore I decided to place him on the medium base. If the Reaper variant of 5e called Dungeon Dwellers has stats for this creature as a large, then I'll modify the base later - currently I have a pre-release pdf and the Tiiks aren't in there but there's talk of a Denizens book 2 post initial release to cover other monsters from Reaper's miniature line.

Kickstarter paint total 223 + 1 Tiik Champion = 224

Reaper Miniatures Tiik Warrior - 77186

 

Same deal, different set of models - these were sprayed using the leftover airbrush paint and done in the same schema as the Tiik Baron. 

These are more bones off the shelf - I think the metal versions of these would be more fun to paint as you'd have more opportunity to adjust the figures and they'd stand vertical a bit better. The metal versions, as of this writing, come in a 2-pack for $16. The bones version is $4 each (only one). If you needed a bunch of these the $4 savings per model would add up - but if you only need 2, the metal versions at what amounts to $8 each might be the way to go.

Two more unpainted bones model off the shelf of shame!

Kickstarter paint total 221 + 2 Tiik Warriors = 223

Reaper Miniatures Tiik Baron - 77212

 

This was a bit of a fun experiment of layering a completely different color over another using an airbrush. I had a thought that it would be really cool to layer this four armed sea creature with a blue and green to give it this underwater sea look.

All paints are Vallejo - Game Air and Game Color.

Using the airbrush I started off with prime layer of ultramarine. Then switched to electric blue and gave it all a heavy highlight from all angles and then did a final highlight using light livery green from a 12 o'clock angle with extra focus on the scales. It's interesting because the light livery green gives a completely different end result on top of the blue base than over a darker green base. I think it gives the model a very out of the sea look to it.

I then touched up the model with a brush using scarlet blood on the claws, dark gunmetal on the weapon, a mix of tentacle pink and bonewhite for the seashell armor which I washed with a drop of the electric blue from the airbrush paint. Foul green was used for the clothes and straps which was washed with black wash.

I have quite a few of these tiik models from the bones kickstarters so I'll be using a similar paint scheme on them as well.

Kickstarter paint total 212 + 1 Tiik Baron = 213

Emperors Choice Legends Eternal Complete Set

 

22 years in the making to put that set on the shelf and I'm totally geeking out tonight. That set is the Cybergames.com subsidiary Emperors Choice produced Legends Eternal complete set of 8 miniature boxes numbered EMC4000 through EMC4007. When lined up on the bookshelf they produce the image of a holy warrior.

Each "boxed" set was a VHS case that had some foam and 10 unpainted 25mm miniatures making it the perfect way to keep and transfer your miniatures without being damaged - brilliant! There were 8 boxed sets for a total of 80 miniatures.

History of the collection: I picked up my first boxed set in early 2002 because I painted Anna Streetshadow in May 2002. Over the years I managed to pick up another box and then another off ebay with my last purchase being box 5 in 2019 according to my ebay purchase history; until today... A set of boxes 1-6 was offered on ebay and while I only needed box 3 and box 6 to complete the collection, I arranged to purchase these at a price point that fit my budget. Here's the really cool part about them - they are mint in their original wrapping and were found in the basement of an old house as a stockpile of miniatures that was the inventory from a closed game store. I'm literally the first person to own these as a buyer from a game store that was shut down decades ago. The old house was scheduled to be torn down so these have been saved from destruction!

History of the miniatures: these miniatures are super cool in true 25mm size - they were sculpted by the incredible Julie Guthrie for Grenadier Miniatures in the late-80's. When you look at these compared to other miniatures of the time it was amazing how far ahead Julie was (and continues to be with Reaper Miniatures) in composing really tight and dynamic sculpts. The Fantasy Personalities had 99 miniatures according to this website posting which had photocopies of two great posters showing all of them in what looks to be the original studio painted sculpts. According to the post, there was a second set of 162 personalities. We know, and the post acknowledges, that when Grenadier closed its doors Emperors Choice picked up the molds. They originally sold these under the Arduin brand and you can find these individual blisters on ebay. Then Emperors Choice was sold to Cybergames.com in late 2000 - it appears that the individual blisters were then bundled into these boxed sets of 10. There must have been plans for more because on the back of the box it says "Set 1" and we know they had the molds for more Guthrie personalities. It was short lived as Cybergames.com closed due to financial problems according to this bulgarian rpg website that's focused on the Wildblades rpg (use google to translate). 

The Wildblades rpg is an interesting story and tie-in to the boxed sets. Each box set gave character names to all the models and there's a theme with a short story - for example, box 1 is "The Shadow of Death" and the short story on the back is ""Divinely inspired, Palavos the Proud led a bedraggled band of misfit heroes into the dark tomb of Urzagel the Liche, seeking to end his reign of dark terror. What happened next was the stuff of Legends..." Indeed the boxed set had a miniature named Palavos the Proud along with his companions and the liche named Urzagel, Lord of Death. This was really unique as Grenadier sold them as female thief or male warrior. Each boxed set also came with a piece of paper directing the buyer to download a free rpg called Wildblades and to download free character sheets for each of the miniatures (I'd love to get my hands on those if anyone has a pdf copy).

While Cybergames.com is no longer, it does appear that Emperors Choice is still alive and kicking to support the Arduin campaign world and adventure modules. Unfortunately they no longer have the Guthrie molds - it appears those have moved between a couple different companies and I wasn't able to track down who has them now.

Maybe I need to do a Sunday night with Julie paint session?

Reaper Miniatures Mockingbeast - 77048

 

This was a bit of fun - I've had this sitting around and I'd throw paint on it when I had extra paint on the tray. I'd like to get the metal version of this model as the classic bones model doesn't have enough fidelity in comparison, but it works well enough for the tabletop.

I don't recall all the colors I used - but Royal Purple and Heavy Red was used on the "beast" - Bonewhite and White on the teeth. Black wash on the brown. Gunmetal on the metal trim.

Kickstarter paint total 207 + 1 Mockingbeast = 208

Reaper Miniatures Death Shroud - 3723 and Another Even More Contrast Paint

 

Like the ghost, I found another model that I could use a single Vallejo Xpress Color to use on the model - and like the ghost, the Death Shroud is a wonderful metal model - I just love metal models and this model has an awesome stance and flow.

I took what I learned from the ghost in regards to applying the paint and this time tried pulling the paint down so that it would pool more at the bottom and in the underneaths of the model. As I was being more deliberate with the technique of the brushstroke, I was more successful - not perfect, but definitely a better job of using the brush to guide the settling of paint.

Reaper Miniatures Giant Cobra - 77321

 

This is the same model painted two different ways - both have been sitting on my desk for most of 2022 as paint dumps - when I have a bit of extra paint I'd dump it on these models.  I then made an effort to finalize these in-between the holidays.  

I really this model - I find that quality of large models like this (to give perspective the model is sitting on a 2" round base and sits 1-1/2" high) in the Bones format looks pretty good and doesn't suffer the degradation of detail of the smaller figures.  Additionally at $4.49 msrp, it's a great price point versus the $13.79 of the metal version - particularly for a miniature that quite honestly isn't going to last long against your players.

Kickstarter paint total 174 + 2 Giant Cobra = 176

Reaper Miniatures Basilisk - 77371

 

I painted this Basilisk for a side adventure in my Lost Mine of Phandelver campaign, that funny enough, even though I'm backdating this post six months, the player characters have yet to encounter.

This was a pretty quick paint as I was getting ready for that week's session in case they went down the well.  I recall putting an undercoat of black, then used the Scurvy Green, Jade Green, and Foul Green shade to highlight on the body.  Then Scarlett Red and Bloody red for the scales.  I didn't even base it properly because I was really expecting to need it right away, lol.

This is another Bones from the Kickstarter.

Kickstarter paint total 173 + 1 Basilisk = 174

Reaper Miniatures Peryton - 77392

 

  

 

These are three copies of the same Peryton figure from the Reaper Bones line.  I modeled the paint scheme after the 5e Monster Manual artwork.

I completed these three earlier this week - the paint night is on twitch for another week or so - https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1149181904

Painting instructions for Peryton (used my Vallejo Game Color)...

Step 1: I'm using Stynylrez primer on the bones models - just slop it on and cover everything - it works great!

Step 2: Drybrush Cold Grey on base

Step 3: Drybrush Stonewall Grey on base

Step 4: Use Gory Red over the entire model as a basecoat

Step 5: Use Royal Purple on wings, body, and tail

Step 6: Use Warlord Purple on wings and as highlights on body and tail

Step 7: Use Tentacle Pink as highlights on wings

Step 8: Use Bloody Red on wings and drybrush on chest fur

Step 9: Drybrush Hot Orange on wings and chest fur

Step 10: Use a wash of Royal Purple on wings

Step 10: Drybrush Orange Fire on chest fur and use on feet

Step 11: Drybrush Gold Yellow on chest and highlight feet

Step 12: Use Sombre Grey on head

Step 13: Use Wolf Grey as highlights on head

Step 14: Use Ghost Grey as final highlights on head

Step 15: Use a wash of Sombre Grey on head

Step 16: Use Charred Brown on antlers

Step 17: Us Beasty Brown as highlight on antlers

Step 18: Use Vermin Brown as final highlights on antlers

Step 19: Use a wash of Charred Brown on antlers

Step 20: Use Black on the wing's talons

Step 21: Use Night Blue as highlight on wing's talons

Kickstarter paint total: 155 + 3 Pertyon = 158

Reaper Miniatures Aeris, Female Elf Ranger - 77405

 

This was an interesting experiment or I should say continued experiment with Vallejo's Game Wash Dipping Formula.  My first go with the product was the Wizkids Bone Naga and then the second go was the Reaper Giant Wererat whereby I tweaked the application with the idea of watering it down, using a brush, being more specific and controlled in the wash.  I wanted to go back to the idea of dipping a model into the product as the product has "Dipping" in the name and I had a thought that this might work better with a "normal" sized miniature which has been block painted.  

By block painting I mean no highlights nor shadows - just painting sections or blocks of the miniature with a single color - face is pale, hair is yellow, cloak is green, leather is brown, pants are purple, and bow is yellow/brown.  This miniature was one painted by my wife at the beginning of a Dungeons and Dragons campaign and therefore was the perfect test bed.  No fancy highlights, shadows, blending, glazing, drybrushing or anything else - this is a simple as it gets - open a pot of paint and use that to color block each feature of the mini (almost like a coloring book and a box of crayons).  

Done with care, it can look quite good on the tabletop and it's easy for beginners.  I love teaching the art of miniature painting and my players love painting their character at the start of a campaign.  And that works on the tabletop.  So here's the test - can it look better with almost no effort other than dip in a can of wash?  So that's what I did - I dipped the model upside down in the wash - shook/tapped off as much of the wash as possible over the pot - then stood the model upright and let dry with no additional touches by me.  

The result - not bad!  The dip provided the concept of blacklining by residing in the areas between blocks of features (example the face from the hair and the face from the cloak).  It provided depth and dimension in the hair, fur on the cloak, and the leather armor and boots as well as facial features such as eyes, nose and mouth.  By standing the model upright to dry the remaining wash naturally went to the downwards side of the model and thereby produced the shadows one would expect.  The bad... it's a bit sloppy and the maybe I could have used a paintbrush with some water to take away the wash off the bow for better results.  Additionally it dries with a super high sheen which can be overcome with a can of matte finish and that will protect the model through all the game day abuse.  

Overall, it's a great way to provide quick depth to a model for the game table with practically no effort.  I have to paint about a 50 unit army of Germans for the beer and pretzel tabletop game Bolt Action - a very simple WWII game that's lots of fun to play with friends, a few beers and snacks.  I think a simple paint job on each model and a dip in the game wash pond is going to be the ticket for success - look forward to future blog posts on that!

This came out of the pile of bones Kickstarter minis...

Kickstarter paint total: 152 + 1 Elf Ranger = 153