Herald of Spring

[MamaGeek]

When Reaper released this miniature (Lady Moray), I was thrilled. She looks just like my very first D&D character, a bard named Valanth Mocnjay, who has a pet mockingbird. I bought the figure right away. I didn't like the long knife (short sword?) she was holding in her left hand, so I converted it to a lute I had in my bits box, which I thought more fitting.  (Lute is from from Reaper's Adventuring Accessories pack SKU#02638)

 

The stump and log are from Secret Weapons Miniatures.  The snow is crushed glass (also from SWM).  The wooden base was turned by hand by a friend of mine.  He sells them for $5 each.  (Send me a PM if you want his email address.)

 

Any feedback would be appreciated, especially on the base.  I haven't varnished anything yet, so I could easily make touchups.

 

Update: see photos of base additions in later post.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 11, 2014 by MamaGeek

[Adrift]

Lovely work miss.

[seej]

The figure itself is lovely. I love the highlighting you've done on the lute and cloak especially. My only feedback is I feel the base is too large, and takes focus off the figure.

[Dontfear]

I always like your stuff. This looks great. I believe we have actually met, many years ago at the last Baltimore games day but I could be confusing you with someone.

[Mutilatedlips]

Nice colors and love the highlights. I've been looking to pick up a bard model for a while and that is one of the nicest I have seen.

[Barhug]

Awesome mini.  After seeing your other stuff, I like Lanura Windsong best.  She looks like you cut it out of a comic book, not painted it.  That's how you know a good mini IMO.  I also particularly liked the crucifix and St. Patrick.

[Sirithiliel]

Very pretty! Love the addition of the lute

[Joe the Revelator]

The figure itself is lovely. I love the highlighting you've done on the lute and cloak especially. My only feedback is I feel the base is too large, and takes focus off the figure.

 

I agree, great color and shading. And the base is kinda big for a playable mini, unless you're going for the diorama feel. If that's the case, you could use some of that base space. Maybe add a small wishing well, or accent the stump in front of her with a tiny birdhouse, bright ivy, or ornament. Anyway, just my two oxidized cents.

 

Looking sharp!

[MamaGeek]

Thank you to all who took the time to post about my miniature.  I appreciate the feedback and the kind words!  And thanks for all the "likes" as well!

 

 

Nice colors and love the highlights. I've been looking to pick up a bard model for a while and that is one of the nicest I have seen.

 

Thank you!  Keep in mind that the lute is a conversion.  Check out the unalterned mini before you order her and make sure it's still what you're after.

 

The figure itself is lovely. I love the highlighting you've done on the lute and cloak especially. My only feedback is I feel the base is too large, and takes focus off the figure.

 

You're right, but I wanted to use that wooden plinth, and looked in my box for a mini to put it on.  I saw this mini, and thought, well, it's small, but it could work.  I guess not so much!

 

I always like your stuff. This looks great. I believe we have actually met, many years ago at the last Baltimore games day but I could be confusing you with someone.

 

I was there.  I met a lot of painters that day, so it's possible we met.

 

Awesome mini.  After seeing your other stuff, I like Lanura Windsong best.  She looks like you cut it out of a comic book, not painted it.  That's how you know a good mini IMO.  I also particularly liked the crucifix and St. Patrick.

 

Lanura Windsong is probably my best work, and one of my favorite minis.  I'm glad you found my site, and liked my work!

 

 

The figure itself is lovely. I love the highlighting you've done on the lute and cloak especially. My only feedback is I feel the base is too large, and takes focus off the figure.

 

I agree, great color and shading. And the base is kinda big for a playable mini, unless you're going for the diorama feel. If that's the case, you could use some of that base space. Maybe add a small wishing well, or accent the stump in front of her with a tiny birdhouse, bright ivy, or ornament. Anyway, just my two oxidized cents.

 

Looking sharp!

 

 

I'm thinking of maybe trying to sculpt a few crocuses peaking up near the stump.  They always poke through the last snowfall in my yard.  I could paint them to match the bard and bring the base and mini into better harmony.  I was thinking of painting the green moss to match the green of the bard's cloak, too.  It's not really natural, but it's a fantasy piece, so that's ok.  What do you all think?

Edited July 7, 2014 by MamaGeek

[Dontfear]

Now I know I met you.  I remember your troll!  I met so many people that day though...... I just thought I had a vague recollection.

 

Anyways, nice work as always!

[Guindyloo]

She's absolutely gorgeous! The colours you used compliment each other very well and your shading and highlighting on the cloak is really wonderful!

[Joe the Revelator]

If you did use a few accents around the base that were similar to her cloak in color, I feel it would "tie" the pieces together, if that makes sense.

[Kuro Cleanbrush]

I love your color choices, and very nice conversion work!

[ub3r_n3rd]

This is a gorgeous piece, really like it!

[Kharsin]

Great job MG! I'm loving the colors and the excellent highlight transitions! That base is really awesome as well. Does your friend have a website? I'm getting kind of bored with the wood blocks I can pick up at Hobby Lobby. You can only do so much to make a square look good!