Artist Portrays Mystical Creatures In Their Vulnerable Form – When They Were Still Babies (30 Pics)
We're used to seeing mystical creatures depicted as tall, well-built warriors or old, bearded wizards. After all, slaying beasts or casting powerful spells takes strength and experience. But Hong Kong-based illustrator Rudy Siswanto decided to flip our preconceived notions around by depicting them as babies.
From Medusa to Minotaur and beyond, these guys still look badass, only they're so young, you can't help but imagine them taking a nap in the middle of a serious quest.
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Siswanto, who is originally from Indonesia, is currently working at Riot Games as a splash artist. This series, however, is from a bit earlier. "Baby Beastiary is a client project back from when I was working at Caravan Studio," Siswanto told Bored Panda. "It was for a crowdfunding project by Metal Weave Games. They came up with an idea for a baby creatures' RPG book and I helped them with the visuals."
Siswanto wasn't the only artist working on the project. "I contributed the most on volume 1 and volume 2, and I helped with art direction."
The client came with a brief, so they were the ones who picked what particular mystical creatures to include in the series.
"Through this project, I've learned a lot about not only how to create baby versions of different creatures that are already well known, but I also learned how to really observe [various little animal details], like their gestures, how they move and the proportions [of their bodies]," Siswanto said, adding that it has really helped him to take his craft to another level and create more believable fantasy creatures in general.
Simurgh Pup
I am afraid to think what a flying puppy could do to the house, but I want one anyway.
Medusa Daughter
Sorry to quibble, but Medusa wasn't born with serpent-hair; Athena turned her hair into serpents after she was raped by Poseidon in her temple.
Kraken Paralarvae
Unicorn Foal
Centaur
Hahaha I saw this thing that said "since horses can walk as soon as they are born, and babies can't even hold their heads and bodies up, wouldn't it be a horse body running with the baby torso just flopping around crazily?" Its a good visual xDD
Tatzelwurm Kit
Griffin Hatchlings
Hound Archon Pup
Gargoyle Mouldling
Androsphynx & Gynosphynx
Djinayni
Note: this post originally had 40 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
I like how the artist included the adults in many of the drawings. I love this style and genre of art. So well done. Favorite: Baby Medusa!
I never thought that some monsters could be so darn cute! I'd love to have at least one of each! Absolutely fantastic art
Stunning! The attention to detail, the colors, the lighting, the textures--all of these are just teeming with fantastical magic and whimsy! I wish I could take a few of these baby beasties home
The artist (Rudy Siswanto) apparently works already for ages for Hasbro, illustrating nonetheless than Magic: The Gathering's cards. More than possible that works also on Dungeons & Dragons. Surely he's no newbie and these pictures show well his experienced talent.
I like how the artist included the adults in many of the drawings. I love this style and genre of art. So well done. Favorite: Baby Medusa!
I never thought that some monsters could be so darn cute! I'd love to have at least one of each! Absolutely fantastic art
Stunning! The attention to detail, the colors, the lighting, the textures--all of these are just teeming with fantastical magic and whimsy! I wish I could take a few of these baby beasties home
The artist (Rudy Siswanto) apparently works already for ages for Hasbro, illustrating nonetheless than Magic: The Gathering's cards. More than possible that works also on Dungeons & Dragons. Surely he's no newbie and these pictures show well his experienced talent.