aaronpolson-blog

[aaronpolson-blog]

Say hello to a trio of "Troglodyte" boys from @reaperminiatures They're generic enough to fill in as sahuagin or kuo toa or even lizardfolk in a pinch. Evidently they have pretty good dental plans. Happy gaming, friends. . . . #dungeonmaster #dungeonsanddragons #5e #dnd5e #dndminiatures #monstermanual #thinklikeamonster #fantasyart #swordandsorcery #fantasy #gamemaster #pathfinder #art #miniatures #painting #paintingminiatures #miniaturepainting #tabletop #rpg #ttrpg #dungeonsanddragons5e #dungeons&dragons #d&d #troglodyte #sahuagin #kuo-toa #lizardfolk (at Lawrence, Kansas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEt7JyAn9Ro/?igshid=t3orlbkehvyg

[aaronpolson-blog]

It's been a rough week at work, so I'm looking forward to an extended weekend to play some D&D and get this fella ready for the table. Happy gaming, friends! . . #wip #dungeonmaster #dungeonsanddragons #5e #dnd5e #dndminiatures #monstermanual #thinklikeamonster #fantasyart #swordandsorcery #fantasy #gamemaster #pathfinder #art #miniatures #painting #paintingminiatures #miniaturepainting #tabletop #rpg #ttrpg #dungeonsanddragons5e #dungeons&dragons #d&d #bonegolem #fleshgolem #golem #undead (at Lawrence, Kansas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CErVk_AHtG5/?igshid=1loawz9r3b0pi

[aaronpolson-blog]

I love these shadows from @wizkidsgames #nolzursmarvelousminiatures Such creepy sculpts! In the first pic, one has a gloss finish, tge other matte. In person the gloss appears darker; the matte has a bit of gray frost. Which do you prefer? Happy gaming, friends! . . #dungeonmaster #dungeonsanddragons #5e #dnd5e #dndminiatures #monstermanual #thinklikeamonster #fantasyart #swordandsorcery #fantasy #gamemaster #pathfinder #art #miniatures #painting #paintingminiatures #miniaturepainting #tabletop #rpg #ttrpg #dungeonsanddragons5e #dungeons&dragons #d&d #shadow #shadows #shadowfell #paintedminiatures (at Lawrence, Kansas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEl9j40nY4b/?igshid=1n4cqmtyp6nh7

[aaronpolson-blog]

I remember my first fight against bugbears. My wizard foolishly jumped from a ledge, sprained his ankle, and then had one of these brutes looming over him. They are brutes, too--extra damage with their morningstars can be fatal at low levels. Bugbears are great enforcers or leaders of goblin gangs. I painted this guy to be Balsag the Hunter from The Sunless Citadel . Of course my players called him Ballsack... looking at tou, @chrispwildcat 😁 Happy gaming, friends! . . #dungeonmaster #dungeonsanddragons #5e #dnd5e #dndminiatures #monstermanual #thinklikeamonster #fantasyart #swordandsorcery #fantasy #gamemaster #pathfinder #art #miniatures #painting #paintingminiatures #miniaturepainting #tabletop #rpg #ttrpg #dungeonsanddragons5e #dungeons&dragons #d&d #bugbear #bugbears #thesunlesscitadel #sunlesscitadel (at Lawrence, Kansas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEjWb0mnw80/?igshid=1b3uquwy2odwz

[aaronpolson-blog]

Scenes from last night's game. The party stumbled across a "man of the cloth" and his body guards rumbling with a squad of orcs. Turns out that "man of the cloth" might just be a cult member... ...maybe. Happy gaming friends! . . #dungeonmaster #dungeonsanddragons #5e #dnd5e #dndminiatures #monstermanual #thinklikeamonster #fantasyart #swordandsorcery #fantasy #gamemaster #pathfinder #gamenight #gameday #tabletop #rpg #dnd #ttrpg #dungeonsanddragons5e #tabletopterrain #scatterterrain #dungeonsanddragonsminiatures #paintedminiatures #orcs #orks #miniatures #dungeons&dragons #d&d (at Lawrence, Kansas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEgzuE3HnUb/?igshid=1odzj2cl4mgt0

[aaronpolson-blog]

In keeping with tradition, a party member rode the zombie beholder in last night's game. I love my Thursday group. Happy gaming, friends! . . #dungeonmaster #dungeonsanddragons #5e #dnd5e #dndminiatures #monstermanual #thinklikeamonster #fantasyart #swordandsorcery #fantasy #gamemaster #pathfinder #gamenight #gameday #tabletop #rpg #ttrpg #dungeonsanddragons5e #tabletopterrain #dnd #dungeons&dragons #d&d #beholder #zombie #zombiebeholder (at Lawrence, Kansas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEblCvKnpme/?igshid=13opm9yriocz7

[aaronpolson-blog]

I'll call this one "in praise of contrast paints." I had a couple of harpies lying around with really bad primer jobs. I wanted them on my table for an upcoming game, so I decided to go 90% contrast paints after a quick zenithal rattle can treatment. I spent less than an hour painting two of them, and the results are fine for the table. This isn't a contest piece, but she's ready to sing adventurers to their doom. I painted the other harpy in pics 2 and 3 about 2 years ago with "old" techniques--and spent about twice as long. Contrast isn't perfect all the time, but it's one of the best tools I have. Happy gaming, friends! #dungeonmaster #dungeonsanddragons #5e #dnd5e #dndminiatures #monstermanual #thinklikeamonster #fantasyart #swordandsorcery #fantasy #gamemaster #pathfinder #art #paintingminiatures #miniaturepainting #tabletop #rpg #ttrpg #dungeonsanddragons5e #dungeons&dragons #d&d #harpy #harpies #contrastpaints #citadel #paintingtechniques (at Lawrence, Kansas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEZD6M6ntVB/?igshid=1hygbxl7soibj

[aaronpolson-blog]

Say hello to my undead friend. I really enjoyed painting this zombie beholder and love the final result. One of my groups killed a beholder a few sessions ago... I wonder... Happy gaming! . . #dungeonmaster #dungeonsanddragons #5e #dnd5e #dndminiatures #monstermanual #thinklikeamonster #fantasyart #swordandsorcery #fantasy #gamemaster #pathfinder #art #miniatures #painting #paintingminiatures #miniaturepainting #tabletop #rpg #ttrpg #dungeonsanddragons5e #dungeons&dragons #d&d #beholder #zombie #zombiebeholder #beholderzombie (at Lawrence, Kansas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CET4C5InNRB/?igshid=1dksq4kn33dio

[aaronpolson-blog]

I've expressed my love for spectators in the past. These strange little aberrations have had a special place in my heart since I started my D&D journey. They're not an absolute terror like beholders, but bizarre and deadly enough to strike fear in low level parties. A barbarian I once played kept getting zapped with a paralysis ray--making it extra special when i finally embedded his ax in the spectator's skull. Pictures include spectaors from 5e, 3e, 2e, and 1e... no official pic for 4th edition? Happy gaming, friends! . . #dungeonmaster #dungeonsanddragons #5e #dnd5e #dndminiatures #monstermanual #thinklikeamonster #fantasyart #swordandsorcery #fantasy #gamemaster #pathfinder #art #miniatures #dnd #ttrpg #rpg #monstermonday #beholder #beholderkin #spectator #dungeonsanddragons5e #d&d #dungeons&dragons #gamenight #gameday (at Lawrence, Kansas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CERTfQ-HwdP/?igshid=1t7kov2n8sa59

[aaronpolson-blog]

A funny thing happened on the way to Oakhurst... my eight-year-old son and I smashed some twig blights while uncovering secrets of The Sunless Citadel today. What's on your table? . . #dungeonmaster #dungeonsanddragons #5e #dnd5e #dndminiatures #gamemaster #pathfinder #gamenight #gameday #tabletop #rpg #dnd #ttrpg #dungeonsanddragons5e #tabletopterrain #sunlesscitadel #thesunlesscitadel #twigblight #thinklikeamonster #monstermanual #fantasy #swordandsorcery #adventure #familystuff #wedoplay (at Lawrence, Kansas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEPjjZDnOlc/?igshid=4zdq4vvkjn5p

[aaronpolson-blog]

Spiders... yech. This trio of creepy crawlies was printed a few years back by @johnstockham and featured in the second D&D game I ever played (as our druid's wildshape). Happy to give them a quick table-ready treatment. Happy gaming, friends! . . #dungeonmaster #dungeonsanddragons #5e #dnd5e #dndminiatures #monstermanual #thinklikeamonster #fantasyart #swordandsorcery #fantasy #gamemaster #pathfinder #art #miniatures #painting #paintingminiatures #miniaturepainting #tabletop #rpg #ttrpg #dungeonsanddragons5e #dungeons&dragons #d&d #spider #giantspider (at Lawrence, Kansas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEJpbMUH6qr/?igshid=1icosl717x363

[aaronpolson-blog]

One of my favorite DM tools are these cheapo craft organizers. There are much fancier varieties, but I grab these for about a buck each when there is a 50% off sale at a local hobby store and they work just fine. I have a few dozen of them. Each section can hold a mini or two, a full set of polyhedral dice, spell/effect makers or bits of scatter terrain as shown here. What are your favorite tools for gaming? . . #dungeonmaster #dungeonsanddragons #5e #dnd5e #dndminiatures #gamemaster #pathfinder #gamenight #gameday #tabletop #rpg #dnd #ttrpg #tabletopterrain #scatterterrain #dmtips #dm #gm #runningthegame (at Lawrence, Kansas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEEyNLonNKa/?igshid=1njjjl2btiv9a

[aaronpolson-blog]

I painted this pair of chain devils for a friend who wanted them to look a bit like tomb guardians from Tomb of Annihilation. I took full advantage of washes and their sloppy nature to add layers of blood and rust stains. Happy gaming! . . #dungeonmaster #dungeonsanddragons #5e #dnd5e #dndminiatures #monstermanual #thinklikeamonster #fantasyart #swordandsorcery #fantasy #frostgrave #warhammer #wargaming #ttrpg #rpg #dnd #gamemaster #pathfinder #art #miniatures #painting #paintingminiatures #miniaturepainting #dungeonsanddragonsminiatures #dungeonsanddragons5e #d&d #chaindevil #tombguardian #devil #undead (at Lawrence, Kansas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEB6lQVnaEe/?igshid=1adhhhja5euw8

[aaronpolson-blog]

Here's a monstrosity (as of 5e) we all know and love: the mimic. Disguising itself as an ordinary object--especially those likely to be touched (doors, chests, etc). It secretes a sticky adhesive to hold its prey. After that, it's all nom nom nom... As a DM/GM, mimics are best used sparingly to maintain the surpise. You don't want adventurers stabbing every door/chest/keg/cabinet they come to, do you? I've included pictures from 5e-1e and have to say, the 5e mimic is easily my favorite depiction. Happy gaming! . . #dungeonmaster #dungeonsanddragons #5e #dnd5e #dndminiatures #monstermanual #thinklikeamonster #fantasyart #swordandsorcery #fantasy #gamemaster #pathfinder #art #miniatures #painting #paintingminiatures #miniaturepainting #tabletop #rpg #ttrpg #dungeonsanddragons5e #dungeons&dragons #d&d #mimic (at Lawrence, Kansas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CD_Z4cindhU/?igshid=1noaz28h0cqr6

[aaronpolson-blog]

I still have this encounter in progress on the table after yesterday's cliffhanger. Something dark came from clay pot #3 when the party's druid smashed it... heh. I love cliffhangers. . . . #dungeonmaster #dungeonsanddragons #5e #dnd5e #dndminiatures #gamemaster #pathfinder #gamenight #gameday #tabletop #rpg #dnd #ttrpg #dungeonsanddragons5e #dungeonsanddragonsminiatures #d&d #dungeons&dragons #warlocktiles #tabletopterrain #dungeoncrawl (at Lawrence, Kansas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CD9JSU-HeJi/?igshid=1j7b0la03cn1d

[aaronpolson-blog]

I can finally properly identify the party's dwarf fighter. . . . #dungeonmaster #dungeonsanddragons #5e #dnd5e #dndminiatures #gamemaster #pathfinder #gamenight #gameday #tabletop #rpg #dnd #ttrpg #dungeonsanddragons5e #dungeonsanddragonsminiatures #d&d #dungeonmastertips #dungeonmastertools #wargaming #frostgrave (at Lawrence, Kansas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CD42jtOnpOu/?igshid=fxuj6sz0kss0

[aaronpolson-blog]

Meet Lulla Bell, our party's minotaur bard for the Tomb of Annihilation. She's got horns and is all lady. . . . #dungeonmaster #dungeonsanddragons #5e #dnd5e #dndminiatures #monstermanual #thinklikeamonster #fantasyart #swordandsorcery #fantasy #frostgrave #warhammer #wargaming #ttrpg #rpg #dnd #gamemaster #pathfinder #art #miniatures #painting #paintingminiatures #miniaturepainting #minotaur #bard #mage #wizard #sorcerer #tombofannihilation (at Lawrence, Kansas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CD1dmt9nduf/?igshid=1ik2uvstzjq24