carlosvalderrama

[carlosvalderrama]

My Drok sculpture/design for GarGanTua!

We say goodbye to our first REALM with a BIG fella: the DROK! A humongous beast, the Drok was a delight to concept. Because we wanted it to be more in an upstanding position, in contrast to the Karakran, we gave it powerful legs, with plantigrade feet and wide hoove-like nails. From the first blocking of the creature, we sculpted an especially bulky head, crowned with a long curved horn, which made it even more ostentatious. Thus, we added a heavy, rounded tail to function as a counterweight.

And the little hands? Aside from being a funny element that contrasted with the bizarre proportions of the animal, we incorporated them as a way to hold on to the mite mounds it feeds off and to the partner when the mating season comes.

The colors were also thought to be striking and, because this time is a larger miniature, we could go crazy with the patterns and details. However, we followed the "Three Colors" key principle so it didn't go too gaudy.

Of course, we wouldn't make a creature mini without committing to, at least, a pair of different poses. That's why we produced, aside from a more "basic" one, another that showed the Drok's "appeal" in all its glory.

Because it has a little bit of a peacock, we thought it would be cool if it raised its four arms and showed the brightly-colored neck. The Drok could be using that posture to intimidate, as well as to courtship and attract a partner.

We hope you enjoyed all these behind-the-scenes details of the Drok mini! And if you enjoyed this ginormous creature and would like to print it yourself, please indulge and visit our stores to grab its Digital Miniature Kit! Or get the other creatures from the Ssizur Desert and complete the collection! Here are the links: Ko-fi / Cults 3D

[carlosvalderrama]

Another of my critters for GARGANTUA! Here you can see my design and sculpt (and final print!) of the mischievous desert lizard-bird called Zish-Zish!

Meet the Zish-Zish! Our creature roster expands with another small species that inhabits the Ssizur desert. This time, an agile hopper reptavian that lives in packs (or mobs, if you will). Because it's a social animal, it uses its ears and colorful plumage to communicate with other members of its group and intimidate possible predators. All those characteristics were incorporated in the design of the Zish-Zish for its miniature, although if we wanted them to be noticeable, those had to be bold and exaggerated.

Also, we had to show at least a portion of how swift and expressive this creature is, so we ended up choosing the "hopping", "attacking", and "distressing" variants.

Of course, the attacking pose was the most challenging, but we managed to make it well-balanced thanks to the custom base with the porous desert rock. This animal rarely touches the hot sands, so it was the perfect opportunity for us to make some dynamic poses!

The final touch had to be the colors, and because this species was a mix between an avian and a reptile (you could say it's a little bit "dinosaur-ish"), we decided to give it some striking pigments. The aquamarine blue was perfect as a contrast to the acid yellow of the desert.

And that's it for the Zish-Zish! If you liked this species for our project REALMS and want to print one (or lots of them!), please consider supporting us. It includes some goodies so you can implement these in your campaigns, so give it a shot!

Every purchase helps us a lot to continue developing these critters! You can get the Zish-Zish and other beasties here:

Ko-fi / Cults 3D

[carlosvalderrama]

Here's my entry for the spectacular #Refugium2024 contest, arranged by @simon-roy on the occasion of his comic Kickstarter!

Because there were five different clades to choose from, I ultimately picked the photosynthetic "pentaped". It wasn't my first choice, though, as I love the idea of the crustacean-like "skilloids", but the five-legged plant animals seemed like they could be a hell of a challenge. So here is the Helioceros (aka Cherubic Pentaped), an alpine species that stores and uses sunlight as an energy source and for displaying behavior.

Hope you like it! And hey, do not forget to support the Refugium comic! Not every day do we come across projects as cool as this!

[carlosvalderrama]

Great paint job from Guillernaut for my Karakran!

Karakran painted! Let's dance!

Ko-Fi / Cults 3D

[carlosvalderrama]

I sculpted this bad boy! The Karakran was really fun to design and sculpt! But the best thing is always to touch and grab it in the real world!

As if weren't enough with the suffocating heat and the toxic fumes, the Ssizur desert also counts with some of the most deadly creatures around... Like the Karakran.

For this species, we wanted to create an arachnid that would fill the niche of a big feline. Sort of a mix between a troglobite --or a scorpion-- and a panther. We envisioned it as an agile and cunning predator, as well as well adapted to the acid desert biome.

Because it's an arachnid too, we respected the number of appendages, but we did them longer and with sharper claws and pseudopalps, perfect to grab and rip its prey.

For the sculpture, we had a basic blocking in which we played with the proportions of every part of the Karakran until we felt it was right. It took a while, but we didn't stop until we got that silhouette and imposing nature of a feline right!

Because we thought it was more than enough, we rejected the idea of making them venomous (also, we already had the Du-Meesh as a toxic critter).

Also, the colors had to be simple but had to resemble the likes of a desert scorpion or a tarantula. And a little bit of saturated color --the oranges-- here and there to underline some details. We had to achieve a mix between something realistic and something exciting to paint.

To also portray the "character" of this beast in the most amusing way possible, we sculpted two different poses: running and "dancing". The latter is both useful for attacking and for mating!

And if you want a Karakran to terrorize your party in your next campaign, or you simply want to print one and paint it because you want it to display on your monster shelf, go ahead and visit our sites to get one: Ko-fi / Cults 3D

As we are just getting started, any support would be appreciated!

[carlosvalderrama]

Hi everybody and welcome to our new Blog! We are Alan, Carlos, and Guille, a trio of friends who love toys, miniatures, board games, and above else, Monsters! And together, we are GARGANTUA. We wanted a specific place not only to share our final products but also to give you a peek at the creation and process of our creations. BTS images, WIP sculpts, and all the meaty material about how we create creatures and the worlds populated by them. Figures, minis, Kits. Cute, fearsome, huge. We have everything covered. We hope you enjoy what's coming!

[carlosvalderrama]

Hi people! I know this site is more abandoned than it should be, but I've been writing my new book and thought it was pretty boring to share pics of texts! However, from time to time, I've been assisting and designing some nasty (and beautiful) critters for GARGANTUA Toys. There's no better therapy between works than creating some monsters, for sure. Soooooo, if you want to check what my brothers at GARGANTUA and I have been cooking lately, please check their new blog: GARGANTUA Blog

They've started with some of the BTS material for Wraith (which I showed you right here some time ago...) , but they will be posting more things about their (our) Project REALMS, so don't miss it!

[carlosvalderrama]

Happy 2024! I hope y'all got a wonderful start this year that will surely be full of monsters! We've been very busy producing the Sheik prototype but in the meantime, here you have the box art by Yours Truly! Enjoy!

[carlosvalderrama]

Sheik prototype!

Soon!

[carlosvalderrama]

The Wraith Model Kit I sculpted is now available in digital! The pack includes the sliced Model in nine STL files, the Pre-supported files, a digital Cover Art illustration, and a digital mini-instruction Booklet. Snatch this kit and print it in any size you want! 🌐 Link to the Wraith Digital Model Kit!

And don't forget: your support, your feedback, any purchase, and any sharing you make are very important to us at Gargantua! Thanks and take care!

[carlosvalderrama]

🔥 Good old jack o'lantern ready for the paint job 🔥

Remember that if you want the digital file for 3D printing, you have until November 5th to get it for less than 1€!

Go Ko-Fi.com/gargantua_toys/link/SAMHAIN

[carlosvalderrama]

Jack o'lantern Speed Sculpt! Here you can see part of the process of the design behind the creature. Enjoy! PD: Our Ko-Fi shop still has a 66,6% discount on every Jack o'lantern item! Go check the link HERE.

[carlosvalderrama]

We opened a Ko-Fi! And to celebrate it while we are in the Season of the Witch, we prepared a new digital printable miniature: Jack o'lantern! But this is a reinterpretation I made of the old iconic character, taking the original legend in which the lantern is a turnip instead of a pumpkin. and of course, lots of liberties were taken 😁

When Stingy Jack tricked the Devil himself, he couldn’t know what kind of curse would shed on him! His black heart turned into a rooted nest infested with worms. His burning head, now a turnip which would hold the inextinguishable embers of Hell. From that day, he would walk the Earth as a monstrosity; a grotesque silhouette that recalls a man holding an impious lamplight even when he lost his humanity forever. That’s why he’s called JACK’O LANTERN!

This is a sculpted model that captures all the creepiness and gnarliness only a mutated undead turnip can have! Go check our Ko-Fi to get the digital file of Jack’o Lantern and benefit from our 66,6% Special Discount from today until November 5th. And we also have some mobile wallpapers if you want to take the Halloween spirit wherever you go!

You only have to click this link (https://ko-fi.com/gargantua_toys/link/SAMHAIN) or introduce SAMHAIN as the discount code. Your support is very important so we can continue our monster-making job! Thanks!

[carlosvalderrama]

WRAITH IS READY FOR PRE-ORDER This #kaiju from the comic GIANTS is sculpted directly by yours truly! You can get the resin kit to assemble and customize it yourself, produced with exquisite detail by @guillernaut_pc. With a height of 6,75" and a base with detachable buildings, this magnificent creature will surely be comfortable among the other monsters on your shelf!

The price is 65€ for the resin model kit (shipping costs not included).

Payment will be done via PayPal (or Bizum if you're in Spain). Shipping is scheduled for the end of November. For the reservation or if you have any questions please email us (📧gargantua.toys@gmail.com📧) or send us a DM.

[carlosvalderrama]

Pre-orders are coming! Our first resin kit is ready: Wraith will be stomping his way this Monday, Oct. 23rd from 11AM PST/ 8PM CET! The kit will have 9 parts: 6 for the monster and 3 for the base/diorama. Size is 6,75" (17cm) tall with the base. Hobbyists, miniature lovers, and monster enthusiasts shouldn't miss it! Please support GARGANTUA so we can continue bringing more amazing creatures your way! More details about payment, shipping, and the painted version soon! For more, visit linktr.ee/gargantua.toys

💥info: gargantua.toys@gmail.com💥

[carlosvalderrama]

GIANTS MONSTER SERIES 1: WRAITH

Our first resin kit is printed and ready! I'm very excited to show you the Wraith prototype! For me, it is a thing of pure magic to see how a sculpture made on a computer, a digital file, can gain a physical form. It would never cease to amuse me... But here it is. For this model, I wanted a little base with a mini diorama to display, although you can put the monster wherever you want without it. Also, you may notice the little hole in the base. Let's say it would make sense in the future... I'll show you more about this figure soon! We at GARGANTUA want to announce the pre-order date later this October, so stay tuned. In the meantime, here's a sneak peek at our fully painted proto.

[carlosvalderrama]

The first figure of our #GiantsMonsterSeries will be, as it must, Wraith! I made a new illustration for the package art, mixing the final appearance of the figure with Miguel's art for the notorious splash page placed at the beginning of the comic. Soon I'll show how the #resinkit is progressing!