vcreatures

[vcreatures]

Harpies are avian scavengers found across partly forested areas, deserts, grasslands and shorelines. These large buzzards are a vital part of the ecosystem acting as the natural cleaning crew of their territory, cleaning away carcasses and as such keeping disease low. Their ironclad stomachs are capable of eating rotting flesh and even bone.

Males and females are dimorphic, with males possessing a bony crest, longer plumes and colored facial skin. While both sexes possess the impressive mammary like wattle, males are able to inflate theirs as part of their courting display. Which originally caused early explorers to believe these avian beasts possessed human breasts.

Harpies are monogamous and will rear up to 3 chicks in a single breeding season. Often in large necks high in the canopy or along cliff sides. 

If you're interested in seeing more of my work you'll want to head over to my instagram. I post more regularly there.

[vcreatures]

The Hangman’s Wyvern is a large, nocturnal scavenger found throughout most of the globe. 

The males of the specie have large impressive tails that have a striking and somewhat ghoulish patterning from which they derived their namesake. The illusionary skeletal markings are quite elaborate and no two are the same. 

These drakes get their name not only from the tail pattern but also for their opportunist scavenging which does include human remains. The Hangman’s Wyvern is also known as the Gallows Drake because of this. It is not uncommon to find them perched or circling graveyards or areas of execution.

[vcreatures]

For those interested, I've done a small run of prints for my Gingko and Monstera dragon! Thank you in advance for those who add these to their personal art galleries!

See link below:

[vcreatures]

The term “witch” is colloquially used for any number of magical practitioners. From fairy witches, troll witches, and most commonly human practitioners of the magical arts. However the “True Witch” is not human at all but a member of the Annis family which includes a multitude of varying species. Arguably the most notorious and widely known member of this genus is the Green skinned True Witch. Their aggressive nature and proclivity for darker arts has widely informed much of the world’s view of both True Witches and witches alike. 

Their “witch hat” is actually a horn that grows over time and denotes rank in their coven. Should the Reverend be struck down from their position their horn is broken by the new leader. 

The Green Skinned True Witch lives under a strict caste system of subordinates and their sole Reverend leader. A coven can be as small as two, which are typically absorbed by larger surrounding covens, or as larger as 50. Older, stronger Reverends are able to command such a brood but heavy is the crown who wears it as their reign is fleeting. Should a formidable member of their coven, or an outside witch, seek the position, it is a battle that in many cases ends in a sole survivor. Should the opponent or reigning Reverend survive, they are typically cast out. The victor will keep the defeated’s horn as a symbol of their power

[vcreatures]

Pulled from the depths, these 5 “Neptune’s Purse specimens" are but one example of future Creature Compendium Collection specimens.

At 10x8 inches they are quite the statement piece to any menagerie.

Each mermaid comes with a numbered and wax sealed print(4.25x6inch). They will come unpainted to allow their owner the ability to paint them however they see fit. This model kit requires some minimal building skills(glueing, painting etc) Tail is unattached for safer shipping but is keyed to fit and can be attached with glue to the body. See photo for reference.

Material: Resin You will be receiving the mermaid figurine and wax sealed print only.

[vcreatures]

The colloquially named Sandworm is a member of the Hydra family. Inhabiting seemingly inhospitable desert landscapes this creature lives most of it’s live under the sands, traversing it much like the oceans. It rarely breaches, but when it does it is quite the sight due to its massive stature and impressive markings. 

As with all Hydra, copulation takes place via copulative parasitism. Male Sandworms are minuscule in comparison to their female counterparts. Her rough and impenetrable hide makes it impossible for customary adhesion noted in the species so males take a far more “disturbing” course of action.   

Male Sandworms will enter the female through her ventral slit just behind her head. From there, the male will bite her tongue, releasing a natural anesthetic to numb the skin and ultimately sever the blood supply to her tongue. Feeding on the blood supply this will cause it to atrophy to which the male will attach itself to the remaining stub and ultimately become her living tongue. This practice is not always successful however and most males will fall prey to his potential mate should she notice before. Males will grow triple in size throughout it’s life once adhered.

[vcreatures]

Forgot to post this here:

Veneris Tredecim Drake is deemed the harbinger of bad luck. A keen sense of smell, this  drake is capable of detecting the bodily signals of disease, age and other factors that make for an easy prey item. 

[vcreatures]

The Shikome is the broad stroke term for any number of Kijo, Kijo being the term for female Oni. With garish toothy smiles, long gnarled fingers and often misshapen bodies these yoki are quite the sight to behold. Despite their lack of beauty, by human standards, they have a great passion for cosmetics and are commonly seen donning makeup and wearing elaborate kimonos.

However their fixation with beauty should not be misinterpreted, this Kijo of the underworld are quite dangerous.

A little something to keep the trend of ushering in the Holiday spirit. While not particularly Halloween-y in nature I do think Yokai, or some, are a good blend of folkloric entity and the holiday.

[vcreatures]

Just found you blog and I'm in awe!

Do you perhaps sell prints or are you planning on publishing an art book?

Asking because I would absolutely love to have your art framed on my walls.

Thank you so much for your message!

I'm currently all sold out of the small run of artbooks I published. However I will be releasing prints soon. Keep an out out as I'll be posting on my socials when I do!

Thanks!

[vcreatures]

PRINTS AVAILABLE

Another Botanical Drake added to the compendium. Today is the tropical Draco Monstera

[vcreatures]

PRINTS AVAILABLE

if you’ve been following me long enough you know I love a mimic. From my false faced mermaids that I’ve been painting for years to butterfly dragons, I’m a big fan of illusion in the bestiary world.

I bring you the Ginkgo Draco, another member of the Botanical Drakes. 

[vcreatures]

Hydras are a highly elusive drake found primarily deep within cave systems. 

Known across the globe for their multi venomous heads the true nature of the Hydra is a bit more complex. 

Much of it’s life the hydra will live solitarily, and living within labyrinthian cave systems makes that quite easy. Males and Females of the species are quite dimorphic, rarely coming across one another. However it is upon maturity the the Hydra will undergo it’s task of metamorphism. The multi headed dragon of legend is in fact a bonded and mated pair.  Females develop a bioluminescent lure, that both attracts prey but also a potential mate. Upon finding a suitable sire, the male will adhere to his mate’s back. This process is not immediate and full adhesion will take years to complete. An enzyme is released from his underbelly allowing for the fusing process. However females have a counter enzyme allowing for females to reject potential males should better stock be found. Upon full adhesion the males body nearly fully absorbs into his mate, even their brain chemistry will intertwine. His wings, however, will remain fully functional and as such will allow for the pair to venture beyond the cave for greater feeding opportunity. Why most hydra are double headed, there are cases where multiple males will adhere to a single female. The most dominate male remaining most intact. This typically only happens to larger more dominant females.

Other dragon species have following a similar convergent evolution such as the False Hydra. Male False Hydra possess a suction cup appendage on their underbelly comprised of highly modified ventral scales and females have the responding on their back. However this bond is not permanent and separation is capable. 

[vcreatures]

The Batwinged Stardancer is an elusive nocturnal wyvern whose body mimics the night skies. Speckled in bioluminescence, when taken flight it becomes nearly invisible mimicking the blinking of stars.  

I bounce between all the great Smaugust lists out there. The Batwinged Stardancer was a really intriguing concept so I went with that one. 

[vcreatures]

The Orchid Draco Mantis

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Draco Mantis are a highly dimorphic dragon of the Botanical Dragon family. Ranging from medium in length at 18 inches long to quite small at 3inches. Found primarily in tropical regions within dense lush forest, they are quite elusive and as such very little is known about this species. 

Ambush predators the Draco Mantis will sit perfectly still, it’s upper body ridged and ready to spring forth it’s arms to grab hold. While not aerialists of the dragon world the Draco Mantis can fly short distances and is largely done to get from tree to tree or to avoid predation. 

[vcreatures]

The Draco Flagelliformis is a member of the vast and dimorphic family of botanical Drakes. Much like it’s cousin, the Strobilus Throat Drake, it too has an impressive waddle. These impressive appendages are found elusively on the males of the specie. Throughout it’s life it will grow new tendrils, with some males growing upwards into the dozens of these fleshy appendages. The more impressive the wattle, the more likely he is to mate. Not only an impressive mating display they can also be used as a weapon. Each tendril is barbed, and with a quick whip of it’s head they can inflict a painful blow. Many males will loose tendrils throughout the course of it’s life either in combat or lucky escapes from predators, however so long as there is no infection the tendril will grow back, albeit deformed. 

[vcreatures]

It’s Smaugust season! I’m not following any one list this year however this drake comes from davidscreaturecodex ’s amazing list. Day one is Amphibian. I went with more amphibious I guess over overtly amphibian but I guess that sort of still counts?