As a child, Brian Froud’s art in the book Faeries captivated me. Originally published in 1978, this now out-of-print book features fascinating descriptions and stories about creatures of folklore alongside the spellbinding illustrations. I discovered it somewhere between The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth, both films featuring Froud’s imagination brought to life as gelflings and goblins.
I lost many hours in the fae realm poring through the pages. And I’ve been drawn to the dark and whimsical ever since. So, many years later, when I found that Oakbound Studios produces a line of miniatures (and companion game) inspired in part by this book, I rekindled my childhood nostalgia. What better way to revisit my fae infatuation than to paint some of these enchanting miniatures?
Pixies and other Woodland Folk
Many of the denizens of Faerie can be mistaken for rodents or other small woodland critters, and they would prefer to keep it that way. In some cases, the miniature is “life-size” in comparison to the fae folk it represents.
Here, we have a gnole, kobold, and yaltog. I drew inspiration while painting these minis from the woodland pixie urchin, a hedgehog-like creature sporting a hat.
Pixies are said to “enjoy their fun” (which apparently includes stealing horses “to ride them wildly across the moor”), but can also be hard-working. Just be aware that if you gift them a new outfit, they may abandon their work as they delight in their new duds.
Redcaps
With malicious intent, the evil redcaps patrol the borders of Faerie. They dye their namesake hoods with their victims’ blood. Frequently found in ruined castles and other fortifications, they are drawn to the wickedness done in these places. There is even a tale of one having served notorious villain William de Soulis, though it did not end up well for the Scotsman.
Water Leapers
Also known as Llamhigyn Y Dwr in Welsh mythology, carnivorous Water Leapers often appear as a monstrously large frog. Instead of four legs, it has a pair of bat-like wings and a reptilian tail tipped with a venomous stinger. These water spirits prey on fish, wayward sheep, and hapless fishermen, pulling them to their watery death.
Spriggans
Spriggans are wild, cunning tricksters from Cornish folklore, described as “dour and ugly and grotesque in shape.” Though typically small in stature, they can grow to giant sizes when threatened.
Found amidst ancient ruins and hills guarding hidden treasure, spriggans can turn quite malevolent and dangerous if provoked. They unleash havoc upon trespassers and misdirect travelers, reveling in thievery and mischief. Their chaotic antics include creating illusions and playing pranks, summoning whirlwinds and storms, causing blights, and even kidnapping children.
According to legend, on Christmas Eve, you can hear spriggans singing as they gather for a midnight mass deep within the mines.
A Walk in The Woods
You can play all these minis (and many more) in Oakbound’s tabletop strategy game, The Woods. The game is set in a realm of Celtic folklore and inspired by the mystical beings depicted by artists like Brian Froud. A wealth of folklore is aggregated into The Woods‘ story and miniature collection.
Be warned that these creatures from ancient legends may not be the innocuous fairies of modern retelling. We would be wise to show reverence for the chaotic, untamed, and sometimes dangerous forces they embody. They are, after all, deeply connected to the soul of the earth and the wild spaces they inhabit.
We’ve sadly drifted away from the magic of the natural world and all but forgotten these little gods, tricksters, and spirits ever lurking at the edges of our perception.
If you take the time to listen, you, too, may hear their whispers and laughter, beckoning you to find your way back to the elusive realm of the fae. Whether through art or by simply being present in nature, we can awaken to the magic and wonder that’s all around us.
Leave a Reply