In Doctor Frikistein’s lab, we’re always experimenting with new ideas. Some end up as products, others as videos… and some are simply born out of pure hobby passion.
This time I decided to do something different:
To turn myself into a miniature.
I used this miniature to express a very important part of my return to the hobby of miniature painting in my Miniature Painting Bag introduction video for the crowdfunding on Gamefound.
And honestly, I found the result so interesting that I thought it would be worthwhile to share the whole process.
From the real world to the 3D model
It all started with a real-life pose.
I wanted the miniature to convey the character’s personality: a mix between an eccentric scientist, a miniature painter, and a villain straight out of a classic horror film.
So I staged a physical pose, took a photograph, and edited it to create a 3D model.
First, I edited the photograph in Photoshop to give it a less realistic and more comic-book look. I also widened some very thin parts, like the paintbrush and the backpack handle. This was to give them more thickness in the 3D print and prevent them from breaking.
I used the Meshy.ai application to convert and adjust the details of the 3D image.
Once the model was finished, one of the most satisfying moments of the process arrived:
I had the miniature 3D printed in resin and was thrilled to see it physically appear for the first time.
That moment always has a touch of “hobby magic.”
Honestly, it was with Hito that I finally managed to make a miniature on my own… I’ve always admired miniature sculptors since childhood, ever since those early White Dwarfs magazines that explained the process.
And honestly… now I have even more respect for those artists, who didn’t have the digital tools I’ve used. In their hands, the potential would be incredible!
The Painting Scheme
For me, painting is a form of artistic expression, and I didn’t want to make a “literal” miniature of myself, but rather a “miniature” version of Doctor Frikistein. It might seem the same, but for me it’s not. Through this miniature, I could express the dark, cinematic atmosphere I’ve always wanted to give the Doctor Frikistein character.
- Base coat of black.
- Dark bluish-gray for the highlights and edges of the black elements.
- Gray with a touch of blue for the tunic. More blue in the shadowed areas and more white in the brighter areas.
- Bluish-gray for the trousers, with gray and black patches for the military pattern.
- Bluish tone for the skin (to give the character a more Transylvanian look).
- Base coat with a color pattern from the color wheel, to create a very colorful contrast that breaks the seriousness of the miniature.
You can see the process in this video:
The final result
This project was a mix of:
- 3D modeling
- resin printing
- miniature painting
- and a lot of artistic experimentation.
And although I’m still learning and improving, I think the result captures the essence of Doctor Frikistein quite well.
Feel free to comment with your thoughts or any advice you might have. I’m always eager to learn more, and you know… keep experimenting.
See you in the next lab experiment! 🔬🎨
