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We're used to seeing mystical creatures depicted as tall, well-built warriors or old, bearded wizards. After all, slaying beasts or casting powerful spells takes strength and experience. But Hong Kong-based illustrator Rudy Siswanto decided to flip our preconceived notions around by depicting them as babies.

From Medusa to Minotaur and beyond, these guys still look badass, only they're so young, you can't help but imagine them taking a nap in the middle of a serious quest.

More info: ArtStationInstagram

#1

Medusa & Gargoyle

Medusa & Gargoyle

Rudy Siswanto Report

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Malakai
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It almost looks like a montage of best friends growing up through the years

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Siswanto, who is originally from Indonesia, is currently working at Riot Games as a splash artist. This series, however, is from a bit earlier. "Baby Beastiary is a client project back from when I was working at Caravan Studio," Siswanto told Bored Panda. "It was for a crowdfunding project by Metal Weave Games. They came up with an idea for a baby creatures' RPG book and I helped them with the visuals."

Siswanto wasn't the only artist working on the project. "I contributed the most on volume 1 and volume 2, and I helped with art direction."

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    The client came with a brief, so they were the ones who picked what particular mystical creatures to include in the series.

    "Through this project, I've learned a lot about not only how to create baby versions of different creatures that are already well known, but I also learned how to really observe [various little animal details], like their gestures, how they move and the proportions [of their bodies]," Siswanto said, adding that it has really helped him to take his craft to another level and create more believable fantasy creatures in general.

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    #4

    Simurgh Pup

    Simurgh Pup

    Rudy Siswanto Report

    #7

    Medusa Daughter

    Medusa Daughter

    Rudy Siswanto Report

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    Steve Barnett
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sorry to quibble, but Medusa wasn't born with serpent-hair; Athena turned her hair into serpents after she was raped by Poseidon in her temple.

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    #10

    Kraken Paralarvae

    Kraken Paralarvae

    Rudy Siswanto Report

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    NMN
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Considering that Cephalopods kinda die after either mating or after babies have hatched (babies, not larvae). An "adult" kracken would be actually a subadult/teen that have not yet mated (or a mama looking over the eggs a bit before dying)

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    #16

    Centaur

    Centaur

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    SirPatTheCat
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hahaha I saw this thing that said "since horses can walk as soon as they are born, and babies can't even hold their heads and bodies up, wouldn't it be a horse body running with the baby torso just flopping around crazily?" Its a good visual xDD

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    #18

    Lizardfolk Whelp

    Lizardfolk Whelp

    Rudy Siswanto Report

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    JuJu
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Don't they live inside the hollow earth when they are not pretending to be the facebook guy :D

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    #31

    Displacer Beast

    Displacer Beast

    Rudy Siswanto Report

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    Virgil Blue
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Awww, displacer kittens are so cute, but difficult to pet. And mind the tentacles!

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    #34

    Lightning Lizardlings

    Lightning Lizardlings

    Rudy Siswanto Report

    #38

    Beholder

    Beholder

    Rudy Siswanto Report

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    Mike Crow
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The adults fight and the children play. We can learn from our kids.

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