ADVERTISEMENT

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

Add photo comments
POST
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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

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."

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.

ADVERTISEMENT
#4

Simurgh Pup

Simurgh Pup

Rudy Siswanto Report

#7

Medusa Daughter

Medusa Daughter

Rudy Siswanto Report

Add photo comments
POST
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#16

Centaur

Centaur

Rudy Siswanto Report

Add photo comments
POST
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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

Lizardfolk Whelp

Lizardfolk Whelp

Rudy Siswanto Report

Add photo comments
POST
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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
Unlimited content
Ad-free browsing
Dark mode
#31

Displacer Beast

Displacer Beast

Rudy Siswanto Report

Add photo comments
POST
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!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#34

Lightning Lizardlings

Lightning Lizardlings

Rudy Siswanto Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#38

Beholder

Beholder

Rudy Siswanto Report

Add photo comments
POST
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.

View more commentsArrow down menu