How do I make the Cthulhu Wars High Priests look cool?

[lugiber]

I'm a big fan of the Cthulhu Wars minis. And I think Fenris Games has done an awesome job sculpting them. As a matter of fact, I can't think of anyone who could have done a better job.
That said, I really think that the High Priests are a couple of notches below the standard of the rest of the minis. It almost feels like the minis were rushed through. Their boots have toes for instance and the pile of bones they're standing on is far too round and symmetric .

I'm not a seasoned miniature modder, and I've only been painting for a little over a year. So I thought I'd tap in on the massive experience of you guys. How could I make this mini look cooler than the regular cultists? (I've already bought additional bones and skulls to add to the base.) And I don't think painting will do the trick alone. I need some cool obelisk or slaughtered corpse or something to put in front of the mini to show he's not to be trifled with.

Any help would be most appreciated!

(The attached image is not finished, it's a work in progress.)

[fastolfrus]

It might just be the photo but his proportions just don't look right.

His right arm looks as though it could reach almost to his ankles if he stood up straight.
Is his body too short?

Agree with the comment on the boots. They look odd, almost as if they were originally going to be sculpted as sandals.

Rather than an obelisk or corpse, maybe a crack in the ground with a tentacle pushing up out of it?
There used to be some Starship Troopers terrain articles (lost the link on my old pc) with suggestions on making bugs coming up from tunnels just by using spare parts.

[lugiber]

Tentacles ey?
I really like the sound of that! That's something I'd definitely like to add to the mini!
Thanks!

[Maledrakh]

One thing you could do with paint, is give him staring madman eyes and an upturned mouth with a leer or a raptourous smile.

Maybe stick a sacrificial human heart in one of the hands?

[lugiber]

Good idea! Of course he should have a beating heart in his hand!
Do you have any idea on where I can purchase some hearts? I have tried google but I didn't find any.

Sadly I'm quite terrible with so small details as eyes. So I won't even try to paint them. Thanks for the suggestion though. I'm sure it would look really cool if someone more skilled in painting than me would give him manic eyes!

[FierceKitty]

A dusting of snow over the shoulders would certainly be cool.

[ced1106]

Sadly I'm quite terrible with so small details as eyes. So I won't even try to paint them.

No excuses!

Get a lit magnifying lamp, like a "helping hands" on Amazon.

With monsters, like the High Priest, just dotting his eyeballs a metallic red will do. No need for pupils.

[lugiber]

Ok, ok, you win. I'll give him some good ol' hungover eyes! 

[chicklewis]

I agree with you.  I had already decided that I will not paint my red plastic high priest mini, he is just TOOO lame a sculpt. 

[DS615]

His boots look weird because I'm pretty sure he's barefoot.
Or supposed to be.  I agree it's not the best design of the lot.

[Dr DeAth]

It might just be the photo but his proportions just don't look right.

His right arm looks as though it could reach almost to his ankles if he stood up straight.

I agree. I'd cut the arms off where they come out of the sleeves, chop the hands at the wrists and stick them back on - that would improve the arms IMHO