D&D Classes: I'm looking for a good Bard mini (and others)

[Evilcartoonist]

So as a side project in the past year or so, I've been painting up figures from different manufacturers to represent the basic character classes in D&D through 3rd edition (I'm leaving out 4th ed. because there are just too many classes in it for me to paint up ... for now.) Below is what I have so far; I also have a monk and barbarian (just not pictured), and a sorcerer (not painted.) So that leaves the Bard and Druid classes that I have yet to purchase minis for.

SO, my question to you all is: What are your favorite Bard and Druid minis? What would you suggest I use as the archetype "look" for these two classes? I'm open to all manufacturers of heroic (30-36mm) scale metals, in print or oop. I'm also open to any D&D official race; I just have mostly humans in my picture because that's what I like to play for my characters.

Also, have I made any glaring omissions of classes? I've tried to do just the basic classes (ie, those in the core rules and player's handbook from each edition through 3.0,) Let me know



Edit: Here are my Barbarian and Monk classes. In early editions, was the monk allowed to use weapons (such as the spear pictured)? If not, I'll just have to get another figure to paint 

[Blue in vt]

I'm way out of touch with D&D...so can't help you with that...but I can say that your apinting is FANTASTIC!!

Keep up the good work.

Blue

[FionaWhite]

I think they are mostly 28mm, but Reaper makes pretty much the best stuff I've seen on this front.

Here's a few bards:

Liriel



Fynch Brassfrog, clearly in need of a electric guitar.


I've never been druidin' so druidic miniatures remain a mystery to me. 

[DeafNala]

Here's a link to all 37 of Reaper's Bards:  http://www.reapermini.com/Miniatures/bard
...the idea of doing a cut & paste on all of them was too nuts even for moi.

[Heldrak]

Frankly, it is hard to get a good Bard miniature (many of them are parody figures, or otherwise just plain silly-looking). Personally, I have always liked the old Citadel ADD18 Bard, but it may be hard to find and smallish in scale compared to more recent figures:

http://solegends.com/citadd1/add18bard/IMG_9227-01.htm

Re: Your Monk figure, regardless of their ability to use weapons, I'm pretty sure that they were always allowed to use a staff, so simply removing the spear tip and converting the spear to a quarterstaff would be an easy fix.

Great looking bunch of iconic figures with excellent detail!

[Damien]

Will try and help finding D&D minis later tonight but for now all I have to say is that your painting is fantastic, I love the vibrant colours. The leather on the Thief, the orange on the cleric, all the colours used on the magic user (can't forget the bases while we are at it), everything is just gorgeous.


Damien

[dinohunterpoa]

The MINISTREL miniature from Aragone's GROO, The Wanderer comic series!

 

[Geckilian]

For me, this is probably -the- archetype for a Druid, from Enigma Miniatures -

[mweaver]

Here is a Red Box Games figure that I think would make an excellent druid:




I agree with the above posters - you did an excellent job on those figures.

[Booboo]

I love the figure selection and the paintjobs.  Where is the Mage from?  Awesome.


 --- Nevermind.  Rackham, I found it on your blog.  looks great

[commissarmoody]

there are a few bards from Privateerpress.
First one is of an Elf with a flut tameing a water serpent.
http://privateerpress.com/hordes/gallery/minions/solos/dahlia-hallyr-skarath

and a piper

http://privateerpress.com/warmachine/gallery/mercenaries/solos/rhupert-carvolo-piper-of-ord

and one from hasslefree
http://www.hasslefreeminiatures.co.uk/pack.php?pack=1601

[Evilcartoonist]

Great input; I think I'll go for that Redbox figure for a druid; it looks great, but I've also been looking for a good excuse to order from Redbox (never ordered from them yet); It will also diversify the manufacturers represented in the group (I like to spread the wealth a bit ) Though, that Enigma figure definitely has a good iconic look to it.

I'll make a decision on the bard this weekend. I'm leaning toward Reaper's new halfling bard (just to get a little more racial diversity in the group,) but I'm still gonna look at suggestions here; none of them are bad.

I've also decided to represent the base classes from 4th ed. (all I'd need extra is a warlock and warlord, and I have a warlord.)

Thanks, all! (And more suggestions are welcome)
EDIT: by the way, since I'm not collecting an army here, I'm open to the more expensive minis options as well as those more reasonably priced.
Another edit: I went ahead and got that Red Box fellow (and a couple other figures, including one to be my warlock.) Thanks, Mweaver! Still lookin' at bards.

[Doomsdave]

The MINISTREL miniature from Aragone's GROO, The Wanderer comic series!

 

Where did these come from?  I would love to have some Groo figs.   

[dinohunterpoa]

DOOMSDAVE, the Groo minis were issued in 1986 from Dark Horse Miniatures (sadly a defunct company).



The Blisters:

#1: Groo, Rufferto, Chaakal, Sage, Minstrel.
#2: Groo, Taranto, witch, Arcadio.
#3: Young Groo, Grooella, Sergio, Gravito
#4: Wenches and Warriors (2 title maidens, 2 guards).
#5: Dragon put together from 5 pieces.

I am fortunate to have set #1 and can say they're very nice minis whose cartooned proportions made them fit  enough to go with modern 28mm minis! (assuming Groo is a vertically-challenged double-sword-wielding maniac anyway).



 




 

[Chairface]

I have a Groo that I plan on painting up as a fantasy army. No other minis, just Groo