Amanita Shaman - CreepyTables - Competition Piece 2026

I almost didn’t buy this piece.

I picked it up, had a look, then put it straight back down. Then my ever-loving wife picked it up, looked at it for a moment and said, “This is cool, I think you could make this look amazing.”

So naturally, I grabbed it.

And that's where the story of this piece begins.

I picked up the model from SpecMod Models at the 2025 QMHE convention. About ten minutes later, I wandered over to Seona's stand at Dragonfly Relics and found a couple of beautiful pieces of burl that I knew would make the perfect base. I brought everything home... and then promptly ignored it for about a month while life and commissions got in the way.

Eventually, I looked over at it and thought, "I really should start working on some competition pieces."

What happened next was completely different from my usual process.

Normally, I don't plan. I don't sketch. I don't do colour studies. I just sit down and paint.

This time was different.

Something about this piece got its hooks into me. I started sketching colour schemes, planning lighting, gathering references, thinking about textures and composition. It felt strange, but it also felt right. For once, I had a roadmap before I picked up a brush.

Over the following months I slowly worked through that plan. Colours were laid down, ideas were tested, then commissions came along and the project sat quietly on the shelf while I focused on client work. I'd add a little here and there, but it wasn't until recently that I really sank my teeth back into it.

Then the work just poured out.

I sought feedback from painters and non-painters alike. I threw it to the wolves of Reddit. I spoke with creators who had taken an interest in the project. I listened, refined, adjusted, and pushed further.

Then I did it again.

And again.

And again.

Each pass bringing me closer to the balance of light, colour, texture, and atmosphere I had envisioned from the beginning.

So, with that, I present to you: Amanita Shaman from CreepyTables.

A piece that challenged the way I normally work, taught me a few things about planning, and reminded me that sometimes slowing down and thinking before painting can be just as rewarding as diving in headfirst.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed bringing it to life.