Our Epic Diorama Trilogy for Archon Studio
A while ago Archon Studio asked us to make some dioramas.
Three to be exact.
Three different universes, three different vibes, but one common thread – taking legendary figures from gaming culture and turning them into painted models.
And those models were provided by Archon. The rest was on our side: from creating a project, to painting and assembling.
Archon Studio needed marketing assets for their board game adaptations, and thanks to that we’ve got to paint some seriously cool characters.
Three Worlds, Three Stories: The Archon Studio Diorama Collection
Each diorama told a different story and required a completely different approach – from the divine majesty of a Heroes 3 Archangel to the playful energy of an owlbear family.
The brief was straightforward: create marketing assets that would showcase their systems adaptations. Each piece needed to capture what makes these characters so memorable in their respective worlds.
Heroes 3 Archangel: Strategy Game Icons Get the Paint Treatment
The Heroes 3 Archangel represents one of strategy gaming’s most powerful units. Those tier 7 creatures that could turn any battle around with their divine intervention and healing abilities.
The Heroes 3 Archangel diorama let us take this iconic unit and give it proper paint. Archon Studio’s board game adaptation does an incredible job translating the classic computer game into tabletop format, and this model perfectly captures that recognizable silhouette from the original game.
The challenge was honoring the source material while adding enough detail to make it work as a display piece.
The base work was crucial too – we wanted something that felt like it could be a scene from the game itself.
Masters of the Universe: He-Man vs Skeletor Desert Showdown
From strategy games to 80s vibes – this piece featured two of the most recognizable characters in fantasy entertainment.
The Masters of the Universe diorama capturing He-Man vs Skeletor required a totally different approach. Where the Archangel was all about divine power, this piece needed to capture the dynamic conflict between these eternal rivals.
The desert setting created perfect neutral ground for these two forces to clash.
Painting He-Man meant channeling that classic hero aesthetic and that iconic harness and sword combo.
Skeletor was all about that theatrical villain look. The skull face and that cape that manages to look both regal and sinister.
The contrast between them creates the perfect visual dynamic.
D&D Owlbear Family: When Monsters Show Their Softer Side
Our final piece for Archon Studio took us into D&D territory with one of the game’s most beloved creatures.
The D&D Owlbear family diorama proved that even the most fearsome monsters have downtime. Papa Owlbear, is just having a quiet moment with his cubs in their woodland home.
The detail work on this piece focused on creating that lived-in forest environment. Moss-covered logs, scattered bones from previous meals, little environmental storytelling elements that make you believe this family has made this spot their territory.
The cubs themselves steal the show. Watching them play with their “toy” – that skull with the eyeball still attached – perfectly captures the D&D universe’s mix of cute and creepy. It’s adorable and slightly disturbing at the same time, which fits the game perfectly.
Ready to Commission Your Own Gaming Icons?
Working on these Archon Studio dioramas showed us how much fun it is to paint characters that people instantly recognize. Whether it’s powerful strategy game units, classic action heroes, or beloved D&D creatures, there’s something satisfying about taking these famous figures and giving them the paint treatment they deserve.
Got your own favorite characters gathering dust in grey plastic? Whether it’s a single hero or an entire army, we’re here to help them reach their potential.
Ready to start your commission? Get in touch and let’s discuss your project!
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