In the ever-evolving world of collectible miniatures and fantasy sculpture, few moments are as exciting as a creative collaboration. That’s why I’m thrilled to announce my partnership with Black Forge Games, a New Zealand-based studio specializing in fantasy strorys, 3d modelling and soon, board game 'Blood Oak – Chapter 1', meticulously designed for hobbyists, painters, and collectors alike.
This collaboration merges our mutual passion for dragons, 3D printing artistry, and storytelling through sculpted forms. Together, we’re pushing the limits of what fantasy figurines can become—both in terms of aesthetic impact and hobbyist potential.
Who is Black Forge Games?
Experts in dark fantasy and 3d sculpting
Black Forge Games is an indie creative studio based in New Zealand, known for its rich and gothic-inspired universe. They produce high-detail 3D printable STL files and physical miniatures, all carefully sculpted in-house and offered in both painted and unpainted formats. Their digital store offers a wide array of heroes, villains, and monstrous creatures—each full of character, lore, and dramatic flair.
Their universe, known as the Flesh and Fire setting, is a rich tapestry of cursed beings, eldritch knights, undead warlords, and mysterious dragons. Each sculpt is not just a model—it’s a fragment of a much larger narrative.
How our worlds collide: dragons and design
Merging lore, resin, and artistry
As an independent French artist deeply immersed in dragon creation and 3D modeling, my work naturally complements the world of Black Forge. This collaboration brings together two creative worlds—mine, rooted in dragon busts and figurines inspired by mythology and pop culture, and theirs, steeped in dark fantasy storytelling.
Together, we’ve collaborated on a single project: Valtallion - Guardian of light - A bust that embodies the intensity, detail, and presence of both brands. Designed for resin 3D printing, this model reflects hours of sculpting, texturing, and anatomy refinement—resulting in a piece that’s equally stunning painted or left in raw resin.
Why unpaint figurines matter to the community
The joy of customization
For many collectors and hobbyists, unpaint figurines are not just blank canvases—they are opportunities. Whether you’re a beginner with a drybrush or a master of airbrushing and oil washes, these models invite personal interpretation. They allow you to bring your own lore, color theory, and mood to the sculpt.
Our collaboration piece was made with painters in mind: large enough to enjoy detailing, but compact enough to display. Each surface—scales, claws, horns, eyes—was sculpted with paint layering and drybrushing in mind.
3d printing and material choice
Optimized for hobbyist printers
The figurine is optimized for SLA and DLP 3D printers, especially resin-based models like Anycubic Photon, Elegoo Saturn, or Phrozen. It prints cleanly at 0.05 mm layer height and comes pre-supported in both chitubox and Lychee Slicer formats for smooth setup.
Whether you print in standard grey resin or opt for bio-resin, the sculpt holds its detail with stunning clarity. From horn ridges to undercut jawlines, every angle is engineered for printability.
Where to get it
The figurine will be released on August 15th on my shop at antredudragondairain.com and showcased on social platforms including Instagram (@le.dragon.dairain) and TikTok.
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Painted version (limited edition, hand-painted by me)
We’ll also share photos, painting guides, and behind-the-scenes reels from the sculpting and printing process.
You can now order the STL dragon's bust on Black Forge Web site HERE.
Joining forces with the painting community
from makers to miniatures
What makes this project special is the community around it. Both Black Forge and I have strong ties with 3D printing fans, painters, and collectors who see miniatures as more than products—they’re art forms, meditative tools, and storytelling engines.
Through this collaboration, we hope to inspire painters around the world to make the figurine their own: from lava dragons with scorched bone armor to icy titans with glacial scales.
Conclusion: from concept to collectible
This partnership with Black Forge Games represents more than just a shared model—it’s a meeting point between storytelling, sculpture, and hobby culture. It’s a tribute to the hands-on joy of unpaint figurines, the creativity of painters, and the power of modern 3D printing.
We’re excited to see how you bring this dragon to life—whether it roars in obsidian black, gleams in molten gold, or hides in ancient bone tones. Thank you for supporting artisanal creations and indie makers who craft each scale with passion.