Galactic Conquest: Creatures
One of my first professional projects was illustration work for the manual of a sci-fi/fantasy tabletop roleplaying game: Galactic Conquest. The game was never released, but taught me so many valuable lessons I would carry on as I continued my career. These pieces represent the standard "zerg" race of the game: an evil hivemind force composed of many species with various terrifying specializations. For the most part, they're based off of Earth insects, but liberties were taken with many. These all started as pencil sketches, enhanced in Photoshop with digital shading.
Gargantuan: The largest species of this insectoid race, a single specimen was capable of ravaging cities.
Drone: Standard footsoldier. Comes equipped with organic weapons. Short lifespan.
Organic Blaster: These creatures don't need bullets or rockets to devastate civilizations.
Scorpid: Part mantis, part scorpion. Not as well protected as their heavier brethren, but much more mobile.
Darcadian: This giant bug was used as a war engine and mount, able to go head-to-head against armored vehicles.
Hive Mother: Considered "lesser queens" these insectoids spend most of their time producing drones and relaying commands to other creatures near the hive.
Harvester: These spindly bugs tend the newborns in their egg and larval forms, sorting them quickly to keep them from devouring each other.
Hive Lord: Aggressively defends the primary hives.
Mantid: Has been noted using more advanced tactics than Drones, suggesting more advanced intelligence.
Scarab: Heavily-armored shock troop.
Hive Guardian: These scuttling creatures will defend the hive at all costs, charging into and detonating near hostile forces, showing them with acid.
Toran: It wouldn't be scifi/fantasy without a giant alien spider, would it?