WizKids Genie Efreeti - WZK73723

 

Oh my goodness, this miniature by Wizkids is from their Pathfinder Deep Cuts line and was a blast to paint as well as a fantastic representation of the Pathfinder source drawing.  The difference between the drawing and the miniature is the right hand in the drawing is in a fist and starting to gather in the power of a fireball while the miniature added a shield.  Now let's talk about that shield - first, why would a Genie Efreeti need a shield and second (more importantly) look at the hand positioning - once you see it, it can't be unseen - the shield is useless with vertical hand positioning.  I think Wizkids should have given us a clear plastic fireball in that hand instead.  However, that's nitpicking and this is an amazing mini!

Painting of this miniature was streamed on Twitch and these videos will be available for about a week or so from this posting per Twitch policies:
https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1129760691 - session 1
https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1135686605 - session 2

Painting instructions for Geenie Efreeti (used Vallejo)...

Step 1: No need to primer - already done
Step 2: Use Hexed Lichen on the robes
Step 3: Use mix of Hexed Lichen and Warlord Purple on the robes
Step 4: Add Tentacle Pink to the mix for highlights on the robes
Step 5: Use watered down Hexed Lichen as a wash on the robes
Step 5: Use Gory Red on the armor
Step 6: Use Scarlett Red on skin
Step 7: Use Bloody Red on skin 
Step 8: Use Hot Orange for highlights on skin
Step 9: Use wash of Bloody Red on skin
Step 10: Use Vermin Brown on shield
Step 11: Use Sepia Ink on shield as a wash
Step 12: Use Glorious Gold on armor and top of sword
Step 13: Use watered down Flesh Wash with a tiny drop of Scarlet Red and wash all gold
Step 14: Use Black on base
Step 15: Drybrush Cold Grey on rock
Step 16: Drybrush Stonewall Grey on rock
Step 17: Use GW's Technical Tesseract Glow on the sword

WizKids Direwolf - WZK73184

 




There's game-changing excitement in the miniatures world being provided by WizKids at the moment and that's with their new plastic miniatures line.  Go to www.wizkids.com/unpainted for their complete line.  What's awesome about these?  (a) the quality of the sculpt and model; (b) they're already prepped and primed with Vallejo primer; (c) they're licensed from D&D or Pathfinder so you're getting the monsters right out of the monster manual; (d) the price - they're all priced at $4.99 - you either get two small figures or one large figure for that price - fantastic!

This Direwolf is out of the Deep Cuts Pathfinder line.

I've been buying them up like crazy since they first came out - but I finally broke open the package on one of them and did a quick paint job.  I figured the Direwolf would be quick and easy.  I just got out a bunch of Vallejo browns, bone, white, and black - then went to town on the model.  So much fun - no prep, just paint.  And the model looks great!  I'm very much looking forward to buying and painting more of these models.

The only negative is the base.  The miniature is self-based and then they provide a thin round base to fit the appropriate spacing on the gaming table.  One could just glue the miniature on this base and call it done.  But it doesn't look right to me as the base is too thin and I can't tag the base with my model name.  Here's the fun part.... I received a 3D printer at Christmas... and I've already figured out how to make great square bases at 1", 2", 3", etc. with just the right height and inside depth to hold the miniature.  Add a bit of compound filler around the mini and it's all good!

Not necessarily a negative - but a bummer... nowhere on the package nor on their website does it have the sculptor.  I always like to keep track and give credit to the sculptors that make this hobby what it is today.