Al-Vianna

This is Al-Vianna, a 32mm mini from the Studio McVey range. It was my second entry for the 'Wizards of Oz' competition at AUSCON 2011.

I decided to follow virtually the same colour scheme as that used for the original studio version, because I think Ali McVey chose the perfect colours for the figure. I am a huge fan of Ali's painting, and as soon as I saw the original, I loved it so much that I wanted one for myself. As far as I'm concerned, if a figure has the perfect colour scheme I don't see the sense in changing it just for the sake of originality.

One point where I did deviate from the studio version is the base. I tried to create an environment reminiscent of a coastal ocean shore with waves swirling round the rocks, because I've always found this figure very suggestive of that sort of scene.

The waves were created with Vallejo Water Effects: Transparent Water, a gel that I built up in lots of layers to make the curling wave shapes and ridges. I then use a bit of the water effects gel mixed with Jo Sonja's texture paste (the stuff I normally use for snow) to paint on the tops of the waves to create the foam effect.

I was very honoured and flattered to receive a gold medal at Auscon for this figure.

Guild Artisan,
Sebastian.