kitsune archer (14116 Caerwynn, conversion)

[dks]

One of my characters in Pathfinder Society organized play is "Sister Ayano", a kitsune (fox-person shapeshifter from Japanese folklore) who uses a bow.  Sometimes the character is in human form, sometimes in fox-person form.

In order to have a painted figure for this character, I've converted one of Reaper's female elven archers into fox-person form, but I also have the original version for when the character is in human form.

The figure that I chose is 14116 Caerwynn, sculpted by Werner Klocke.

 

I did a lot of the conversion in late 2013:

(kitsune form):

- Nip off the human head (and big hairdo);

- patch the sleeve and scabbard, previously covered by the hair;

- sculpt the fox head;

- add the fox tail (though awkwardly wedged in by the quiver).

(human form):

- Remove the pointy elf-ears and patch the hair.

(both forms):

- Add an amulet/holy symbol;

- remove and lengthen one limb of each bow, like an asymmetrical Japanese daikyu.

 

I intended to add the figure to my Show-Off thread about my Pathfinder characters: linked here.

 

But I got sidetracked with sculpting and painting other figures, so the converted kitsune and elf sat around.

 

When I visited some friends in Seattle in May 2014, we got together for a paint-day but I didn't have any figures with me.  One friend had a bunch of unpainted Bones, so she gave me this elf archer and I painted it in the colors I had in mind for the kitsune.  The figure is male and has obvious elf-ears, but I painted the face with more feminine rosy cheeks and red lips, and I explain the ears as an incomplete shift from the fox form.  So I've been using this figure whenever I've played the kitsune character:

 

 

Two months ago (April), I returned to the conversion and decided that I didn't like the position of the fox-tail, so I cut the quiver away from the legs in order to give more space for the tail. 

And then I decided that her legs should be more foxlike (digitigrade) ... so I used my nippers and needle-nose pliers to mangle the pewter legs into an armature for the new pose, and I sculpted foxlike legs over the pewter. 

But soon I realized that I preferred humanlike legs, after all, but with open-toed boots to show fox feet ... so I chopped off the fox legs at the knees, set new armature-wires, and sculpted new lower legs and feet.  Finally, I added the new tabard (skirt/loincloth) and the new strap for the quiver.

 

Here's how the conversion looks.  Ready for paint, at last!

 

 

 

Derek

[ub3r_n3rd]

Wow, really cool! Can't wait to see how you paint her up.

[Mad Jack]

 Excellent.

[vegascat]

Wow, what an amazing conversion of. Wish I had one in my collection

[Dontfear]

Wow, really cool! Can't wait to see how you paint her up.

Probably won't have to wait long!

[kay13]

Wow!  She looks fun!

[Darcstaar]

Really cool. That is some serious dedication to the idea of having a mini that exactly represents your character.

[dsmiles]

So, when are we going to see her in the store?

[mikem91]

So, when are we going to see her in the store?

 

Seconded.  That's be a great figure to have standalone in metal.

[Sanwah]

 

So, when are we going to see her in the store?

 

Seconded.  That's be a great figure to have standalone in metal.

 

Thirded, it would be great to have a kitsune and matching human figure.

 

Is it possible?

 

Oh, Derek, great work, love it. Wish I had your talent

[Crowley]

Oh man. To have a mini for both... that's a great idea, and your sculpting is top notch! Can't wait to see them painted. 

[dks]

Thanks for your interest and encouragement!

The conversion sticks out in too many odd ways, so it just wouldn't be reproducible in metal without being split into a few pieces.  This figure will be unique.

 

So... here we go!

I'll be working on the fox-form figure first, because I already have that elf/human form available for use in my games.

 

I primed the figure with white brush-on primer (Reaper Master Series).  I noticed some specks of grit or other unevenness, so I shaved those off with a sharp hobby-knife blade.

 

Since I almost always paint figures inside-to-outside, I painted the fox parts first. 

Several years ago, I painted another fox figure and took notes on the colors that I used, so I used those colors.

This took about an hour.

 

 

I had at my desk some reference photos of foxes, and all of them have dark-tipped tails, but a web-search shows me other foxes whose tails have lighter (gray/beige) or white tips.  I'll decide about this figure's tail after I paint some of the other areas.

 

Derek

[Kormydigar]

Looking great so far!  That is one foxy lady.

[Darcstaar]

That's just an outstanding face. From eyes to fox coloration and natural levels of fur highlights.

[robinh]

lovely start to this mini!  I sooo envy you your ability to paint such great eyes!