This is my first time attempting to write up a modelling blog and it will revolve around updating my Tyranids from their 2nd edition origins to 6th.
This will involve a stripping/repainting of the old 2nd models and the addition of some more recent GW kits to modernise the force (including a bit of kit bashing / modifications).
Hissy is the Queen of the Hive and will join me (hopefully only periodically) in documenting our journey. So here we go.....

I suppose I need to introduce Hissy to everyone first of all. Say Hi Hissy and tell us a bit about yourself and what you'll be doing in here.

Hi Ratiusssss, My name is Hissssy the Hive Tyrant and Hissy will be keeping an eye on your worksssss and making ssssure the Hive turnssss out good.

Thanks Hissy, I'll do my best in here.

Besssst or into the recelamation poolssss with you Ratiusss.

Oh stop that Hissy, be nice. So you've been around since 2nd ed is that correct? How have you found the Hive doing down the years?

Yesss, Hissy is about 19 years old. Back when we firsssst invaded this Galaxy there were no Gamesss Workshop storesss in Ireland so Hissy spawned in a little indie model shop for about 9 Irish Puntsss (obviously all pre Euro!).
Hissy's midriff carapace wassss miss-shaped so 9 Puntssss was good steal. Post picsss of Hissy Ratty.

Yes, will do Hissy, give me a little time please! We'll chat some more later.

Bye Ratiussss.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

So the basic idea with this blog is to get Hissys Hive converted and repainted from this:



to something like this:



I had spent quite a bit of time looking into possible color schemes and ideas for the repaint. A definite part of my choice revolved the other armies that I own, IG, SWs, Eldar and Orks. These and their respective color schemes can be seen below.



Effectively the IG (being Mordians) are blue as are the Space Wolves, Eldar are black Ulthwe and the Orks are Goff (so mainly green, with red, black and white). I wanted to do the Hive in a different scheme to have it stand out. So out of the most basic palette, blue and green were taken. Yellow was just a no no, Im afraid, had dabbled in it before but the thought of painting 150+ models with yellow wasnt ever going to be a runner. So that left red from the primary pallette or something more whacky (maybe pink, white, orange etc).
After browsing a few schemes and other ideas, I (Hissy: We Ratiussss, WE). Away with thee Hissy!) settled on a basic red/white scheme and decided to see where it would lead.

Heres a few more shots of Hissy Hive circa 2008 if I recall. I dont have any from prior to that (where were digital cameras and handy Iphones back in 1994 when you needed them!?).

Note the old Carnifexes (dwarfed now by their newer siblings) and old plastic Warriors


Very old 2nd edition Zoanthrope model on the bottom level. Oldschool but quite comical to be honest (I'll upload a few more of him later)


Note the old Biovore models with their spore mines.


I had started repainting the Hive a few years back with the purple/bone scheme (they had been another color scheme before that - mainly the old GW one).



However Hissy wasnt too happy with the purple, we liked it but it was a rough job being honest and when I started buying a few more of the newer GW kits, I (sorry We) decided it was time for the change.
Heres the early stages of the purple repaint. Eventually I did get around to having all of the old second ed models done like this barring one or two of Hissys sisters (Hive Tyrants).





Part of me actually regrets not sticking with it and just touching up the rougher models as when laid out as one, I think it did look quite cool.



However theres no going back at this stage!

Cheers for reading, I'll update some more in the coming days hopefully.

Leave commentssss readers or into the poolsssss with you too.

Hissy! Back into your chamber. NOW!

You, sir and madam, deserve a cookie That was one of the most entertaining blog reads I had in a long while

Please let Hissy out of her chambers often

Well, to be fair I like the new paint scheme a lot more. Red and White is a beautiful combination. My only critique is the lack of basing D: so many plain green bases

Thankssss TDL, I'll eat you lasssst.

Yeah point taken about the bases TDL, its something I'll get around to at some stage, just so dam many of them to do :(
For the bigger guys, I'll be adding some detail and bits and pieces on them.

well this is gonna be a fun read thats for sure.

good luck on making this happen i know you two will need the encouragement.

Oh you are just in for SO much fun stripping the paint off of those old models.

Too bad you just can't make Hissy do it and come back when it's done...

Well, we're back today with an update.

Hi tassssty readerssss.

Hissy, being honest, threatening to eat our readers really isnt conducive to blogging.

Makesss little difference Ratius, there are 7 billion more of you.

Yes, well, lets try and be a bit more polite in the future shall we?

Maybe..... Show picssss of Hisssy Ratius.

Hissy, I said I would but today we're going to have a look at the Hormagaunts and Carnifexe remember?

Hormagauntsssss.....Hissys least favourite broodlingsssss. Always fighting with Termagants, alwayssss keeping Hissy awake at night. Hissy strongly considering deleting their genussss from the Hive.

Ah now Hissy, thats a little bit harsh. They are fast and useful for tying up enemies though no? And 3 attacks on the charge.

Suppossssse. Get on with it Ratiussss nerd, lunch time is soon.

Righto your Highness.

I decided to start with Hormagaunts for the new scheme for a couple of reasons. Firstly they are smaller models so I could jump right into them. Secondly if it all went pear shaped, at least I hadnt ruined a juicier larger model and thirdly I hadnt got any of the old Stealers or Termagants stripped yet.
So we started with a basic white undercoat.



The basic color was going to be red/white with black feathering on the carapaces and feet/sub claws and then warlock purple for the fleshy bits. Im not the neatest of painters as you can see but did go back over each model with white to remove the bits I'd overrun on or messed up a bit.
These are WIP shots.



The first couple took a few tries to get the feathering right on the carapace and being honest Im still not great at it but at a distance and all laid out it came up fairly well.



I didnt have any inks as Hissy wouldnt go to the shop (Wassss watching movie Ratius) so for the black shading on the claws I watered down chaos black heavily and applied it into the recesses. It worked fairly well overall.



Finally I based them up green and used purple on their eyes.

The full list of paints used if anyones interested copying the scheme were:
Chaos black
Warlock purple
Liche purple
Goblin green
Skull white
Evil sunz scarlett

(Note: I think a few of the names of the above have changed mind since GW renamed their paint sets)

So that was the first 5 of the new brood done.



Adequate Ratiusssss.

Well you didnt exactly help that much Hissy being honest!

Silence Ratiussssss! Hissy providessss you with rich and plentiful biomassss and all you can do is throw it back in Hissys face. Selfissssh human, always selfissssh.

Hmmm, anyway. Heres a few group shots before we go for lunch.





I've subsequently completed another 17 bringing the total up to 22 complete (another box of 10 to go).


@ alabama, thanks!
@ Martian, believe me, the stripping fears have already hit hard

awesome update.

Im sure hissy means well shes just used to having things done her way you know with the hive mind and all and sharing a blog was not on their high priority list.

Really like them guants...question are you going to flock them or just leave the bases green?

I really like that paint scheme. My only suggestion for the "big boys" would be adding grays to the black so it has a nice "highlighting" effect. For these guys, I suggest a shade, they really need some shadows. (I don't know if it's the picture, but I'm really not noticing the shadow you tried with diluted Chaos Black )

(and the usual: Take care of those bases! )

And Hissy, play nice with Ratius, he had to do all the work alone

Yea Hissy kinda reminds me of owning a house cat. That could talk.

Long term plan is to base them Ala but so many of the little guys to do
I play mostly on a RoBG done in an ice/snow theme so might just grab a load of white flock and go at it. It'll be further down the road however.

On we go.

Chicken for lunch Ratiusss wanst as tassssty as human.

I thought most humans tasted like chicken though Hissy?

Not all Ratiusss, Irissssh humans taste like potatoes.

Way to go with the stereotype Hissy. We'll move on (and no, your pics arent up yet before you ask).

Better be soon Ratiusss or Hissy will spore mine your bed.

Dont you dare Hissy.

I tackled my first Carnifex next (new kit).
Was a very fun kit to assemble with lots of options and variations possible. I know GW gets a lot of moans for certain things but you cant argue with their recent kit quality imho and number of options. If you had 4 or 5 Carnis you could easily make each one look unique which is sort of the point of the Nids and their biodiversity.
Below is an early shot with the basic red and black done.



Here is the carapace feathering. It came out quite well this time I feel, easier to do the bigger the kit imo.



I decided to model his guy with a venom cannon for something different even though tactically I wouldnt really use one ingame.



Venomcannonssss fun to ussse Ratius newb. Gives firepower to brother Carnifex.

True Hissy but when playing sometimes I can see things you dont. Thats why Im the General and you're the Commander.

Hissy will be general soon enough Ratiussss, jussst you wait.

A WIP shot



I spent a bit more time on this guy, doing some basic highlighting on his gun and hooves/tail (cant quite see from the pics).
I also reworked him a touch after this pic, removing the black dots on his scything claws because at a distance they looked poor. I also added some chipping and wear effect on the smaller red claws and redid his mouth.



Here he is with the Hormagaunts.



Whats up next Ratiusss? Hissy?

Next time we'll show our second Carnifex and then Hissys pics afterwards. Promise Hissy.

Make ssssure Ratius. Carnifex, hormagaunts and otherssss are not in thread title. Hissy is. Hissys blog.

I get it Hissy, I get it.....









Automatically Appended Next Post:
Thanks TDL, I did add some highlighted black to the big guys claws/tails etc. Pics dont really show it off great Im afraid :(

Hissy work hard too TDL, have to keep Hive in order and babyssssit grumpy Trygonssss. Hard life for Hissy.

looking good.

poor hissy and grumpy trygons have you thought about giving them chamomile tea or green tea for that matter? might help with there mood.

i like how the carni is comming out you are right the new nid kits are very good keep it up man.

and hissy dont worry we will see your glory soon enough

Enjoyable.

Hi Readersssss!

Wow, you're in good form today Hissy, whats up?

Once todayssss update finished Hissys is up next.

Ah I see, nothing to do with all the hard work we've put in or nice comments from our readers?

Hissy understands the wordssss Ratius but makes no sense to Hissy.

Hmmm, well at least tell the readers what we're going to be up to today.

Well readerssss, today is second of Hissys big brothers, lovely Carnifex. And smelly old Broodlord.

Hissy! Thats a bit harsh on old Broody. C'mon whats been going on?

Ratty, yesterday Hissy eating delicious Eldar exarch, so tassssty and fresh. But then Broodlord arrive in eating chamber and say he wantssss some too. Hissy tell Broodlord all Hissys but Broodlord no lisssstening. Broodlord then call sneaky, horrible Genestealers. Gribblies attack Hissy and whilsssst Hissy fight them off, Broodlord stealssss Hissys lunch. Hissy so mad at Broodlord right now and horrible Genestealers. Should be called Lunchstealers. Hissys lunch. Broodlord and Stealers think they better than Hissy, think they ssssmarter than Hissy.
Hissy ssssshow them soon enough

Thats aweful Hissy but Im sure there was lots more Exarch to go around. Couldnt you have shared some? You're not going to do anything rash are you?
Hissy?
Hissy are you there?

Hissy appears to have disappeared which means theres a fight brewing in the sleeping chamber so I'll make this one shortish!

Heres a few WiP pics of the second Carnifex of Hissys brood. I decided to model this guy with all four scything claws to have him stand out from the first one. I also posed his head and torso a little more as if hes looking to the side somewhat.



I used a combo of warlock and liche purple for the soft belly bits with a light wash in places - apologies the pics dont really pick it up Im afraid :(



This guy was fun to do again and took a bit less time than the first, since I had the basic color scheme and knew what I wanted to do with him.





Next up I tackled the Broodlord, currently Hissys mortal enemy.
He was a metal sculpt but was pretty easy to work on and I finished him in about an hour. I didnt spend a huge amount of time on him (hahahaha Broodlord)since I dont really use him in game much and wanted to get onto some of the bigger guys (like Trygons etc).





So heres a shot of the current Brood minus Hissy.



Speaking of which.....

*unearthly smash and bang from the Hive accompanied by wild screeching*









Automatically Appended Next Post:
Thanks Ala and 1-i.
Hissy says thanks too but is busy putting Broodlord in a headlock.

looking good. Have yout hought about putting a w2ash on them to show more depth? they are great but i think a wash would make them pop some more.

keep up the great work none the less

Thanks Ala, hadnt really considered a wash being honest. What would you suggest? (and where!).

well over the whole model and maybe either the new sepia (dont know the new name) or arjax earthshade (devlin mud) you could also be awesome do a crazy color like purple or blue on the fleshy bits and brown on the chitin just my two cents

You have wormed your way into my heart with your amusing presentation sir (and Hissy).
I will be watching.

And I agree with alabama. The models need a wash to create some shadows.
Maybe make a wash out of Lothern or Temple Guard Blue. I'd suggest using Vile Green but I think I'm the only one who has that anymore. This is on the skin mind you.
Carroburg Crimson for the carapace. Or Baal red if you have that.

I agree with the wash opinion of the previous posters, it will make those Tyranids look even better. Really, that paint scheme looks GORGEOUS. Simple and effective.

And Hissy, please don't kill your brothers. You may need them later on when you are busy assimilating another planet

Hi there fellow hive fleets. Yes I must agree, a wash would really make this work a lot better.
Looking good so far though.
Are you going to flock the base? me thinks this would help a lot too.
Keep up the good work.

Thanks for the advice and input peeps
I might get around to the washing and properly basing at a later date.
Firstly have to get through the 100 or so Grbblies I still have to do, not to mention the bigger guys

Almost to hot to blog today Hissy in Dublin, I heard the other night was a full blown riot by the way? You had to call in the Tyrant Guard?

Yesssss Ratius but they were on Hissys side so.

So who was involved then?

Mosssst of Broodlords LunchStealers and some sssstupid Lictors who sided with Broodlord. Hissy had her sisterssss and Carnifex though.

Who won?

Draw Ratiusssss but Hissy got Broodlord good.

Righto, well you've been waiting for it so lets get your pics up then.

Yesssssss Ratius, about time too.

Ok so heres old Hissy, nearly 20 years old at this stage. I stripped her using non acetone nail varnish remover. It worked pretty well but does gum up you brush quite a bit. However its quick (just dont let it get on your bases, tends to turn them into soft jelly).
This is actually one of Hissys sisters, I forgot to take a pre strip job of Hissy (good Ratius, Hissy no like being exposed)



Post stripped pics, some of the glue disolved a bit in the remover which actually helped painting later on (even superglue dosent last 20 years!). I did my 2nd edition Zoanthropes at the same time.





Heres an early WIP pic with just the basic red and white done on Hissy. Missing her Venom Cannon arm.




Carapace shot. The old metal model wasnt actually fun to paint (sorry Hissy), the red didnt take well, Im not sure why, it dried very very quickly over the white and the detail on the model wasnt too good either.




And a finished shot, sorry not a great pic, I'll be uploading better pics when I get more done (after all that wait, that issss besssst you have Ratius?! Spore mines in bed tonight......)



Wasnt a lot I could do with the face, its terrible basic compared to the later models, looks a bit comical I think but fits with Hissy personality.


Heres a few WIP shots of the Mawloc and Trygon who are up next







And a shot of Hissy and some buddies



Hissy so attractive compared to them.

So thats it for today Hissy.

Well at least Hissy got picssss up of her.

Next we'll have a look at grumpy Trygon and how he came along.

Cheers for reading peeps.

Bye tasty peepsssssss

Hissy, make sure you punish Ratius. He did a sub-par job on you I'm sure he could do much better, he did it on purpose I bet, out of spite or something! D:

Jokes aside, a really nice progress and that Trygon is beautiful. It's an instant center piece any way you paint it.

Ratiusssssssss!!!

Jaysus Hissy, whats up with you?!

Look who spawned lasssst night from spawning chamberssss!



Wow, very exciting Hissy, a great addition to the Hive Fleet no doubt, are they girls?

Of course they are girls you sssstupid Ratius.

Get painting Termagantssss Ratius so we can spawn loadssss of them!

Will do Hissy but we've got lots of other things to be working on too!
Speaking of which who are we looking at today?

Today is Zoanthrope, look at him, hissss head so big he nearly fall over.

Its all that psychic nastiness hes packing Hissy.

I know that Ratius, idiot.

Hissy!

I have two of these 2nd ed Zoanthropes that we'll be using for Hissys Hive. I actually really like the new ones but arent really bothered spending the money on 2-3 new ones when these suffice pretty well.

Heres one stripped and nearly undercoated



They definitely are rough sculpts but for a relatively oldschool player like me I like them. With claws like that however they really should have rending as a special rule.....



Heres a few WiP shots of them. I kept the basic Hive scheme of red and white with black feathering etc.



There werent as many areas to do the back feathering on these guys so had to keep it to a minimum. I was going to try some on the big white claws but wasnt sure if it would look well



If anyone remembers, these guys had two jawbone pincer-like things near their mouths but they were really crappy to glue and I wasnt too bothered about them so left them off altogether.



Finished shot.



Next up we'll be working on the Trygons so I'll hopefully get some pics up of them soon.

Say bye Hissy.
Nope, shes off hugging the Tervigons Im afraid.

I love the head on the old zoans but hate the claws with a passion and always have. Now that I think of it an old head on a new body would be pretty cool looking.

I'm sure its been mentioned before but have you thought about using a wash with your painting?


Still as long as Hissy keeps showing up this is one of the most entertaining threads ever.

Eigh this be a wonderful conversation of two fantastic people joying around and plotting the demise of a universe. Perhaps they be willing to let us set fire the impure to cleanse their souls?

Shut Up Herbert you magical leprechaun that dances on fire of the sinners. No one really likes you!

Nice blog, love the character and effort in the writing too Keep it up please!

hissy you might need to let go so Rait can paint them up.

so thats what an old zoey looks like kinda looks like the queen from aliens looks cool good job buddy!

Wait, Zoanthropes had arms and legs before?! That's news to me!

The Scheme looks good on him too! The purplish veins on his head look great!

But I think you missed a fleshy bit on his head. Left side, one of those "muscle-like" things tyranids have.

Despite Hissys attitude she does really appreciate all the comments guys and the fact you're enjoying the blog.
Thanks.

No
I
Do
Not
Ratiusssss

Oh stop it Hissy. If no one reads your blog how will they appreciate how powerful and awesome your Hive is?

Hmm.

Right, glad we got that sorted.
We've been a bit lazy recently on the painting front so Hissy is going to show us what the spawning chambers have been up to of late.
Whats going on below Hissy?

Hissys Hive alwaysss looking for more brutal creatures to eat Galaxy with, so Hissy gave lazy Norn Queen ordersssss to make new

creatures.

And the results are below so?

Of coursse they below Ratius, mussst Hissy fix everything you do wrong?

Yes Hissy, Im useless, my apologies.

Humanssss, only good for eating.

So a while back, after completing the Carnifex kits, we had quite a few parts left over. I didnt want to let them go to waste so decided to try a kit

bash and see what happened.
I had no real plan in mind, other than trying to make some sort of bipedal creature that I could potentially use as proxy Tyrant Guard.

I cant recall exactly what pieces I used Im afraid and didnt document every one so hopefully you get the basic idea. They didnt turn out quite as

planned.....

I started by glueing two unused carapace extras together.





I then added a Carnifex head to it.



After that I added a bottom carapace section.



At this point the idea was to have him standing upright/vertically but I had run out of leg-esque parts by then (Lazy, laaaazy Norn

Queen)

So I decided to have him go horizontally, kind of skittering along the ground and added front claws for that purpose.



After that I added a few upper arms and some spikes etc.



And finally a tail.



We didnt have any back legs at this point so couldnt really go any further bar adding some extra little bits and pieces.
I think the idea is to have it sort of coming out of the ground somewhat (Not sure about that Ratiussss, dosent look like that to wise

Hissy).
Yeah thanks Hissy.

So the final version came out like this. I still have to greenstuff a lot to fill in the gaps but overall I was pleased (Hissy less so

Ratiussss).




With the second Carnifex kit I had, I duplicated the process roughly but made the second a kind of Gunbeast, sort of like a mini Barbed Hierodule.

(Looksssss nothing like attractive, strong Hierodule).





And yes, I did get glue everywhere that night.

Silly Ratiusssss, silly.

Im going to paint them up at some stage and use them as Tyrant Guard since I dont have any of them. What do you guys think, bearing in mind they were random kitbashes with no real plan behind them.

Hissy had better plan Ratius, you jussst didnt listen.

Ratius drinking foul Human beer subssstance so Hissy get to put up pic of current Hive status. Go Hissy Hive.



Hissy happy with Hive so far desspite stupid Ratius and lack of progress.

Hissy expecting Trygon to be finissshed soon however.

Hissy also wantsss to know if readersss think Hissy should get lazy Norn Queen to spawn following:
Hungry Doom of Malantai
Sneaky Hive Guard
Angry Tryannofex

Hissys brood has two Tervigonsss spawning but is Tyrannofex better or one and one

Bye tassty Humans.

The Hive is looking mighty good Hissy, no need to punish Ratius

I say Hive Guard. I really like the bulky look of that model.

Thanks again TDL!
When Hissys alone she tends to get a bit overzealous.

I had the day off so this morning we got down to more stripping. Enclosed spaces and varnish remover bowls dont mix well with Humanoid lungs

Adapt nose plugs Ratiussss. Cheap biomass to construct.

Humans dont work like that Hissy, at least not quickly.

Thatssss why you'll be extinct soon Ratius. Hissys Hive alwaysss adapting and changing.

Yes well, we're doing ok thusfar Hissy, on with the blog thank you.

Hisssssss!

First up into the bath were our 2nd edition Biovores. They havent seen much action of late being honest so maybe a new paint job will get them tabletop-bound again.



My friend painted this one back in the day, what on Earth he used a scheme I'll never know..... (Lookssss like Rainbow Ratius)



Semi-stripped Biovore



All clean and ready for the next stage



I actually really like the old Biovore models for some reason, nice and compact and characterful (Usssse them more then Ratius)

Hissys younger sister was next up for an acetone-free stripping bath. (Said it was lovely Ratius).



Glad to hear Hissy.

And finally her older sister went in. My other friend painted this one back in the day, I really liked the scheme to be honest but consistency is required!
You can view some of his current work here (shameless plug I know)

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/504804.page



Why sister got all strange stuff around her Ratius???


Stripped



The weather was lovely today so I decided to kill two birds with one stone and get them undercoated too



I found this biomass for you Hissy whilst spraying them. Any use to the Hive?



Hmmm, capture Hive a specimen pleassse Ratius.

HA! Love the blog very entertaining, subscribed.

Thanks Den

Lots and lots of stripping Good, so many miniatures ready for a new paint job.

Btw, your friend really improved a lot since back then, his Nurgle stuff is fantastic!

What are you going to paint next?

(P.S: No Hissy, leave the cat alone! D: )

Thanks TDL, I'll pass on your comments to Bear.

Im going to paint up the Biovores and Hissys Sisters next
I have a Trygon undercoated and ready to go too but doing the Biovores will be a nice change and since they're small I should get them done quickly.

On a related note to stripping, any of you EU guys have a good stripper for plastic (60+ to do :( )?
I tried the non acetone nail varnish remover on some (termagants/dire avengers) and it melted the bases/models quite badly.

Any ideas?

A freind recommend Dettol (leave overnight) but I think it'll soften them too?

Hissy no like her minions dissssolved thank you!

Ratiusss is drinking foul beersss again TDL. Hissss! Why he do that?

Hissy update blog for tasty readersss.

Lazy Ratius stripped old 2nd edition Carnifexes during week. So nice, so faithful to Hissy in 2nd ed.
Hissy dont know much about human financial reports and profitsss but why new Carnifexesss not as good as old?
Hissy confussed?

Blog for lazy Ratiusss:

Always trying to kisss Hissy with those teeth. Hissy no like.



Hissy think he better from the back, no ugly teeth.



Brother Carnifexes get nice and clean in varnish remover bath (at leassst Ratius do something right.....)



Hissy no underssstand why Carnifexes not eat that bug thing, yummy smaller bugsss. Hissy cutting Carnifexes rationsss this week.



Night night tasssty readers.....

Well, Hissy, humans are a bit dumb. Unlike you, the superior race, who consume everything and prosper, we humans have some treats we like to consume because they taste wonderfully and ... well, aren't good for us.

Wow, I never saw an old 2nd Carnifex from this angle, that mouth is huge

Hissy, is he always trying to hug you as well? He seems to want a hug.

Tell Ratius he is doing a fine job so far, and we are always happy to hear from you Hissy

Haha, thanks TDL, love reading your replies

Hissy isnt around today (thanks the Emperor) so a quick update.
Real life and its vagaries have gotten in the way somewhat so progress has slowed down, apologies guys.

I did manage to start on the first of two Tervigon kits.
Quite easy to assemble I have to say but with not as many options as the Carnifex kits which was a bit disappointing.

Right so what goes where (old Airfix flashbacks!)



Torso and hind legs done.



I decided at this point I'd spray the kit with the main white color as I could see painting some areas when fully assembled would be a nightmare. (I usually assemble and then paint!).





Does anyone know if its possible by the way to magnetize the Tervis brood nest and have the main model as a Tyrannofex? Im looking to have the main kit as a Tyran (mainly so I can proxy them as barbed Hierodules in Apoc) but arent sure if it'll work?
Does the Tyrans main gun interfere or prevent this?

I'll see if Hissy will be back soon by the way.

Your new paintjobs would benefit greatly from some light washes.
You, (And Hissy) would be amazed at how much they improve the overall model almost instantly.

I've never used them Im afraid Cole, what would you recommend? Maybe a deep red on the carapace or?
I'd have to do some reading/watching on techniques tbh.

Consider me a faithfull follower Hissy. Well done so far

Hissy hugs Trondheim! (then eats him).

Played 'Nids in Epic back in the day, though I never got into them in 40k. I picked up an old Hive Tyrant years ago and actually got around to painting it this year - I did it in a modern scheme, though. I was going to do a small (ha!) army and try to stick with 2nd edition conversions, but trying to find all the parts was a pain. I really like this project and look forward to seeing what you do with it. Everything so far has been great.

Aw thanks Fen for the comments. You are as oldschool as me and Hissy! Hissy no eat Fen, Fen as old as Hissy!
We'll keep updating as often as we can

Ahahahaha how cute.

Righto, back with another update tonight. I dont think Hissy is around so we should get through this quickly.


Wrong Ratius, Hissy is BACK.

Oh boy. Well, welcome back Hissy, you missed our last session.
You werent fighting Broodlord again were you?

No Ratius, filthy Broodlord wassss put in his place by Queen Hissy and hasnt come out of his chamber since. No one messs with Hissy.



I can well imagine, so any news lately Hissy?

Apart from lazy Ratius not painting fassst enough, Hissy hasss been busy teaching sister Hive Tyrants how to fight and command minionsss.

Fascinating Hissy, any tips to share?

Hissy no give away secretssss thank you.

You should play poker Hissy not Warhammer.

What Ratiusss? Show readers update or Hissy send Mawzy after you.

Yes oh high Queen.

So we started into our 2nd edition Biovores this week having stripped them a while back. Being honest they were pretty quick to paint and Im happy the way the gun came out. I've decided (Hissy has decided) to do the purple/green effect on all ranged weapons for the brood to keep the consistency and theme going.

Early WiP shot



I finished the first guy and realsied something was wrong but couldnt put my finger on it.
Can smart readersss help plodding Ratius spot it?










Yup, I had inverted the carapace and forgotten to do it red with the black feathering. It wasnt a complete disaster and didnt take too long to fix.


Hissy thats from tiredness and working so hard on the Hive.


Hissy care not for excusesss Ratius, Hissy think Ratius' bed need some more spore mines.....


Ah no Hissy! It wont happen again.


So we finished off the Biovore brood. One model was an old one from my mates collection, no idea what he did with the base. I'll have to root another one up from somewhere.


DO NOT take it from Hissys sister Ratius.


I wont Hissy, promise.


Hissy will get Hive to kill some of Ork hordesss old KillaKans. Ratius can usssse them.


Ghazghull will not be pleased Hissy.

Ghazghull can come talk to Queen Hissy so.


Thats for another thread Hissy.



Heres a few finished shots.






After that we started on the aforementioned Mawzy the Mawloc.
Hissy think Mawzy very funny. Mawzy not the brightessst. Not like Hissy but he very loyal. Like pet for Hissy.

Oh be nice Hissy.





A few more WiP shots.








Hes coming along nicely and bar the feathering which I always find hard work should be complete in a day or two (with big green base mind you ).


Ratius not lissstening to you readersss by the way about basing. Lazy, lazy Ratius.


So thats it peeps, thanks as always for reading.


Bye tasty Readerssss!

Hey Hissy, I finished off Mawzy today.

Good work Ratiusssss.

Uhm, thanks Hissy.

Hesss looking good too.

Huh? Are you feeling alright Hissy?

Sssssuper Ratius. Why ask?

I was just expecting a torrent of abuse for being too slow, lazy, useless. You know the usual.

No Hissy appreciate Ratius workssss.

Right, now I know something is wrong. What have you been up to Hissy?

*giggles*

Hissy?

Hissy find new food source in Ratius' fridge.

Uhhhm, what?

Small, dark, pod, like source. So tassssty, so goods.

You DID NOT eat my M&Ms Hissy?

Hissy did and share with Hive broodlingssss too. Yum.

You have literally no shame Hissy, no shame whatsoever.

*giggles*

And I think you're high off the chocolate. Im going to post up Mawzy and then strip you down.

So heres Mawzy the Mawloc (I know, I know the base ).



The feathering didnt come out as well as the Trygon Im afraid.



I wanted to do his tongue/mouth and sensing spines the same way and with purple as a tertiary color running throughout the Hive it seemed like a good idea. Pretty happy with the way it came it.



Hence why hes called Mawzy





Im not sure what to go into next. I have another 10 Hormagaunts to do but think I need a break from them so I might bite the bullet and strip down the 32 Termagants (eeeeek!).
If not I will complete the 2nd ed Carnifexes.

Ok thats it for today, say goodbye Hissy.

*giggles*

so i guess if you want a compliant hissy you need to feed her M&Ms though i wonder what would happen if you fed her skittles or even woppers...hmmmm

any way looks good man are you still on the fence about washes cuase i really think that would look good... and if you already answered that im sorry i been gone a few weeks and havent had a good time until today to get cuaght up. i personally like your ugly green bases it adds character to the army since that was what was popular back when you started so i say keep em so.

Ok, I admit, I want to see more of "sugar rushed" Hissy. And wait, what, "and strip you down"? Are you taking advantage of her sorry state Ratius? :O

Yeah, the Mawloc looks almost like a striped insect. Red and Black stripes all over his carapace. Mind you, it doesn't look bad, it's one heck of an eye-catcher.

The purple contrast color was a great choice.

Keep'em coming you 2!

(and I don't care you already mentioned it, take care of the bases! )

Thanks for the comments guys, I enjoy reading your replies as much as posting here (replies are usually funnier!).
@Ala Im going to try some basing in a few weeks, some basic flocking and maybe some detail on the bigger bases.

Ratiussssss.

Hi Hissy, whats up?

Hissys head hurtssss so much and Hive gribbliesss feel horrible too.

You're coming down from your sugar rush Hissy.

Hissy feel like Wraithknight bash Hissy over head.

Im not surprised Hissy, you ate my whole packet of M&Ms.

How fix Ratius? Hissy not good.

Best bet is to munch down on some Orks Hissy, they contain algae and fungoids that should help the hangover. Problem is I heard Ghaz took his crew into the next sector. Is the Hive up to chasing him?

No Ratius, Hive is not. Hissy going back to chambers and get Mawzy to massge Hissys head.

Ok Hissy, feel better soon. And stay out of my fridge next time ok?

I had Hissys sisters at hand today (not that she even cares) so its a very quick update.
I've decided once I finish them Im going to tackle the old 2nd Carnis next and then the Termagants.

All undercoated.


Carapace started.



I have the lashwhips set aside, I'll paint them up and then reglue them and give the old bases a nice new (green) lick of paint

See you next time guys. Hissy says goodbye from under her duvet.

Hey Hissy, look who spawned in the Hive today!



Sissy and Dissy. About time they woke up from slumber chambersss and helped Hissy conquer Galaxy.

What do you think Hissy?

Why Sissy and Dissy have Lasssh whips Ratius and Hissy have not?

Im not sure Hissy, didnt Norn Queen spawn a lash whip for you?

Stupid Norn Queen did not Ratius.

Oh dear. Well you're strong enough without it surely Hissy?

Hissy no like being patronised Ratius. Get Hissy lash whip soon or Hissy not be happy.

I'll try Hissy.

So heres a few pics of Hissys sisters.





I think I might try and get some wings for all three of them. Not sure what size they should be though as the old 2nd models are quite a bit smaller than the new HT model. I think I'll have a look at some alternatives maybe from a bits store or something.
Any ideas on what might be suitable?

Fairly happy with how they came out, the overall theme is working well thusfar, I like the purple weapon loadout to date.
Heres a pic of the most recent additions to the Hive.



Next up we're going to tackle the two old 2nd ed Carnifexes!

As long as they not try and kiss Hissy with thossse big mouths Ratius.

No one wants that Hissy, trust me.

Ratius not bringing Hissys Hive to upcoming tournament?

I dont think I'll have it painted in time Hissy :(

If Hissy could eat Ratius, Hissy would. But Hissy need Ratius to keep painting. FASTER.

Its tough being a lowly two armed human Hissy. I can only go so fast.

Hissy off to browse Tyranid rumour thread and see what in store for Hissys Hive in the future.

Ok, I'll join you Hissy.

Bye readerssss.

The overall theme is looking good. But the eyes seem a bit off. Not sure if its the quality of the photo or my computer screen.

Forgive me if I missed it as I just skimmed through it all focusing on the humor and images but are you planning on washing these? I think when all is said and done with your foundations that a quick dip in some army painter would make these things really outstanding for table top quality, with the option to do further highlights later on in the future if you chose.

Thanks for the feedback guys!

Hugssss from Hissy

@ Red I may wash them at a later date, so many backlogged to strip/paint and I've never washed before so dont want to make a mess of it :(

@1-i Yeah the eyes didnt come out well Im afraid, they were very small with not much detail. I tried to keep them basic and simplistic as my paint skills arent too good!

I completely understand the lack of eyes to paint and as I am working on the same models you just finished I get the pain.

Probably the most original blog ive read on Dakka for a while now, the back and forth between Hissy and yourself had me laughing at my screen at work like some kind of madman.

I agree with the washes, would definitely give a otherwise fantastic job that extra depth!

Will definitely be keeping a eye on this.

I turn away for a few weeks, and all this goodness gets posted! I do like the overall feel and theme of the army, but I feel that you would be better of with using a wash or two, personaly I like think that Tyranids should have amore "ditry" look so to say. But still good work Hissy and Ratius

I completely understand the lack of eyes to paint and as I am working on the same models you just finished I get the pain.

Post picsss 1-i. Hissy like to see other Hives even though they not as strong or powerful as Hissys. Hissy sometimes send Hive to gobble other Hives for extra biomass. Hissy knows bessst.

Probably the most original blog ive read on Dakka for a while now, the back and forth between Hissy and yourself had me laughing at my screen at work like some kind of madman.

Nothing funny about Hissys blog Eggman. Hissy demand more respect from lowly Human creature. Hissy think you not want Hive gobbling you up as well.

but I feel that you would be better of with using a wash or two,

Hissy tell this to Ratius but Ratius not lissstening. Ratius not as smart or powerful as Hissy so Hissy let him continue until the end. Then Hissy gobble him too.

Well Hissy as much as I would love to fill your thread with my work I will simply invite you over to my thread of my work.
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/549236.page#6044045

Well Hissy as much as I would love to fill your thread with my work I will simply invite you over to my thread of my work.
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/549236.page#6044045

Hissys looksss at 1-is blog now......

1-is blog better than Hissy blog? Hissy think not but Hissy check other Hives blogsss.....

Washing can help a lot to give definition to models and make them look more realistic. They are essentially thin paints which flow into the recesses and create shadows without you having to paint them in yourself. Then you highlight or drybrush a lighter colour over the top on the light areas and thus increase the contrast on the models, making them look like they're a lot bigger and giving them a lot more visual interest.

The washes are very easy to do, just get some and paint over the model in most cases (dipping uses something more like varnish and is applied at the end. I don't like them because they take away too much control, but they're a godsend for horde armies because they're quick).

Here's an example of the difference it can make versus a basecoated model, like the ones you have now:



GW's washes are currently called Shades, and they have a bunch of colours, and are apparently pretty good. Since you have a ton of hormagaunts and such, try it out on one and see how it goes . You can always strip it if you don't like it.

UselesswizarD does a series of YouTube videos which are fantastic in my opinion . Check it out and see what you think. You may also want to check out the rest of his series on the Basics.



Vis-a-vis stripping, I personally swear by Fairy Power Spray, but Dettol is okay for plastic too, just remember to wash with Dettol, don't rinse with water until the paint is gone or it turns into an ungodly glue-like mess.

Hi Hissy! Please don't mind me, I'm just trying to give Ratius a hand. .

Sounds like Hissy is your nagging wife Ratius
I agree with many of the other posters, with a wash (or a dip), these would look really nice!

Wash would definitely help, otherwise white 'Nids look a little silly. You're doing a great job keep it up! With your help we can beat the Necrons so bad they turn into biomass! (don't ask how, but I'm like 3% sure we can do it)

Well Hissy, it seems there's a lot of fans who really want to see your Hive shades. What do you say, will you ask Ratius to give it a try?

I hate you Hissy.

Whys that Ratiusss?

You've encouraged the whole thread to get me washing your dam Hive.

At lassst lazy Ratius. Hissy has no sympathy for you.

Right so under immense pressure I'm gonna pick up a few washes this weekend hopefully and try them out (on some gribblies).

Better not ruin gribblies Ratius, important for cannon fodder and meat shielding.

What do you guys recommend color wise?
One for the red carapace and one for the white "skin"?

The colors Im using for those are:
Skull White
Evil Sunz Scarlett

What might match up well?

Just wash Hive in deliciousss colors Ratius and fassst.

Its not that simple Hissy!

Thanks for the feedback as always especially Lady C for the advice on stripping and washing

Yesss thanks readersss, we broke Ratius will. Now Hissy can command him to do anything Hissy needs.

Dont count on that Hissy, you cheeky Tyrant.....

Nuln Oil would work really well on the red, then go back in and highlight with the Red again. It'll give a nice shell effect.

For the white? you could get a red wash to tie it together with the carapace or something like seraphim sepia and then go back and high light/dry brush white again.

I'm cheap so I just use nuln oil to make the models of the far future as grimdark as the grim darkness of their dark, grim universe.

I'd go for Seraphim Sepia personally. Black would just kill the models and make them really turgid.
If you really want to go darker then Agrax earthshade.
Great blog, things are shaping up.

To be honest its all about what type of tone you want on the skin/chitin.

For a colder looking skin you can use a waterred down blue wash on the white, or for a warmer feel use sepia.
Some also use a mix of purple/flesh shade too give it a more mottled apperance.

For the Chitin it'd depend on how you want the final red too look, if you dont mind it going a little darker, purple can compliment it fairly well, but using a combo of earthshade and crimson can give it a much more instense red.

Dont forget if you want the skin/chitin too keep its matte apperance after, make sure you re-highlight the raised edges with their initial colours.

Well Hissy, its your color scheme, lots of good advice from our readers. What do you want?

Average advice from readersss Ratius but they try and help Hissy so Hissy appreciate.
Hissy will put all readersss of thread into vat pools last.

Now everyone listen to Hissy.

Ok Hissy, we're listening.

Ratius not listening since Ratius STILL talking.

.....

Hissy no want or like darker red on carapace. Hissy want carapace nearly same or only slightly lighter. Hissy also not like cooler shade Eggman. What good then?
Also Hissy want white skin to still be bright but have.....what word Hissy looking for Ratius?

Tinge Hissy is it?

Tinge of color but Hissy not want it overpower white.

Readersss understand?
More important Ratius understand?

Yes Hissy, I hear you, you've made your feelings quite clear. Lets let our readers continue their great advice nad we can try some stuff out next week. I am NOT looking forward to washing over 150 of these things though.

How DARE Ratius abuse Hive with words like that.

Sorry Hissy.

Anyway we got a bit done this evening so lets get going.
We started onto our old 2nd edition Carnifexes.
I dont recall where I even bought these guys but it has to be circa 1995/1996 maybe.

The sculpt wasnt actually too bad, I was pleasantly surprised by them.

What did you expect Ratius, Hissy make sure each Gribbly is pure and powerful. Just like Hissy.
But not as attractive as Hissy.

Thanks Hissy. The detail wasnt bad either and I think these guys might go well.

Heres a few WIP shots of them







If Im not playing my Eldar tomorrow I'll try and get some more done.

WHAT DID YOU SAY RATIUS? RATIUS PLAYING WHAT?

Uhm, I better go guys, I can hear my bedroom being thrashed as we speak.

Thanks again for all the love.

Washes, are a key component to adding depth to other wise a flat surface that the eye would simply ignore.

If you want to deepen the red, then use sephia, or devlin mud its a brown/yellow it wont darken the over all to much, for best shadow look nulin oil is best, it will add the deepest depth. Now to maintain the tinge do a second layer of your red on the raised surfaces. This will provide a small highlight, and shade and a toned middle giving the desired 3 layer depth of a model. It looks great on table.

To be afraid of washes, they only add. As many starting painters call it "liquid skill" because it can restore so much depth to the models.

You can also, once everything is dry, apply a glaze of the same color, like blood red. And it will even the carapace/smooth the layering to maintain your "tinge"

If you want to deepen the red, then use sephia, or devlin mud its a brown/yellow it wont darken the over all to much, for best shadow look nulin oil is best, it will add the deepest depth. Now to maintain the tinge do a second layer of your red on the raised surfaces. This will provide a small highlight, and shade and a toned middle giving the desired 3 layer depth of a model. It looks great on table.

Problem is Corma, I just dont have the time and being 100% honest, inclination to do 150+ with the basic scheme and multiple washes/rehighlights.
Despite Hissys rage once I get the Hive to a "nice" level Im more than likely going to start another army.

So being really honest Im looking for a really quick wash fix. I mean literally wash everything with a red on the carapace and maybe an offwhite on the skin once. Thats as far as I'll take it Im afraid!

I wont even bother let Hissy responding to this one. My poor bedroom.....

Hehehehe. You're very welcome. As for the washes, if you want vibrant reds and a fairly warm white, then I'd go for *drumroll* Seraphim Sepia (for the white), Carroburg Crimson and Agrax Earthshade. Give Crimson a go on the carapace and see if you like it, if not try Earthshade, or a mix of the two (or both over each other, leaving the first to dry). Sepia should probably be diluted a bit with water, you want it to be light and warm enough to define the white without killing it, but you're still going to have to re-highlight the top parts with white I'm afraid.


Example of shades over a white undercoat

EDIT: Just saw the above post. Sorry Ratius, you may have to let go of your dreams of "white" in that case and just have a creamish skintone instead, if you're not willing to at least drybrush the skin back up to white. White is one of those difficult colours to pull off properly, like black, yellow and red. Perhaps if you dilute the wash down a fair bit and then carefully paint it only in the shadows, but then you're losing even more time over just slopping it over everything like most of us do .

Thanks LC.

I think I'll just get a few washes, mess about on some termagants or something and see how it works. Im less concerned with individual models standing out, more with the overall look of the army once finished - even without washes, as they'll go into a glass display cabinet and be gamed with anyways

 LadyCassandra wrote:
Just saw the above post. Sorry Ratius, you may have to let go of your dreams of "white" in that case and just have a creamish skintone instead, if you're not willing to at least drybrush the skin back up to white. White is one of those difficult colours to pull off properly, like black, yellow and red. Perhaps if you dilute the wash down a fair bit and then carefully paint it only in the shadows, but then you're losing even more time over just slopping it over everything like most of us do .

I am having the same problem with my "white and black Necrons," white is very hard to pull off and I find the entire process irritating, since if I make the slightest error it is very unforgiving. To make matters worse white shows off mold lines and model errors that I couldn't see before prime + white overcoat application.



Just to let you know I feel your pain..

- J

I'd say the best way to get the effect you're talking about ratius is to take seraphin sepia, get a 50/50 mix with water and run with that on the white. Them do the same with argax earth shade and just paint int the recessess on the red. Wi'll give you some depth with out making your have to put the primary coat back on.

Hissy wondering why Hive quiet lately.
Hissy go looking around when Ratius at work.
Hissy find this in Ratius files.



Hissy hate Ratius so much for deserting her, Hissy now looking for kind reader to take over Hive.

Wait Hissy, thats not fa.....

SILENCE RATIUS. HISSY NOT LISTENING. HISSY NOT TALKING TO YOU. EVER.

Hissy I had to put the Hive on hold for a tournament I was playing in.

Excuse means nothing Ratius, Hissy so hurt right now.

Im sorry Hissy, I didnt have enough time to keep the Hive going and get all the Eldar done.

Pointy Eldar are useless compared to Hissys Hive. Why Ratius not use Hive in fight?

There wasnt enough of the Hive done to bring them along.

THATS BECAUSE RATIUS NOT FAST OR EFFICIENT ENOUGH FOR HIVE

Oh boy, think we better leave it there readers, shes smashing my room apart right now.

We're on hiatus for a bit (dont tell her but its another tournament next week so more Eldar to be painted).

But after that we'll be back around mid November
See you soon.

*SMASH*

 Ratius wrote:
Hissy wondering why Hive quiet lately.
Hissy go looking around when Ratius at work.
Hissy find this in Ratius files.



Hissy hate Ratius so much for deserting her, Hissy now looking for kind reader to take over Hive.

Wait Hissy, thats not fa.....

SILENCE RATIUS. HISSY NOT LISTENING. HISSY NOT TALKING TO YOU. EVER.

Hissy I had to put the Hive on hold for a tournament I was playing in.

Excuse means nothing Ratius, Hissy so hurt right now.

Im sorry Hissy, I didnt have enough time to keep the Hive going and get all the Eldar done.

Pointy Eldar are useless compared to Hissys Hive. Why Ratius not use Hive in fight?

There wasnt enough of the Hive done to bring them along.

THATS BECAUSE RATIUS NOT FAST OR EFFICIENT ENOUGH FOR HIVE

Oh boy, think we better leave it there readers, shes smashing my room apart right now.

We're on hiatus for a bit (dont tell her but its another tournament next week so more Eldar to be painted).

But after that we'll be back around mid November
See you soon.

*SMASH*

hissy? this is BLARG!, I feel your pain about the flesh ones, they do not work very fast.
hey ratius, too bad no nids for while, where, might I ask did you find hissy? I found BLARG! when I was walking home one night.
by home he mean his hive

Ratius, I know it's risky, but can you sneak in a few more shots of your Eldar?

Best of luck with your tournament

It's ok Hissy, we still love you

**pssst Ratius... good luck! don't tell hissy i said so though!**

hissy you can always smash his eldar if it will make you feel better the space elves arent that powerful and soon there will be new spawning options for you and you can crush them under your weight of gribblies.

(good luck with the next tourney raitus)

I told you I'd be back for you Hissy. Happy now?

Hissy never happy Ratius, too much to do looking after Hive.

Well at least you're honest!

Big update today then Hissy.

Finished playing with horrible, arrogant Eldar then Ratius?

Yes Hissy, Im finished with them. If it makes you feel any better they did ok, going 4 and 4.

Ha, Hissy Hive do better if Ratius had picked them.

Probably would have Hissy :(

Anyway on we go!

Hooray!

So we still have 12 more Hormagaunts to finish so i started into those for the Hive.



Still dont like the way its hard to balance them! Nice sculpts but one or two are still falling over.

Lazy creatures Ratius, more interested in eating then fighting strong like Hissy.

After assembling them, I decided for a change to try some Gargoyles, 30 of those little beasts to do so we got through 10 of them.
Have to say they are lovely kits, infinitely better than the old metal sculpts (a few of which I have somewhere).
Looking forward to painting them up.





And heres the 22 of them all done. I'll get around to undercoating and working on them later this week.



But in the meantime I decided to finish the old 2nd Carnifexes, too cool to leave half finished.

About time Ratius! carnifexes getting buffed in new Codex.

Really Hissy, thats news to me.

Hissy knows best Ratius, if not games makers people getting spored bombed.

Ha, tough luck to them Hissy!

Heres the two of them finished. I might do a bit of feathering on their back carapace and claws to break up the red a little. Its a bit plain at the moment.







And finally (look at all that work Hissy!), I stripped 10 of our old plastic Termagants. Took a while to do and was very boring but at least they're done. Only 20 more to go :(



Sufficent work Ratius.

Wow, was that a small compliment Hissy?

No.

:(


Thanks for all the well wished for the tournaments peeps

I'll get some pics of the Eldar up as soon as I can. Hissy owes me a break for all the work lately.

HISSY DOES NO SUCH THING!

Ok TDL asked for some pics of my Eldar so here we go.

Hissy not happy with thisssss at all

Ah come on Hissy, just a few pics!

Hisssssssssssss!

I did them as Ulthwe TDL as I always liked their fluff and history (and it was easy too ).
Basic scheme is black with bleached bone and some red/bronze touches.
I didnt do the Wraithknight by the way, my mate Bear did, hes only half finished.

Hissy care not Ratiusss.

Well TDL cars Hissy, so be nice.

Hissy think TDL nice to eat so Hissy allow jussst this once.

Thanks Hissy.

Apologies for the weird angle, I was washing them to get some dust/fluff/crap off them.







Thats about two thirds of the force, have a few more squads knocking about a FW Revenant thats nearly finished too.

So many tassssty Eldar to eat. Yum.

See Hissy, the post wasnt all that bad.

And to top it off, I did a bit more for the Hive too.
10 of the old Termagant models brought into the new Hive.

Good for cannon fodder Ratius, Hissy want more big bugs.

In good time Hissy!

These guys werent half bad to do eactually, I think when all 32 of them are done they'll look good.



Heres a few comparison shots between old and new sculpts. (Until January probably )





Stupid model maker guysss, why not leave Hissy Hive as is?

See ya soon peeps.

Well, that's a whole lot of Eldar and aren't all of them. Very nice. I like how it's an Ulthwé army with plenty of Guardians. Very fluffy, and since even the aspects are painted like Ulthwé, overall it looks more Grim instead of "Taste the Rainbow" Oh, and anything with bleached bone isn't easy.

Well, I didn't know how the Termagant models grew over the years. I prefer the modern one a lot more

Looking good. Quite impressed you are still alive, considering how demanding Hissy seems to be. She must really like you.
Back on the wash idea: perhaps army painters light wash would be ok? Dipping the model could get all the recesses, and then spinning the model gets rid of all the excess drops. I find it leaves all the major planes of a model fairly bare (if a bit shiny) and then I finish off with a matte spray.
Looking foreward to more progress, and of course hearing hissys take on the new codex when it comes out. If only I was in Ireland she could try chewing on my tau.

Thanks guys!
Hissy says hi too.

The old zoanthrope,warriors and carnifexs were horrible.Biovores were cool though.Hey hissy:crush his eldar.After all...More biomass means more gribblys.And you can use those gribblys to get even more biomass...

I love this thread. So much.

At best old Zoanthropes are useful for conversions.


Nice elder, they need to die or just simply go to the dark side.

Ratius... Am i imagining things... or did you paint Hissy's Hive in the colors of your country??

(Because if you did... thats pretty god damn patriotic and full of win)

At best old Zoanthropes are useful for conversions.

The old zoanthrope,warriors and carnifexs were horrible.Biovores were cool though.

Hissy no underssstand thisss.

Hissy think 1-i and DKB being nice but is confusssed.

Hissy let 1-i and DKB get on transport to next Galaxy before Hissy Hive come after them...........

Ratius... Am i imagining things... or did you paint Hissy's Hive in the colors of your country??

Afraid not Azalle - sometimes my flag thing shows up as Italian (Legoburner is well of the error lol!)

Their flag is red, white and green.

Im Irish however, we're green, white and orange! Would be cool though.

Hissy think orange would be bad and nassssty. Hissy like Ratius' scheme - dessspite Ratius laziness

Hissy do you ever give me a break?

Hissy not underssssand Ratius.

Oh right, a break means do you ever give Ratius bio mass or some tasty Orks for all his work?

Ratius.....

Yes Hissy?

Go to bed before Hissy sendssss Mawzy and Broodlord after you.

Sorry Hissy :(

PS love your blog TDL (even if Hissy dosent)

Hissy like TDLs blog too but Hissy bussssy with Hive.

Night night everyone

Hugs to readers!

We'll be back over Xmas peeps, hang in there! xxx

Well Hissy, 2014 has arrived and a brand new Codex to look forward to (or go Emo over) tomorrow!

Happy New Year Readerssssss

Well said Hissy! And surprising too. There is a human custom that at the start of each New Year we turn over a leaf or make a change or do something different for the good.
Yours isnt to be nice to us is it?

Human nonsense Ratiussss, Hissy stomp you flat if blog dosent get going.



Well since I caught you hibernating over Christmas quite a bit Hissy, I have one or two surprises for you. I thought you never slept?

Hissy had a long, tough year. Constant infighting in Hive and lack of speed from certain Human not help much.

Well this might cheer you up, here we go!

We started pre Xmas by getting into some Gargoyles. They made a nice change from all those Hormagaunts and with 36 of them to complete we felt it was about time. As usual I kept them simple and within the overall scheme.
Heres a few WiP shots. Got the basic red and white on them





After that I applied some soft skin details with warlock purple and did the black feathering on the carapace.



Then I added some the purple tertiary to the guns and wings (and eyes which are hard to see).



And that was them done. Pretty simple and relatively fast to do. We got 10 of them done over Xmas so thats a good dent into the 36. We'll have to see if they are useful in the New Codex or if it'll be 36 waste of times!

Hissy send Carnifex brood to pound flat Codex writer if so Ratiussss. Who writing book?

Im actually not sure Hissy, we'll find out tomorrow!

Finished one



5 of the 10 Gargoyles done




So thats a good start, no Hissy?

Adequate Ratiusss, what else done over "Christmas"? Hissy no understand that.

Christmas is a human celebration, like a festival, based on religious ideals and history.

Hissy understand the wordssss but the sentence makesss no sense. Back to blog.

Okies. So up next we tackled stripping a few Genestealers and wow, were these guys old. I think they're the oldest models we have in the Hive, right Hissy?

Yessss, old Genestealers not move as fast as Hissy would like. Hissy considering rending them down for better broodlings.

Hissy! You cannot do that, these guys are classics - they are old Space Hulk Stealers. Can anyone guess their base color after the stripping? I had completely forgotten what it was

Hissy knows.....

Here they are being stripped



And heres the base color, deep navy!



I got 5 of them stripped out of 22 and then moved into stripping the last of the Termagants. I will probably complete them next as that will be all 32 of them done and dusted. Phew!





Tervigons still Broodmothers Ratiussss?

Dunno Hissy, tomorrow will tell us!

Ok Hissy so that was all the work we got done over Xmas but heres your first surprise.

Remember Ratius told you before how lowly Humans have to work for something called money and then exchange it for goods or services. Well heres the result





Hissys Hive have their own Broodnest now!

Hissy?.....



Hissy mildly impressed Ratiusss, Hissy ok with Ratiusss.

About as good as I think Im going to get there as a compliment!

And finally Hissy as you hibernated, the Hive went for a tasty meal!





WHAT RATIUSSSS?! YOU NOT WAKE HISSY FOR FOODSSSS!? BIOVORES LAUNCH SPORE MINES TO BEDROOM, NOOOOW

Im gonna run guys before they hit! Will hopefully get a batrep up here soon about that game.

Happy New Year!

good update man i think your in the dog house with hissy now i would say feed her choclate and watch a good cheesy romance film but i dont think that would work on her...better get your riot gear and defend your self. take care and happy new year.

Aw thanks AH

4000th post Ratiussss??? Hissy like the attention

Well for once Hissy I get to say what I really feel:

See you soon for the 4001th you (grumpy, selfish, self-absorbed, pedantic, petty, annoying, time-consuming, egotistical, greedy, narsisstic) Tyrant!
I hate you.

Hissy wins Ratiussss

Hows that Hissy?!!!

Hissy loves you back.

Dam you Hissy Lova ya!

On we go!

Yes Hissy I have been working on the Hive.
No Hissy, I havent been slacking.
Yes Hissy I have some more pics today.

Hisssy care not Ratius.

What?! Whats up Hissy?

Hissy hasss bad newsss.

Oh oh, tell us Hissy, a problem shared is a problem halved.

Shut up Ratiusss. Hissy found out that Sister Missy is spawning gribblies with foul Broodlord.

Uhmm, we have several Human phrases for that Hissy but lets play it safe and say they got married?

Hissy, care not whatsss called. Hissy sister hasss now made Hissy angry. And Hissy is now brood mother to nasssty Broodlords gribblies.

Oh dear, whats going to happen Hissy?

Hissy going to squassh sister flat next time Hissy see her. Sister hasssnt been out of Broodlords spawn pool in days either.

Errrr, uhhhhm, ok.

Hissy not going anywhere near filthy den.

Good idea Hissy.

Well let us know how you get on. Perhaps one of the Tervigons could take care of the gribblies instead of you?

Hissy mildly impresssed Ratius. Hissy go make that happen now.

Bye Hissy.

A small update today. I started into some Genestealers this week.

Here they are in their stripped form. Even after several days soaking, not all the original colors came off. How thick must I have laid it on?



Heres they are freshly undercoated



I dont have any close pics but will get some up soon. I decided to keep them simple. I really love the old GS models so didnt want to overdo them or take away from the classic model.
I watered down some purple for the back carapace and "washed" it on. Pretty happy the way it came out.



I also got a few more Termagants done - infact I finished the last of them so now have 32 completed.

In terms of gribblies we now only have 15 GSs and 10 Gargoyles left to do. After that its 9 Warriors, 2 Lictors and 2 Tervigons.
Then we'll see what the new Codex has to offer!



Hisssssss!

Hissy's life sounds.... dramatic?

Would it not be simpler to eat to problem causers?


Also, I eagerly await the big bugs. I'd love to see them in this color scheme.

This is probably the best Blog I've read in awhile. Great work on revamping the Hive and Hissy makes me want to pull my own Hive out and start working on it...............After I finish my Smurfs of course.

Would it not be simpler to eat to problem causers?

Hisssy likessss xXws idea.Hissy now having dancesss to this; Hissy think xXWs nice.



Hissy how Sssshe do it

For the love of the Emperor Hissy....Calm down!
Are you alright?

Hissy eatsss some tasssty Orksss tonight.

Ooooook. so?

Hissy likessss the fungusss Orks have.

Ratius thinks Hissy is....."left of center right now". Goodnight guys!



WeaponPrime please dont encourage her! I have to wake up to her tomorrow......

Thanks Coyote, glad you liked it

We'll update soon (as soon as Hissy stops dancing)

*Hissyssss jig*.

But she is the Hive Tyrant, she is in charge. Everything in the galaxy is merely hers to devour or command as she sees fit.

Hissy! So sorry I didn't see your awakening back in January, I have been busy as well! (Please don't eat me!)

The Broodnest looks mighty impressive, I hope you understand how awesome Ratius!

Everything is looking lovely and it was nice to see the Brood fighting the Space Marines. I hope they enjoyed the snack!

I really want to see those Lictors. Keep up the good work, you two!

good to see the gimmicky goodness of this thread back alive.

Thnaks for all the comments lately peeps, we're all smiles over here (except for Hissy who has an Ork fungus hangover).

Hissy doesss not Ratius. Hissy feelin great.

Glad to hear Hissy. Happy Valentines day by the way!

What?

Valentines day is a day where human couples express their love for each other. Some viewers think we are boyfriend and girlfriend, isnt that cute?

Lothessssome Humans. Hissy devour you Ratius if she could but needsss you to finish Hive.

Glad my effort is appreciated so.....

Speaking of Valentines day how are your Sister and Broody getting along?

Hissy stomped her flat once she left Broodlordssss den. Hissy think she was hiding in there and rightly so. No more ssspawning for them.

Oh Hissy, thats very mean!

Hissy happy though.

Ok, on we go with an update.

I finished off some more Genestealers taking the total now up to 15 I think. We have 7 left to do then.



They were pretty quick to paint since I kept them pretty basic. But Im happy with their simplicity and overall unit ook.



Next we started into some Lictors. Im thinking of picking up Deathleaper since I love the model and can see some uses him for 6th, perhaps more in friendly games than competitively though.

Hissy likessss Lictors, sneaky and able to assassssinate enemy leaderssss.

Thats a lot of S's Hissy.

Heres their original color scheme, which I quite liked to be honest.



Heres one going for a bath



Hehehehe. Bath time sssmelly Lictor!

And finally a shot of thre Hive as it stands. We have left, 9 warriors, 2 Lictors, some spore mines and 2 Tervigons. Phew!



#proud

Hissy, did you just hashtag?!!!

Mini update today since Im off work and theres some BF4 to be played.

Disgraceful.

Finished these 8 spore mines, didnt spend much time on them and it probably showed
I thought I had more of them somewhere but couldnt find them so that'll have to do.



Disgraceful.

Not sure how often I'd use the Biovores or spores themselves so lashed through them and got the last of the Stealers undercoated.



Disgraceful.

Heres a shot of my work area for no particular reason.



Disgraceful?

Yessss. And very untidy. Hissy not impresssed.

Constructive as always Hissy, until later!

Aluminum foil seems like it could tear, maybe get a dropcloth on top of it? I've been debating how many spore mines I'll need to paint... unless a FAQ change makes the Biovores drop them for each template (rather than 1-3 for the unit) it should be less than I'd originally thought.

It does RipT, I have it layered up though underneath.

How is your horrible Battlefield 4 game going Ratiusss?

Going well Hissy thanks
However I've still been chipping away for us!

I finished the last of the Stealers so thats good.





Good work Ratiusss.

I also ordered another 30 termagants to add to the Hive.

Good, Hissy like Termagantsss, cheap and annoying gribbliesss to feed to enemy guns. What else in store for Hive?

Im not sure Hissy, we'll have to try a few practice games with the new codex to see what is worth getting. I have heard flyers are very good in 6th ed so perhaps a Crone?

Hissy agree, Crone with Hissy flying into enemiesss faces is goodsss.

Right well we can try that out so.

Our readers will also be happy to know I've decided to try and get around to flocking our wonderful green bases.

Hissy knowsss you have already flocked some of foul Eldarsss bases and wonders why Hive is last to be done?

Well theres lots of them to do Hissy but I'll get into it in the next few weeks. They will go well with our RoBG snow themed board.

Hissy hatesss the cold, Hissy wishesss board was nice warm desssert world.

Well beggars cant be choosers Hissy.

Shut up Ratiusss.

Hahaha, I love this so much! Hissy, you are an awesome character, even if you do want to gobble us all down (eventually). Until then, might I suggest you send some emissary gribblies to the Dick-edh dynasty? I'm sure you and Assholetep the Insufferable would have a great time discussing how much you loathe every other living being in the galaxy! ( http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Assholetep )

And to your painting slave, Ratius, good work man, this plog is just awesome so far! Subbed!

Hurray! The simple green bases are going to die! This is one piece of excellent news!

Keep up the great work you 2!

This has been quite an amusing read. I heart 'Nids. I shall be repainting all of mine very soon as well.

Only a small update this week Im afraid Hissy.

*ducks from the flying codex aimed at his head*

Ratiussss.

Yes Hissy?

Hissy hasss been browsing PMblogsss and see lots of other Hives popping up with work being done on them.

Very interesting Hissy!

Other Hivesss think they are better than Hissyssss?

Uhm, I doubt it Hissy, Im sure they just want to show the readers how they are getting on, like we are doing.

Hissy not happy.

Well, they are good Hives too, no Hissy? You are all just after a good tasty meal of Human or Eldar right?

Yesss but Hissy is Queen of the Hive.

No doubt there Hissy, but you arent Queen of their Hives.

Hissy sssoon change that.

Hissy please dont do anything crazy, the Mods on here wont be very happy.

Shut up Ratiusss.

Well, I'll have to keep an eye on her in her, thats for sure.

I got the two Lictors stripped fully and undercoated but that was all Im afraid, Ork terrain took over

*ducks again*

Where are you getting all those Codicies from?!



You know Hissy, what Mr Lictor is doing there with his middle finger is considered very rude in Human culture.



He learned from the bessst Ratius.

Until later peeps.

Great Blog!

Just bought almost £600 worth of Nids to start an army, so your blog is a kick up the arse to get moving on mine!

Keep up the good work

Hissy, have Ratius introduce you to a movie called Highlander. I think it will give you an idea on how to handle the other hives.

Give in to the voices you hear, its simpler, and more productive

I will do what I have been told

Thanks for the comments as always peeps!

So Hissy how goes it today?!

Good Ratiusss.

(Wow, what a surprise, we didnt start off with a moan).

What sssay Ratius?

Nothing Hissy, glad to hear you're in good form.
So any news from the Hive?

Hoping for an update Ratiusss on Broods and Gribbliesss.

Well, we definitely have one today Hissy. Have you seen the new dataslates Hissy for the Hive?

Yes Ratiusss, exciting for Hive and even more possibilitiesss for consumption and domination.

Very! So Hissy, whats the Hives ultimate goal and purpose?

Consumption and Domination. Hissy jussst said.

Yes but of what Hissy?

Everything.

Will I be consumed too Hissy? :(

No Ratiuss, Hissy needs you to keep expanding her Hive so you will be made to toil in the Spawning Vatsss.

Its so smelly down there though Hissy.

SILENCE Ratiussss! On with the blog commands Hissy.

Alright, let me get a nose plug first.

A few more WiP pics of the Lictors. Progress was a bit slow this week but I intend to get them done this week as Im now comfortable with the scheme.







Im going to remove the black on the end of the claws and spikes, I thought it might look good but it dosent (Horrible Ratius)

I do like the purple contrast though and they should fit in very well with the Mawloc.


Next up we sent the old 2nd edition Tyranid Warriors for a bath. These guys must have had 3 different paint jobs over the years - the stuff coming off them was really crazy.
A friend bought them around 1994 if I recall and had about 9 in total. I think most of them survived.



Bath time!



Hehehehe, look at them in the bath Ratiusss!

I wonder if they like it Hissy?!

A couple more get ready for a dip



And finally them stripped down. I had forgotten their plastic was this sort of creamy color. So oldschool
I took them apart to scrub them down as it was hard to get in under their legs and chest plates.





So we'll continue this week hopefully with the Lictors and stripping these guys.
Once all done it just leaves the two Tervigons.

Then I have to check my bank balance for whats next!

Consssume and Dominate Ratiussss.

Bye peeps!

Hissy?! Is this your first game of 40k?!



RATIUSSSSSS!

Uhm Hissy, I am confused, why wasnt I there for it?!

RATIUSSSSSS!

You were!

Ohhhh right, this game!

Ok, this was Hissys first game in charge of the Hive. We have played VS Dark Angles before but Hissy wasnt in command.

Eh Hissy, its too late to post the full batrep, let me get a full one written later.

RATIUSSSSSS!

RATIUSSSSSS!

This is only gpoing to end one way peeps, RATIUSSSSSS!

We'll be back soon.....

Ratiussss.....

Yes Hissy, how are you today?

Did we win?

Er, uhm, well, eh.....

RATIUSSSS

To be honest Hissy we didnt get to finish the game :(

.....

Remember that time you ate the Ork spores and got all whacky and fun?

Vaguely Ratiussss

Well I had some human spores (booze) and we didnt get to finish things out.

Disssgraceful. Hissy would grind you down into Bio-soup if she could.

Ouch! But I do have an update for today. Did you have fun though?

Fun? Hissy unsssure of what that is.

Well how did you think the Hive did?

Adequately, stooopid Tervigon Mother stopped making ussseful Termagants and Swarmlord did not duck enough and ended up splattered all over the ground.

Thats definitely not good! Some improvements needed then?

Hissy will make sure Hive is 100% for next game.

Look at him Hissy hehe



All 9 of the Warriors stripped and cleaned. Now, does anyone have any instructions?.....

Hissy not about this evening, shes Brooding a bit since I havent got much done the last few weeks (sssshhh dont tell her that though).

I started into the Tervigon last week and got a bit started, need to ge some focus back.

Focus, or Hive blast you into Sun Ratiussss



I spray painted this guy on the sprue, something which I never do. The kit looked quite intricate though so I decided it was best to get it all done rather then trying to cover blank spots later.



Legs and forearms and head started in red. I will do him bit by bit, again something I never do and then assemble and base him. Or should that be her?



Her.

Just recently started doing my own hive, well pre hive genestealers and termagants I've had left over from various sets, and I'm jealous of your new hive addition . I'm going to have to pick your mind some Hissy, what should be the next addition to my hive? Should we just stay small and lurk in the shadows to join you when you arrive, or should we "recruit" some biomass and hope we are blessed with something large to lead us?

Ratios can feel free to chime in when your done

Hi Theophony, your Hive soundsss small and not worthy of Hissy attention.

Hissy!!! For the love of the Emperor that was extremely rude and frankly disgraceful.
Apologise to Theo IMMEDIATELY.

(Sorry Theo shes in a foul mood)

Hissy sorry, Hissy hasss a lot on her mind.

Yes well Hissy, instead of being selfish why dont you help Theo, after all his fleet could be your sister fleet if it eats enough planets.

Good point Ratiusss.

(Always try and use reverse psychology on her, she hasnt mastered it yet).

Theo, what isss in your Hive currently? Nasty Stealers and cannon fodder Termagantsss? Hissy likes gribblies, not very strong but good for jamming up enemy gunssss.
However Hissy hasss heard new editon of game coming out which might make spawning new broodlingsss easier or better for ssssome.
Hissy think you ssshould wait for new edition.

Thats a good idea Hissy, see wasnt that hard was it? Yeah, Theo my own view is to wait a bit for 7th and see how it pans out. We were going to spawn some Crones or more heavies in Hissys Hive but with things shifting so much, we're going to hold off for a month or so.
Could well be more Zoanthropes or Tyrants for psykers might be needed!

What direction do you think you'd like to take your Hive in?

Thanks ratius, I don't play though, I guess I should have mentioned that

Hissy, my hive currently only has stealers(2nd edition space hulk), more stealers (3rd edition space hulk), spore mines, chimneys, cysts and termagants all from the battle for maccragge.

I live a mile or so from miniaturemarket, so I can get everything decently discounted. I'm leaning on getting a swarm lord or some gargoyles...or both

Sounds good Theo, Swarmlord is a great model imo. I dont have the proper one but proxy in the old 3rd ed Hive Tyrant hehe. Lets us know how you get on!

Hissy look who joined the Hive today.....



Good Ratiusss, Hissy happy with you for once.

I decided to model the Tyr/Terv kits as Tyrannofexes and this was the first of them. Really happy with the way he came out. I think the purple worked really well in conjunction with the red as a secondary color.
I mainly chose to make the Try kit because I thought he looked meanier and nastier and thats what Hissy likes.



Correct.

I probably wont play competitively with the Hive (WHAT?!) so can just proxy them as Tervs if needed.







It took quite a while to get him all done but Im really happy
Will start into his brother this week!

Hissy look who I kitbahsed for us this week, its a Broodmother:



Ratiussss, Hissy getting to like you more and more.....

Aw thanks Hissy

Thats it for this week peeps, see you soon.

Looking very good Hissy & Ratius! I am impressed, and Harry the hive tyrant says hello

Thanks Trondheim and Harry

Any news from the Hive Hissy? Broodlord and your sister all ok, Mawzy alright, Gribblies not causing too much fuss?

All is well Ratiussss. But Hive is hungry for fresssh food. When Hissy leading Hive against foolish creatures again?

Well Hissy, GW released a new rule set called 7th edition. So until we learn some of its new rules and nuances we cant really eat anyone.

Hissy not underssstand.

Well Hissy its like when you lay down the rules for the Hive. For example when bed time is or who is allowed to visit your sister.

HOW DARE YOU RATIUSSS.

Sorry, I couldnt resist. But you understand that without following and knowing rules, things will degenerate pretty quickly. You wouldnt want Tervi ruling the Hive would you?

Absssolutely not. She can barely breath without Hissys instructions.

Well there you go then. So I promise to brush up on the new rules soon and we can try out a game. Who would you like to fight?

Hmmmm.

Eldar are quite tasty.

Ok we'll try that then. Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, another friend joined us this week Hissy.







And a green base just for luck



Hissy happy.

Thats all we can wish for really.....

Looking good, however I would add some majour detail to that base, not nescesary extremely detailed, but just something to break up all the green and bring more life to the modle in question. Also some washes would do wonders for that Tyranofex, something to bring it all togetter

Thanks Trondy
Im definitely going to work on all the big guys bases, I agree they are too big and green (at last I admit it!).
Long term I'll look at washes but with over 170 of Hissys minions to wash......its daunting :(
Any advice on a quick solution?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Ps we love you.

 Ratius wrote:
Thanks Trondy
Im definitely going to work on all the big guys bases, I agree they are too big and green (at last I admit it!).
Long term I'll look at washes but with over 170 of Hissys minions to wash......its daunting :(
Any advice on a quick solution?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Ps we love you.

Np its a pleasure to watch this blog clunk along,
I would break it up with some wreakage, barb wire or even some vegetation or stones & such. Paint those and apply some helpings of Nuln Oil, that should help
I would addvise using the army quickshade from Army Painter, with the prefer tone to suit your demands, it dose not take long and produces nice results. In my opinion at least

And my own hive says they all love you too, and particualry Hissy

Is the AP quickshade like a wash?
Like, can I dip a large brush in it and splosh away?

 Ratius wrote:
Is the AP quickshade like a wash?
Like, can I dip a large brush in it and splosh away?

Yes that it is, it comes in a large tin with a handy lidd. Just make sure to stirr it virgiorisly before splosing away, and dont use too much. Also you may with to use something to dampen the "shiny" and clean look they will get

So Trondy, say I choose a creamy color to wash over the white?
Stir it well and wash it over avoiding the red carapace?
What do you mean by shiny? Hissy dosent like shiny!

Well I used the soft tone for my own Nids of various sizes and shapes, and yes. Stirr well to avoid any potential lumps in the wash, as its quite more thick than the regular GW ones. I would use for the red carpace a more subtle one to bring out the red and yet give them that predatory look.
Well they tend to look get a certain shiny look to them, hence I would use something to counter that after you have washed them.

Such as?

Well perhaps Carroburg Crimson or maybe Reikland Fleshshade? Depending on the red you are using?

Myself and my Tyranid swarm demands moar! Moar I tell you, dont leave us hanging!

Trondy check it out



I finally cracked and picked this up today! I watched a few tutorials on it and am going to try it out on this bunch of degenerates next week!



What is it Ratius?

Its a sort of wash Hissy that will make the Hive look meaner, tougher and even more nasty!

Good Ratiusssssss, Gooood!

Does it give Hive any speed or strenght bonuses?

Uhm, well no Hissy, it will make the Hive visually tougher. And more interesting.

+1 toughness to MCs then?

Erm, no, it dosent physically affect the models, just its looks.

Assault grenades for Stealers then?

Ehhh, this could go on for a while.....

Raveners can charge after Trygon tunnel?

.....

Haha awesome! Now things will get intresting indeed! On a sidenote, how is Hissy?

It brings shadow of the warp on everyone . And causes fear I. The opponents leaders...including space marines.

She is good Trondy, send me a link to your blog, we'll stop by

Id gladly send you a link to my blog if I had a blog, but Il see about making one now that I have a decent cammera to use

Ok Trondy, I tried out some quickwash. What do you think?
I gave the tub a big shake and applied it fairly lightly with a brush but it seemed to come out a touch "brown"?

Yes I agree with that, however that may sometimes happen when you use it on white paint, I have had that happen to me too sometimes when painting something white and then applying said quick was to it. But I have to ask, what sort of strengt was the wash?
Anyhow I like the look it gave the whatever sort of Nid that got washed got afterwards

glad to see you have a wash now im really looking forward for that to take effect

Hissy.

Ratiusss.

What do you think?

Not sssure Ratiusss. You?

Not sure either Hissy. I think we have to ask our readers.

So, since deciding the last time to wash Hissy Hive, I tried out the army painter wash with relatively disasterous results in our opinion.

Disasterousss.

Heres how the protoype Warrior turned out as a scheme for the overall Hive.
He was so brown and tinged we couldnt live with it :(

Tinged.



As a result we did some digging and found GWs carbourg crimson wash. We tried it out on a few other warriors and were ok with it but not overly impressed.









Not overly.

What do you guys think? We're at an impasse Im afraid but wonder would the carbourg look overall on the Hive?

Think?

I think the army painter quickshader works better with darker colours, so perhaps save it for that`? Anyhow I like the Carnoburg oes better if I had to choose.

I like the crimson one better also. But white is so hard to get looking good either way.

kinda diggin both but leaning more to the red one

Thanks peeps, we're in too deep to go back now

Deep.

I kitbashed another Tervi from spare parts from the Tfex/Tervi kit.
Pretty happy with her overall. Just need to find a tail in my bits box now.






More Broodlingsss!

We're nearly there now Hissy. A few more Termagants to do and the Hive will be totally finished.

What? What did you sssay?

Uhm, er, well, eh.....

I don't mean to discourage, his is all meant in fun as its the first idea that popped into my head when I saw this picture


My mind instantly went to what would the hive do for an injured member still capable of producing younglings?

Hissy going to dissolve you slowly Theo. And painfully

Shut up Hissy, I laughed out loud at Theos pic.

Whats new on the in today Ratiusss?

Well Hissy I took the dy off work and spent the morning basing and washing lots of the Hive. It was very tiring.

Shut up Ratiusss, Hissy worksss hard too you know?

Im sure.....

149 models flock based in 3 hours.....





Not bad Ratiusss! SHOW PIC OF HISSY WITH BASE QUICK!!!

For the love of.....give me a minute Hissy, will you?!

Her highness


This was my flock container at the last termagant done (I had also based my Wolves and Eldar too by the way, not a bad return on a single basing kit!). I quite literally was hoovering up the last of the flock to get them all done





I then started to wash the models with the carbourg crimson I had picked up recently. I didnt want to go nuts with it incase it took away from the overall white effect we wanted so just picked out cartain parts on certain models.

Tyrannofex





Gooood.

Hissy favourite friend, old Broodlord.





Filthy and disssguting creature.

Be nice Hissy, we're all working towards a common goal you know.

8 Warriors



Zoanthropes.



Lictor.



Gargoyles.



Before and after comparison shot.



Much better Ratiussss.

And a final shot of the Hive washed and flocked.





I still have to wash a few of the kits but essentially we're done!

Hissy wants more Ratiusss.
Moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooore.

Hissy be reasonable, we started this project on 10th July 2013. Its now 15 Aug 2014. So we got 149 models done in 400 days. Thats not bad is it? I know you're disappointed but say thanks to the readers and followers for their support and comments.

Thanks tasssty readers. See you on Terra.

Its been a blast guys, thanks for all the support and comments, some really made me laugh out loud.
And thanks for your patience with Hissy. See you round.

Ratius and Hissy.

So, I for one would like to pledge my Chem-Dogs allegiance to Hissy now before they wind up as a tasty treat. Is that possible?

Haha Xx, yes, she'll accept any allies for now.
Just keep checking under your bed for spore mines though.....

Better relationship than my last.

Are they are least acid spore mines?

Great work, Ratius! I'm digging the army shot. Very cool, and congratulations on finishing up the Hive in such a reasonable amount of time. What are your plans now?

good work man really enjoyed the journey with you two

You officially have more completed models than me......by 149 , I haven't based any of mine and I'm considering switching to clear bases as I've seen elsewhere.

Good grief! That is an amazing army. Well done and you should be very, very proud! It has been an joy to follow this thread

Very well done! You and Hissy have come a long way since the beginning and it looks much better now

Keep up the good work and eat to your hearts content! (On a side note I agree with Hissy, Eldar are like Cadbury Eggs. A thin shell and then tasty goo )

Thanks for the feedback and support everyone

Ratiussssssssssss

Ratiussssssssssssssssssssssssss

What, who said that?

Its me Ratiusssss. Hissy.

Who?

Hissy, Hissy the Hive Tyrant.

Sorry have we met?

Ratiussss, me Hissy. Remember Hissys Hive?

Hmmm, what?

Hissy confusssed, Ratius?

Haha! Gotcha Hissy, did you think I'd forgotten you?

Not funny Ratiusss, Hissy not impresssssed.

Oh fair enough
Anyway how have you been Hissy?! Its been a while.

Hissy been fine. Hissy want to know what these are?



Uhhhhmmmm.

Ratiusss

Ok some new kits arrived but I didnt have time to work on them immediately so I shoved them under the bed.

Hissy found them.

Why were you under my bed anyways......?

Not relevant. Ratius going to make up new kitssss for Hive?

Yes, I promise Hissy but it'l be slower this time.

Slower than the last 400 daysssss?

Ah thats not fair Hissy, we did 149 models in that time and washed and based them, which our readers know I loathe

Well jussst get going. Whats in unmarked box Ratiusss?

Thats a surprise Hissy.....

Hi by the ways guys

Ooh, winged monstrosities! Looking forward to seeing what you do with these!

I love surprises!!!!

surprises and flying things i think we need a party

Everyone over to Hissys Hive right now!

Yesss readerssss, party in here.....lots of digestion poolssss for you....

Hissy! Stop that right now!

hehehehe

ill bring the hellfire rounds

LETS ROCKKKKKKKKKKK!

Against the Hive.......

So readers, Hissy heard Ratiussss went to a tournament recently but did not bring the Hive. Imagine all that biomasss, what readersss think of that?



I see you Ratiusss, come out from under bed, now.

Oh hi everyone.

So Ratiussss.....

Erm dont worry Hissy, I didnt do very well at the tournament so you missed nothing.

Except tasty biomasssessss

Sorry Hissy.
But I did get these guys started into, 30 termagants and 3 ripper swarms.





Didnt we do all these guys before Hissy?

Silence! More cannon fodder alwayssss good for Hive.

I suppose. Look at the size of the Harpys wings Hissy, shes going to be huge!



Get Hissy some wings Ratiussss.

Very hard to Hissy since you're metal and old.

Metal and what? *thump*

Maybe Hissy can use some biomass and reinvent herself in a body with big wings..?

Thats a good idea Eye!

And reminds me I totally forgot to post our latest addition to the Hive.
Grrrr, stay tuned peeps!


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Look Hissy!





The Hive took on some tasty IG tonight at dusk.

Oh IG so ssssoft and squissshy.

Not this army Hissy.

We lost.

WHAT?!

Erm, you werent playing Hissy, we sent in the big heavies, like Tervi mother and Tyrannofexes and Carnis!

WHAT?!

I know, thats why it went badly. it was 7:9 for the IG. They killed too many heavies in big guns mission.

Grrrrr Ratiusss, Hissy so annoyed.

Better go peeps

Better hurry up and paint what you have, tons of new bugs on the horizon. You know Hissy want’s some new friends…


<loads the helfire rounds and slowly backs away>

I will love to see how Hissy reacts once she finds out the new toys the Hive will have available soon enough.

Hissy, I have a little surprise for you tonight. Are you ready?

Not in mood Ratiussss.

Are you sure Hissy? I havent let you down yet, have I?

Ssssure Ratius, sssurprise poor, tired Hissy if you like.

Oh dear Hissy, you not feeling well?

Tired Ratiussss, not in mood for trivialitiessss

Oooooooooooooook



.....

Hissy, Hissy are you there?

Hissy?

He gorgeoussssss

Yesssss gorgeousssss

WTF, who is this?

Hissy?

Quiet nassssty Sisterssss, Hissy stomp you good and flat!

So ssstrong and powerful

Yesss, I go greet him to Hive.....

NO. NO NO NO NO NO, HISSY GREET HIM, HISSY IS QUEEN OF HIVE. HISSY GREET FIRSSSST.



For the love of the Emperor divine, what was that? I think the Hive just imploded.

Anyway the guy above is the old metal Hive Tyrant, I think hes from 4th edition iirc. I intend to proxy him as the Swarmlord
I hope to be able to chop off his venom cannon arm and do up a couple more sword arms for him. He needs to be stripped by the way, I dont even recall under coating him.
Its actually a very cool model, quite detailed and looks seriously mean.

GET AWAY FROM THAT ENTRANCE SISTERSSSSSS

Oh dear, it looks like Hissy has a few suitors for old Swarmys attention. I hope he knows what hes let himself in for

Anyway a few more wip shots, I got some ripper swarms done from an old Termagant box I had, cute little models, not sure I'll ever use them but they were technically free so.



Im currently working on another 30 Termagants to simply get them out of the way and will then jump into the Crone/Harpy kit.

As always, thanks for reading viewers, I doubt Hissy will say bye this evening.

HISSY SMASSSSH YOU FLAT, YOU FILTHY BROODSORESSS!!!

Look Hissy a few more Broodlings done for you!



Hissy?

Greetings

Eh hello, who is this?

Hi, this is Swarmy the Swarmlord.

Oh hi, Swarmy I was expecting Hissy.

Hissy is not about today, Swarmy is happy.

Why so Swarmy? Whats been up?

Hissy and Sisters have been at Swarmys chamber door for days now, screaming and fighting, Swarmy has no sleep.

Oh dear Swarmy, thats not good, I think they just want to meet you.

Swarmy just wants to fight ultrasmurfs though, kill and eat, kill and eat.

I see, no interest in meeting the Sisters huh?

No.

Well the best thing to do Swarmy would be to meet them but remind them of the purpose of the Hive and what its goal is, total Galactic domination. But play it cool, they're 3 seriously bad sisters.

Ok, thanks Ratius, I will try that.

Good luck old boy.

Tomorrow I'll have an update on the Crone and hopefully an update from Swarmy, if hes still conscious.....

Oh dear, the Sisters are gonna eat him alive. (Maybe that's he wants? *wink wink*)

The production line seems to be working but I want to see that Crone

Just came across this blog... have caught up and read the whole thing..

Very entertaining with Hissy and the crew being involved.

I like your paint scheme, nice and simple and looks fantastic in the full army shots you have got in here.

Great work, I have subscribed to this thread now!

Loving the blog. I had a lot of trouble with the feathering my self, till I gave up and got an ultra fine pointed to do it with and used minimal paint on the brush. Slow but seems to work.

Thanks Barnowl and Mad, much appreciated

And especially for you TD.....

Grey




Not so grey. Shes still a work in progress to be honest, the underside needs to be done and I need to touch it up a bit but the basic scheme is there. Lovely model by the way.







What on Earth was that?!

Oh its you Hissy, thanks for demolishing my bedroom door.

Silence Ratiussss, Hissy in no mood for your nonsssssence.

Hissy sick of this Hive and isss leaving.

What?!

Hissy sick of this Hive and isss leaving.

Oh thank the Emperor, byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Not funny Ratiusss, Hissy stomp you flat just like Sistersss.

Ah-ha, so thats what is going on. Sisters, you and Swarmy eh? Cant you work something out and all get along?

NO, NO NO NO NO. Hissy lasst three nights been outside Swarmys chamberssss guarding them from foul Sistersss.

Yes so I heard, Swarmy a very sensitive chap Hissy, you have to be nice to him.

HISSY IS NICE. SISTERSSS ARE NOT NICE.

Ok, ok. Well look we're not going to resolve this here, lets get a rest and see tomorrow. did you like Crony by the way?

Crony nice.

Ok night night.

Hissy is very nice!!

So is the crone!

I enjoy this blog very much.

Hmmm, hmmmm, hmmm now that's a sexy Crone. Beautiful looking model, Hissy better be proud.

HISSY, get over your pouting! It doesn't suit you, oh mighty empress of the Hive

Thanks Eyeraim and TDL, glad you like it

So here she is, the Vector of Violence, the Swooper of Silence, the Shut up Ratiusss and show Croney





Side and underbelly



Main carapace



Tentaclid



Underbelly





Very happy with how she came out to be honest, was a great model to paint, I most definitely prefer the large surface area models and bigger details pieces

So Hissy you like?

Quite nice Ratiusss, Hissy going to get Croney to Vector Strike Sistersss tonight.

Oh thats not still going on Hissy is it?

No not really. Lassst night Hissy got Mawzy the Mawloc to dance and entertain the Hive. Mawzy so awkward whole Hive was funny over it.
Whilssst Sisters funny, Hissy visit Swarmy and agree a feeding pact with him.

So Hissy and Swarmy just good friends.

Oh thats great to hear Hissy, Im glad!

Friends for now. Swarmy get out of line and or talk to Sistersss and Hissy boot him out airlock.

Ok we'll leave it there so!

That last front on shot photo you have posted is awesome. Seeing that coming straight at you is pretty freaky... I also like how you have got the tentaclids on top of the wings and the head on a different angle.

I hope you don't lose your swarmy to an airlock "accident"

Thanks Mad

Yeah I thought the Tentaclids were really wasted under the wings as theyre great little models, so I put 3 of them on top just to show them off / be different.
I was half thinking of leaving them off altogether and proxying them as Sky Slashers tbh.

So Hissy, remember that mystery box we had a few weeks back.
Do you want to see what in it?



Better not be another Sister for Hissy. Ratiusss be warned.

Its not I promise.



Can you tell what it is Hissy?

Hmmm, Hissy look closer. Hissy see long arm with hooksss.
Hissy see four eyesss.
Hissy see thin, sneaky body.

ITS SNEAKY DEATHLEAPER ISNT IT RATIUSSS?!

It is Hissy, very well done, you know your spawning chambers very well.

Of course Hissy doesss. Why he look made of funny material Ratiusss.

Uhm, thats called Finecast Hissy, I havent used it before so I have no idea what to expect.

Will Deathleaper be ussseless so?

Well, lets hope not, shall we. I have some Space Wolf Terminators to do this week but I';ll get into Deathleaper after that.

Sorry what?

I mean, I'll get into Deathleaper right away.....
Hows Croney getting on within the Hive?

Good, Hissy already ridden her over roofs of Hive. Good view of Hive and whatsss going on down there. Hissy see Mawzy still dancing from last night. Mawzy not too bright and probably forgot to ssstop.

Oh Hissy go and tell him to stop, thats mean.

Fine Ratiusss

Deathleapers are very sexy miniatures and I'm happy to see Hissy got one for her Hive <3

Hope the fine cast model is good. I recently put together a fine cast Lictor that had some big holes in it... had to use a bit of putty to get it together.

Mawzy definitely has some stamina!

Hahaha Mad, yes poor old Mawzy.

Well Hissy I had hoped to spend some money on myself this Christmas but I see you've been at my credit card again.

Selfish Ratiusss, selfish, selfisssh.

Uhm, Im not the one that went and bought this guy for the Hive



Alwaysss thinking of yourself Ratiusss, Hissy disappointed.

For the love of the Emperor.....

Well, who in the Hive is going to assemble him? I sure as hell havent got the skills.

Hissy knows that Ratiusss, Hissy has friend that will do him and paint him too.

So I just bankrolled this did I?

Yesss.

.....

Well he'll be a wicked addition to the Hive anyways so well done me.

Well done Hissy more like.

I bought him Hissy!!! It is a He isnt it Hissy?

Yesss.

Righto. Well in the meantime your boyfriend Swarmy is taking a bath.





Hissy going to watch, byeeeee.

See you over the Christmas peeps.

Oh, Hissy, you are a voyeur, aren't you? Nice to know Tyranids have some human traits too

Damn Ratius, now that is one AWESOME addition for the Hive. I hope your friend likes to assemble FW models

So do I TDL!
I'll bribe him with something nice!

Many pardons for not commenting sooner, but I have been busy sowing mayhem in the wider world.
Now I cant say I agree with buying that enourmus bug, not really worth its cost. Both points and coin wise but you decicion in the end. The painted minis is always a joy to behold, and particulary enjoyed the Crone.
Well done

A Hierophant is for life Trondy not just for Christmas

 Ratius wrote:
A Hierophant is for life Trondy not just for Christmas

That I know, but still..... Dat bug be damned big and a pain to store safely

Well Hissy its all go this week, Hierophant shipped today according to FW so we should have him by Xmas day, Swarmy is still stripping away nicely (dont say anything Hissy please) and I undercoated these guys to fit them into your Hive.



Dont worry, I expect no credit or love by the way.....

What are they Ratiusss? Super Stealers?

Well they are Stealers but not superstealers Hissy. They are from a game called Space Hulk and they usually fight Space Marine Terminators in that game.



Are Terminators tasssty?

They are very crunchy Hissy.

Yummy. Get going then Ratiusss.

Well I want to get Swarmy stripped and undercoated first but Im sure we'll get some time over Xmas. What are we going to name Hierophant by the way?

Stompy.

Well that was quick, give that a bit of thought did you?

Yes Hissy think up name last night whilst guarding Swarmys chambersss as he bath.

You're not still at that are you? Havent things calmed down yet?

Hissy just being careful. Once Stompy arrives Hissy get him to squisssh Sisters flat and that will be end of that.

Hissy! They are your broodlings.

Hissy ssspawn more.....

Neato! Your swarm is growing... most impressive.

Thanks SBG

Well, someone's been a busy bee lately. Nice to know Hissy's Hive is growing strong and powerful.

Sooooooooooooo

When does Hissy get her own Dragon?

This is some serious gollum/smeagol stuff going on here, I love it! I am curious as to how the hierophant will turn out that is only awesome and fragile model.

Is your friend going to paint the Heirophant up the same as the rest of Hissy's Hive? Or you getting them to do something a bit different as a centrepiece model?

Either way I'm looking forward to seeing it show up with your swarm

Hes going to do him up the same scheme Mad
Hoping the main red carapace with heavy black feathering will look awesome.

ALERT HISSY ALERT HISSY ALERT!!!

What, who, when?

Wake up Hissy, the Hive is under attack!

RATIUSSSS, WHAT?!

We're under attack you lazy xenomorph!

ALL BROODLINGS TO HISSY CHAMBERSSS NOW NOW NOW!

Good to see you look after the spawning chambers first Hissy or the young gribblies in their incubation beds.

SILENCE RATIUSSS, ALL BROODLINGS TO HISSYS CHAMBERS. IMMEDIATLEY. FORM A WALL AROUND HISSY.

Hes coming Hissy, I can see him.

Where Ratiusss?! all brooodlings prepare for Invasion Protocals!!!

(She has invasion protocols?! )

Hes here Hissy, argggggghhhhhhh



.....

Ratiussss.

Uhm yes.

Your beds finished. Release all spore minesss.



Well whilst I try and clean up my bed heres a few shots of our new Superstealers
They were quite fun to paint and lovely models (Space Hulk Stealers).





1994 and 2014





Swarmy also got stripped and the last of our Warriors got a bath.





Happier Hissy?

Hissy not talking to you right now.

Oh Hissy.....