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Hi all,

I'm not the best painter by far. I think I seem to struggle more with blending and highlights more than anything. Maybe I'm missing other key skills/techniques to make my finished product look better. Please if you can, let me know how I can improve upon my latest finished model. I'm just not happy with the result and if I had more knowledge I think I could do much better. Thanks for everyones help!

How well can you blend? I find that this is a key component for tyranid carapace

Well I haven't tried to blend here, I tried to just highlight. I think maybe I just need to practise my blending on some spare models. I don't think i've ever tried to blend before...

Im getting a Trygon soon and Its going to look really awful If I stick to the above technique. Is it possible to get good blending results from GW paints?

Hey, still looking forward to doing that Tervigon for ya
As for your Zoanthrope, it looks really good. The key to good highlighting is to gradually mix in the lighter colour as you highlight up. Extreme highlighting (Tentacle Pink on Warlock Purple, for example) is ok, but the effect can look cartoonish. If you gradually mix in the pink to the purple, apply the highlight, then mix more pink in, will add depth and look more realistic. As for blending, the whole key is liberal amounts of water in your paint that you apply to the model. I personally prefer highlighting over blending, but either can look very convincing and very good! 1
I would pick out some of the details on him, like teeth, maybe the chunks in the carapace, etc, but other than that, he's very well done

Well it seems you have some basic stuff down pretty well, like the basecoat and wash. Some basic tips might include- use thin paint for blending and highlights. It's easier to work with, and doesn't gloop up. I would suggest practice also, that generally helps! Anyway I think what you have is pretty good, but don't blend on the trygon until you have been practicing for a while. Do up some hormagaunts maybe, and practice on this model. Anyway, I think it looks pretty good- you picked out the brain matter really well.

Granesh, thanks dude. And yes, I'm looking forward to recieving your Tervigon. Payday is on the 25th and I'll be 100% sure to get back to you to arrange payment and delivery

I appreciate your comments also. Maybe most people are like this and aren't happy with their own work. Ill try and add some more detail to the teeth and that like you say and practise some blending. Going to need all the skills I can muster for my Trygon and Tervigon

Thanks Rutteger1, I'll practise some blending with thinned paint and see how I get on. With my highlighting he was turning a little too pink for my liking until I darkened him down with a wash. This guy I'm going to use as Doom. Also i'm not keen on the wash used around the tail area and lower body. To me it kinda looks smudged and uneven.

I'll practise some more though and try your tips.