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I have a fast method for doing these guys with one exception: the highlites of the chitenous shells. Basically the edges of all the armor plates. THAT part has three issues:

1) taking too long to do (it's 2 layers and a highlite of the edge with white)

2) I'm not 100% sure about the look - might be TOO harsh in terms of contrast?

3) It's hard to paint lots of it because it's tiny strokes over and over again, which I'm finding hard on my hands. Yes that sounded awful.

One effect I do like, however, is the satin finish of the shells (not overly glossy but not matte either) which I am getting using Satin Varnish from Vallejo Model color line. The effect is quite noticeable in the picture of the zoanthrope below (the tall floaty guy).

I don't have a cool name for this hive fleet yet - many of the really good ones are taken

They look fantastic!

That shade of brown is very menacing for me , because it reminds me of those giant flying roaches...

The only complaint i have is , the flesh is too similar to the carapace ( which the carapace have lots of contrast ) but it has 0 contrast to the flesh.

Yep that was somewhat intentional - I wanted to get away from the really strong contrast of some of the GW schemes. I find it more natural looking if they arent like black shells white skin, per se.

Im thinking the white edging on the shells may have been a mistake. Maybe more of a bone or ivory.

I'm a really big fan of these colors. They are very organic and natural looking which is something that is pretty difficult to find. While there may not be as sharp a contrast between the shells and the flesh I think that it works really well for these. The feathered highlighting technique you're using look very natural and like it actually belongs.

All in all, well done sir!

Thanks very much ! I'm finishing up a Tyrant Guard soon where I've switched to more of an ivory edge highlite and a slightly less harsh highlite treatment on the shell. The difference is subtle enough to fit with the army but I think looks a bit nicer.

Those are excellent. The red on the Carnifex is especially disgusting.

Nice and gribbly. Subtle colors combined to bring those extra galactic horrors to life. Very nice job.

Very inspirational to someone who is considering a new nid army. The satin finish does look great on the zoanthrope. My only concern would be how tedious this scheme will become on larger units of guants, and on the must have Termaguant( if you deciede to field one).

Very nice job - I think the colours and different highlighting styles on the carapace/flesh work well.

Fantastic- the carpace reminds me of insect shells. Definitely keep the highlighting.

Amazing painting.