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So I joined in the hobby challenge that 'Facing the Grey Tide' (http://ftgtgaming.blogspot.co.uk/) are running and decided to use it as an oppertunity to try out a new technique for my painting, since I finished my first model this last week I thought I'd show it off on here and I'll add updates as I get more done.


My goal was to try out a metallic Insect carapace effect and I think I've managed it quite well using metallic powders.


I made a post on my blog that goes into more depth for the powders and how I came across them, http://paintstationforge.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/shiny-goodness.html along with other post as I developed how I would intigrate the process with my standard nid painting.

You've done a good job with the shiny carapace, but I feel like the effect gets lost with the skin color. Green on green looks a bit jumbled. A contrasting skin color would look better, IMHO.

Agreed. Make the skin purple or dark red. Maybe make it matt too to highlight the metallicness of the carapice

The green skin is mat scorpion green. Think I could have had better lighting as the idea is for the carapace to act as a mid poit between the very acid green of the skin and the striking blue of the claws and teeth. I'm tempted to use purple on the tentacles as a spot colour since this guy hasn't got waking big claws like many other nids do.

I've made some more progress and finished my Hive tyrant


Still lots more to do and I need to grab a new base for him at some point, might have a look round for jungle bases from secret weapon or can anyone else suggest a base company with a good jungle theme.

Love the blues on the hive, they look really striking

I also enjoy the shiny carapace, however you mentioned you were going for a metallic look? I wouldn't say it looks metallic, but then I don't think that's what you would want anyway

But it does look damn good. The effect worked out really well in my opinion. I do agree the top model could do with something to help separate some of the green colour. Like you said, it just doesn't have all the huge claws and talons that the other nids have (which is where your colour breaks typically come from).

The Malenthrope has since had the picky purple applied to it's tentacles after I had a play on the hive tyrant and developed the technique.
Should be finishing adding so jungle foliage to the base tonight and will have some updated pics tomorrow.

Malanthrope tweeks and basing is now done


Along with fully finished Hive tyrant.


With a couple more pics on my blog.
http://paintstationforge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/april-check-in-part-1-malenthrope-and.html

More to come next week as I've nearly finished the 23 model batch paint.

wow that's really good so far

Wow they look great, what powders did you use for the metallic hides? I'd love to know as I hope to do some metallic blue tau sometime in the future.

The addition of purple definitely helped with the contrast. I personally am not getting the metallic feel from these models, but you have executed very well for sure. Nice work

the metallic effect is tough to photograph sadly, my aim was to get the iridescent effect seen on many bugs and in the flesh I'm happy with it as it colour shifts between green and blue nicely as you change viewing angle, a video may be the way to go. Sadly I'll be working over time all weekend so limited chance to make it this weekend.

However I did get some pic last weekend of the next batch of models so I can share them today starting with the unit of Devigaunts.


and the Lictor.


the powders came from http://www.whiteapepigments.co.uk/ and I covered my trial and error research in a couple of blog posts starting with this one. http://paintstationforge.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/shiny-goodness.html hope that's helpful.

thanks for the links, I'll be sure to check out your blog if I buy any of the powder
absolutely loving the 'gaunts by the way almost makes me want to paint some... almost.

You've done a cracking job there. Little beetle-y nids!
The basing works really well too, first time I've seen someone pull off the plastic plants properly in a good long time.

Thanks guys, it's been a bit mental at work with a 72 hour week last week and now on my 15th day strait. I have, in chill out moments as I got home from work, managed to make some progress assembling my Tyranocrite, Toxicrine and 3 Venomthropes.
I hope to get them undercoated Tuesday evening and try out the army painter green spray for the basecoat.
Then things should settle down abit after today and I'll get my evenings back so more to come.

I like the look of the shiny carapace. The effect doesn't really show on the skin, but that might just be the picture.