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I'm having trouble painting Tyranids. I started an army I love the models and units but I have no idea where to start painting. I have so many ideas lol I can't decide on one.

I want a realistic look, maybe even shiny looks like they are slick.


basically what I mean is any ideas that people can send me would help greatly, god its so hard to settle on a scheme.

I'd google "tyranids" or go to pinterest, they have lots of ideas.

If you want shiny, best go with Humbrol or Airfix paints, then will give a really glossy finish if that's what you're after.

Personally Ive always wanted to do classic xenomorph styles Tyranids
Black with glazes and that shiny blue paint used on dark eldar vehicles to make a creepy ass xenomorph horde

yeah that xenomorph Idea would be awesome. wonder how best to get that done.

ballzonya wrote:
yeah that xenomorph Idea would be awesome. wonder how best to get that done.

There are several Xenomorph colorings.

Brownish black (resurrection, alien 3) bluish black (Aliens) and grey black (alien, covenant). Look up toys/ models and study where the colors are actually sitting on the figure.

 Supershandy wrote:
If you want shiny, best go with Humbrol or Airfix paints, then will give a really glossy finish if that's what you're after.

Most humbrol paints are matte, only some of them are glossy.

Tamiya do some gloss acrylics but they're hard to work with because they thin with alcohol.

I've found the best option for glossy tyranids is to use glossy inks or clears, because that way they're more glossy in the crevices where the ink pools. Rather than using gloss paints or gloss varnishes (which end up looking like gloss coated cars).

It was more just a thought rather than a given, though inks and glazes would be much better options

Ink Glaze and gloss varnish would probably be the easiest thing to do.

Yeah. I would just use a gloss clear coat when your done. It will ensure the whole model is the same shine and protect your paint while your at it.

If it helps...

pick a scheme with only a few colours, or you'll go mad.

Something you can spray as a base coat (airbrush or rattle can) that works well with wash & dry brush is good for the fleshy bits.

If you can cut it an armour colour that works with the same wash is good.

If you want wet look the army painter style dips actually are pretty good on nids from pictures I've seen.

Secret is coming up with something that doesn't take half as long to apply as it looks like it does