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Tyranid Cockroaches, Ewhhhhhh!

Well here I am laid up with a immobile shoulder and my right arm in a sling and I tell you I am getting stir crazy. Books, TV, Internet surfing, No porn; right arm remember.............

Anyway visiting my 40K forums I stumble across this fantastic rendering of a Tyranid army by a certain 'DeadMuppet' his sobriquet. He has produced the most realistic Tyranids I have ever seen.

Basing his colouration on cockroaches he has produced the most intriguingly disgusting arthropods I have yet seen so I have set out to duplicate his technique.

From what I have seen on his thread he starts out with a light gray primer, I have gray primer, followed by a khaki base coat. I still can press a spray can button so here goes..............

http://i.imgur.com/9IiFe5m.jpg


I'm starting with the only Tyranid in my possession; a Hive Tyrant recently purchased.

I have very limited experience with painting so this thread will be basically a trial and error excursion into the do's and don'ts of colourization.

It should prove fun..............

Tyranid Basic Paint:

I know I am circumventing conventional wisdom with my painting and am taking too many steps to accomplish that which pro-painters can do with ease. Never lTyranid Basic Paint:

I know I am circumventing conventional wisdom with my painting and am taking too many steps to accomplish that which pro-painters can do with ease. Never let it be said that the Blackadder takes the easy path when the harder is available.

After a coat of gray primer and a coat of cardboard box cover coat (The only tan paint I had) I masked off the areas not needing further base painting and sprayed the chitin carapace areas with a coat of rust brown primer.

http://i.imgur.com/kbwY47Q.jpg


After drying removing the tape reveals I missed a bit of leg chitin. Never mind I can touch that up with a brush.

http://i.imgur.com/6ZwE9Jc.jpg


Well these photos came out disappointing; the flash kind of washed out the dark brown primer. The actual colour is more the cheesy simulated leather wood grain table pad hue in the photo.

I've gone about as far as I can go with spray cans, time to break out the airbrush.

This should be disgusting

I've always said that this is pretty much what I would do if I were to ever play tyranids. I'm glad someone else is having a crack at it first. It should look awesome, creepy, and more realistic.

I'm looking forward to seeing what you can do!

Yeah SBG, me too. I told you I'm not a painter...............

Tyranid Base Coat Part Two:

Removing the masking revealed an acceptable contrast.

http://i.imgur.com/ZKmX73Y.jpg


The flash show the paint as more red than it is but hey the entire base coat will be covered anyway, this will just give a depth to the final coat.

http://i.imgur.com/4ZDiQRm.jpg


The rust undercoat will (I hope) supply a subliminal ruddy glow to the burnt umber carapace surface pigment.

http://i.imgur.com/FUNmWNF.jpg


Now for the airbrushing:

Blackadder Straddling Two Concepts

Originally there was only the one master plan for organic appearing cockroach coloured Tyranids.

Since posting this thread I have be made aware of more. They seem to be multiplying like..........well like cockroaches.

I have narrowed the field to two and will attempt to fashion mine somewhere between them as the first was too light and the last seems a bit too dark.

I am listing the colours I have just ordered for a delivery later this week. I chose Vallejo paints instead of Citadel for no particular reason as I do have a conversion chart from one manufacturer to another which may prove useful to those with a goodly supply of alternative manufacturers paints:

http://www.dakkadakka.com/wiki/en/Paint_Range_Compatibility_Chart

The colours I shall be using are as follows:

71024 Khaki Brown
71027 Light Brown
71040 Burnt Umber
71042 Camo Black Brown
71083 Orange
71109 UK Pru Blue
72014 Warlord Purple
72034 Bone White
72050 Cold Gray
72066 Tan
73200 Sepia Wash

And Citadel 21-27 Rakarth Flesh

I bought these paints on Amazon from a third party distributor 'SIFI Comics and Games' who seemed to have the best price and one price shipping regardless of the number of small items ordered which seemed a bargain. This information for any of you that may wish at your peril to follow along on this painting odyssey. I should be receiving my stuff with in the week....

Back to the competing variations on the cockroach theme, Deadmuppets beautiful work is slightly spoiled by the use of a brush to paint the highlights on the edge of the chitin armour; I intend to use an airbrush throughout even for the highlights using glue tac for the masking.

Another contender used gloss varnish for the carapace which gave a too shiny appearance. I shall be using a satin varnish.

Of course these projects are done and mine are just a figment of m imagination with little hard evidence of my imagined abilities so before I get too deeply into critical analysis perhaps I should actually do something. Ha!

Oh BTW if you intend to follow along you may want to have at least a medium sized Tyranid and an airbrush with a fine tip. Ha!

I'm really looking forward to seeing this project complete. I've seen a lot of attempts online, but not a lot of satisfying results. I think the choice of satin varnish rather than matte or gloss is good, but as you, without sseeing it first-hand I'm just working off a personal assumption. I have high hopes. No pressure or nothin'.

Tyranid Spoiler Alert:

Okay well we've seen my pitiful opening attempt at a cockroach colours army basecoat and the requisite colours are ordered. I have stated my goals regarding plans for a 'Nid army and a Pollyanna speculation on a future Bio Titan so now let's see the immediate painting goals I have set for myself. The way I look at it the small muscle controls needed for airbrushing will help retrain my fine motor skills lost during the current incapacity.

I have state on a few forums I eschew the party coloured 'carousel pony' painted Tyranids for something realistic looking and have set my sights rather high regarding the painting quality of the pieces so pictured below is a sample of what I hope to achieve. How close I come to that goal is what this thread is all about.















Good luck on that one Blackadder, yer gonna need it! Ha!

Wow , that is sexy and I just said that about a ockroach

Well, that's ridiculously awesome.

If you want your swarm to look like that, you've set the bar incredibly high. I hope you can do it justice.

so i like strange projects and this seems quite unique. that is one killer trygon i agree with the others that bar is setr rather high good luck obtaining your goal.

Today I received my paint and tried out my new dual action air brush. My old cheap 'Badger' I felt wasn't up to the current challenge.

Damnme if I can get any paint through the dimned thing so I played around with the settings and the air pressure and disassembled the needle valve assembly to no avail finally in desperation I took the needle out of the thing and huge amounts of paint sprayed through. I had the needle set for paint with a mineral spirit base instead of water Ha!

Blackadder, do you really think you are qualified to pursue a project of this caliber if you can't even adjust the spray nozzle?

Okay so now my acquiring of Tyranid 'Heavy Metal' armour components is relatively complete (albeit still in the kit boxes) With the last night acquisition of a 'Trygon' NIB model I now have that and a Carnifex NIB both of which are in transit; an in house Tyrannafex/Tervigon in the process of being primed and having the arms/armament being magnetically attached (not glued) by installing rare earth magnets (1/8 X 1/16 inch dia. still in transit), a very heavy Hive Tyrant (metal) I won't make that mistake again and a 10 piece Gargoyle set NIB.

That should be enough for the time being seeing as how I have yet to paint a single piece.

So well you may ask that given I have 3 Lucius Titans, More IG Super-heavy Resin tanks than I can count without taking my shoes off and an odd assortment of IG scout bipeds what is my current fascination with a Xeno/Bio army?

In truth I do not know, the spirit just moved me in that direction. I do know this; I have a hankering to do a scratch bipedal Bio-Titan on the order of size analogous to my Warlord. To do that I need good hands on representatives of the Tyranids genera. What better way to acquaint myself with the literally in's and out's of the anatomy than to study some actual Tyranids.

And there you have it, a method and a rational to my personal form of dementia.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Trannofex/Tervigon Painting

Since I haven't received my Trygon as yet I'll practice my dubious skills on the Trannofex. Yesterday I primed the model with generic spray paint and a bit later applied a thin coat of flat white also generic (Walmart if you must know) but at $0.99 cents a can who's complaining.

After allowing to dry overnight it should be ready for acrylic airbrushing but first a few pictures of my initial foray into dual action airbrushing.

http://i.imgur.com/e5DkdLA.jpg


'BuyPainted' (I wish I knew this guy's name) says in his video he uses light gray prime but in the video it looks almost white.

http://i.imgur.com/jCZNpVC.jpg


I personally think the belly colours will be more vivid if applied to a flat white sub-coat. We'll see..............


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Trannofex/Tervigon Painting 2:

Well that didn't take long compared to yesterday Under the fluorescent lighting the khaki colour seems a bit greenish I hope that won't affect the final result as it is just a base coat.

http://i.imgur.com/dgIAeeQ.jpg


This image looks like an arthropod with a kick stand.

http://i.imgur.com/UXePehJ.jpg



Automatically Appended Next Post:

Trannofex/Tervigon Painting 3:

There's an old maxim stating, "It's a poor craftsman that blames his tools." but the qualifier is, "It's an equally poor craftsman that doesn't realize his tool's limitations."

This airbrush has limited range regarding how fine a line can be sprayed. While it is perfectly adequate for much of the work that needs to be done fine lines of less that 3 MM width are beyond its capabilities.

The bottom line is I need a finer airbrush. Any suggestions as to what brush and dia. tip I should need?

The two images below did not come out too badly but it shouldn't be that hard to render a finer detail line. its like playing the piano with boxing gloves on.

http://i.imgur.com/e5Vy6lH.jpg



http://i.imgur.com/VAgsRqp.jpg


Otherwise I'm rather pleased with this for a first effort..........

Very nice so far. I did a similar thing for a combat patrol 'nid force years ago, (based on the original colours for James Cameron's Aliens) but I only had some of the smaller models (stealers and hormagaunts) which I painted in browns, added some orange highlights, and then dipped - very much to get that horrid shiny insectoid-carapace look.

I look forward to seeing how this project progresses!

I've considered a Tyranid army based on the Alien motif but given my predilection for blacks and grays I thought it too much to also have a Black 'nid army as well.

Hive Tyrant continues:

The best thing about the Metal Hive Tyrant is that being metal it's great to practice on. If I make a big mistake I can just soak it in Simple green overnight and wash the paint off in the dishwasher.

So far no real mistakes but I lack the finesse of a Pro-Painter that and I'm more comfortable with my single action Badger siphon brush

I learned a few tricks on how to isolate areas already painted from over-spray, the best being Tack Putty. The only stuff I have lying about was 3M Adhesive Putty but I understand Blue Tack is better.

Anyway I'm prepared to highlight the rib cage and tail so I have the carapace masked off.

http://i.imgur.com/pCZrxF0.jpg


In the back ground you see the Tervigon/Tyrannofex which awaits todays trial and my makeshift paint booth set up.

http://i.imgur.com/gSoeNvk.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/3aOQF24.jpg


This is all a new experience for me because other than the Warhound 'Lucie' I've not had any experience painting figures with an airbrush.

Blackadder - great looking Nis so far, the example from Buypainted is awesome.

I believe his name is Jaroslav - he also runs an online store called Forge Planet. His free videos are an awesome source of info for airbrushing. His Grey Knights really set the standard a few years ago for airbrushed metallics.

Your big Nid is looking great so far, keep it up!

Thanks for the info Jarslav that sounds right. Someone else said he calls himself Jaro.......... but

Whoa this is coming along swimmingly; forget Tyranids I'm gonna get a job body paint'n nekkid girls..........

I've finally found my true vocation Ha!

Of course I did screw it up just now in my exuberance but that's easily remedied. Photos later after I patch up the screw up.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Tervigon/Tyrannofex Paint Odyssey Continues:

As promised an update of today's earlier post.

Screwup repaired there are still errors that need attention but hey you really can't make a mistake with Biological Organisms (my asymmetrically patterned cat for example) anyway its time to explain that the current coat is Vallejo Light Brown over Khaki Brown with Umbral Umber ('Formula mfg' as the dark colour) on the carapace.

As usual I find working on larger models easier than small models so the Hive Tyrant actually took more time and effort that the Tyrannofex.

I've found that with very little effort I have graduated from not even able to get any paint through the airbrush to defining a 1/16 inch stream of paint virtually anywhere on a model. Where was airbrushing (Body Painting) on the menu when I had my 'Career chip Installed?

Anyway after mebbe half an hour of total airbrushing hands on time I managed this: (If I can, anyone can)

http://i.imgur.com/QVe51nt.jpg


Look, Compressor industrial quality with 3 gallon tank $50 bucks (at Home Depot,) a gravity feed Master Airbrush $10- 15 bucks on Amazon. Paint is the big cost but Hey you probably have paint. Gad who would paint with a brush?

http://i.imgur.com/6Bi0vfQ.jpg

Trygon vs Mawloc

Decisions, decisions why can't anything simple and straight forward.

I finally started assembling my Trygon and there are dozens of extra parts. Thanks GW for all the options; I had less trouble kitting out my car. (Actually the car was a piece of cake I called up half a dozen dealers with the spec's I wanted and one guy said, "They're driving just that vehicle off the trailer as we speak.)

Anyway then I find out that different tails go with the different varients; well F... that I want the forked tail on the basic Trygon. Mebbe he's a 'sport'.

http://i.imgur.com/mxQz7wh.jpg


The other thing I can't understand is why do Tyranids have so many scrotums?

I'd go with the tail you prefer. It's a fantasy alien space monster most often defined by it's head and arms. It's not like you've chosen the wrong kind of camouflage pattern for your SS tunics - but not smocks or pants - in Normandy 1944 (an actual argument I was reading on another forum the other day)...

Nice progress.

will be following this blog

I really want to see how this project develops. How do you find working with the Scotch adhesive putty? Where did you buy it?

Also, great idea on the clothes hangers.

I don't know where you can buy it in Vaughan but heres a google link.

https://www.google.com/search?client=opera&q=Scotch+adhesive+putty&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

The stuff I have is really old and has lost some if its sticking power but works pretty good.

My Neglected Tyranids:

Taking advantage of the mild weather I primed my entire Tyranid company starting with the Tyrannofex/Tervigon on which I already practiced my airbrush technique.

Never let it be said that the Blackadder doesn't jump in with both feet instead of practicing with a cheaper model.

Aside from the body already brushed in the basic cockroach colours I did little else on the appendages until today. So first a light coat of Primer gray then a light coat of flat white for the under belly, arms, legs, weapons, and tail; the upper surfaces will be dark so no need for flat white in those areas.

http://i.imgur.com/QEx64HF.jpg


Its a good thing to have everything primed ahead of time. I used standard spray paint primer instead of Vallejo Model Air because its more durable, adheres better to the basic plastic, forms a better base for the water-base paint to follow and a damned sight cheaper than any modeling acrylic paint.

I painted the entire army for two bucks worth of primer and still have almost the entire cans of paint left.

So Tyrannofex/Tervigon above, next the Trygon:

http://i.imgur.com/Z5dvEA2.jpg


This is the model that impressed me so that I had to attempt a Tyranid army.

and finally the Carnifex which was apparently sculpted by another artist as the body appears less detailed/refined:

http://i.imgur.com/xdbMD2O.jpg

Loving your blog so far, keep the updates coming!

 Glaiceana wrote:
Loving your blog so far, keep the updates coming!

Yeah I suppose I'm going to have to fire up the airbrush again.............. the problem with that is they are such a pain in the ass to clean and I get lazy after painting.

Peon Army Tyranid Style:

In the hierarchy of the Tyranids there is a gross discrepancy in size and stature so the grunts, pawns, whatever are humanoid sized and are the young of larger and the more powerful pieces as well. An interesting premise.

Here we have relatively tiny beasties known as Termagant broods (which implies immature) which are born fully developed complete with weaponry in the egg pouch of a Tervigon which makes a Tervigon a sort of Termagant APC and a female Tyrannofex to boot or am I in error?

http://i.imgur.com/JFMKM84.jpg


Next we have Gargoyle broods which are legless but can fly. They are the offspring of what? Do they grow as they mature?

http://i.imgur.com/lqLe833.jpg


Next we have the Hive Tyrant which comes in two variants winged and wingless midway in size between the humanoid sized larvae and the mature tank sized creatures. What is their role?

http://i.imgur.com/rvl384b.jpg


I find the Tyranids the most fascinating of the alien armies which is probably why I departed from my preoccupation with IG armour on this most atypical tangent.

A Question of Technique:

Happy New Year,

Since I am up at 4:00 AM New Years Day I decided to paint the base coat on my Trygon and the paint seems a bit heavily applied.

http://i.imgur.com/6RGECba.jpg


Since I am a mere tyro at airbrushing my only experience being painting 'Lucie' to date. At that time I used a siphon 'Badger' basic brush with a 0,2 mm orifice.

Now I am using a 'Master' gravity dual action brush and have experienced a devil of a time getting paint through the 0,2 mm orifice on this brush.

I am using 'Vallejo AV' Model Air paint and 'AV' thinner in different proportions BTW the 'AV' paints bottles are excellent for adding discrete amounts of paint to the cup because the dispenser tip allows measured drops of liquid rather than pouring it in as with the 'Citadel' jars.

Back to the question, what proportion i.e. drops of paint/thinner would be correct for applying a base coat and is the AV 'thinner' really necessary or would water or 'Windex®' work just as well?

I have watched the video ad nauseam :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJha39IUztU

and have yet to obtain the requisite ease of application Jaro achieves except when I practice on scrap bits which is extremely frustrating.

Can I get a response from some experienced 'brushers regarding these problems or is it just BA's penchant for 'instant gratification' thats the issue?


Mould Lines:

Naturally putting the cart before the horse I 'Grey' primed, base 'Flat White' painted and applied 'Khaki Brown' base coat before noticing mould lines in the castings; two points off for stupidity Blackadder............ Pay attention to the video BA, Jaro even takes the trouble to announce he sands off the mould lines.

http://i.imgur.com/8NQNbgm.jpg


Now I have to burnish out the fine mould lines and apply yet another coat of Khaki Brown.

http://i.imgur.com/V5uCtva.jpg


FYI Mould lines are fine ridges of plastic that form where the two halves of the mould come together. These should be lightly scraped away with either file or as I shall use a #11 Xacto blade. The above image shows actually a seam between two joined pieces that I shall also have to address but it serves to illustrate what I am talking about as mould lines are far too fine to readily be seen in a photograph.

Not removing these casting discrepancies is just another item that separates us amateurs from the pro-painters

Going back to dress out the seams is not really a problem as I missed painting a few places on the imaged pieces anyway.............

I`m more of a gamer than a painter so my opinion is suspect but I would say that to hell with those mold lines and keep up the good work

M.