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So, after realizing I have way too many gaunts to paint in my current scheme, I've decided to shamelessly copy the quick and easy scheme of Phil Kelly's Tyranids in the BBB. Does anybody have any experience with a minimalist scheme like this? He simply undercoats the models black then details and gloss varnishes. Would a simple spray coat of black enamel paint be sufficient as a first coat, or would the lack of primer interfere with detail painting? Also, I assume a spray gloss varnish would be best. What are good brands/types to use for minis (this goes for the spray paint too)?

enamel has the downside of being hard to paint over or get any other paint to adhere to. I'd recommend a primer in something simple like GW's chaos black or Armoury's black. armoury has a upside of leaving a fine enough grit to soak up the first base coat very well and leave your model either very bright or very dull depending on the base coat or subsequent coats. you Just wants fast and easy ...well the easyest way is to use a prime coat in your primary color and then paint the armor in the secondary color and Dip it. let dry and varnish and a coat of matte and yer done.


an example of such from my old tyranid army
bleach bone prime, dry brush bleach, paint armour dark angel green and paint teeth and eyes and dipped in minwax.

for quick n easy, nids are ideal for dipping.

dood.....INKS INKS INKS.

i good base coat over undercoat then ink it up!! perfect for nids.

minues the mess of dipping with the same result.

here are some of my nids

Thanks for the tip about enamel Onnotangu.
luvadeorks, your inked army looks really sweat, even if they are Christmas.
After reading this awesome article, http://www.dakkadakka.com/wiki/en/Dipping+Tyranids, I think dipping may be the way to go. Its absurd how the models go from no detail to totally detailed instantly. Plus, no tedious brushing
Guess I'll have to rethink my all black paint scheme though.