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I've recently started collecting Tyranids. I am not an artistically inclined person, nor have I ever painted models, but I have decided that I want a fully painted Tyranid army. My process description follows, my questions are at the bottom.

I assembled the bulk of my army by purchasing used models primarily from ebay, and have selected one of them to serve as an inspiration for my entire army:


However, I object to the idea that Tyranids hold guns and so instead have decided to paint the guns using the same colors that I am using for the body parts.

After extensive experimenting I've arrived at the following colors for my base coat:

Body - Cold Grey
Carapace - Gory Red
Claws and Teeth - Dark Goldbrown
Soft tissue- Goblin Green

The I "Dip" with this:

After experimenting, I have decided that I need to thin it a bit, and it is easier to brush it on than actually dip it.

Here are three models who's process is complete, a Devil Gaunt, a Biovore, and a Genesteeler.


More Pics here: http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/images-81431-40123_Painting%20Progress.html

I feel like these models look good, but also that I am missing a step. I've tried adding highlights and drybrushing, but find that using my basing colors clash with my final colors, and disrupts the shading / Gloss / Texture.

I've tried feathering by mixing 3 drops Gory Red With 1 drop white for the 1st level, and then 3 drops white 1 drop red for the 2nd.

I tried this both before I dip:


and After:


And I have been disappointed by the results. Also, I felt like my round tipped 10-0 brush was not up to the task.


Here are a few models that are base coated needing only final touchups before getting dipped:


Here are some questions I have:
1) I'm not 100% on my soft tissue color choice. Should I use a more vibrant Green? Is there another color that would match better?
2) Is feathering a worthwhile pursuit for my glossy style? If so, what am I doing wrong?
3) As I move on to larger models, do I need to add additional highlight colors? What colors would you recommend?
4) Should I feel ok about sitting pat on my post dip models? If not what should I do?
5) How do I photograph small glossy things like this? It was causing focus and lighting problems.
6) What suggestions do you have for basing that would go well with my color selections? I'm tempted to go with blackened destroyed looking earth.

feathering looks good.

however, please just buy some wash instead of mini waxing, the result will be much nicer.

Overall i think you are smothering a fairly nice paintjob with the wax

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlJVubeExvk

It appears you like the glossy look, complete it with a gloss varnish to get that appearance back.

Have to agree with Rabidmofo washing would be better than dipping. You're covering up the paint job. Another thing I would try is thinning your paint. It looks a little thick IMHO.

I think you're well on your way! Just don't do the blue bases. ever...
A well done base IMO, should look great, yet be of colors that are not on the figure itself. Like Orks, I'd go for a brown or gray rocky base with only a bit of green static grass if any green at all. Just offset the base from the figure.

You're painting aliens, so not bad at all, takes balls to admit your not a pro then post your stuff to learn from others by critiques! Well done!

 Sammoth wrote:
Have to agree with Rabidmofo washing would be better than dipping. You're covering up the paint job. Another thing I would try is thinning your paint. It looks a little thick IMHO.

I tried 2 washes and an Ink before I discovered this dip method. I haven't tried the washes on my final paint choices, but I will give it a shot. My main critique was that the washes didn't blend the colors as well as the dip does. As you can see, the pre-washed figures look like they belong to a circus not an intergalactic fleet of world destroying nightmares.

When you suggest I thin my paint, are you suggesting that I add a little turpentine to it? Or just that I don't put quite so heavy a load on my brushes? I usually only add 4-5 drops of paint to my palette at a time, it seems 1 drop of thinner would be overdoing it. What would be a good ratio?

Or is it just that Carnifex at the end that looks heavily painted. Because that guy came to me painted with several coats, and I've used him as my prototype putting another 3-4 layers on top. Right now I'm using him as a prototype for feathering technique, and then I will probably strip him done to nothing and paint him up from scratch. I probably shouldn't have included that photo, but it was the only "big" bug that I had any paint on.

tag8833 wrote:

 Sammoth wrote:
Have to agree with Rabidmofo washing would be better than dipping. You're covering up the paint job. Another thing I would try is thinning your paint. It looks a little thick IMHO.

When you suggest I thin my paint, are you suggesting that I add a little turpentine to it?

Good lord no, add some water too it.

tag8833 wrote:
I tried 2 washes and an Ink before I discovered this dip method. I haven't tried the washes on my final paint choices, but I will give it a shot. My main critique was that the washes didn't blend the colors as well as the dip does. As you can see, the pre-washed figures look like they belong to a circus not an intergalactic fleet of world destroying nightmares.

If done properly, dipping can achieve fairly good tabletop quality miniatures, especially with horde armies like tyranids. It also helps to give the model a coat of matte varnish to kill the shine that dipping gives them.

When you suggest I thin my paint, are you suggesting that I add a little turpentine to it? Or just that I don't put quite so heavy a load on my brushes? I usually only add 4-5 drops of paint to my palette at a time, it seems 1 drop of thinner would be overdoing it. What would be a good ratio?

You are using water-based acrylics so use water. Regular tap water works fine for this. There is no magic ratio when it comes to thinning paint, but a good place to start is 1:1 and work from there, adding paint or water. The paint should be thin enough that it doesn't cover in one pass.

tag8833 wrote:

 Sammoth wrote:
Have to agree with Rabidmofo washing would be better than dipping. You're covering up the paint job. Another thing I would try is thinning your paint. It looks a little thick IMHO.

I tried 2 washes and an Ink before I discovered this dip method. I haven't tried the washes on my final paint choices, but I will give it a shot. My main critique was that the washes didn't blend the colors as well as the dip does. As you can see, the pre-washed figures look like they belong to a circus not an intergalactic fleet of world destroying nightmares.

When you suggest I thin my paint, are you suggesting that I add a little turpentine to it? Or just that I don't put quite so heavy a load on my brushes? I usually only add 4-5 drops of paint to my palette at a time, it seems 1 drop of thinner would be overdoing it. What would be a good ratio?

Or is it just that Carnifex at the end that looks heavily painted. Because that guy came to me painted with several coats, and I've used him as my prototype putting another 3-4 layers on top. Right now I'm using him as a prototype for feathering technique, and then I will probably strip him done to nothing and paint him up from scratch. I probably shouldn't have included that photo, but it was the only "big" bug that I had any paint on.

No, turp just water if they are acyrlic paints. Depending on what paints you use will determine how much you thin. Some require diffent ratios there is no set ratio. To thin add paint to thnk add water and so on. Bsicly you want a little less paint on your brush so it's not so think and paint in layers.

Also I may add using a Drying Retarder Medium will help a ton with being able to blend acrylics.

http://www.liquitex.com/slowdriblendingmedium/