Slightly Revamped Tyranid Color Schemes I & II

I made some minor adjustments to each of the color schemes.  Archetype I (brown shell) got some Bubonic Brown highlights to accent its other wise bland look and feel.  Archetype II (green shell) got some Skull White dry brushing on the fleshy bitz and some more Devlan Mud shading on the shell.  I believe the addition of more Devlan Mud wash to the green shell would resolve any issues of it being too bright on larger models.  All hail the Devlan Mud.

Once the new codex hits I’m going to start my personal Iron Painter challenge so I think this is as far as I’ll take either scheme.  Now all I have to do is make a decision which one I like best.

Tyranid Color Scheme Archetype II

Here is my second choice of color schemes to use for my Tyranid army.  I like scheme one because it uses very natural, contrasting colors.  I like scheme two because it’s brighter, still has a strong contrast, but is less natural.  I’m conflicted which to go with.  Perhaps I need to devise a 3rd scheme.

Archetype II

GW Skull White primer > Painted the shell Snot Green > Gryphonne Sepia wash the entire model > Paint Devlan Mud into the recess of the shell and the deepest recess of the body > Chaos Black with a Codex Grey highlight on the fangs > Finally a little Graveyard Earth on the base.

It’s another simple scheme that’s very easy to achieve.  Let me know what you think of this scheme and which you like best; scheme one (dark brown shell) or scheme two (green shell).

Thanks for reading.  Cheers!

Tyranid Color Scheme Archetype I

I chose to test my color scheme on a single ripper.  It didn’t come out exactly as planned, but none the less I like the results.  The shell was supposed to be brown with a yellowish hue, not brown with a red hue.  I’ll need to do another test with a different base color and see how that goes.

Archetype I

GW Skull White primer > Painted the shell Scorched Brown > Gryphonne Sepia wash over the whole model > Devlan Mud was into the recesses of the shell > Chaos Black on the claws followed by a high light of Codex Grey > Lastly the little base was done with Graveyard Earth

The scheme is meant to be as easy as possible while yielding good table top results as I plan on doing a sort of Iron Painter chalange.  Next I think I’ll try a green shell with a whiter body.

Comments, criticisms and suggestions are more than welcome.

R.I.P. Frosty The Snow Marine 8/09 – 10/09

This post is dedicated in loving memory of Frosty the Snow Marine.  May the emperor bless.  “We had some good times ‘ol buddy, I’ll miss ya.”

Frosty met his demise in the green abyss a.k.a.  Simple Green.

I have to say that this stuff has done it again.  Another successful Simple Green story to add to the pile.  I left my frosted tactical squad soak for a little more than 24 hours, pulled them out and got busy scrubbing them with an old tooth brush.  About 98% of the paint came off.  Good enough for most I’d assume, but I’m a perfectionist so back into the green abyss they went for another 24 hours.  After the second dip and scrubbing I was much happier with the results.  You can see below that the primer was left almost wholly unscathed, the plastic completely unharmed and the paint 99.9% gone.

The squad is ready for paint once more, but this time will not be subject to the horrors of GW’s Purity Seal.  Instead I have two cans of Testors Dullcote on standby.

Aside from this I haven’t been able to accomplish much.  I’ve been in Florida this past week on business.  I have however managed to get my Hive Tyrant and my super exclusive closed claw Lictor assembled.  I want another Hive Tyrant, but I will most definitely be waiting for the new plastic kit.  Why?  Three reasons: 1. It’s plastic. 2. Wings.  3. It’s plastic… The metal kit is a slutty whore and pushed my patients to the limit.

Until next post, thanks for stopping.  Cheers!

Gearing Up For Tyranids

Not to long ago I stumbled across a deal that I couldn’t ignore.  An unopened 1000 point Tyranid army box for $200.00.  With the new codex coming in just a few months I’d be a fool to have not snatched it up… right?

I’m not sure how old the box set is, but it’s one that I’ve never seen before.  I think it may be from the early days of 4th edition.

Contents: (1) Hive Tyrant, (1) Zoanthrope, (16) Gaunts, (16) Hormagaunts, (4) Ripper Swarms, (6) Warriors, (8) Genestealers, (3) Raveners, (1) Lictor and the current Tyranid codex.

I think the only additions I’ll make are another Hive Tyrant, winged of course.  Three Carnifex’s, and some treasures that are sure to come with the release of the new codex.  Dare I say… Trygon?

This brings me to three armies that I have back logged to do, the others being my Ultramarines and my Imperial Guard.  I think I need a break from life to catch up on these.