Godzilla Tyranid Army

[aeroplane]

Hello all!

I am starting a 'Godzilla' Tyranid army, painted in a close approximation of hive fleet Kraken. (It's not very original, but it looks good...) Here are the first two models.

This is also an experiment in painting an entire army in a very easy technique - 2 colors and 'dip' for the bulk of the body. (Although I paint the dip on, not actually dip the models) A small bit of attention was given to the mouths and gun cables, but other than that, this is a lazy man's paintjob.

Bases unfinished, as I haven't yet decided on color/finish.

Civil comments, criticism and ideas welcome.

[Supraboytt]

I've never been a big fan of ink. If you have enough patience to basecoat the model correctly why not just go over the inked flesh parts with a lighter overcoat and then highlight? One more hour of work per model can net you much better looking tyranids.

You do take great photographs though.

[Inquisitor Earl]

I like it. Its nice and tidy. Simple is always better i say.

[PaRaSiTe_X92]

I think they look really cool. When (if) I eventually do 'Nids, I'll probably try dipping or heavy washing, as I think it fits the Nids very nicely. Your models look strange in many ways - the shiny flat red looks wierd - but I like it very much.

For base I actually think you should go grass. Green compliments the red very well. I would probably do fairly tall static grass, maybe going half way up the leg? Not sure why, I just would :w00t:

[Rabbit]

Aeroplane, they look phenomenal. How much time did you spend (roughly) on the fexes? My brother has a Nid army, but he doesn't have the time to paint them. He's considering doing a wash job like yours.

[aeroplane]

Originally Posted by Rabbit

How much time did you spend (roughly) on the fexes?

Well, here are the steps -

Spray tan on sprue
paint red on sprue
Cut off sprue and assemble
Touch up red
touch up tan
(do details like mouth and gun cables if you want to)
Apply dip (Minwax Polyshades antique walnut, in this case)

If you didn't have to do pesky things like wait for paint to dry, I think the painting only would be about 1-1.5 hours, including the detail work.

Look at these - tan, red, dip. No detail work at all. it's really fast and looks great on the table.

[king88mob]

interesting, you've taken the exact same scheme i have and inverted it. I've done 2000 points of tyranids with red body, bone carapace and dipped in minwax antique walnut

Very well executed, and i have to say, your carapaces look much smoother then mine What are you going to use as an accent colour? (for tongues, other fleshy bits)

[theyak]

Pretty nice Aeroplane, I'm usually not a fan of "all dipped" armies, but tyranids are one of the few armies that supports the concept well. They just work when dipped. Thanks for posting the recipe. I'm sure there will be people who benefit from that knowledge gleaned.

Keep up the good work, man.

[NecroNid]

Hey. I like the look. Here is a painting noob question for you. What exactly is "dip?" Whatever it is it looks like it does a great job of filling in the recesses. I am looking for a quick, easy way to paint. I much prefer to collect and play than paint. I know the hobby purists will get on me for that but I am much more a player than a hobbyist. If all the models came assembled and painted I would love it. Thanks for the advice and the photos.

[Rabbit]

Originally Posted by NecroNid

Hey. I like the look. Here is a painting noob question for you. What exactly is "dip?" Whatever it is it looks like it does a great job of filling in the recesses. I am looking for a quick, easy way to paint. I much prefer to collect and play than paint. I know the hobby purists will get on me for that but I am much more a player than a hobbyist. If all the models came assembled and painted I would love it. Thanks for the advice and the photos.

'Dipping' involves taking a miniature and literally dipping it into the minwax wood stain. You can also use this technique for washes inks. It works best for Tyranids and other models with lots of skin and bone (and little to no armor). I've seen it done with marines as well, but doesn't work nearly as well. It comes out looking messy.