Actually, the model is not only tabletop quality, but a little bit over it. My understanding of tabletop quality differs from yours, albinosoldier, really much. I think tabletop quality goes somewhere within these lines: Base color and shade or highlight (Noticable).
In these lines, the model is over tabletop quality (It does have eyes painted, a few highlights, nice carapace, etc.)
And to add, I never use inks on any other paint than metallics.
Wish you had some models here too, albinosoldier, because you seem to be so good.
Marak: If it is so bad, why'd you givve it a 5? 5 is tabletop quality. I don't know about you, but I think of tabletop to be 3 or more highlights, at least one inking, and some sort of specialness, like cool gems or nice blending. This is a 4.5, but I round down.
Well, first I would advise people as Marak to first show us what they are able to do before to add so hard critics...
To come back to your lictor, I would use some rotting flesh added to your greu slowly to highligh the skin. The brown could also be a little worked, with some thin lines of bubonic or else...It's still a good start, tyranids looks always impressive as an army, so if you have pictures from your whole army, don't hesitate to post these. /////// FW Tibald