wargamesculptor
New member
This should look great in the colour scheme your using
Cockroach Coloured Tyranids, a Blackadder Work in Progress
- Thread starter Blackadder
- Start date
Blackadder
Active member
The detail between the ribs and the lacy texture of the tail; I'm at a loss as to how that is achieved. These are really fascinating models, how do they ever get them out of the mould?????
Blackadder
Active member
Rhymes With Orange:
I went a bit overboard with the orange highlights on the Hive Tyrant and (what are these little dudes) Ah yes Termagants. so before I backtrack and repaint the legs I took some pictures.
Airbrushing highly thinned orange kind of sneaks up on you and the orange looks much more intense once it dries so use it sparingly because if it looks right when its wet it'll be too orange when it dries.
http://i.imgur.com/b4YfYbU.jpg
While I'm waiting for the Umbral Umber Formula P3 paint to come it's a good time to bring the Hormagaunt brood up to speed. I'm trying to paint everything at once so as my technique improves everything will be at the same level of accomplishment.
Here we see a close up of my first work Termagants left and my most recent work yesterday the Hormagaunts which still need the carapace fringes highlighted and the orange glazing.....
http://i.imgur.com/8ElvTYh.jpg
Termagants much too orange!
http://i.imgur.com/x9s66CU.jpg
and the basic painted Hormagaunts............
http://i.imgur.com/JiRX0Ed.jpg
I went a bit overboard with the orange highlights on the Hive Tyrant and (what are these little dudes) Ah yes Termagants. so before I backtrack and repaint the legs I took some pictures.
Airbrushing highly thinned orange kind of sneaks up on you and the orange looks much more intense once it dries so use it sparingly because if it looks right when its wet it'll be too orange when it dries.
http://i.imgur.com/b4YfYbU.jpg
While I'm waiting for the Umbral Umber Formula P3 paint to come it's a good time to bring the Hormagaunt brood up to speed. I'm trying to paint everything at once so as my technique improves everything will be at the same level of accomplishment.
Here we see a close up of my first work Termagants left and my most recent work yesterday the Hormagaunts which still need the carapace fringes highlighted and the orange glazing.....
http://i.imgur.com/8ElvTYh.jpg
Termagants much too orange!
http://i.imgur.com/x9s66CU.jpg
and the basic painted Hormagaunts............
http://i.imgur.com/JiRX0Ed.jpg
Blackadder
Active member
Oh Yeah:
Finally got my paint yesterday and started painting the upper scutes this morning.
I had serious reservations whether this huge beast would lend itself well to the cockroach theme until I saw these images. Oh Yeah, that's what I talk'n 'bout...........
I painted both sides with about 20 drops of thinned Umbral Umber and I wore my index finger out holding down the trigger; I had to switch to my thumb but the first coat is finally on.
http://i.imgur.com/ilOfHs8.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/CX6xcIJ.jpg
I still have a concern if the Harridan will look good in brown. I can't do the entire top surface of the wings all one colour and they're too thick for the parchment technique. I'm thinking maybe tiger stripes
Finally got my paint yesterday and started painting the upper scutes this morning.
I had serious reservations whether this huge beast would lend itself well to the cockroach theme until I saw these images. Oh Yeah, that's what I talk'n 'bout...........
I painted both sides with about 20 drops of thinned Umbral Umber and I wore my index finger out holding down the trigger; I had to switch to my thumb but the first coat is finally on.
http://i.imgur.com/ilOfHs8.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/CX6xcIJ.jpg
I still have a concern if the Harridan will look good in brown. I can't do the entire top surface of the wings all one colour and they're too thick for the parchment technique. I'm thinking maybe tiger stripes
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wargamesculptor
New member
Looking very good Sir ! For the wings have you considered doing them in the lighter colour with the darker colour as the markings, and for the markings you could always try the markings of the last shadow in avatar
Blackadder
Active member
Above each image I post a link to the full sized version of the picture. On the other forums I post to I have no problem but on this forum for some reason only one or two links work and I have to reset them using the advanced link button. Not a big deal but ideally I shouldn't have to reset the link.
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Demihuman
Active member
Yeah, looks good! To save your thumb you can always try increasing the pressure from your air compressor. Of course the paint comes out faster...
As far as the casting technique I have a working hypothesis: These models are made from dead aliens. Considering what I know of casting techniques and the Repo Man documentary, that has to be the answer.
Forgeworld should send you a free bane blade for promoting their product. I have been seriously considering investing in some resin and this post is helping clear the way to FW.
As far as the casting technique I have a working hypothesis: These models are made from dead aliens. Considering what I know of casting techniques and the Repo Man documentary, that has to be the answer.
Forgeworld should send you a free bane blade for promoting their product. I have been seriously considering investing in some resin and this post is helping clear the way to FW.
Blackadder
Active member
Yeah I get lazy with my new brush that has a pressure regulator under the paint cup..........
But also I want an ultra thin coat of paint because there are so many layers of paint on this model using "Buy Painted" Jaro's technique I don't want ti lose the detail.
Well it's coming up to 3:00 AM, time to hit the sheets...................
But also I want an ultra thin coat of paint because there are so many layers of paint on this model using "Buy Painted" Jaro's technique I don't want ti lose the detail.
Well it's coming up to 3:00 AM, time to hit the sheets...................
Blackadder
Active member
Demi FW? is that a subsidiary? Link Please..............
A Tale of Two Titans:
Last night I couldn't get the airbrush to work right so I soaked the components in brush cleaner overnight and everything is working fine this morning.
The image below shows the two Bio-titans bodies, the Hierophant with a solid brown carapace and the Harridan with the beginning of a tiger striped effect that I am experimenting with; I think it needs an intermediate stripe on each scote.
http://i.imgur.com/wduE5xH.jpg
The image below shows the Hierophant and the bottom view of it's head which I am having so difficulty. I left the top of the head grey and I feel that if I make it all brown it won't look right as the head is so small in proportion to the body it will be overwhelmed if only picked out in brown.
http://i.imgur.com/oWvF8Dv.jpg
The legs and weapons on the other hand are coming along splendidly. At the moment they only have two colours sprayed on but the airbrush allows such variety that they look like they required more colours and work than they actually did.
http://i.imgur.com/wIRYPN6.jpg
For someone who in January could not even get paint through the nozzle of an airbrush my technique has improved dramatically. An affect that I can attribute to the excellent "Precision" AirBrush shown in the images.
For thirty bucks US it's an astounding airbrush and bargain plus the shipping is free.
A Tale of Two Titans:
Last night I couldn't get the airbrush to work right so I soaked the components in brush cleaner overnight and everything is working fine this morning.
The image below shows the two Bio-titans bodies, the Hierophant with a solid brown carapace and the Harridan with the beginning of a tiger striped effect that I am experimenting with; I think it needs an intermediate stripe on each scote.
http://i.imgur.com/wduE5xH.jpg
The image below shows the Hierophant and the bottom view of it's head which I am having so difficulty. I left the top of the head grey and I feel that if I make it all brown it won't look right as the head is so small in proportion to the body it will be overwhelmed if only picked out in brown.
http://i.imgur.com/oWvF8Dv.jpg
The legs and weapons on the other hand are coming along splendidly. At the moment they only have two colours sprayed on but the airbrush allows such variety that they look like they required more colours and work than they actually did.
http://i.imgur.com/wIRYPN6.jpg
For someone who in January could not even get paint through the nozzle of an airbrush my technique has improved dramatically. An affect that I can attribute to the excellent "Precision" AirBrush shown in the images.
For thirty bucks US it's an astounding airbrush and bargain plus the shipping is free.
Blackadder
Active member
A Harridan Cannot Fold Its Wings:
It seems to me a Harridan must fly it's whole life. It has no legs to spring into the air as some birds do or sprint forward to gather ground speed so the wings can assist take off as larger birds such as the Albatross do. Add to that the carapace interferes with the ability to even fold the wings let alone flap. The small rear appendages are not sufficiently long enough to allow the wings to flap in close proximity to the ground so a static flapping takeoff is out of the question as well.
So the scenario is the Harridan is launched from the hive Mother-ship, do what Harridans do and somehow get back to the mother-ship where there are no doubt cradles that house the Harridan where not in active service.
That said this model and the Hierophant is the simplest FW models imaginable. I bought and painted both in less than two weeks of sporadic attention in which I also cleaned and prepped two Warhounds and drove to and from Florida and attended a Baptism.
Below are images for your edification and probably need no explanation:
http://i.imgur.com/XjZ1Bap.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/2UMV0ba.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/z1OtvhD.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/wWqjVo8.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/rfZbm0a.jpg
It seems to me a Harridan must fly it's whole life. It has no legs to spring into the air as some birds do or sprint forward to gather ground speed so the wings can assist take off as larger birds such as the Albatross do. Add to that the carapace interferes with the ability to even fold the wings let alone flap. The small rear appendages are not sufficiently long enough to allow the wings to flap in close proximity to the ground so a static flapping takeoff is out of the question as well.
So the scenario is the Harridan is launched from the hive Mother-ship, do what Harridans do and somehow get back to the mother-ship where there are no doubt cradles that house the Harridan where not in active service.
That said this model and the Hierophant is the simplest FW models imaginable. I bought and painted both in less than two weeks of sporadic attention in which I also cleaned and prepped two Warhounds and drove to and from Florida and attended a Baptism.
Below are images for your edification and probably need no explanation:
http://i.imgur.com/XjZ1Bap.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/2UMV0ba.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/z1OtvhD.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/wWqjVo8.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/rfZbm0a.jpg
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Blackadder
Active member
A Thirty Dollar Airbrush:
I love my $30 dollar airbrush. I can't imagine what airbrushes that cost ten times as much can do that this little jewel doesn't?
I just returned from a hiatus in Georgia, picked up where I left off painting the Hierophant legs. It's a shame that the camera doesn't pick up the depth of the paint on the legs.
http://i.imgur.com/qLZXWvw.jpg
I can see down three levels of pigment which gives the muscle an extremely lifelike appearance; almost repulsive to see, just what you want on your Tyranid Bio-Titan.
http://i.imgur.com/M1IYslo.jpg
I'm not giving any credit to my painting abilities, I give all the credit to the airbrush. I still can't paint for beans with the other brushes I have.
http://i.imgur.com/AyentaO.jpg
And the Paasche Talon Still sits in the box virtually untouched...
http://i.imgur.com/i5wI2MS.jpg
If you're having trouble getting the results you want with you current airbrush I heartily recommend the Precision PZ-360XS.
http://www.amazon.com/Precision-Airbrush-Valve-Crenelated-0-2mm/dp/B004KNDQMM
Free Shipping.
I love my $30 dollar airbrush. I can't imagine what airbrushes that cost ten times as much can do that this little jewel doesn't?
I just returned from a hiatus in Georgia, picked up where I left off painting the Hierophant legs. It's a shame that the camera doesn't pick up the depth of the paint on the legs.
http://i.imgur.com/qLZXWvw.jpg
I can see down three levels of pigment which gives the muscle an extremely lifelike appearance; almost repulsive to see, just what you want on your Tyranid Bio-Titan.
http://i.imgur.com/M1IYslo.jpg
I'm not giving any credit to my painting abilities, I give all the credit to the airbrush. I still can't paint for beans with the other brushes I have.
http://i.imgur.com/AyentaO.jpg
And the Paasche Talon Still sits in the box virtually untouched...
http://i.imgur.com/i5wI2MS.jpg
If you're having trouble getting the results you want with you current airbrush I heartily recommend the Precision PZ-360XS.
http://www.amazon.com/Precision-Airbrush-Valve-Crenelated-0-2mm/dp/B004KNDQMM
Free Shipping.
Blackadder
Active member
Here Come's The Weekend Baby What's Goin' On:
Do we put our feet up baby or party all night long?
Well I vote for "Party" but I am frequently outvoted so I retaliated and decided to work on the Hierophant with the following results:
http://i.imgur.com/TRBH7Qy.jpg
Most threads I've seen show the finished results but I have decided to throw caution to the wind and show the interim steps i.e. the masking because of course this thread is a tutorial and has to show how it's done.
Not that I am to be taken as "God's spiel" being a novice at airbrushing but alternatively a firm believer in, "If I can do it you can do it....."
Anyway (as you may perceive the weekend imbibement is firmly taking it's toll) I have started detailing the painting of the Hierophant
http://i.imgur.com/QftaXyT.jpg
The Above two images were from earlier this week but today I started highlighting the scutes with AV Light Brown and it is providing satisfactory results:
http://i.imgur.com/3w0vh9Y.jpg
Note the 3M tack putty isolating the areas to be painted from the already painted parts.
http://i.imgur.com/hIm8kYM.jpg
Because this model is so big the process is taking much longer than I am accustom but by Monday I hope to have the carapace completed.
Do we put our feet up baby or party all night long?
Well I vote for "Party" but I am frequently outvoted so I retaliated and decided to work on the Hierophant with the following results:
http://i.imgur.com/TRBH7Qy.jpg
Most threads I've seen show the finished results but I have decided to throw caution to the wind and show the interim steps i.e. the masking because of course this thread is a tutorial and has to show how it's done.
Not that I am to be taken as "God's spiel" being a novice at airbrushing but alternatively a firm believer in, "If I can do it you can do it....."
Anyway (as you may perceive the weekend imbibement is firmly taking it's toll) I have started detailing the painting of the Hierophant
http://i.imgur.com/QftaXyT.jpg
The Above two images were from earlier this week but today I started highlighting the scutes with AV Light Brown and it is providing satisfactory results:
http://i.imgur.com/3w0vh9Y.jpg
Note the 3M tack putty isolating the areas to be painted from the already painted parts.
http://i.imgur.com/hIm8kYM.jpg
Because this model is so big the process is taking much longer than I am accustom but by Monday I hope to have the carapace completed.
Blackadder
Active member
Dry Run:
After a week of masking, painting, installing armatures I finally reached a point where everything is coming together.
The Hierophant was the most difficult to do as the chitin segments were quite a bit smaller than the Harridan's on average and the leg armour was quite intricate to get right.
I watch the 'BuyPainted' video over and over with envy over Jaro's seeming ease in applying finely controlled layers of pigment.
http://i.imgur.com/SwmDRCF.jpg
Of course the images displayed here reflect only the two base colours 'Umbral Umber' and 'Light Brown' over a base coat of 'Khaki Brown'.
Hard to believe I am only in the second stage of painting and washes on these magnificent beasts............
http://i.imgur.com/T485Ur5.jpg
I seem to have got a lot of mileage out of two colours and am about to move on to the next layer a subtle orange wash.
http://i.imgur.com/L08Ez4s.jpg
More important is the pose I have decided upon; the Hierophant rearing back on it's haunches in a more threatening stance than the typical four on the floor plodding image.
http://i.imgur.com/LD1LXEd.jpg
Hence the armature.............
Next the Harridan which is in about the same stage of completion........
After a week of masking, painting, installing armatures I finally reached a point where everything is coming together.
The Hierophant was the most difficult to do as the chitin segments were quite a bit smaller than the Harridan's on average and the leg armour was quite intricate to get right.
I watch the 'BuyPainted' video over and over with envy over Jaro's seeming ease in applying finely controlled layers of pigment.
http://i.imgur.com/SwmDRCF.jpg
Of course the images displayed here reflect only the two base colours 'Umbral Umber' and 'Light Brown' over a base coat of 'Khaki Brown'.
Hard to believe I am only in the second stage of painting and washes on these magnificent beasts............
http://i.imgur.com/T485Ur5.jpg
I seem to have got a lot of mileage out of two colours and am about to move on to the next layer a subtle orange wash.
http://i.imgur.com/L08Ez4s.jpg
More important is the pose I have decided upon; the Hierophant rearing back on it's haunches in a more threatening stance than the typical four on the floor plodding image.
http://i.imgur.com/LD1LXEd.jpg
Hence the armature.............
Next the Harridan which is in about the same stage of completion........
Blackadder
Active member
Harridan Wings and Chitin:
After quite a bit of thought I decided to just do the wings in hand rubbed P3 'Umbral Umber.' First applying a base coat of Cardboard Carton paint and letting dry over night
which is a flat beige similar to the AV 'Khaki' but a lot cheaper for large coverage.
I then airbrushed on a light coat of 'Umbral Umber' and rubbed it into the base coat while still wet working the paint into the base coat with wetted thumb and palm of hand until excess came off in fine rolls. This gave a glossy parchment texture to the large wing surfaces.
http://i.imgur.com/TP8rEWz.jpg
The large flat surfaces of the wings came out a bit blotchy but that should be rectified by the next coat of AV 'Light Brown':
http://i.imgur.com/KbQOvIR.jpg
The fringe of 'Light Brown on the chitin segments look too perfect to my taste but we'll see when the washes are applied...........
http://i.imgur.com/YHaEoPp.jpg
After quite a bit of thought I decided to just do the wings in hand rubbed P3 'Umbral Umber.' First applying a base coat of Cardboard Carton paint and letting dry over night
which is a flat beige similar to the AV 'Khaki' but a lot cheaper for large coverage.
I then airbrushed on a light coat of 'Umbral Umber' and rubbed it into the base coat while still wet working the paint into the base coat with wetted thumb and palm of hand until excess came off in fine rolls. This gave a glossy parchment texture to the large wing surfaces.
http://i.imgur.com/TP8rEWz.jpg
The large flat surfaces of the wings came out a bit blotchy but that should be rectified by the next coat of AV 'Light Brown':
http://i.imgur.com/KbQOvIR.jpg
The fringe of 'Light Brown on the chitin segments look too perfect to my taste but we'll see when the washes are applied...........
http://i.imgur.com/YHaEoPp.jpg
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wargamesculptor
New member
I like the blotchy look of the wing, looks very natural. I see what you mean on the chitin, you could use a little of the base colour on a old split brush to break the inner edge of the lighter colour
Blackadder
Active member
Thanks for the replies,
It's a bit irksome that the Harridan sculptor chose to change the surface of the model to a striant appearance whereas all the other Tyranid's chitin plates are relatively smooth. I suppose it can be rationalized as purposefully decreasing the 'Parasite Drag' coefficient. Ha!
The problem is it changes the texture of the paint appearance. so when the various varnishes and washes are applied the Harridan carapace will not match the rest of the menagerie.
It's a bit irksome that the Harridan sculptor chose to change the surface of the model to a striant appearance whereas all the other Tyranid's chitin plates are relatively smooth. I suppose it can be rationalized as purposefully decreasing the 'Parasite Drag' coefficient. Ha!
The problem is it changes the texture of the paint appearance. so when the various varnishes and washes are applied the Harridan carapace will not match the rest of the menagerie.
wargamesculptor
New member
You could always put it down to the harridan being of an older spawning so more grizzled ! just an idea
