Painting Claws/Talons

[sur4ast]

Hello! I'm new to this forum and to the hobby after a 10 year break. Were at it when I was around 14 and from the look of my units I didn't pay the painting much thought.

I've started over with a new color scheme but I don't know how to make my claws/talons look good. My temporary solution for it right now is a simple was over ushabti bone but I want them to pop more. I want them to be white/boney.Techniques and color suggestions are greatly appreciated. I'll add some pictures of my scheme and what I've done so far!

Over and out from Sweden

[BattleMetalChris]

I feather mine. Start with the a dark-shaded version of whatever colour you're going for, and then work back from the base to the tip adding a bit of white and making lots of little flicks in the direction of the tip, then repeat, adding a little more white and moving further down the claw until I'm up to full white at the end.


Any hard edges, I highlight them by advancing the cycle of the colours a little on that area so it gets a lighter colour. If your colours look a little too banded you can add an appropriately coloured wash (pick the closest of the premixed washes or mix some of your own from Lahmian Medium, water and the colour of your choice) to pull the colours back together a little.


The nice thing about feathering is that if you make a mistake it doesn't matter! It just looks like it's the texture of the surface on that part.

[sur4ast]

Thanks I'll give it a try next week, got exams on tuesday but after that it's painting all the way for the rest of the week Took a look at your color scheme btw and it looks amazing! If I get even close to your level someday I'll count myself lucky!

[beefythepug]

BattleMetalChris awesome diagram there man, I always struggle to explain in words what you show there with the progression.

[8bitmummies]

I really dig your color scheme! 

[sur4ast]

8bitmummies Thanks mate! Feels like I'm improving with each tyranid I paint and I've made a few changes to the scheme working slimmer highlighted edges. Working feathering on the claws as well and I think it's turning out okey.

Been painting like a mad man since wednesday ( was exhausted after the exam on tuesday and could do nothing other then sleep that evening, hehe ) and have finished 3 tyrant guards and soon I'll be done with my Swarm Lord. Just need to drop by the store later today and buy me some green for the toxic sacs.

I'll add a few pictures of my newest additions to the swarm, (please do not swear) quality but I'll try to take some better later on!

[sur4ast]

Just finished my Swarm Lord, went outside and got some better pictures, enjoy!