How do i paint Tyranid Carapaces?

[TheHiveKing]

Once again i am in need of your help. i am new to the hobby and painting in general and i was wondering how exactly to you get the feathering effect on the carapaces. every time i try it the lines always are too thick. I am trying to paint the hivefleet on the bottom left of page 76 in our codex. How would you guys paint the gray stripish things on the carapace and more importantly what gray color should i use. 

[Kyokii]

I base my carapace the main color, then do a couple layers halfway to 1/3 of the edge of the carapace with a thin 50/50 of the base (black for me) and the, I'll call it my colors (red)
then, with a very thin brush I draw thin lines from the edge of the carapace inward.
I don't have my codex near me right now, so I can't talk colors you need, sorry.

[BattleMetalChris]

Six things.

Small brush
Paint not too thick
Small, quick downward strokes
Practice
Practice
Practice

[blackrainbow]

Not too much paint on the brush either, to differentiate a bit from BMC. The rest is yeah, practice - but that's why we have so many gaunts!

[Xyver]

I had the best success with a very fine brush from the art store (0 or 00) and a wet palette. Practice holding the brush perpendicular to the carapace (carapace is horizontal, brush is vertical) and brush up (towards the head) the carapace. You want to hit the ridge of the carapace first, then as your brush passes by and lifts up it makes a nice spike.


Gaunts are good to practice on, but I feel that you have to use slightly different techniques to get the feathering to look proportional on MCs vs little guys. If you use the same technique on both, the gaunts will have fat lines (relative to body size) and the MCs will have really thin lines.

[philipc]

I agree with xyver and i manage the proportional thing by using a thicker brush with the same technique.

And practice.

Lots.....

[nighthawk76320]

As always the best amongst best solution is to water down your paint!!!!!

Practice on a miniature base you will paint the color of your carapace and then practice your highlight.

For tyranids I recommend feathering and or edge highlighting.

Since their dinosaur and insect hybrids try adding to your highlight design some unique features to remind us of their plant origin.
I add white spots to my carapace as a reminder of what we fear in bugs.

But yeah practice is the key! Do watch warhammer TV on YouTube he gives good painting advices and has some neat skills to help you get better!

As always: Devour and consume