In my 40k escalation league, I decided to pick Tyranids. I had a nice collection I had never brought to the tabletop, and it seemed like an enjoyable force to break out. This is an escalation league.

Overall, I am happy with the force and will probably expand. One thing I learned is that just because airbrushing is faster does not mean it is the best way forward.

To start, I primed all the models with Vallejo Primer Desert Tan.

My most time-consuming step was a mostly red oil wash with a drop of blue. I then wiped off using sponges.

I like the alien feel; it brought out most of the details I sought.

I then painted the caprice armor with Huge Miniatures Green Teal. I was delighted.

If you look closely, I airbrushed the Green Teal on the Exocrine and Maleceptor on the left, compared to the Exocrine and most of the gargoyles that I hand-brushed. I like the hand-painted look more and will forgo airbrushing those pieces in the future.

I painted most of the spikes and nails with Celestium Blue contrast paint. Then, I dry-brushed it with Reaper Mint Green. The tentacles were overbrushed with Vallejo Model Color green-grey.

The look is very alien and nasty, very tyranid-like.

I didn’t take a good picture of the basing, but I wanted it very simple. Volcanic Crackle Paste, Red marble mosaic pieces, snowballs, and clover.