Jon those are the best Nids I've eve seen! They really capture the horror vibe! The most I've ever thought of a nid scheme was to do an airbrush color-shift paint over the hard bits to give the kind of effect that a lot of dragonflies and beetles have
Absolutely love the addition of that subtle rust color into the depths of the black carapace, makes it SO much more visually interesting and looks great!
In the Alien footage/stills the Xenos had kind of a dark blueish sheen to their carapace. Maybe try recreating that with some highlights or washes? I'm a beginner level painter, so don't ask me how though.
Used to have nids all black and shiny like the alien carapace, but with bright yellow lines on the carapace. Looked a bit like wasps and the contrast between black and yellow made them look really agressif.
I personally love to put a coloured glaze over some of the black; something like a dark blue, or dark green, give it a small bit of highlight on the edges, and THEN put the gloss varnish over it. This gives the armor some good details and more life than just shiny black plates.
When painting the insect parts of my Nurgle force recently, I did something similar with the carapice elements. As you mentioned in the video I painted the black carapice as I would normally for black and then I applied a gloss red over them. This leaves the majority looking black (and glossy), but also gives the highlights more interest than just depending on the gloss to do all the work. You could use any gloss for the finish - blue with a bit of green over areas to really push those carapice images for example.
This was a great video, I personally didn't care for the rust at the end... But it did need something. We are all different and that's one of things that I love in your videos.
I think that by using a color shift paint as a highlight near the top of the gloss black section before you apply your finish gives it another quick contrasting element as well as helps make the black not feel so flat and more reflective.
Great vid as always. I picked up that same Airbrush "kit" from your recommendation, glad to hear yours is still working, haven't had the chance to put mine through its paces yet though.
What about a 'nid army done in the Craftwolrd Studio style? with all the organic shapes and recesses there's a lot of potential to get some really interesting shading effects
I did a blue with a tint of silver flaks in my paint for my SunStalker for Kingdom death Monster the back looks like a starry sky looks cool i think if you want i send a picture of it
The rust colour on the carapace looks awesome to me - and it feels somewhat thematic to the grossness of the nids. Almost like a toxic secretion. I'm currently painting some votann with inspiration from your vibrant zenithal videos - I've done purple from below, rose from above and a final high burst of pink for the very top. Basically they're synthwave Dwarves and I love them. Just need to decide on the actual armour colour over the zenithal - I'm thinking about a vibrant purple or pink to compliment the base shades. Thanks for all the inspiration dude
Highly recommend noting down your paint list and order. There's nothing worse than struggling to remember what colors you used when you end up getting new models. Cool work on the bug, something seems off about the shiny carapace though. I'm following Duncan's Hive fleet Klendathu paint scheme, it's great fun and the reason why I got some nids!
I love that you went black! But what i would have done is a blue light comming from above, like moonlight. I think that would contrast perfectly with the warm skin tones 😁
Coincidentally, I just started painting a SM army with gloss black parts like the helmet, elbow plates, etc. I edge highlight and usually have some degree of light/dark modulation before I gloss coat, and it works well.
Great ideas and execution. Thanks for all the hints and links. I too am testing for an army. Looking to do ancient Iberians who can be enemies or allies or auxiliaries to my existing Carthaginian and Republican Romans (circa 200 BC).
This looks disgustingly amazing! I also really love how that rust effect looks on that gloss black carapace. and for an idea have you ever tried to paint a miniature with watercolors? not sure if it would turn out cool or just like a crappy contrast wash mess.
nice model,, think ill try something sim. might try a blueish black carapace...funny got the same mini sitting there waiting to be tested on before 10th, might get like three of them and try some variants... good idea man and look nice
I've really never cared for Tyranids, mostly because of the cartoonish paint schemes you usually see them with, but this was incredible! Honestly the best looking Tyranid paint scheme I've ever seen.
There's a person who does Tyranids on YT that are based on real-life crabs (tiger crabs, I think) which are beautiful and scary. Ninjon's color scheme here reminded me of those.
As for my own little inspiration, I have been hanging onto some goblin spider riders for ever, not knowing how to paint the spiders. I then took a picture of a St Johns Cross spider hanging in my garage and now have the colour scheme. These spiders are literally brilliant with a base colour that lifts from a brown similar to Rhinox hide, orange, through to a lighter bunny fur brown, flesh tearers red, fluro white and yellow. And the bonus? The spiders are the same size as the models, so no size adjustment. Now if I can just get the little so and so to model on the table for me , without the cat trying to eat her.
That's funny, I was going to ask for an update on the portable compressor. Ordered one yesterday and was wondering how it's held up and if you still use it (or used it since the video). Crossing my fingers and holding my breath until Jon responds, starting.... now!
I saw a blood splatter technique on the devs&dice channel im sure it was..... he holds a paint brush near the model and uses his air brush to fire air at the brush which then causes the paint to splatter where he wants it.
Can't say how important writing down your steps is. I keep a painting journal where I write all the steps for any paint scheme that I will want to replicate. Before keeping a journal, I would wonder how did I do that when trying to replicate a paint job.
I like the scheme. While we are on the subject of batch painting, how about a video for "tips and tricks for batch painting" or something. Maybe about how to work on a 10-model unit in a reasonable amount of time instead of about painting 100 zombies or a full army in an insanely small amount of time. (No judgment. I love those videos too.)
I always imagined Tyranids to be glass obsidian black like Xenomorph "Alien". Glossy, slimy and metalic. This emphasizes the hard carapace that can deflect small arms fire and attacks. Super freakn cool
Leviathan Box idea - a video on fluo paint testing/techniques using that Librarian in Terminator armor sculpt (with all its cool runes and glowing recesses)
As a person who once raged against creators that used airbrushes, then got one for himself - I unreservedly apologize. It is a powerful tool both for dramatically increasing the speed of painting and performing marvelous painting techniques.
This looks fantastic. A thought/suggestion for the black carapace; How about black pearlescent. Instead of just glossy black. Paint it black, then go over it with a glossy pearlcoat? I dunno. As I said, just a thought. I love how you've done this Tyranid. Wonderful episode. Thank you so much for sharing this. Be Excellent to each other and Party on. 🤘😎🎸
Hey Jon. It could be cool to see a 'converting cadavers' thing, by taking this big box set and turning half into an army, and the other half into grizzly decorations for bases, terrain or objective markers. keep doing what you do, mate.
It would be cool to do the box up as a tribute to the old school Battle for Macragge art from the launch of 4th edition, with the OG red and black 'Nids and stuff.
👌 getting on that 10th hype train John, smart move. I super excited for 10th hopefully it brings some fun back to the game. I watch all your videos anyway you are always on point with your content for me 👍
As soon as you said aliens black and maggot white my brain was just like "of course". After seeing the finished product i think a matte black would be a better choice over the gloss, and I think you were right on the splash of color.
Ninjon, I've been a fan for a while now. You paint great minis, the videos are entertaining, I dig the sense of humor, I grew up next to Rochester and still have a ton of friends there, hell I even worked at Think bank briefly back in 04... but the packers shirt? Oh Jon, no! My fandom is crashing down all arround me. Couldn't you have just posted a video of threatening to kick puppies, laughing in the face of babies, or explaining how awesome Jar Jar is instead?!?!?!
bought the youfu airbrush om your recommendation, works perfectly. was curious as to why you go back and forth on your trigger when airbrushing, is this normal as im still new to airbrushes
love the style that you went with but i have not read the comments cause im a lazy asshole and someone may have said the same thing, but the only thing i would offer as an idea would be that instead of just a black, maybe like Vallejo Black Grey would look good with the gloss varnish. maybe add in a thinned down black contrast or wash over it to give it some depth. Go with it if you want but either way i love the style you went with and i always enjoy the videos. Keep it up my dude!
If I painted them Id go black / orange its so sic looking. Its gross to me because I hate the taste of black liquorice so much but it looks so cool. You did a awsome job. I cant find UHU in any stores in Canada :(. I hate ordering online but looks like I just might have to. Its just a great product I hear and I already have the epic tamiya clear red :D
i think the black really dulled it. people hate the colour but nature puts vibrant colours on the most dangerous things. i think a green to black transition on the carapace would have been nice.
P3 Coal Black (its a really deep desaturated Blue), Tamiya Black Panel Liner, selective edge highlighting with any warm gray, THEN gloss varnish (I actually prefer a Satin). This is a great recipe for easy black carapace.
I like the gloss black carapace look but you are right that it doesn't quite pop at a lot of angles (when you did the rotation though it looks great at some angles when the light catches it and you can see the detail). I'm curious what it would look like if you tried to highlight it like you would with matte, then use gloss varnish to shine it up.
This looks amazing! I particularly love the wings! If you're still keen to test ideas on the carapace, whilst sticking to the Xenomorph theme from Alien, maybe try adding some blues (particularly metallic blues) as the highlights, restricting the pure black to just the deepest recesses.
I think if you dry brushed some grey/light grey on to the carapace before you added the gloss it would have shown the detail a little bit better. But overall that is super dope! I dub it Hive Fleet Giger.
i'm sorry, but i found this too funny: "i just don't like the dark purple and white flesh of the official scheme" ... proceeds to paint a tyranid with pale skin and dark carapace. i mean, sure, it looks better overall, but it also just looks like a blanchitsu version of the standard scheme. The only thing missing was some purple highlights on the carapace, which would have also helped resolve the issue he pointed out with the carapace "not showing much detail".
My trick for color schemes is using the older Dawn of War PC games, combined with mods those feature most of the factions and allow you to switch colors in near an instant in their army painter. That said, it is always still a good plan to get some sacrificial models like the Gargoyles from the old Tyrannid start collecting kit to try the scheme out on and make adjustments where necessary since those games are limited in what they can do.
Watching your videos recently has made me realize the important of light in miniature painting. Also what you mentioned about simplicity strikes deep. My first army that I painted up recently was Death Guard and as much as I love them, and there’s so much to appreciate up close, they definitely look a bit like a blob of green from far away. My next project is going to be an army of Imperial Fists and I plan to delve deep into underground the color scheme before I start painting. Thanks for the great videos!
Gosh donkit thats purdy
WAAAARLOOOORRRD TIIIIITAAANN
Hey I know this guy!
Hello Emil and Lukas!
Quit licking you brush weirdo.
No you are ❤
Jon those are the best Nids I've eve seen! They really capture the horror vibe! The most I've ever thought of a nid scheme was to do an airbrush color-shift paint over the hard bits to give the kind of effect that a lot of dragonflies and beetles have
Absolutely love the addition of that subtle rust color into the depths of the black carapace, makes it SO much more visually interesting and looks great!
In the Alien footage/stills the Xenos had kind of a dark blueish sheen to their carapace. Maybe try recreating that with some highlights or washes? I'm a beginner level painter, so don't ask me how though.
Used to have nids all black and shiny like the alien carapace, but with bright yellow lines on the carapace. Looked a bit like wasps and the contrast between black and yellow made them look really agressif.
I personally love to put a coloured glaze over some of the black; something like a dark blue, or dark green, give it a small bit of highlight on the edges, and THEN put the gloss varnish over it. This gives the armor some good details and more life than just shiny black plates.
When painting the insect parts of my Nurgle force recently, I did something similar with the carapice elements. As you mentioned in the video I painted the black carapice as I would normally for black and then I applied a gloss red over them. This leaves the majority looking black (and glossy), but also gives the highlights more interest than just depending on the gloss to do all the work. You could use any gloss for the finish - blue with a bit of green over areas to really push those carapice images for example.
This was a great video, I personally didn't care for the rust at the end... But it did need something. We are all different and that's one of things that I love in your videos.
I think that by using a color shift paint as a highlight near the top of the gloss black section before you apply your finish gives it another quick contrasting element as well as helps make the black not feel so flat and more reflective.
Great vid as always. I picked up that same Airbrush "kit" from your recommendation, glad to hear yours is still working, haven't had the chance to put mine through its paces yet though.
When the leviathan box comes out I’d really love to see you paint the rest of the Nids in this scheme pretty please
I think it came out beautifully. My favourite areas are the wing blends and the carapace.
What about a 'nid army done in the Craftwolrd Studio style? with all the organic shapes and recesses there's a lot of potential to get some really interesting shading effects
I did a blue with a tint of silver flaks in my paint for my SunStalker for Kingdom death Monster the back looks like a starry sky looks cool i think if you want i send a picture of it
The rust colour on the carapace looks awesome to me - and it feels somewhat thematic to the grossness of the nids. Almost like a toxic secretion.
I'm currently painting some votann with inspiration from your vibrant zenithal videos - I've done purple from below, rose from above and a final high burst of pink for the very top. Basically they're synthwave Dwarves and I love them. Just need to decide on the actual armour colour over the zenithal - I'm thinking about a vibrant purple or pink to compliment the base shades. Thanks for all the inspiration dude
Ten thousand points to you for jamming so many references into that intro
Highly recommend noting down your paint list and order. There's nothing worse than struggling to remember what colors you used when you end up getting new models.
Cool work on the bug, something seems off about the shiny carapace though. I'm following Duncan's Hive fleet Klendathu paint scheme, it's great fun and the reason why I got some nids!
I love that you went black! But what i would have done is a blue light comming from above, like moonlight. I think that would contrast perfectly with the warm skin tones 😁
Thank you so much Ninjon! We are starting tyranid army. I will watch the video several times 😍
Awesome! Thank you for all your passion
Coincidentally, I just started painting a SM army with gloss black parts like the helmet, elbow plates, etc. I edge highlight and usually have some degree of light/dark modulation before I gloss coat, and it works well.
Great ideas and execution. Thanks for all the hints and links. I too am testing for an army. Looking to do ancient Iberians who can be enemies or allies or auxiliaries to my existing Carthaginian and Republican Romans (circa 200 BC).
The “blood splatter” looks way cooler as a pattern/mottling on the skin of the wings I think!
Thank you for this video!!! I’ve been struggling trying to figure out these dang bugs for so long
Always loved the high Fleet kraken scheme ever since they use to be the flagship scheme
This looks disgustingly amazing! I also really love how that rust effect looks on that gloss black carapace. and for an idea have you ever tried to paint a miniature with watercolors? not sure if it would turn out cool or just like a crappy contrast wash mess.
Seeing the finished product gave me flashbacks to visiting Australia…. 😮
Very nice! That carapace colour shifted towards brown-green would even turn this into the Beta-Anphelion strain of cloned Tyranids from the lore!
nice model,, think ill try something sim. might try a blueish black carapace...funny got the same mini sitting there waiting to be tested on before 10th, might get like three of them and try some variants... good idea man and look nice
Idea for 10th edition content:
Make a diorama of you and Scott literally trapped under plastic.
Or just paint the damn space Marines and get that $$!!
Looks great Mate. Thanks for Sharing 🎉
I've really never cared for Tyranids, mostly because of the cartoonish paint schemes you usually see them with, but this was incredible! Honestly the best looking Tyranid paint scheme I've ever seen.
i second this, looks amazing and terrifying
Thirded
Forthed?
Almost went from Tyranic sceptic to tyranid curious.
There's a person who does Tyranids on YT that are based on real-life crabs (tiger crabs, I think) which are beautiful and scary. Ninjon's color scheme here reminded me of those.
Which if you liked this scheme, you might like that one.
Feels like the carapace would have benefitted from a chromatic black versus a regular black.. might have added some better depth?
Great video as always. Thanks!
As for my own little inspiration, I have been hanging onto some goblin spider riders for ever, not knowing how to paint the spiders. I then took a picture of a St Johns Cross spider hanging in my garage and now have the colour scheme. These spiders are literally brilliant with a base colour that lifts from a brown similar to Rhinox hide, orange, through to a lighter bunny fur brown, flesh tearers red, fluro white and yellow. And the bonus? The spiders are the same size as the models, so no size adjustment. Now if I can just get the little so and so to model on the table for me , without the cat trying to eat her.
That's funny, I was going to ask for an update on the portable compressor. Ordered one yesterday and was wondering how it's held up and if you still use it (or used it since the video). Crossing my fingers and holding my breath until Jon responds, starting.... now!
My man! That color scheme is so amazing that you even made Tyranids look cool! Great job on this one...
Ninjon - "Now if you'll excuse me, I have some bugs to build."
AKA - "I have the Leviathan box set already."
Love you Jon! ;)
As a huge Duran Duran fan, this intro made my day
I saw a blood splatter technique on the devs&dice channel im sure it was..... he holds a paint brush near the model and uses his air brush to fire air at the brush which then causes the paint to splatter where he wants it.
Nice Azrienoch presentation style throwback
Man, the glossy black looks so good!
I am the over analyzing section @ the 3:30 mark. Lolz. Great video as always!!
This video deserves a like for the Duran Duran references alone!
Fucking awesome video brother. I would love to see a blood angel themed tyranid army.
Can't say how important writing down your steps is. I keep a painting journal where I write all the steps for any paint scheme that I will want to replicate. Before keeping a journal, I would wonder how did I do that when trying to replicate a paint job.
I like the scheme. While we are on the subject of batch painting, how about a video for "tips and tricks for batch painting" or something. Maybe about how to work on a 10-model unit in a reasonable amount of time instead of about painting 100 zombies or a full army in an insanely small amount of time. (No judgment. I love those videos too.)
I was thinking of something along these lines in the near future, thanks for saying it’s something you’d like to see!
You turned that nid into total nightmare fuel
Its absolutely incredible
I always imagined Tyranids to be glass obsidian black like Xenomorph "Alien". Glossy, slimy and metalic. This emphasizes the hard carapace that can deflect small arms fire and attacks. Super freakn cool
Most dangerous predators have a bright color component. I think a bright yellow stripe on the plates would be nice. Yellow jackets?
I'm getting some golden orb weaver feeling's with this model.
Leviathan Box idea - a video on fluo paint testing/techniques using that Librarian in Terminator armor sculpt (with all its cool runes and glowing recesses)
Awesome scheme! I love mine, but I really want to paint a tyranid army themed after Battra.
As a person who once raged against creators that used airbrushes, then got one for himself - I unreservedly apologize.
It is a powerful tool both for dramatically increasing the speed of painting and performing marvelous painting techniques.
You got me at "Ordinary World". 😂
You should do the "leviathan" box set in a water themed scene. Nids jumping out of the water. Space marines surfing. dreadnaught sinking to the deep
This looks fantastic.
A thought/suggestion for the black carapace; How about black pearlescent. Instead of just glossy black.
Paint it black, then go over it with a glossy pearlcoat?
I dunno. As I said, just a thought.
I love how you've done this Tyranid. Wonderful episode.
Thank you so much for sharing this.
Be Excellent to each other and Party on. 🤘😎🎸
Hey Jon. It could be cool to see a 'converting cadavers' thing, by taking this big box set and turning half into an army, and the other half into grizzly decorations for bases, terrain or objective markers. keep doing what you do, mate.
It would be cool to do the box up as a tribute to the old school Battle for Macragge art from the launch of 4th edition, with the OG red and black 'Nids and stuff.
I love Duran Duran
Let’s hit up then karaoke next Adepticon!
@@Ninjon Im down
👌 getting on that 10th hype train John, smart move. I super excited for 10th hopefully it brings some fun back to the game.
I watch all your videos anyway you are always on point with your content for me 👍
Great color scheme
As soon as you said aliens black and maggot white my brain was just like "of course". After seeing the finished product i think a matte black would be a better choice over the gloss, and I think you were right on the splash of color.
Ninjon, I've been a fan for a while now. You paint great minis, the videos are entertaining, I dig the sense of humor, I grew up next to Rochester and still have a ton of friends there, hell I even worked at Think bank briefly back in 04... but the packers shirt? Oh Jon, no! My fandom is crashing down all arround me. Couldn't you have just posted a video of threatening to kick puppies, laughing in the face of babies, or explaining how awesome Jar Jar is instead?!?!?!
So I just started painting in general and excited to paint my army which is bugs.
bought the youfu airbrush om your recommendation, works perfectly. was curious as to why you go back and forth on your trigger when airbrushing, is this normal as im still new to airbrushes
I’m wanting to try paint my like fleshy skin and bone carapace but I can’t get the flesh to my liking
love the style that you went with but i have not read the comments cause im a lazy asshole and someone may have said the same thing, but the only thing i would offer as an idea would be that instead of just a black, maybe like Vallejo Black Grey would look good with the gloss varnish. maybe add in a thinned down black contrast or wash over it to give it some depth. Go with it if you want but either way i love the style you went with and i always enjoy the videos. Keep it up my dude!
I like the Squidmar airbrush :D
You had me at Duran Duran but you win with packers. Howdy from Milwaukee
Go pack go!
Damn that's looking good!
Go Pack!
Oh, and great tips as always, of course.
Another truly excellent video, and so soon after the Relicblade video. Applause break here. Keep up the great work.
If I painted them Id go black / orange its so sic looking. Its gross to me because I hate the taste of black liquorice so much but it looks so cool. You did a awsome job. I cant find UHU in any stores in Canada :(. I hate ordering online but looks like I just might have to. Its just a great product I hear and I already have the epic tamiya clear red :D
Looks badass, made me think of Dead Space
Swap the schemes. Ultramarine Nids and Leviathon Marines
why not just follow tradition and paint the carapace black and highlight up to white to emulate high gloss
Paint them in Migraine Magenta? That could look fun and cool...
great scheme !
Hi, can you do a video on harlequins? As I'm realy struggling to paint my girlfriends army.
Go pack go
i think the black really dulled it. people hate the colour but nature puts vibrant colours on the most dangerous things.
i think a green to black transition on the carapace would have been nice.
Awesome video, thank you.
They already sent you the box didn't they?
This guy is cool.
P3 Coal Black (its a really deep desaturated Blue), Tamiya Black Panel Liner, selective edge highlighting with any warm gray, THEN gloss varnish (I actually prefer a Satin). This is a great recipe for easy black carapace.
Noted, and this is a capital idea that I'll try on my next major Cryx mini project....
you make the best miniature painting content by far.
This is one of the best schemes for tyranids I've ever seen, organic and realistic!
I like the gloss black carapace look but you are right that it doesn't quite pop at a lot of angles (when you did the rotation though it looks great at some angles when the light catches it and you can see the detail). I'm curious what it would look like if you tried to highlight it like you would with matte, then use gloss varnish to shine it up.
At least an edge highlight feels needed.
Could do it in purples, bring in just that small touch of lore-accurate colour to this interpretation.
You must’ve stolen Adam’s Nids recipe. Almost identical, so obviously is looks great! Really well done!
Love your direct nature and dry humor Jon, oh and your painting's great too!
This looks amazing! I particularly love the wings!
If you're still keen to test ideas on the carapace, whilst sticking to the Xenomorph theme from Alien, maybe try adding some blues (particularly metallic blues) as the highlights, restricting the pure black to just the deepest recesses.
Ninjon jamming to some 80's gold. ❤👍
I think if you dry brushed some grey/light grey on to the carapace before you added the gloss it would have shown the detail a little bit better. But overall that is super dope! I dub it Hive Fleet Giger.
i'm sorry, but i found this too funny: "i just don't like the dark purple and white flesh of the official scheme" ... proceeds to paint a tyranid with pale skin and dark carapace.
i mean, sure, it looks better overall, but it also just looks like a blanchitsu version of the standard scheme. The only thing missing was some purple highlights on the carapace, which would have also helped resolve the issue he pointed out with the carapace "not showing much detail".
My trick for color schemes is using the older Dawn of War PC games, combined with mods those feature most of the factions and allow you to switch colors in near an instant in their army painter. That said, it is always still a good plan to get some sacrificial models like the Gargoyles from the old Tyrannid start collecting kit to try the scheme out on and make adjustments where necessary since those games are limited in what they can do.
Followed for a long time but Im done with the click-bait.
Find a personality.
Looks freakin dope Jon. Will be interesting to see how you approach the more pysker based units
Watching your videos recently has made me realize the important of light in miniature painting. Also what you mentioned about simplicity strikes deep. My first army that I painted up recently was Death Guard and as much as I love them, and there’s so much to appreciate up close, they definitely look a bit like a blob of green from far away. My next project is going to be an army of Imperial Fists and I plan to delve deep into underground the color scheme before I start painting. Thanks for the great videos!
Haven't even finished the video yet... THANK YOU for the update on the cheap airbrush! I've been wondering how that had worked out in the long term.