Specifically, Jay Griffiths and I went out for chicken wings a couple of months ago. As is always the case when we get together, our conversation turned to gaming. Innocently, Jay mentioned that there was a new Games Workshop box set campaign featuring Blood Angels and Tyranids, called Shield of Baal: Deathstorm.
I looked up from my wings, intrigued.
You see, I haven't played Warhammer 40,000 since 2009. This is something of an issue for me, because it is, by far and away, my favourite of all games. Since the '80s I've been collecting, painting and gaming in the 40K universe -- often with Jay himself. But, with the diaspora that followed the end of Games Workshop Canada, and my professional move to a company that focused more on role-playing and board games, my interest waned.
The very first games Jay and I ever played of Warhammer 40,000 were Space Marine vs Tyranid battles, so his mention of a new set grabbed my imagination. Soon we were plotting to jump back into the grim darkness of the far future.
Just when I thought I was out...
We split the box set, as is tradition, and I scuttled home to paw wretchedly at my new Tyranid sprues. Strange, old feeling began to well up inside me, as the old familiar madness took hold. My first thought... What colours should I paint these monsters?
And my first problem. In the campaign, the forces of the Imperium wage desperate war against the Tyranid hive fleet code named Leviathan. The problem is, the GW studio chose to paint the Leviathan models in what I can only describe as 'My Little Pony' colours.
My Little Pony - Devouring is Magic!
You see what I mean.
I briefly considered going with a colour scheme reminiscent of the xenos from Aliens, one of my all-time favourite films and a clear inspiration for the Tyranid army. However a quick scan of the interwebs revealed that this is so common, it seems almost every Tyranid player uses this sort of dark blue-black colour scheme. Plus, I already have an army of actual Aliens waiting to be painted up, so that seemed redundant and uninspired.
Looking over the new models in the Tyranid range, I saw that most of them were very tentacle-y. Then it hit me... Why not go with a Cthulhu-themed colour scheme? If Tyranids are supposed to be nightmare creatures from beyond the stars, who better to pattern their colours on than unnameable horrors from beyond time and space!?
A quick glance through my excellent new Cthulhu book Scott Kelly gave me for Christmas gave me a perfect image to inspire me. An image of Cthulhu as a mottled green-brown monstrosity!
Tentacular!
I set to work immediately on my first unit; eight genestealers of the Phodian swarm. As usual I used my tried and trusty Army Painter products. I started with a base of Angel Green spray. Then I painted big splotchy marks of Goblin Green and Monster Brown over the body. Next I lightly drybrushed the whole model with Necrotic Flesh.
After that I brushed on some Strong Tone Quickshade and left it to dry for 24 hours. Afterword I painted the claws, teeth and eyes, leaving the overall model shiny to convey a feeling of slimy ooze. I ended up with this.
Slimy horror from beyond!
Definitely not My Little Pony! This was a simple, easy approach that let the detail of the figure do the work, and took advantage of the strengths of the Army Painter system. Now I have miniatures of space monsters that actually look like space monsters. As a bonus they blend in with my terrain the way true sneaky creatures like genestealers should.
Spot the beasties!
...and thanks, as ever, for visiting my little corner of the web!
See you next time!
-Andrew
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