In this article you will learn how to paint Tyranids Hive Fleet Kraken created by our Knights At The Game Table painter Marc Dicintio. The method used in this article is simple, effective and can be used again and again. Marc does an incredible job of breaking the process down into just four steps. In no time you’ll have a beautifully painted Hive Fleet Kraken!
Hive Fleet Kraken Lore
But first, if you don’t know what the Hive Fleet Kraken is, allow us to fill you in on a little background and lore…
The Hierarchy was sounding the alarm after an entire Imperial sector’s communications were cut off from Terra due to the potent power of the Hive Fleet Kraken scheme. Only a few solar months passed before any survivors’ accounts reached other parts in order to tell their story about what happened; they described how whole planets had been wiped out layer by layer.
Within just hours by these terrifying creatures called the “Tyranid”. The imperium once more faced something that seemed impossible until it came time for you to choose whether or not life continues on earth.
An armed presence had been maintained within the galactic southeast which officials from Adeptus Administratum argued need for but Didactom Zanare Variola arguing that this was going to create a minor push back against a larger threat coming over vast distances.
The people on the east were unhappy with their lives around a camp full of weapons. They began to rebel and this led into a spiral that would be difficult for anyone, let alone society as whole.
The Situation on Earth…
The situation on Earth’s eastern edge got out of control when it became home to not only peacekeeping troops but also volunteer Adepts who had traveled there from around our galaxy’s universe trying to make things better than they found them.
The Inquisition had been aware of the Adepts’ dissension and downplaying for some time, but it was not until they suspected something might be going on Eastern Fringes, so they began an investigation.
It became clear to them that all dissenting adepts came from the southeastern region or had traveled there at some point in their lives.
This discovery has brought our organization together in a way we never thought possible. The members of this secret society had never met each other, but there was a link between them.
Talasa Prime’s Inquisitors
Talasa Prime’s Inquisitors were deployed to investigate an unknown situation. These planets of turmoil where they did much needed work with hope for change soon coming along their journey.
Purges were carried out within the Imperium, especially on Terra. The Inquisition focused their attention towards suspected traitors that had links with afflicted regions of Eastern Fringe and sent them to prison colonies or Astra Militarum’s Penal Legions for execution.
The galaxy was brought to its knees by a new threat, more terrifying than any before it. The Hive Fleet Kraken attacks from deep within the dark matter stream and sinks its tendrils into nearly every major planet in sight – isolating them one-by-one until there are no safe places left for humans or aliens alike!
The silence from Terra was short-lived as reports of the Tyranid army, Hive Fleet’s attack quickly spread through outer space.
The first few survivors described that the entire content of the planets have been wiped out within hours, leaving only dust and bones behind them.
The Imperium once more faced an unimaginable threat but this time there would be no way for humanity to survive unless they put their faith into something greater than themselves
How to Paint Tyranids
Version 1: Pyrrhocoris Red Carapace
- Step 1: Zenithal Prime
- Step 2: Flesh Tearers Red Contrast
- Step 3: Wild Rider Red Dry Brush
- Step 4: Fire Dragon Bright Dry Brush
- Colors and Brushes used
Step 1: Prime the miniature black. Then, spraying only from directly above and at 45 degree angle, use white in a spray can or an airbrush to pre-highlight the miniature. This is called a zenithal highlight.
Step 2: Carefully apply a coat of Flesh Tearers Red Contrast paint to all of the areas that are going to be Pyrrhocoris Red. Try to be controlled at this step so that you don’t get any spotting.
Step 3: Apply Wild Rider Red to a dry brush, specific paintbrush or just an old brush if you don’t have one. Dry brush the Pyrrhocoris Red areas highlighting the raised areas.
Step 4: Apply Fire Dragon Bright to a dry brush, specific paintbrush or just an old brush if you don’t have one. Dry brush the Pyrrhocoris Red areas highlighting the raised areas.
Colors used:
- Flesh Tearers Red
- Wild Rider Red, Fire
- Dragon Bright
Brushes used:
- Winsor & Newton Series 7: number 2 and number 0
- Arits Opus Small Dry Brush
Version 2: Sicariidae Cream Flesh
- Step 1: Zenithal Prime
- Step 2: Ulthuan Grey Dry Brush
- Step 3: Seraphim Sepia Wash
- Step 4: Corax White Dry Brush
- Colors and Brushes used
Step 1: Prime the miniature black. Then, spraying only from directly above and at 45 degree angle, use white in a spray can or an airbrush to pre-highlight the miniature. This is called a zenithal highlight.
Step 2: Apply Corax White to a dry brush, specific paintbrush or just an old brush if you don’t have one. Dry brush the Sicariidae Cream areas, highlighting the raised areas.
Step 3: Apply Seraphim Sepia wash to a fairly large brush and carefully apply the wash to the Sicariidae Cream areas. Don’t apply the wash too heavily. Doing so will lead to bad results. This is called a “controlled” wash.
Step 4: Apply Corax White to a dry brush, specific paintbrush or just an old brush if you don’t have one. Dry brush the Sicariidae areas, highlighting the raised areas.
Colors used:
- Ulthuan Grey
- Seraphim Sepia
- Corax White
Paint brushes used:
- Winsor & Newton Series 7: number 2 and number 0
- Arits Opus Small Dry Brush
