optimon's Tyranid Flesh and Chitin Recipe

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  • Published
    15 Jul 2025
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This tutorial aims to replicate ThirdEyeNuke's amazing Tyranid paint scheme.

https://taleofpainters.com/2018/05/showcase-tyranid-tyrannofex/

Zenithal Priming

  1. "Begin by priming the model with Chaos Black , followed by a coat of White Scar to establish a bright base for painting."

Pale White Flesh

  1. Drybrush the model with Pallid Wych Flesh to highlight raised details, then apply a coat of Nuln Oil to add depth and shadow."

Chitin Armor

  1. Apply Black Templar Contrast paint over the chitin armor sections to achieve a dark, glossy finish with natural shading.
  2. Drybrush using any grey or frost blue that you may have. In this case we use Stormvermin Fur for the initial drybrush, followed by Skavenblight Dinge - after that apply light drybrush of Fenrisian Grey and to finish, drybrush Blue Horror

Bloody Area

  1. Apply Reikland Fleshshade to the area that we want to highlight. Once dried, apply Reikland Fleshshade again liberally - the messier the better.
  2. Drybrush True Blood onto the dried area that we applied Reikland Fleshshade to. This will make the area a bit brigther and looks fleshy.
  3. Stipple True Blood on to the area liberally - be careful not to overdoit. After this step, we lightly stipple to select area using Dry Blood .

Finishing touch

  1. We apply Seraphim Sepia to the joints, any creases and also any point of interest.
  2. Apply Volupus Pink to the mouth or any exposed internal organs or area. Finish with a glaze of Magos Purple once Volupus Pink has dried as required.
Citadel Painting System 13
Shade 3
  • Nuln Oil
  • Reikland Fleshshade
  • Seraphim Sepia
Layer 5
  • Blue Horror
  • Fenrisian Grey
  • Pallid Wych Flesh
  • Skavenblight Dinge
  • Stormvermin Fur
Spray 2
  • Chaos Black
  • White Scar
Contrast 3
  • Black Templar
  • Magos Purple
  • Volupus Pink
The Army Painter Warpaints Fanatic
Effect 2
  • Dry Blood
  • True Blood
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