How to Paint Hive Fleet Kronos – Skails’ Method

This article is part of a larger series on How to Paint Tyranids. To return to that series, click here.

Hive Fleet Kronos have a stronger connection to the Tyranid Hive Mind than most, and have adapted to fighting the hordes of Chaos, primarily by engaging targets at a distance for more efficient killing. They chew at the areas of space near the Great Rift, like a maggot cleaning a wound.

For Kronos, start by priming the model black.

Step 1. The Carapace

  1. Citadel Khorne Red base coat.
  2. Citadel Nuln Oil wash just in recess between plates.
  3. Citadel Mephiston Red lines from edge of plates almost to recess. Generally picking up ridges and edges with the lines.
  4. Citadel Wild Rider Red lines about halfway across plates.

Step 2. The Skin

  1. Black Primer acts as the base coat here.
  2. Vallejo Model Color German Grey layer. Covers most of the vertical and upward facing surfaces. Leave recesses primer black.
  3. Vallejo Model Color Basalt Grey for first highlight layer. Mostly sticking to upward facing and projecting surfaces.
  4. Vallejo Game Color Stonewall Grey used to spot highlight the most prominent edges and upward facing surfaces.

Step 3. Claws and Hooves

(hooves use same approach as carapace):

  1. Citadel Incubi Darkness as base coat.
  2. Citadel Temple Guard Blue to highlight edges and upward facing surfaces.
  3. Vallejo Game Color Glacier Blue to highlight most prominent edges and light catching spots.

Step 4. Guns

  1. Citadel Incubi Darkness as base coat.
  2. Citadel Kabalite Green on most of the vertical and upward facing surfaces, leaving Incubi in the recesses and downward facing surfaces.
  3. Pro Acryl Turquoise as a highlight layer on edges and upward facing surfaces.
  4. Vallejo Game Color Glacier Blue spot highlights on edge corners and light catching spots.

Step 5. Final Details

Time to Finish off the model. I use Pro Acryl Yellow Green for the eyes and Citadel Zandri Dust for teeth, and finally some pink accents. You can find more on those in our Barbie article.

Credit: Skails

This article is part of a larger series on How to Paint Tyranids. To return to that series, click here.