How to Paint the Norn Emissary

Videos on how to paint the Tyranid Norn Emissary, which Games Workshop sent me for review.

Video – How to Paint the Norn Emissary : Part One

The video looks at prepping the base colours with an airbrush and then painting texture detail on the chitin and painting a nmm style shine on the horn blade.

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Materials Needed

  1. Airbrush: Essential for applying the base coats.
  2. Airbrush Thinner: Vallejo airbrush thinner is recommended.
  3. Brushes:
    • A larger brush (such as a size 2) for texture work on the armor plates.
    • A smaller brush (such as size 00) for finer details and highlights.
  4. Wet Palette: Useful for mixing and thinning paints.
  5. Tools for Tidying the Model Prior to Painting:
    • Godhand Clippers
    • Tamiya Extra Thin Cement
    • Sprue Glue (a mix of Tamiya Extra Thin Cement and chopped-up sprues)
    • Scalpel
    • Tamiya Sanding Pad

Paints

  • Games Workshop Paints:
    1. Night Lords Blue: Base coat for the model.
    2. Sotek Green: Second coat for base colouring.
    3. Xereus Purple: Used for the chitin armor base and mixed with other colours for various effects.
    4. Fire Dragon Bright: Mixed with Xereus Purple for chitin armor and used in other mixes.
    5. Wild Rider Red: Applied to brain-like textures.
    6. Pink Horror: Used over brain-like areas for a gradient effect.
    7. Mournfang Brown: Base colour for claws and talons.
  • Other Paints:
    1. P3 Morrow White: Used for mixing highlights (any preferred white paint can be used).

Mixing and Application Notes

  • Mix the paints with the airbrush thinner in a 50:50 ratio for airbrushing.
  • Gradually add more of the lighter color to the mix for highlights and texture work.
  • The use of a wet palette will aid in mixing and maintaining the consistency of the paints.

Step by Step Guide

Preparing the Model

  • Assembly: Assemble the model in sub-builds (legs, body, head, arms) for easier painting. The legs are attached to the base in this case.
  • Seam Cleaning: Clean up seam joints on the model for a smoother finish. Follow my detailed PDFs on model prepping for lots of tips on this!

How to Build and Clean Your Model PDF

This step by step PDF guide shows the whole process how to build Abraxia, building and cleaning up the new model from Games Workshop in preparation for painting. I go over lots of little tips and tricks to hide join lines, remove mould lines etc.

Read Now
How to Build Abraxia

Base Colour with Airbrush

  • Priming: Begin with airbrushing a base coat. Use Night Lords Blue (Games Workshop), thinned with Vallejo airbrush thinner (50:50 ratio) at about 30 PSI with a 0.4 needle.
  • Second Coat: Apply Sotek Green with the same thinning ratio and airbrush settings.
  • Chitin Armor Base: Mix Xereus Purple with Fire Dragon Bright (50:50 ratio) and apply to the chitin armor plates. Gradually add more Fire Dragon Bright to the mix for subsequent layers.
  • Brain-Like Textures: Airbrush Wild Rider Red and Pink Horror over the brain-like areas, focusing on the centers for a gradual transition.
  • Claws and Talons: Apply Mournfang Brown (50:50 with thinner) to claws and talons. Add a bit of Ushabti Bone to the mix for highlights.

Detailing with Brush

  • Armor Plates: Use a larger brush for quick, effective texturing. Start with a mix of Xereus Purple and Fire Dragon Bright (50:50), gradually lightening the mix by adding more Fire Dragon Bright and a touch of white.
  • Highlighting: With a size 2 brush, apply quick, vertical lines, increasing pressure lightly for broader marks. Use lighter mixes for higher highlights and finer, gentler strokes.
  • Refining Highlights: Switch to a smaller brush (size 00) for final highlights, focusing on the light direction and maintaining an organic, uneven pattern.
  • Non-Metallic Metal (NMM) Blade: For the horn blade, use the same color scheme but with a smoother blend and sharper highlights to mimic a metallic shine. Focus on a shine point, gradually building up highlights.
  • Final Touches: Add edge highlights for additional realism and depth. Use the darker mixes to adjust or correct any overly bright areas.

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How to Paint Norn Emissary
How to Paint Norn Emissary

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