Customer briefing

Scorpion Hive: Devastators of the Desert

Our client came to us looking for more than just a painting service; he wanted to shape a vision. He had seen our work on custom schematic miniatures and was convinced that we could capture exactly what he was looking for: an army of desert scorpion-inspired tyranids, advancing across an arid landscape.
The assignment was ambitious. It included repairing and restoring his existing army, assembling the new additions and, most importantly, bringing it all together with a paint scheme that evoked the desert sands. He asked us to add special effects like OSL on synaptic creatures and blood splatter on melee troops to give them a more visceral look. In addition, the bases needed to be thematic but simple, with textures and pigments to reinforce the narrative.
The combination of renovation and expansion, along with such a clear and defined concept, grabbed us from the very first moment. Turning a biomass-devouring beehive into an army full of personality was a challenge we were eager to accept.

General picture of the project Game & Ornate level

From the Sands Emerges the Hive

The process of this project was as challenging as it was rewarding, and every step was marked by constant communication with the client. We started with a test miniature representative of the scheme and the setting of the bases. This proposal was quickly approved, allowing us to proceed with confidence.
The first challenge was to repair the existing miniatures, eliminating gaps and matrix residues to ensure a flawless finish. Next, we started the assembly of the new units, from the small hordes of Termagantes to colossus like the Norn Assimilator. We painted following a strategic order: first the most numerous and simple units, and finally the largest and most complex creatures.
During painting, we applied the color scheme inspired by desert scorpions, incorporating textures and details to differentiate levels. On the synaptic creatures, we added OSL effects to highlight their psychic connection, while the melee troops received touches of blood to reflect their brutality.