Bring Warhammer 40K Tyranids to life with unique paint color schemes for each Hive Fleet and step-by-step tips to create a terrifying, organic swarm on the tabletop!
How to Paint Tyranids in Warhammer 40K: Hive Fleet Schemes and Tips
When it comes to painting Tyranids in Warhammer 40,000, each model is a unique opportunity to bring the organic menace of this army to life. Tyranids differ from other factions in that they are purely organic, without traditional armor or heraldic insignias.
This gives hobbyists creative freedom, making every paint job an opportunity to reflect the alien nature of the Tyranids. Games Workshop (GW) recently showcased some of the newest Hive Fleet paint schemes with insights from the ‘Eavy Metal team, and these options highlight just how versatile and dynamic Tyranid painting can be.
With the rise of new models, hobbyists are faced with the choice of a variety of Hive Fleet schemes, each with distinct color palettes, themes, and techniques that bring out unique details in the Tyranid units.
While Hive Fleet Leviathan might be the most recognized, there are plenty of other options like Behemoth, Kraken, and even newer schemes such as Cetu, Tiamet, and Typhon. Here’s a look at the creative options available for each, alongside some lore-friendly ideas to guide your painting (and you can learn how to play them in 40k here).
Quick Reference for Hive Fleet Color Schemes
The original paint scheme from GW; check out the paint conversion chart to recreate these!
- Hive Fleet Leviathan – The classic scheme with contrasting dark and light tones, inspired by underwater wildlife, focusing on organic realism.
- Hive Fleet Behemoth – Known for its aggressive red tones, reflecting the relentless and brutal nature of the Tyranids.
- Hive Fleet Kraken – An alien aesthetic with pale, fleshy skin tones contrasted by dark red or brown carapaces.
- Hive Fleet Cetu – A newer, monochromatic scheme using black and grey shades for a sleek and menacing appearance.
- Hive Fleet Tiamet – A dynamic and layered look achieved with contrast paints, showcasing textured, organic shapes.
- Hive Fleet Typhon – An intricate scheme featuring extensive blending and highlighting on the skin for a detailed, vibrant finish.
Hive Fleet Color Schemes
Hive Fleet Leviathan: Organic Power with a Mutative Twist
Leviathan stands as the iconic Tyranid color scheme, recognizable for its blend of contrasting dark and light tones. Painting Leviathan involves shades that emphasize the organic texture of the models, using techniques that mimic real-world creatures with exoskeletons or tough hides.
In the recent update, the approach to Leviathan took inspiration from underwater wildlife, allowing for variances in thickness and coloring on different body parts, making each model feel unique. By adding variations in hard shell colors or body tones, you can make each Tyranid warrior feel distinct, embodying the individuality of an evolving hive mind.
The technique used here emphasizes organic realism. Start with darker base coats, layering up with lighter shades for highlights, particularly around the armor plates. Many hobbyists have noted that by keeping the palette restrained and focusing on blending and subtle gradients, Leviathan models gain a cohesive look while still allowing for individuality within the Hive Fleet’s ranks.
Hive Fleet Behemoth: Red in Tooth and Claw
For those wanting a fiery, primal look, Hive Fleet Behemoth’s scheme leans heavily into reds, giving Tyranid models a distinct, aggressive appearance. Behemoth embodies the brutality of the Tyranid swarm, often making use of red carapaces with darker, muted skin tones. This style evokes the image of a bloodthirsty, invasive force—a perfect representation for the army’s lore of relentless, brute-force attacks.
Painting Behemoth offers a straightforward yet visually striking approach. A strong red base on the carapace, with dark washes and light highlighting on the edges, gives the models a realistic look. Highlighting the weaponry and symbiotic elements in slightly contrasting tones (such as browns or dark greens) adds depth without overcomplicating the scheme.
Behemoth’s red-based look is one of the easier Hive Fleets to achieve, making it popular among painters who want a powerful appearance without a lengthy painting process.
Hive Fleet Kraken: Alien, Unsettling, and Utterly Unique
Hive Fleet Kraken is one of the most beloved schemes for a reason—it achieves an unmistakably alien aesthetic. With pale, fleshy tones and darker red or brown carapaces, Kraken models feel as if they belong to another world. This scheme is well-suited for those who enjoy contrasting skin and carapace tones, which creates a highly defined, menacing appearance.
Kraken is ideal for painters who enjoy bold color contrasts. Begin with a light, almost bone-colored base coat on the skin, layered with subtle washes to build up depth. For the carapace, a dark red or brown works well, with lighter edge highlights to add definition.
This scheme looks particularly striking on the battlefield and gives a distinctly otherworldly impression that aligns well with Tyranid lore.
Hive Fleet Cetu: Sleek, Monochrome Intensity
One of the newer schemes, Hive Fleet Cetu, showcases a sleek, dark look that emphasizes the terrifying nature of Tyranid forces. Using shades of black and grey, Cetu models can be painted faster, making them an appealing choice for larger armies. Though Cetu is monochromatic, subtle variations in tone across different model areas can still bring depth and detail, making it both efficient and visually striking.
To paint Cetu effectively, start with a black or dark grey base, layering up with increasingly lighter shades on areas you want to highlight, such as joints or the edges of carapaces. With this scheme, the goal is to maintain a sleek, menacing look, allowing the Tyranid models to look cohesive as a swarm.
Hive Fleet Tiamet and Typhon: Highly Detailed Schemes for Advanced Painters
Hive Fleets Tiamet and Typhon take a more intricate approach, featuring more complex techniques like blending and highlighting. Tiamet uses contrast paints to create a dynamic, layered look that showcases organic shapes in beautiful detail. This scheme is recommended for hobbyists looking for a richly textured result with an eye-catching palette.
Typhon, on the other hand, involves extensive blending on the skin with plenty of highlighting, creating a more elaborate scheme that, while time-intensive, pays off with a stunning finish. Typhon’s technique is perfect for painters who love spending time on the finer details, building up organic layers that showcase each creature’s role and function within the hive.
Speed Paint Hive Fleet Leviathan
Tyranid hive fleet colors can be daunting at first, but here’s how to paint Hive Fleet Behemoth Tyranids without much hassle. Get great results with the latest painting tutorial from Hellfire Hobbies.
He starts with a black primer on the whole model, then he’s going to airbrush one of the two main colors, as he doesn’t want to take the time to mask the model, and you can only do this for one of the colors. He’s going to choose to airbrush the red.
Step 1:
He starts with Mephiston Red in the airbrush and hits the model from the top down. He covers pretty much all the flesh, but let’s some of the black come through as a way to create contrast later. Even though you’re probably speed painting these, he takes his time on this first step.
Next, he adds Evil Sunz Scarlet to the airbrush and just does this from the top very lightly. To shade the flesh, he breaks out the Carroburg Crimson and does a nice thin layer on all of the shaded parts. More of a glaze than an actual wash.
Step 2:
To start on all the carapace and hard areas, he breaks out black and does a good base layer everywhere he wants black. Be careful here because you don’t want to have to do touchups later. Next, break out the Kantor Blue and he starts highlighting.
He wants a lot of the black to stay, so he only hits some decent-sized highlights. Then break out Ahriman Blue and do the same process, but leave some of the Kantor this time. then, to finish this step off, he gets out the Nuln Oil and covers every black area.
Step 3:
Now, for the eyes, toxin sacs, adrenal glands, and other little details. He just uses Moot Green to hit the base coat of everything he wants to be highlighted. Then, goes back and does a highlight with Flash Gitz Yellow.
Finished Model:
There you have it! A model that will look great on the table and only takes minutes to paint, hard to beat!
Final Thoughts on Choosing a Tyranid Hive Fleet Paint Color Scheme
Ultimately, each Hive Fleet offers something unique, catering to various skill levels, time commitments, and stylistic preferences. Whether you’re aiming for the classic Leviathan look or experimenting with newer schemes like Tiamet and Typhon, these schemes enable every Tyranid army to stand out. The choice of paint scheme not only adds aesthetic appeal but also embodies the lore and personality of the Hive Fleet.
And there you have it—everything you need to turn your Tyranid swarm into the stuff of nightmares (or dreams, depending on your perspective). Whether you go with Leviathan’s classic look or try something bolder like Typhon’s detailed blends, each scheme lets you add your own twist to the hive’s endless hunger.
Painting Tyranids isn’t just about making them look cool on the table; it’s about channeling the creeping, unstoppable advance of a hive fleet in full force. So grab your brushes, prep your paints, and get ready to unleash an invasion that’ll leave your opponents wondering if it’s just the models or if they’re genuinely starting to feel a bit…watched. The hive mind approves!
All the Latest Warhammer Rules & Model Rumors
Will you be trying out any of these new Hive Fleet color (or colour if you’re from across the pond) paint schemes on your Warhammer 40k Tyranids models?
About the Author: Travis Pasch
Travis Pasch
Job Title: Head Writer & Editor
Socials: @paschbass
About Travis Pasch: Travis has been a Warhammer 40k hobbyist since the 1990s, playing the game since Third Edition. Through extensive traveling, he’s seen a lot of the miniatures hobby from across the world, giving him a unique perspective on the latest gaming topics and trends.
Travis’s brother even owns a commission painting studio, where he’s picked up a lot of good advice and techniques for painting Warhammer and tabletop miniatures over the years, as well. Travis joined the Spikey Bits team in 2019 and has been the lead writer since 2020.
Currently, he’s working on converting all his 40k Adeptus Mechanicus models and becoming a true tech enjoyer, complete with both sad and happy robot noises!
