Painting the Parasite of Mortrex: A Step-by-Step Tyranid Guide
By Frontline Gaming | Published: 2026-11-04
Category: Guides pratiques
Follow this ordered process to assemble and paint the Parasite of Mortrex, with checkpoints for a clean carapace, fleshy limbs, and a tabletop-ready finish.
Quick answer
Paint the Parasite of Mortrex by working from the inside out: assemble and clean the model, prime it, block in the flesh and carapace, then layer and highlight each area before basing. Treat the carapace and the spawning sacs as separate focal points so the model reads clearly on the table.
Why this model rewards a staged approach
The Parasite of Mortrex is a fast attack choice with a distinctive silhouette: a winged body, a prominent tail, and the ability to spawn Ripper Swarms. That means several areas compete for attention, and a single all-over wash will flatten them. Staging the paint job keeps the carapace, flesh, and spawn sacs distinct without extra tools.
If you plan to use the spawned Rippers alongside a Termagant Brood, match your flesh and carapace colors across those kits now. Consistency across the army is easier to establish before you start than to retrofit later.
One trade-off: speed versus separation
A fast scheme using contrast or speed paints can finish this model in an evening, but the spawn sacs and tail membrane may blend into the body. Slower layered painting gives cleaner separation at the cost of time. Pick one approach before you prime, because switching mid-model usually creates patchy coverage.
Step-by-step painting process
- Assemble and clean: Build the single-option model according to the instructions, then scrape mold lines from the tail, limbs, and carapace with a hobby knife. Check the join lines before priming. Run a fingernail across each join; if you feel a ridge, smooth it now rather than after priming.
- Prime in thin coats: Prime with a light-colored spray or brush-on primer in two thin passes, rotating the model between passes. Avoid spraying heavily into the spawn sacs and under the wings. Stop before the primer looks wet; a dry, even coat holds detail better than a single heavy pass.
- Block in the flesh: Basecoat the limbs, tail, and body with your chosen flesh tone, using two thin coats. Keep the carapace and spawn sacs unpainted for now so you can judge the flesh color on its own. Check coverage under a neutral lamp; missed patches show up later as darker smudges.
- Basecoat the carapace: Paint the carapace plates with a darker base color, following the plate edges. Leave a thin line of flesh visible at the seams to separate the two materials. If the carapace color bleeds onto the flesh, touch it back in before the wash stage.
- Shade the flesh and carapace separately: Apply a wash to the flesh, then a different wash or shade to the carapace. Let each dry fully before moving to the next area. Do not flood both areas with the same wash; it removes the contrast you just built.
- Layer and highlight the carapace: Reapply the carapace base color on raised plates, then add a lighter edge highlight along the plate rims. Keep highlights thin and consistent in direction. Highlight the top edges only; painting every edge makes the carapace look chalky.
- Pick out the spawn sacs and membranes: Paint the spawn sacs and any tail membrane in a contrasting color, then shade and highlight them as a separate area. This is the detail that signals the model's spawning ability. Use a color not already on the body; if it matches the flesh, the sacs disappear at arm's length.
Product facts
- Tyranids: Parasite Of Mortrex: Single-option plastic Citadel Miniature and a Tyranid Fast Attack choice. Because there are no variant builds to decide on, you can assemble it straight away and spend your planning time on the paint scheme instead.
Tyranids: Parasite Of Mortrex - Tyranids: Parasite Of Mortrex: Able to spawn additional Ripper Swarms on the field and pairs well with a Termagant Brood kit. If you plan to run spawned Rippers, paint a few extra Ripper bases in the same flesh and carapace colors so the army looks intentional.
