In today’s post, we take a closer look at the Genestealer Malstrain Abomination Gang that I painted as part of my piece for the Warhammer Community article I was asked to do. I’ll share some close ups of the models I painted and a painting guide if you want to paint your own Malstrain Genestealers.
It was awesome to be asked to by Warhammer Community to create a sequel to my popular Ridgehauler photo. Hive Secundus is completely different to the Ash Wastes and I was quite excited to paint the new Malstrain Genestealers. I grew up on films like Predator and Aliens, so I’ve always had an affinity for the Tyranids. Creating my own LV-426 with an infested hive was just too cool an opportunity to miss. Link for the Warhammer Community article at the end of this post. I’ll be covering in more detail how I made the diorama on Tale of Painters real soon, so keep an eye out for that.
The Malstrain Genestealers are horrific mutated strains of the Genestealer genus. They’re asymmetrical, with a mixture of claws and hooves and weird antler-like chitinous growths. Hunched over and stooping close to the ground, they stalk the shadows, appearing at the last moment, their victims paralysed with fear, unable to scream as the monster invades their oesophagus with probing tongues depositing their corrupt essence into them.
Included on the Malstrain Genestealer sprue are a couple of Tyramites, these floating clawed ballsacks are an absolute nightmare to assemble. Their clawed arms are incredible thin and repeatedly snap. I got so tired of trying to fix them, I actually think one of them is missing a leg. Check out Stahly’s Hive Secundus Boxed Set review here.
How to Paint Malstrain Genestealers
Painting the Malstrain Genetealers was really simple. I used Warithbone Spray to undercoat them, then using an airbrush I gave them a base coat of Zamesi Desert. Then as you can see from above the rarity of painting is just washes with a few edge highlights. I painted all six in next to no time. I really like the desaturated yellow. It looks natural yet sickly. The brown carapace and dark brown claws work nicely with the natural theme. The fleshy tongues and feeder tendrils are also desaturated I think I could added some highlights to the tongues to make them lighter maybe but overall I think they came out great.
Check back soon, when I’ll share close ups and painting guides for the Malstrains’ cousins, the Brood Scum. In the meantime, check out my Hive Secundus diorama on the Warhammer Community blog here.
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