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Ok, I would have searched this technique if I knew the name for it, but i don't, so I'll just ask outright. How can I achieve the effect of darkness in small recesses (especially as seen on Tau Firewarriors)? I have been trying to get it on white-sprayed models; should I have done them in black? Or is it done with a wash? Please assist, even if by only giving me the name of the technique

Step by step guide on painting a Fire Warrior:

http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/content/article.jsp?categoryId=400030&pIndex=1&aId=600023a&multiPageMode=true&start=2

The gaps in their plate are the chaos black/Scorched brown base coat. Other shading is done by building up the different shades of colour as well as using washes and highlighting.

As said above; shading would be the term you're looking for.
Might even want to call it black-lining.

Ah, I was thinking it was a shading / layering thing. Thanks all!

Shading or blacklining would be the proper term for it. It can be done after painting by using a Micron pen or something similar, or if you're careful with a brush, you can just prime your models black and avoid the lines between armor plates or what have you.

You don't have to do it that way. You can also start with white and then build up darker colours. I personally never start with black undercoat as it just makes it difficult to paint light colours back over it, and you usually still lose a lot of brightness even after many layers.

If you want to shade a model sprayed white... Firstly you need a pallet to mix paint on, as straight out the pot will be way too thick.

Step 1: Put a blob of your darker colour on your pallet and mix a little water into the edge of the blob so they bleed together. This should leave you with part of the blob being thick paint, part of the blob being super watery paint. And somewhere in the middle you will have a range of consistencies, which you can pick out as needed.


Step 2. Dip your brush in clear water, then paint the clear water into the recess you want to paint so it is wet.

Step3. Get some of the darker paint on your brush (medium consistency). Then carefully dip the tip of the brush into the recess.

What will happen is the pigment will get pulled into the recess via capillary action. The darker paint flows into the gap nice and neat. There is really no steady hand required.

It might take a little experimenting. Be patient and don't go too over the top with water (use a very fine brush), you should do fine.

Nice.. Really like the micron pen and capillary action ideas. Have to go and get myself a pen, but will definitely try the capillary when I get home!