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Okay, so a little background first:

I only occasionally play WH40K, and mostly just spend my time painting (poorly), because I enjoy the hobby, and the look of a cohesive force once finished.

I've spent quite a while working on a Space Wolves force, which I've enjoyed, but found somewhat tedious due to how many colors end up on each model. During my time working on this force, I have bit by bit purchased a whole Eldar army that I will shortly be in a position to start with.

I have two questions for the wisdom of Dakka!

1. Color scheme in general... I'm leaning towards a similar scheme as Biel Tan, because my force is VERY aspect heavy (the coolest part of the Eldar army if you ask me). However, I don't love the piece-meal effect generated by the Aspect color schemes, so I was thinking of unifying them by having all of my force have white body suits (under-armor), and then their armor plate in the appropriate color for the aspects. Guardians would have the traditional green of Biel Tan, and aspects may get some ornament or perhaps helms in green as well to tie the force together. Thoughts on this color scheme? How might you modify it?

2. White... This is not a color that I've used much in my SW force, and I have some questions on how to keep it from looking flat on the undersuits. I was planning a white primer, and then a few layers of light grey wash to add some depth and shade the crevices, and then highlight back to pure white. Would this method look decent for the white? If not, what would your recommendation be?

Appreciate you taking the time to read all this, and look forward to your input!

If you want to go with the color scheme of Biel Tan, go for it. It looks really good. If you want to have white and green aspects, do it, nobody can tell you how to paint and how not to paint your models. Other then that, having the 'official' colors on the armor is a cool idea too. Maybe mix in the green and white into some details, like have the helmets of the Dire Avengers as the green and white, or the Plume from their helmets in those colors. Any of those work, but it's all up to what you want to work on.

If you're doing white, build it up a bit if it;s the primary color, prime white or grey, then go with a grey, then a white, I've seen that work fine before, general tips, I'm sorry, I can't help there since I don't paint lots of white models, it shows brush strokes way too easy. I'll look for some painting tutorials on youtube and send them to you if you want for some help.

I am not wise but I wanted to respond.

I think it was in one of the older Eldar codices there were photos of varied Biel Tan Guardian paint schemes, combinations of black, green and white. I'm pretty sure one of them was a black or gray under-suit with green armor. Just a thought. I think your white suit idea could work as unifying. You could test it. I wonder if green might be more identifying, but as you said green details may work as well

The white method you describe does work. A very tiny amount of gray is all you need.

Another thing I thought of reading your post was all white armor and green helmets with gemstones in Aspect colors. I think it would give a very unified look while referencing the Aspects subtly.

Edit: When I started playing Fire Dragons were red and green.

Everything looks better white fyi but it is my favorite colour or lack of colour as my anal wife says.

Thanks for the replies guys! Some good ideas there. Eadartri, that is a very elegant idea for how to identify the aspects! I am really loving that idea. I think I will paint a few tests, with both my original idea, and your idea for the aspects and see which turns out. Thanks again for the input. I'll post up some pics once I get my new painting area set up and get some tests painted.