Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

As I'm finishing up my Ork army, which has been a reasonable feat, I'm turning my focus to my Tau army. This is an all Crisis Suit army with Drones so pretty assembly line in terms of models. However I am not a good painter and I really don't enjoy that portion of the hobby, I've always been on the player side of things but I certainly don't like putting bare plastic or primed models on the table.

For reference my Orks are all Primed White, skin is painted with one color (depends on the unit), weapons and fiddly bits are painted Boltgun Metal. I then dip them, matte varnish, done. That, for me, is tabletop quality and is about what I'm looking to do with my Tau. However I don't think dip would look very good on Crisis Suits and a wash is more appropriate. I do sort of like dirtier/worn looking models a bit more than super clean cut, which Tau usually are.

My initial thoughts were Prime White, use a vibrant color on alternating parts of the suit, so one section painted, one white, etc., and then use a wash. Probably a complimentary color for the guns and pieces of wargear since Tau stuff usually isn't metallic. But I'd love to get suggestions since as I said I am not a painter. My overall goal is to just keep it simple and within my abilities and time to follow through on.

Thanks!

Hmm, have you thought about a Black undercoat?

Tau Battlesuits seem to be a two-tone scheme, the underparts are generally a black and then the actual Hull & Armour Plating a second colour.

Was thinking you could keep it a dark scheme, perhaps Kantor Blue for the Hull / Armour Plating, and then just a drybrush over the Black with Dark Reaper and Kantor Blue with Alaitoc Blue to provide some highlights.

You can then keep the black spray in the recesses for shading, and no need for dipping.

My only issue with that, in personal experience, is that black really makes bright colors not do well. Now I could prime white, do some sections in black, and do the others in whatever color but honestly I don't know if I have the steady hand/patience for that. Doing a black prime with a bright color over on some parts, then maybe a slight wash to smooth out the primer would be fantastic but I don't know if I can get the bright color to work.

I'm an Imperial player but I've got a soft spot for mechs.
My Tau suit is dark grey mechanical bits, with blue for the armour pieces. A lighter grey for a few panels. I really like it.

I used a grey primer for everything, it's a nice middle that gives bright light colours but works well for dark too.

To keep bright colors and add a heavy wash you can always "slick" up the model.
Paint all your bright colors over a grey or white prime.
Spray the model in a gloss seal or Future floor polish.
Let thoroughly dry.
Heavy wash.
By adding the smooth gloss the wash doesn't want to stay on flats or raised surfaces so it flows into recesses even more. Takes a bit more work to finess the wash and avoid spotting but saves a ton of time in the end.