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Hello! In a few months (after the new Space Marine codex comes out) I plan on starting both a Tau and a Space Marine army at the same time. I'll build a 500 pt list of both, then 1000, etc. For reference I'm completely new and have never painted a model before. I was wondering if anyone could recommend one of the cheaper sets to buy for practice on painting. It doesn't have to be Tau or Space Marine, but I would like to to include parts that I could potentially add to my Tau and Space Marine models. Maybe an Ork set that has some cool spikey bits or Astra Militarum with some cool backpacks or something.

So in summary can anyone recommend a cheap Warhammer 40k model set that would be good to practice painting on and also has some good parts that can spice up my other future models? Thanks!

1st off, I will say don't start 2 armies at the same time. Especially if you're brand new to the hobby.

Anyway, there is the new get started painting set coming out soon that has 6 paints and 3 assault intercessor marines. And I remember GW saying they were unique sculpts. But you're looking at about $30.

For just the figures, to practice on, you can't go wrong with Reaper's Bones figures. They're around 3 or $4 a piece and there are some that could probably be used as proxies in a marine or tau

If you've got a local GW pop in and ask - they should have individual Marines (and Stormcast) to give away. If your local is an indy it's probably worth asking as well - most will have a bits box or similar.

For space marine practice, the old monopose marines which came in old boxed sets of 40k such as "McRagge" and "Assault on Black Reach" should be quite easy to come by. I bet they can be found on ebay for peanuts.

Talking about these guys:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Warhammer-40K-Space-Marine-Tactical-Squad-x-10-Captain-Assault-Black-Reach/114351170588?hash=item1a9fdc641c:g:CuMAAOSwC9lfJEYi

My favorite way to practice painting is on metal models - that way, it can easily be stripped down to re-paint once I've "overdone it" on that one.

You can probably find some Tau models or Ork models in metal pretty inexpensively, or ask another Tau or Ork player if they have any laying about.

I'll echo the above, don't start two armies at the same time. Pick a force that you really like the look of, and the lore around, that will keep your interest. Painting models is a marathon, not a sprint, and if you don't like the models or the look, you won't get far. Its happened to me more than I'd like to admit. LoL.

Valiant 1/72 stuff is a good bet- you can pick up a sprue of about 10 for around £4, they're about 25mm scale, probably usable as Guard proxies. Great to get your eye in

Echoing the "don't start two armies at the same time" sentiment.

But with that said, the little 'paint starters' that just dropped aren't terrible if you have zero paints or anything and want to match the Ultramarines colors for either faction.