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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!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/732158/9481702.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/732158/9481702.page GMT
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.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/732158/9481716.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/732158/9481716.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/732158/9481738.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/732158/9481738.page GMT 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. ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/732158/9481815.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/732158/9481815.page GMT 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.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/732158/9482551.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/732158/9482551.page GMT