Now I'm happy with my scheme, painting is under-way (although slowed slightly by final year exams) and here is what I have done so far:

First up, my completed fire warriors:

I have another 2 awaiting sept marks, lenses and varnishing before they get promoted to the squad.

And no squad would be complete without a Shas'Ui to guide them:

The head and hand have been green stuffed (the unpainted head is here).
I also collect Marines so I feel the need to embellish squad leaders with more detail, though I haven't decided what additions he is going to get yet.

I'm planning to add some grass to the base to add some colour, especially as green grass will complement the armour's red panels.
Coming soon (after the very dull Professional, Ethical and Policy Issues exam) is my first battlesuit. Feedback is always welcome (especially on what colour I should paint Tau eyes).
Thanks.

The sculpted mini is looking great, and those painted Fire Warriors are looking good too. Could we get some closer shots of individual warriors? I would like to see them in greater detail.

Really loving those Firewarrior Hal! Your color scheme is really well done and I like where the Shas'Ui is going. Consider attaching his helmet to his belt like Tael does. Actually, I think you already did; I think I see it in the back...

Wow, I see they are coming along nicely!

I really, I mean really like your Shas'Ui. You have used just enough converting to make him stand out, yet not seem out of place when put in a squad of regular Firewarriors.
Also, i'm looking forward to seeing how the grass turns out on your bases ........... (that would be static grass, yes?)

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I love your minis!

I always have a problem when it comes to basing. Could you give me a run-through of how you manage to get yours looking so awesome? =)

those bases look pretty much the same as mine. Buy some small gravel, I prefer to look at model railroad stores for mine because for the same price as a small tub of games workshop gravel I can get almost 4 times as much. Using a toothpick, spread PVA glue onto the base. Dip it into your tub of gravel, and shake off the excess. When you prime the Bohden, the base is almost done. Once primed, paint the base just like you do the model. I find that drybrushing a light coat for codex gray, a lighter coat of fortress gray, and a dusting of skull white works best for bases.

@Wolfs16
Yes, he does have a helmet on his belt. I figure that the Tau posses more common sense than Marines (who have replaced their need for common sense with purity seals and shouting bald men).

@Agentarrow
Unfortunately I only have access to an iPhone camera, but I'll do what I can.

@Commander Enclave
The bases are pretty straightforward, I use PVA and sand all over the base before letting it dry before applying another layer of sand to some part of the base to add depth.
Next I undercoat the models with Chaos Black.

I recipe for painting my bases is:
Chardon granite base.
An overbrush of 80:20 Charadon granite to Khemri Brown
A drybrush of 50:50 Charadon Granite and Dehneb Stone
A final light drybrush of Dehneb Stone to parts of the base to add some variation in colour.
Finally, paint the rim graveyard earth.

Hope that helps!

Just as a quick question, what are people thoughts on Tau eye colour?

That's a pretty nice combination of colors there, I might have to try it out once or twice.
Also, the iPhone has a nice camera, especially for a mobile device.

Another idea instead of sand for the bases is Budgie grit (the stuff for the bottom of bird cages). It is a mixture of fine and large grit with bits of smashed up shells. This gives a nice mix of different textures.

I use an ink or heavily watered down acrylic wall paint dye as this is absorbed by some particles but not by all and has a similar effect to drybrushing.

A few spots of static grass and grey/black speckles (model railway gravel) and this is a quick and easy base. See http://advancedtautactica.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=15729 for examples.

Nice, very similar in color scheme to mine except I used orange accents instead of the red. Yours are much more muted and pleasing to the eye, I havent figured out how to mute orange yet.

Very nice work, Hal! Keep it up!

In answer to your question, I'm struggling to remember the canon that I've seen but I always imagine Tau eyes to be like ours but with subtly different irises like amber, light blue or grey. For the puropses of painting I just made mine white with a black pupil.

I may be wrong though as I think that officially Kroot have milky white eyes but I picture them better in my story as being yellow...

Well as for eye colour, most people use either red or orange.
Also, I belive that fluff-wise tau eye colour is supposed to be "almond"

Here's a link to a thread about tau eye colour http://www.advancedtautactica.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3653

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As Exam time draws to a close, long range sensors are detecting a large Tyranid incursion on a direct course towards my gaming table so I figured I'd better get a move on and mobilise the troops!

A WIP shot of my cadre's HQ.


Most of my army is a repaint of an army I bought from a friend who no longer plays. As a result models can be a bit rough around joins etc.
I intend to use battle damage to hide the imperfections and create a more worn look to contrast with my clean green marines.

Though he is now called Commander Noblestride, in his previous incarnation he gained the nickname "Shas'O Bang!" due to his unusually successful hit and run attacks.
We always joked that while he was good in CC, he rolled a lot of ones during shooting which we put down to a Fio loading his stimulant injectors with beer by mistake

On another note, I'm finding that Vallejo paints aren't adhering to the primer as well as Citadel paints. Any suggestions?

Aah, so beautiful! I must ask, how did you get sun a smooth and vibrant red, I cannot for the life of me get a decent red down.

Hal :
In the short time I've used Vallejo, I haven't really noticed it too much (at least, not any more frequently than with GW paints). Of course, I am also using their "Game Color" line which, if I remember correctly, is not supposed to rub off due to handling. My only suggestion would be to seal the models once you're done or at intermediate steps to help prevent that.

Sorry I can't be of more help, but that's the best I can do for now. Great job so far on the Crisis Suit, and I'm looking forward to seeing what else you have on the table!

- Kor'Vre SpartanTau

Now that exams are over I've had some time to finish my first fire warrior squad.
While I did take a load of shots, only the one of my Shas'Ui was in focus (albeit grainy as well).



I'll try to take some more images of the squad tomorrow with some better light.

Also I've just noticed I'm no longer a Shas'Saal, the ethereals must be smiling on me!

Because of your quality posting you were promoted. Keep up the good work! And since this has mainly to do with painting, I'm moving it to the Painting section.

As for the Shas'Ui itself, it looks great. But may I suggest you paint some gem effects on the right gauntlet? It gives it a nice futuristic feel when there are a bunch of shiny things around.

Very nice work Hal!

Did you use a detail pen or a brush for the eyes? They turned out great!
Eagerly anticipating more pictures !!

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I have access to better camera so let the torrent of images begin!

First up, my converted Shas'Ui


Shas'Ui getting ordering his Firewarriors into formation.


I'm starting on my Stealth Suits

I'm not sure about painting the camo pattern rather than plain grey, what do people think?

Also some drones

Both turned out well but I'm undecided as to which scheme to use, I think the red trim looks good but the red can be overpowering.

More coming soon (hopefully!).
Thanks for looking.

Nice job Hal!

I like the glow efect you put on the grenades and the detail you put into the bonding knife!
Nice urban cammo on the Stealths as well!

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