Color schemes play a vital role in the miniature wargaming world of Warhammer, particularly when it comes to painting and customizing your armies. A well-chosen color scheme can elevate your miniatures from mere toys to stunning works of art, conveying the unique identity and aesthetic of your army. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the world of Tau color schemes, providing you with a wealth of information and inspiration to create breathtaking armies.
Understanding Tau Color Schemes
The Tau Empire, a technologically advanced and highly disciplined faction in the Warhammer universe, is known for its striking and cohesive color schemes. Tau armies typically feature a palette of blues, whites, and metallic colors, which reflect their emphasis on technology and unity. When creating a Tau color scheme, it's essential to balance these core colors with accent colors that add depth and visual interest to your miniatures.
Core Colors
- Tau Blue: This iconic blue hue is synonymous with the Tau Empire and serves as the primary color for most Tau armies.
- White: Used as a secondary color, white adds contrast and highlights to your miniatures, creating a sense of cleanliness and sophistication.
- Metallic Colors: Metallic colors, such as silver, gold, and copper, are used to represent the Tau's advanced technology and machinery.
Accent Colors
Accent colors are used to add depth and visual interest to your Tau army, creating a unique identity for your force. When selecting accent colors, consider the following options:
- Earth Tones: Burnt sienna, umber, and ochre can add warmth and depth to your miniatures, evoking a sense of earthiness and connection to the planet.
- Bright Colors: Vibrant colors like red, green, and yellow can be used to create striking accents, highlighting key features or adding visual interest to your miniatures.
- Dark Colors: Darker colors like black, dark grey, and dark blue can be used to create shadows and add depth to your miniatures, creating a sense of dimensionality.
Tau Color Scheme Templates
To help you get started, we've created several Tau color scheme templates that you can use as a starting point for your army. Feel free to modify these templates to suit your personal preferences and style.
Template 1: Classic Tau
- Tau Blue (primary color)
- White (secondary color)
- Metallic Silver (accent color)
Example Miniature:
- Apply Tau Blue to the majority of the miniature's armor.
- Use White to highlight raised edges and create a sense of cleanliness.
- Add Metallic Silver accents to represent technology and machinery.
Advanced Color Scheme Techniques
Once you've mastered the basics of Tau color schemes, you can experiment with advanced techniques to create truly unique and stunning armies.
- Gradients: Use gradual transitions between colors to create a sense of depth and dimensionality.
- Non-Metallic Metals (NMM): Use subtle color gradations to create the illusion of metallic surfaces without using metallic paints.
- Washes and Glazes: Apply thinned paints or inks to create subtle shading and depth on your miniatures.
Conclusion
Creating a Tau color scheme is an exciting and creative process that allows you to express your personal style and flair. By understanding the core colors, accent colors, and advanced techniques outlined in this guide, you'll be well on your way to creating breathtaking armies that showcase your artistic skills. Remember to experiment, take risks, and have fun with the process – and don't hesitate to share your creations with the Warhammer community!
Share your thoughts and experiences with Tau color schemes in the comments below! What's your favorite color scheme, and how do you approach creating unique and striking armies?
What is the primary color of the Tau Empire?
+Tau Blue is the primary color of the Tau Empire.
How can I create a unique Tau color scheme?
+Experiment with different accent colors, gradients, and advanced techniques like NMM and washes/glazes to create a unique Tau color scheme.
What are some common accent colors used in Tau color schemes?
+Earth tones, bright colors, and dark colors are commonly used as accent colors in Tau color schemes.