Cadre of Mesme Ukos Refresh
Recommendations: 595
About the Project
My Tau have been languishing partly done for going on 20 years. The release of the new Farsight model made me want to finally get the army finished. They are organised by 20 years ago rules, but I'm sticking with it and they will hopefully finally be feeling loved again.
Related Game: Warhammer 40,000
Related Company: Games Workshop
Related Genre: Science Fiction
Related Contest: Spring Clean Hobby Challenge 2026
This Project is Active
Commander Squad Complete!
The Squad is finished at last!
I am so chuffed as they came out better than I hoped. I added extra details to the Ethereals such as an attempt at purple gems and fancy metallics.
Commander’s Retinue step-by-step
with the colour scheme all decided I’m working through the squad of 12.
- Black Undercoat.
- Tau flesh – my own blend of shadow grey & elf flesh.
- Eyes – Mechrite Red.
- Cloak, base coat Vomit Brown.
- Cloaks – build up layers until its a smooth colour.
- Touch up any smudges with Black.
- Cloth – Red Gore, Layer up until smooth.
- Touch up smudges with black or correct colour.
- Armour – Liche Purple. Layer up till nice and even.
- Touch up with Black.
- Hair – Drybrush Dark Flesh.
- Helmet sights – Mechrite red.
- Weapons, Accessories, etc – use a mixture of silver & all the colours to give these a pop.
- Cloaks – veins – create a sinuous pattern with Liche Purple, Golden Yellow, Red Gore & Blood Red. Pattern the outer side & hoods only as the inside of cloaks turned out to be really hard to reach.
- Units Drones – change centre circle to Vomit Brown and add the Veins to match squad & vehicle.
I am currently halfway through Squad and will post a photo once I’m finished.
Deciding on a colour-way for the Ethereal's retinue
So I had several ideas.
Standard fire warrior colours with Purple cloaks.
Drybrushed purple with a stand out cloak in yellow/brown with veins.
Veined cloaks with red & purple underneath.
I want to make these guys stand out, I’m particularly fond of them as it’s my first attempt at sculpting anything. The cloaks are green stuff & while it’s not the best in the world I’m still chuffed with my efforts.
Out of all the ideas I like the red cloth, purple armour and veined cloaks best.
The drybrushed ones looked rushed & even bringing in the outlines again made them look scruffy and like I haven’t spent enough time on them.
While I love the purple cloak, the regular colours just weren’t special enough.
The inverted colours and veined cloaks are the winning combo is toon for me. It has a Star Wars praetorian guard vibe and I’m liking it.
Time to re-Undercoat the failed tests and get stuck into the squad.
Reminiscing on battles of yore….
So, this popped up in my memories today. 12 whole years since my Tau got taken anywhere nice!
It’s the other half’s birthday again today which got me thinking, maybe by next time it rolls around I’ll have a fully painted force to try to decimate some guardsmen with…












































