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Model paint guide
How to paint a T'au Ethereal
An Ethereal is robes and honour markings more than armour. Match sept accents, keep cloth clean. Unofficial fan recipe.
Difficulty 2 / 5 · ~4 hrs · Updated 2026-07-10
Unofficial fan guide. Citadel paint and kit names identify products for sale. Not affiliated with Games Workshop.
Primer
Start here
Grey Seer or Wraithbone
Step
Robes and skin
Robes: Apothecary White with Ultramarines Blue or Blood Angels Red accents. Skin: Talassar Blue or Guilliman Flesh depending on caste look.
Step
Staff and details
Staff: Leadbelcher, Nuln Oil, optional Warp Lightning glow. Honour seals: Iyanden Yellow or Blood Angels Red.
Step
Base
Astrogranite matching Fireblades.
Buy paints
Paints for Ethereal
Colour chips are approximate. Buy links open live marketplace search for that Citadel paint across Shopify catalog stores and other sources.
- Find storesApothecary White
- Find storesUltramarines Blue
- Find storesTalassar Blue
- Find storesLeadbelcher
- Find storesWarp Lightning
- Find storesAstrogranite
- Find storesGrey Seer
Video
YouTube tutorials
External videos. We link creators whose techniques match this kit. Watch on YouTube. Support the painter if you use their method.
- How to Paint: Lion El'JonsonWarhammer / Citadel Colour
Character workflow. Match Cadre Fireblade accents.
Further reading
Other painters
- How to paint a T'au Cadre Fireblade
Infantry companion. Same sept colours.
Army recipes
Match the rest of the force
Common questions
How long does it take to paint Ethereal?
About 4 hours for a tabletop-to-display finish at difficulty 2 / 5.
What primer should I use for Ethereal?
Grey Seer or Wraithbone
Where do I buy Ethereal?
Open the Tau Empire: Ethereal price page for the live sealed floor, then set a watch under the middle of that band.
Are these official Games Workshop instructions?
No. Unofficial fan recipes that name Citadel paints and kits as products. Not affiliated with Games Workshop.