T'au Empire Commander Shadowsun (Warhammer 40k) with her two drones, painted to Level 2 in a dark blue urban scheme with orange lenses and ruin basing.
Private commission · Level 2 · Delivered in July 2026. T'au Empire Commander Shadowsun accompanied by her two tactical support Drones, painted in a custom dark blue armour scheme with warm orange markings and lenses. Crisp edge highlighting, smooth transitions and architectural ruin scenic basing.
The project
This Warhammer 40,000 commission features the legendary Commander Shadowsun (O'Shaserra) of the T'au Empire in her experimental XV22 stealth battlesuit, escorted by her Advanced Guardian Drone and Command-link Drone. The classic Vior'la sept white was intentionally dropped in favour of a custom urban and night-operations camouflage palette, ideal for infiltration and rapid deployment.
The armour was resolved in petrol blue and dark cyan tones following the studio's standard methodology: a flawless airbrushed base, precise panel lining to separate every mechanical plate, and a final edge highlight in pale ice blue that gives outstanding readability and definition to the geometric T'au shapes.
To create vibrant chromatic contrast and lead the eye to the focal points, a saturated fire orange was used on optical visors, drone lenses, armour hooves and squadron markings. The lens work includes a subtle OSL glow on the central visor of the left-hand drone, suggesting live battlefield technology.
Shadowsun is anchored in a dynamic pose rising over a ruined architectural column of weathered grey stone, surrounded by skulls and rubble. Her main base and the drones' flying bases share an arid ochre and burnt earth terrain, making the cool blue armour pop as much as possible.
Featured techniques
- Panel lining: selective shading in the armour grooves to emphasise the mechanical design of T'au technology.
- Edge highlighting: controlled highlights on the edges and corners of the military blue with pale cyan tones.
- Contrast lenses / spot OSL: lenses, sensors and cameras in warm orange over a dark background for maximum readability.
- Scenic & ruin basing: raised base with sculpted architectural rubble, skulls and golden arid earth texture to complement the cool palette.
Miniatures included
- 1x Commander Shadowsun in XV22 battlesuit (with two light fusion blasters / flechette launchers).
- 1x Advanced Guardian Drone (support drone with visor and shield field).
- 1x Command-link Drone.
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