I use Vallejo paints now, as I find them to be a much better consistency than the GW paints. They also flow much better from the brush when applying it to the miniature. To be more specific, I use Game Color paints, as I've found these to be better suited towards the painting I'll be doing. Model Color paints are higher quality, if that's possible, but are tailored more for "showcase" miniatures so I don't use them. That isn't to say that I don't use any GW products, however. I do make use of their washes (which really are "magic in a bottle") and their foundation paints. Vallejo has their own line of similar products, but I've not had a chance to test them out yet. ;)
The natural start place was going to be the tabards. Scarlett Red (#72012)/Scab Red is the color of choice here for the base coat. After this was applied (its okay to be messy on this stage), I proceeded to paint all of the crusader seals and tear drops, as you should try to paint all of your like colors at the same time. For the shoulder pads, parchment, and skulls, I used a very thinned down Astronomican Grey (4:1 Water:Paint) to give me the coverage I needed. Now I'd be able to get the lighter colors (i.e. white) on the miniatures without having to do a billion coats. At this consistency, the paint flowed nicely and didn't leave any brush strokes on the shoulder pads. That is extremely important, as brush strokes are a quite visible flaw to the eye, even from a distance.
Anyway, that is my progress for now. See you in a couple days with the next set. :)