Not shure if it is just a matter of taste. This miniature looks really good, as said before nothing obvious to critique. I think you suffer the same problem that many have: It is just a normal miniature, not a fancy one, not outstanding in any particular way in the mass of pretty well painted miniatures.
For your painting: I would personally have gone for blueish shadows on the white. This way they are less subtle but still would look right. This could also help to bind the piece together since the head is blue as well.
Some other very little points:
- I don't think the dark top of the head is a problem.
- The red highlight on the weapon seems to be pretty harsh and looks like that old GW comic style. Same on the shoulder pad. I feel this could be blended in better.
- It looks like there are a few steps missing from the darkest shadows to the basecolour of the red cloak. Again, it looks a bit harsh in some areas.
- Additionally the shadows seemingly do not follow a clear lighting situation. Nothing wrong with that for a TT work. Just wanted to point it out since you asked for critique.
- I personally don't like the paper hanging from the sword. I think the colour doesn't really fit the piece and I don't understand why a high-tech Tau warrior would have that. Maybe this is GW-Fluff, I am not into that. To me it looks a bit out of place.
As you see, many of these things are personal taste. I think this is a well executed paintjob that lead to a very good looking miniature.
For the score: I don't know the squad, but more miniatures painted in the same way always look more impressive than a single one! Especially with a nice colour scheme like yours which is so full of contrast.
Place this one in the midst of the squad and ask people which of the miniatures they like most. If this is your best one, they will point that out. The other way around: single miniatures of the squad will propably get lower scores than the whole unit.
