I'm with you on the quick and easy ! Wish i had the time/patience for the mini dioramas often shown around these parts but someone would only put their coffee mug on one mid game anyway :-)
I'm also for high contrast basing - tactically crazy of course but i want to both see my paint job and be able to quickly identify my units on the board. Therefore black marrines, blue eldar, red admech and dark grey guard in the desert - the guard are even still wearing their great coats !! 
All three armies have been painted slightly differently as i try to devise the ultimate (lazy/efficient) method. My best tips for what they're worth :
The GW textured is a great scale for Epic. I used Stirland (sp?) mud for my TOEG 2012 eldar - worked well for me imho : http://www.tacticalwargames.net/taccmd/viewtopic.php?f=119&t=23246
I painted the base around the feet first in Rhinox hide (sp?) (seems to be an almost exact match) which is much easier to place and not dab the mini than the the textured stuff. I also added in some small stones for variety of scale. Quick couple of drybrushes with Khemri (sp?) Dust mixes and you're done.
I was also recommended Vallejo textured gell by someone on this board which is very similar, if a little finer, easier to apply and about 1/20 the price (£6 for about a large jam jars worth!) though it only comes in desert and clear. Am assured it mixes with GW paint no problem. I used desert with an Army Painter Soft shade to good effect on my guard infantry and came out great as a sandy desert (sorry no pics yet.)
Be aware textured paints eat brushes - use an old one!
Finally, if you use sand, stick it on first then spray under coat in an suitable colour - stops it coming back off again as you try to paint it !
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). Thought that with a drybrush and maybe the odd sprinkle of green flock it might come up ok? Was thinking I might I even try doing the bases then put the Guardians on and touch up around their feet. Fingers crossed...
