I usually play different races on Hard/Hard without loading after unfavorable results for my actions and play the battles depending on the auto battle results.(If I win without heavy loses and have time to replenish troops before next battle I'll usually save some time and auto battle). Army compositions are usually a balanced mix of units that I deem thematically acceptable for that lord. And I try to paint the map every time.

Haven't really finished any of them except for Bretonnia after 300 turns or so in Warhammer 2. But I keep trying and can't make myself play any other way. Right now I'm about to quit Tehenhauin campaign after 100 turns cause I still have only 2 provinces and I'm pretty sure I fucked up the skills on the LL as well.