How To Make Even Terrible Old World Models Look Good

[@HankMoustache]

You had me at "Up until recently they were extremely cheap to pick up on the secondary market". Sorry when have tomb kings EVER been cheap on the secondary market? 😅

[@crann777]

Right? That skeleton sprue was $20 for 5 dudes on eBay just yesterday. Dude has never been on eBay, lol.

[@Anecron1]

I don't think he's been keeping that close of an eye on the Tomb King secondary market. =)

[@judgechan9036]

For real!

[@leeboy007b]

Haha came here to comment the same. They’ve never been cheap on the second hand market. Every kit that wasn’t on gw’s website still under cities or Sigmar had ridiculous prices on eBay, some times like 10x more

[@yaacheese8643]

These old models only were rising in prices every few years, but it's trendy to hate on GW I guess...

[@timparks9833]

I like the old skeletons. It’s tough to find just a regular old Jason and the Argonauts or Army of Darkness style skellybone anymore.

[@antigrav6004]

Check out wargames Atlantic skeletons for that, they were inspired by Jason and the Argonauts. I used citadel skulls on them.

[@KingdomEnfilade]

There are a number of ranges available now. Oathmark, Wargames Atlantic, Mantic.

[@ExileTwilight]

I was always bothered more by how a box of 16 (I think) came with a sprue that could give like... 2 kopeshes and 10 unique heads? You even had to put freaking potlids on a quarter of your skellies because they re-used the 25 year old VC sculpts, and if you used hand weapons on them you had no choice but to go completely mishmash on this highly organized and regimented unit of soldiers. It's like selling Free Company Militia as State Troops. That and the prices for models that need no work but to make more.. Nah, it upsets me. Don't even get me started on those horrible horses..

[@totallycarbon2106]

People have mentioned wargames Atlantic and oathmark - I've tried both of those but I've ended up using Warlord Game's skeleton warriors with citadel skulls. They are the fiddliest skeletons to build but I found them much easier to convert and kitbash with and the end result is gorgeous.

[@JayWalshe]

I think that you could get the old skeleton to look more like it came from the same army as the new Tomb King model if you used some of the specific TK bits on it. My TK skeletons have golden arm bands, head dresses, khopeshes, and tower shields that give them that ancient Egyptian look that this poor guy is missing. I also love these old skeletons *because* they are simpler than the modern models. There's fewer fiddly little bits to get my brush to, and fewer paints that I need on my palette. Plus they remind me of the Harryhausen skeletons from Jason and the Argonauts, which is a vibe I really enjoy.

[@Robman0908]

I love these old models. I’m glad they are coming back. They had character and remind me of the art work in the older GW and D&D products

[@Ilbellapie]

😊

[@sprocket5526]

Problem is not the old molds, its the pricing of them. These are old injection molds was pay off +25 years ago. Its almost free money for GW and they know they can charge what they do for it, don't get me wrong, I'd do the same. why make an effort if you can get whales to throw money at you for little to no effort? if there were half the of the current price, then we are getting near to what I'd call a more reasonable price point for a 30 year old product they spun up to milk whales.

[@B.D.E.]

@@sprocket5526 I wouldn't do the same though. Customer goodwill and supporting the comunity that made you is worth a lot. Inclusion of older molds should equate to cheaper boxes. Doesn't have to be half price, but it should show consideration.

[@AlexUCP]

If, at some point, you find the time to make a fully fleshed out tutorial with multiple examples (and maybe multiple levels of difficulty) to showcase this method of painting, that would be a fabulous video. Love your style of painting but kinda scared to apply it on a full army! Great results as always, thank you for your work !

[@ChandlerCollins]

@AlexUCP he’s got 2 that I would say focus entirely on this method! The first was a Space Dwarf video titled something like “This will change how you paint Warhammer FOREVER” and the other is an alien titled something like “SMASH CHOP! Like Slap Chop but good” 😊 Hope you like them because they are some of my favorite videos- I’m also a huge Craftworld Studios fan

[@lkyuvsad]

You can’t make a fully fleshed out tutorial when you’re painting a skeleton army

[@danroberts007]

@@lkyuvsadba-dum-tissshhhh. 😂

[@Crivicus]

I got the TK box. It was almost perfect for me to complete my old tomb kings army I had from back in the day - would I have liked new sculpts? sure, but the ascetic would be different especially if I mixed the models in a unit. I might pick up another army if they continue with the old world enough and actually bring out new minis for it. I hope they do it but it will depend upon how well the launch has gone I guess.

[@xavrikxify]

I personally think there is something wonderfully nostalgic about those big ass skeletons. I love them.

[@RyanSultana]

they ugly

[@embir82]

Believe me, you are not the only one.

[@sirbobulous]

I really like this style you've been developing and sharing. I've been using it as a way of giving me 'speedpaint+' results, where it's still painted fast with the focus on getting done quick. But getting a result that looks more visually striking than the simplest speedpaint methods.

[@GarethHreidmar]

Wow I’ll have to rewatch this a few times to watch your blending. These look amazing and I love the color fades. Your time with Vince and Sam is really pushing you in good ways! Love your work and your videos!

[@ThirdAndOnly]

I will not hear a word against these beatiful chonkers how dare you call them terrible. Joking asside great stuff man! Though these models really werent cheap on the second hand market. 30 pounds kits were regularly going for 100.

[@andrewbakescakes9684]

Awesome tutorial, and agree on the derpy mismatch of the cool new models and the goofy pre-7th edition models.

[@themrmanguy7912]

I’m gonna try this on a couple of Necrons. I think it’ll look cool with the right base.

[@nikimizi3696]

Oh my! Jon, your Tomb King painting is mindblowing, I didn't believe it could turn out that amazing!

[@fedemotta3]

I may be alone in this, but I really like and even prefer oldhammer. This is a box I would pick up before most new GW releases. Some of us exist I guess

[@fallingfreelyart]

I LOVE the Craftworld inspired style you've been using. It adds so much vibrancy so any piece. Gorgeous work!

[@StevenQBarnes]

I loved warhammer back in the day, but didn't have any minis since I grew up. This box was PERFECT for me.

[@jacobdobrowski3166]

Honestly, I am exited for Old World releases. Maybe not Old World itself, but seeing GW attempt to bring back old models really excites me. Out of curiosity one day, I looked up some fantasy army showcases, mostly retro stuff, and now I am hooked on the idea of a fantasy army. One video in particular had a chaos army with almost no repeat models, all different even if in the same unit. Army showcases are dangerous inspiration.

[@ЮрийКонстантинов-п2р]

It is so awesome watching your journey through the underpainting style I’m also staring to miss your actual army painting videos. Those were great too

[@Gloomshimmer]

Try it with some parts from T3mu Jon. I bet some childs have copied enough minis from somewhere. Oh and surprise, your mini is in blue\orange contrast, like every mini you paint.

[@SnowTroIl]

Very excited to return to Old World. Interesting tips in this video, something to think about if I ever get the urge to start a new army.

[@johnbrennan6321]

Love the wet blending contrast paints going to give it a go. Thanks

[@morganw.4711]

This under painting technique is SO HELPFUL! I think I might be able to paint my super colorful harlequins now, thank you so much!

[@VladStValentine]

I know there are a few of us who came to WArhammer due to the Total War games. As such I'm attempting to collect and paint all the faction leaders. However, since the TW games are based on the Old World this has been damn near impossible. The re-releases are a blessing... or at least they would be if they stayed in stock longer than 1 hour after launch.

[@MP-xk6sc]

bro just wet blends these exuberant gradients in like it's nothing.

[@CrimsonLord224]

How do you choose your contrast colors? That worked out swimmingly for the bronze/gold

[@Kohlenstofffasermonster]

A list of the colors would be nice indeed

[@goona1993]

I’ve watched loads of Ninjon videos and it’s really helped improve my painting. This is another level though. Can’t wait to try it out

[@yuliydubovyk3080]

Love the honesty at the beginning of the segmet. I wish more youtubers did this. Great video!

[@antoinelucchini658]

Wow I think you totally nailed it on this one! It’s great to have another take on the “craftworld” style I love so much, thanks a million

[@ElNick09]

Old models certainly have their limitations, but I do wish more designers would look back to them for inspiration. The limitations in the casting technology of the time meant that sculptors had to make smart choices about adding details, not just cramming pouches and daggers and filigree everywhere there was space to do so. Overloaded models are exhausting models, prone to the 'unfinished project' curse.

[@trisbane4086]

Couldn't agree more. I always get a little bilious any time I see new GW sculpts with all their superfluous detail.

[@Panjax]

As soon as I found CraftWorldStudio I've loved that style too. Looking forward to getting to try it out as you've made it easier to understand where to start from, thanks!

[@wyattvale9462]

I don't understand the mentality behind bashing these older models especially at release. Old World seems to be for people who already wanted to play fantasy and that's about it. I would love for them to have new models but its un realistic to expect that for a rerelease of a game that already died from not having enough sales, why risk it you know. Maybe I was under the impression that fantasy players wanted Fantasy Battles back period, but I couldn't imagine the belly aching that would happen because "my whole army is outdated" from the addition of new models combined with a base resize. Idk seems like everyone clambered for a game to be brought back from the dead and expected them to fully support it with new ranges when they already have 2 big army battle games that make them a good chunk of change.

[@stevefredericks1645]

Maaaan that bit about figuring out your own style really hit home for me. Really love your adaptation of Craftworld, looks great and is something I'm definitely gonna try.

[@paulvernon2956]

I love that they are bringing back the old models. Get to pick up stuff I missed as a kid. Nostalgia is worth a lot apparently.

[@ryanivy7024]

He casually paints something better, faster, than anything I’ve ever painted in my life. 😂😂

[@RyanEdwardsVA]

Seeing that old skeleton next to the new model all painted up, it really is night and day. Like you say, they don't even look like they belong in the same army. If a year ago someone told me these came in the same box set as part of the same model line, I'd have laughed in their face.

[@carlstanford7607]

The thing about these old skeletons over new ones is how easy they are to paint. Not a lot of detail and simple paint schemes

[@JorenMathews]

They could make a simple skeleton in the new style and it would look amazing.

[@ZeeLobby]

And when you gotta paint 100 of them it's a real plus

[@ZeeLobby]

​@@JorenMathewsdef true. I wouldn't mind that. Honestly I don't think today's GW modelers can help adding 80 bits and bobs to a monopose model tho

[@hansyolo8277]

Fair. But then why are they the same price, or more expensive, than the current modern models?

[@ZeeLobby]

@@hansyolo8277 have they dropped prices for them yet? Just curious. I mean they're in the big box but like, there's a ton of stuff in there.

[@akhil090579]

Hey can you do an in depth discussion about how you use golden so flat, thinning, using flow improver, mixing and best practise because i have switched and love the fact they are all the same consistency, which my miniature paints didn't have which was annoying. I love them but would love some of your thoughts...

[@lenrundblad]

I never really thought about using multiple contrast paints and undercoats for some extra flair, the final result is lovely! Great stuff Joninja

[@Svengar]

I’ve picked up a copy of this TK box. Thankfully I still think they look great. I would have liked a revamp on some stuff like the horses of course but they do still look good overall. I love the paint job on your character model. The infantry guy might have looked even better if you had used the unique TK bits since otherwise the skellies look just like VC infantry which isn’t a surprise since they are the same kit

[@KanzRedDusk]

Great tutorial and showcase of a very interesting technique. However, it's hard to agree with the sentiment that these two models don't look like they're from the same army when you didn't build the poor skelly with any Tomb Kings bits at all, like their headdress, jewels and specially the shield. You didn't have literally anything to put the army scheme colors in to help tie them together. I might try painting my old metal Queen Khalida in this new painting scheme you show and she how well she keeps up with times.

[@Rigo_S]

Completely agree this style (which can be applied in many different ways) is the way forward!

[@Alex-bc3gz]

TOMB KINGS CHEAP??? Did we live on the same planet dude?

[@IamTheActualDave]

Do you normally bring the zenithal down a bit so that you get some places that are at least grey? I find doing a prime only from above leaves heaps of areas too dark still for speed paints, that would have light

[@Mechx66]

I absolutely love your style of painting on this one! Terrified to even consider trying it but this is gorgeous, well done !!

[@pim1234]

What do you think of the Slap Job method of painting ?

[@oleww50]

15:04 glad you addressed the elephant, widely differing aesthetics between the sculpts!

[@joshuabraddy6264]

Super keen to be playing Old World! Its the most excited I've been for a games workshop product in decades.

[@Blacknight8850]

I'm gonna be honest, I love these old skeletons - they're much better as a blank canvas IMO and you can better use them for basing materials and conversions of other minis, as opposed to modern skeletons which are covered in clothing and bits of armour & are made to go together in only one way.

[@Mensch777]

Comment I was looking for. While new minis looks absolutely stunning, they are not modular at all. Also while usually the "nostalgia" argument is weak, here it is the point of the whole thing.

[@Pyromanemac]

Jon did such a good job with the Tomb King. Craftworld Studios is my biggest inspiration for mini painting, I love their style. Alas, I have failed miserably EVERY time I've tried to do the vibrant underpainting. Mrrp. One day.

[@hanshans387]

I am so hyped for the old world!

[@jostonpowell1346]

This hold a certain place in my heart along with VC armies in the late 90s. I grew up with my uncles playing D&D and loved the old 70s and 80s metal sculpts still

[@RyanEdwardsVA]

Looks like the Tacticus code isn't working, at least not from the settings menu in-game.

[@stevenwalsh6179]

Same, says link is invalid

[@matchstick-man]

What's the humidity level in your room like? I feel like I never have that much time with contrast paints to blend. Thinking I need to get a humidifier.

[@cactus_judy3929]

I use rattle cans for the zenithal underpainting effect and they are very hit and miss, but they do turn out okay sometimes. It seems to depend on the paint and also the temperature. Are there any tricks to create the underpainting basecoat without an airbrush?

[@trisbane4086]

The trick is to get an airbrush.

[@DeadEightVids]

With the shadows coming from a darker contrast base coat, how would you go about correcting a mistake to it in a later stage?

[@shamusbeardsmore3462]

This is a great way to paint and love the final look, is there any videos you can recommend where to see more on this technique:) ty

[@graemepotter3487]

This method looks so fun, cant wait to give it a try. I’d love to see how you could use this technique on a model with black focus (black tenplars ect)

[@mariokotlett869]

Hey I Love your Videos. I would like to try this scheme or method for myself but i am afraid to mess it up. Would it be possible to show something similar for chaos marauders and Chaos Knights ? I Have a black and white color scheme in my head. with an Raven like bluish green purple black. Malal Style.

[@blckwtrpark3352]

As someone who only got interested in Warhammer in 2018 when i started playing Total War Warhammer 2, and I immediately fell in love with the Tomb Kings, this box is perfect for me. IDK where you're getting your second hand market prices from, but finding these models in-box/unassembled has been next to impossible and when you do find it they've been charging massive markups due to limited availability. Finally getting to build a Tomb Kings army is the best way to kick off the new year i can think of. Also I'm so surprised to see so many people trashing these models, I like Tomb Kings because of the cool Egyptian flair and none of the other skeleton lines have that setup.

[@HellhoundNL]

I really hope you make tutorials of your paint jobs I just started with the same technique of speedpainting. I love your vids!

[@Alan-pn8nu]

I really like this style of painting and I'm inspired to try it out at some point. I'm curious if it would work well with metallics, perhaps not because of the lack of transparency in metallic paints?

[@studiofoureightnine]

What were the five contrasts you used on the boss mummy character?

[@EdgarAllanPoon]

What is that Tomb King Model? The second one and why can't I find any pictures of it anywhere?

[@FyreTitan]

Really excited to pick these up. It's also really cool to see you show the contrast transitions. I have always loved Craftworld Studios and this makes it seam very approachable

[@GameDelay]

Really appreciate the look at crazy under-painting you're doing recently. Makes painting fun.

[@MarcusSuvanto]

Hey Jon! Love your videos and have been watching since the start. I have a bit of a question/thought here though. You mention you like this approach of using the contrast over zenithal to essentially "skip" the tedious basecoating phase which I agree is a nice way to go about things. However I think you need to mention that this approach does rely on some serious brush control in those later stages which not everyone may have. In previous videos you are quick to shit on the classic Citadel, layer wash layer method because once you hit that basecoat with a wash it is difficult to fix a mistake. That is also true for this method here. If you mentioned this and I totally missed it then nevermind! Dismiss me as an idiot lol

[@judsonbates1359]

What model is he painting with the crest and raised sword?

[@errata2412]

Love the paint job, I think my biggest struggle with the vibrant undercoat is I have no idea how to select the midtones to use

[@andrewrockwell1282]

I have a preorder of that Tomb King box. I played a little 5th and 6th ed back in the day with my lizardmen. So now I want to get back into it. I am a dad with disposable income and I am excited to try painting again after 20 years.

[@jaylonreidhead157]

Wonderful video as always man. Thank you! I too feel like I haven't fallen into my own "style" of miniature painting because I'm constantly trying someting new. With that said, I wouldn't have it any other way :)

[@SnowImp]

Hm, I have one of those boxes - but I was just gonna go for a boring bone colour and then some fancy colours - but I love what you did with the character skeleton.

[@mangoman9290]

The base undead skeleton sprue came out around '98, the TK skellies just added another sprue to it

[@spencerwaters9645]

What colors did you use for these contrast blends? Really want to try this.

[@spencerwaters9645]

Nvm I see them now!

[@donaldxavier2056]

This video blew my mind. Thanks for posting. I am going to experiment with this technique.

[@Ryuondo]

That was a really cool method for under painting! I have to play with this!

[@PaintHandDan]

11:54 this is very well-said; our skills begin to feel stagnant when we sit and dwell in our comfort zone - no fear, go big and fall hard - you WILL rise again & climb higher EVERY time. 👏👏👏Another Banger Ninjon!!! LOL goddamn house-centipedes are awful.

[@ksheehank]

I'm genuinely baffled they make a new unit of infantry for brets but leave the hideous old skeletons alone. Those things alone made me skip TK despite loving skeletons.

[@KneeCapHill]

What unit would the new one be?

[@groke144]

@@KneeCapHill Knights on foot. They are not released yet.

[@photonfartsqueeze6694]

They show their age, but I think they are charming. Classic period pieces.

[@groke144]

My guess is that they had 2 reasons: 1. Bretonia lacked harder infantry in they army, so they had to make new kit to give it to them. 2. They are working on a game as a whole, and they have limited time to redo all the armies/kits, so they fill the slots with what's needed the most: lacking units (see point 1) and units that had molds destroyed beyond repair, and had to have new ones made anyway. Skeletons for Tomb Kings are ok. Mostly, because when you build them properly, as Tomb King skeleton, they are covered by shields, so you don't see most of their flaws (In my oppinion Ninjon REALLY cherypicked this example by not using single Tomb Kings bit on a skeleton) and they still look good as a unit.

[@cameronfateweaver2206]

Well, it's because it was meant to appease the cloying, whiny, babies desperately clinging onto the past.

[@stargazingkiwi]

No joke, your first "SmashChop" video set off a chain reaction that caused me to completely change my painting style to use underpainting. Im having so much more fun!

[@garethdown3721]

I love that Underpainting style, would love a vid explaining that in more detail

[@tankbwoy]

I take goofy expressive old models over anything AoS has put out ever any day. Well, maybe not at those prices. But still.

[@GarouGames]

Ninjon, Im looking at your magnifying glasses. Do you ever user them with your regular glasses as well? I dont have the option for contacts and wondering if I can still user glasses and the headgear.

[@paintballbydoc3869]

I have a pair of mags like this that I wear with my glasses. Not the same ones but the strap headband is key for it to work.

[@krisdog88]

Agreed. Mine came with a strap and ear pieces. I us the strap and keep it low on my brow so I can use them with my glasses. It was a little awkward at first, but I'm getting used to it.

[@Mupersega]

seeing the 4 skellies lined up next to each other just made it clear how well the basic old model reads, an army of them might be too much though.

[@christopherharrington1031]

I’m not going to pick up one of these boxes but I am going to pick up a box of skeletons when they come out. I couldn’t afford old minis back in the 90s so I’m looking forward to going back and painting an old mini with new paints. It’s defo a nostalgia thing for me.

[@penslasleikir]

16:11 i have that inkling but i have time not money, do you need a dicord mod or something similar?

[@Beardmire]

Been experimenting with this techinque a bit with some Tzaangors, figured the vibrant shadows would look really good on daemons. Would love to see you do it with some daemons too, as I'm currently failing at it haha

[@cerealfordinnerx]

Are you using the Golden High-Flow for the white zenithal? I picked up the Titan Buff color and have been loving it, but the white I had tried out from the range was far to glossy so I'm wondering if this is something else. Thanks in advance.

[@studiofoureightnine]

I forgot to post earlier, but I wanted to say Thank you for this video Ninjon. I seriously was in some state of ignorance feeling left out not participating in this years and years long anticipation of Old World not knowing THEY WERE ALMOST ALL OLD MODELS! I was so ignorant as I didn't really zoom in on any pics and every "influencer" posted only the new models (or the ones I followed). I am shocked that after such a slow burn to finally release these that we are subjected to regurgitated old models. What were they doing all those years? Just making maps? It is a real bummer that makes me think it can't possibly last and have continued support for long. Maybe I'm wrong, time will tell.

[@Joeinsanity]

what white ink are you using for the zenathal highlight?

[@trashcanhands]

Hands down the best mini painter on youtube.

[@burnbobquist8999]

When first announced i thought "Oh cool there will be some new or upgraded old models!" and now that i have seen what they are doing iam not thrilled about it anymore... FW Resin, Metal and old sculpts galore. The only factions iam looking forward to are the Wood Elves, because at least they have some newer sculpts that came with the last edition of WH Fantasy.

[@Daydam]

Same here. When I saw that most of the models were just old sculpts, even some being metal, my hype died entirely. Still a bit hyped about wood elves because... Well, they're wood elves. I'm hoping they bring back some of the ones they used to have for AoS Cities of Sigmar (Glade Guard and such)... Though new sculpts would be 100% better.

[@Frai-ll3es]

That painting style is amazing! Would eat a series with different models like Tyranid, Space Marine and classical fantasy knights up!

[@optomix3988]

Great Video. This set really has 90s vibes to it.

[@Kourosmenis]

You should do a video of your top 5 painting techniques you’ve been using and why we should try them out!

[@niall456]

Nobody hates GW more than youtubers who get miniatures given to them for free

[@joeprint]

Not a huge fan of models either, but as always, the paint job you put on them was amazing!

[@cepboom1892]

Whats the skeleton left of the old world one at 5:45

[@MaskedRiderChris]

Your words about moving past your comfort zone ring true with me, especially with the notion of NMM. Frankly, I suck at NMM. But a little something in the back of my head keeps telling me "Hey, you can do this," so I keep trying it. My current WIP is actually off to a good start for once because of this. This is a neat little idea for me to try some time, what is outlined in this video!

[@frost2392]

Have to say when the groovalicious music came in at around 4:00 I had an 80's flashback and was waiting for Axel Foley to make a cameo appearance. =p Really like the vid, man. I've got a bunch of the Mantic Skeles and Zombies who are probably going to get this treatment.

[@JamieDaggers]

So many of my good results come from focusing on rapid painting. Sometimes you can really lean on muscle memory and avoid overthinking your choices by reducing the element of time. I’ve been experimenting a lot with underpainting too! This video rules Jon. Can’t wait to see ya at Adepticon! 😊

[@lolaldanee2743]

Some excellent and inspiring painting right there i have to say