Tips for making 'complicated' models easy to paint! (with the Black Orc Warboss for The Old World!)

#theoldworld #miniaturepainting #tabletoppainting
One of the main reasons I started my channel was to show people that you don't need to be a competition painter to paint some of the crazy designs that come out for Warhammer, or general tabletop war gaming. You can still get great results for your armies no matter your skill level with the tips on this channel, and especially in this video! The new Black Orc Warboss for Orcs and Goblins in The Old World shows how far Games Workshop sculpts have developed since a lot of us started the hobby, and it can be easy to be intimidated by high detail models. I'm here to take that fear away and show you the steps that make any model easy to paint!
My basing scheme for this model is:
AK Terrain Dark Earth texture paste
Ryza Rust (dry) brush
Screaming Skull (layer) dry brush
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Thanks for checking out the video!

[@tervindar507]

The thing that I always struggle with is the when “its good enough”. Like I don’t need to paint the 36 men at arms more than a tabletop standard but then you feel you could do better. It’s a hard mental balance. As always love your content and approach to painting armies.

[@Modge17]

Maybe batch painting would help? That way you can apply paint in steps and see how they look together as a unit!

[@MediocreHobbies]

I know exactly how you feel. And I feel the same.

[@dominiccote6184]

I love your videos and especially this one with your “rant.” I got into the hobby when I was 13 or so with Warhammer Rogue trader and didn’t paint my first model till I was in my mid to late 20’s. Now in my late 40’s my eye sight is going and I just need to say this is good enough from three feet away, will I win awards? No, do I love watching other people’s painting videos? Yes, but I really needed to hear your “rant,” and I hope more people hear it as well….time to stop my rant….

[@MediocreHobbies]

I’m really glad it helped pal. Thanks for taking the time.

[@cillamccarthy6987]

I've never heard the term dressing the mini. See I always finish with the skin to tie everything together but then I spent a fair amount of time painting 15mm and the last touch of some flesh tones really makes the model pop. I'm slowly building up my painting mojo again. I always struggle with when to stop on a model. Especially when insta and other social media bombards you with these high end paint jobs constantly. That's why I like you're channel Andy and your paint style. It's a good tabletop plus standard that everyone can achieve. From that base level of painting you can then come back as you want and take it further. Something I personally struggle with is getting a whole army painted up... I've only ever managed it a few times. I love to see a continuation of the dogs or war and how you approach that as a whole army project. The intro where u built up the army was a good start. I've tried to replicate this by building a 1000pt list for a game then get those minis done. Confidence is another issue I have at times. I want to get things painted but I feel like if I don't give every mini my best I'm not pushing myself hard enough or valuing the mini. But that means nothing gets finished which hits motivation levels. I'm trying to paint to a good level like you produce ATM. Then I feel I can come back later and do finer detail's etc. Keep up the good work Andy I do enjoy your more relaxed content. It's bringing back my joy for the hobby again. Something I lost with meta chasing and trying to keep up with all the latest releases etc. it just can't be done all the time and we all have that pile of potential.

[@MediocreHobbies]

Cheers pal. All army projects are slow and you have to accept that and not put pressure on yourself. Just take them one unit at a time and you will be surprised how quickly you have an army ready.

[@mjhsinclair]

Nice. I like these meta videos every so often and he’s a cool orc. :)

[@MediocreHobbies]

Glad to hear pal.

[@michaelford4148]

So glad you’re continuing Old World models! I’m looking forward to seeing how you paint the Handmaiden on unicorn.

[@MediocreHobbies]

Will be painting that as soon as I get it!

[@colinplatt1963]

Thanks for the video Andy, a great follow up to your Lion El Johnson video!

[@MediocreHobbies]

Cheers pal.

[@leecave8574]

I love the comment 'Let no miniature stand in your way'

[@MediocreHobbies]

Glad you liked it pal.

[@jeffholt9437]

Sounds like a t shirt........Andy?

[@mrtricorder]

I really do appreciate you making these fantastic models accessible for lower tier painters

[@MediocreHobbies]

Glad you liked it.

[@Jason-man-in-black]

Great job on this one Andy, it’s a great sculpt and really nice to see him painted up. I personally love all the detail on their minis it just makes them seem more alive when finished and a higher quality product overall. But I also completely agree with you not everyone of the details needs to be painted like your trying to win a golden demon, some parts of the mini need to be treated like background as that’s what they are essentially like the leather that makes necklace on this guy, it’s background for the heads and skulls that hang off it. We need more creators reminding us of these facts in videos, so well done again.

[@MediocreHobbies]

Cheers pal. That’s very kind.

[@chrissteadman4614]

Excellent vid'; full of good advice. Thanks Andy 👍

[@MediocreHobbies]

Any time pal.

[@thanasisgeronimos9124]

for DnD too..... i wouldnt add that nihilak oxide , i would add some colored metallic from ak ...i have a turquoise blue that with silver makes it feel like magic..anyway awesome mini..it could be the boss to an orc clann in DnD and have the players feel they have met their match

[@MediocreHobbies]

That would be awesome.

[@brokenheroics8223]

Thats a bueatiful model. Ill have to pick it up one day. Great job.

[@MediocreHobbies]

Thanks man, yeah it’s a great model!

[@mattobrien4849]

Secret hidden tip - cut off all those extraneous doodads and file down before priming. This is how I learned that one chaos knight has 128 rivets on it.😂

[@MediocreHobbies]

Hahaha even that seams like a lot of work.

[@froehmar]

YAY! Always happy to see new Old World videos from you

[@MediocreHobbies]

Cheers all.

[@Azrieth]

Valdor from the heresy range I think is one of the best examples of a overly busy models gw do. I would love valdor to use in a game but would not want to tackle that model.

[@MediocreHobbies]

That’s fair.

[@graemenoble7722]

Such a stunning mini!!! Great Job!!

[@MediocreHobbies]

Cheers pal.

[@graemenoble7722]

@MediocreHobbies just ordered one! Time to start some orcs and goblins then 🤣🤣🤣

[@isophistchambers6694]

"Dressing the mini" is definitely the method that WHTV has taught me! It works great, but I was never cognizant of it. Thanks for the brilliant advice about moving light to dark with contrast paints! I generally get caught in decision paralysis figuring out where to start, which leads to less hobby and more stress. Lastly, I really enjoyed this presentation method of talking theory while you're painting. Your insight is incredibly valuable. I realize that could be a big ask and some might see it as just waffling over video, but it's kind of like getting a podcast discussion AND a painting tutorial video. I hope I look back at this video when I finally confront my anxiety about painting orks. Cheers, Andy!

[@MediocreHobbies]

I’m glad it helped pal.

[@ric01232001]

Love watching you paint, helps me motivate to do more!

[@MediocreHobbies]

Appreciate that.

[@JohnnyTightIips]

Gorgeous result! distinct lack of cork though haha I paint mainly with contrasts these days and try to do lightest to darkest as you said. Helps cover my mistakes :)

[@MediocreHobbies]

Hahhaa I figured he was cool enough already. No need for more cork.

[@ashleygibson2141]

Awesome video as always Andy. And full of nostalgia!! I haven't heard the phrase "dressing the miniature" for over 15 years :D - I had forgotten it...

[@MediocreHobbies]

It’s a great use.

[@stuartlennon9511]

I like your approach and mantra 👍🏻maybe add to tell us what brush your using and why that size. Maybe include how long it took to paint it so people can manage their expectations. Any mistakes you made. Cheers!

[@MediocreHobbies]

Good ideas pal.

[@scroggie_mini_painting3983]

Cheers Andy! Really appreciate you breaking down the barriers to painting and it was very helpful. Any plans to paint any of the Wyvern minis or the giants that recently went on sale?

[@MediocreHobbies]

Yes to both.

[@sethran9447]

Nice work on an excellent model - i was a tad concerned when you said just silver armour, but the oxide really helped!

[@MediocreHobbies]

Cheers I get your concern.

[@TheFawz]

That Contrast pot at 1:54 really seems like it could use a good mixing, maybe with some bearing balls and a sonic mixer

[@MediocreHobbies]

It was shaken before o used it don’t worry.

[@pete104242]

thank for the video, complicated is a true issue for me, painting up sisters of battle and not only is there so much detail it can be hard to even detect the edges unless you prime them light and put a wash on first. any tips on that would be very much appreciated

[@MediocreHobbies]

If you want to keep them dark. Spray black and drybrush them a dark brown. The details pop and it doesn’t the final result.

[@martialdoctor3482]

Love this model and video here! 👍🏻 I’m a completely newb painter and trying to find the time (I’m very busy) and motivation to do it. When painting large armies like this, do you (and others on here) tend to paint them model by model or groups at a time? I have my unit of swordmasters coated and ready to paint. I’m just curious as to how I should go about painting them. Thanks I’m advance.

[@MediocreHobbies]

Groups for all units. And then individual for characters.

[@_walruseater]

Hey Andy, Have you tried Pro Acryl Transparent paints yet? Huge fan of those for contrast-like results, especially their black.

[@MediocreHobbies]

I haven’t yet! Will try get some soon to try, and I’ll make sure I test the black-thanks for that!

[@Fortunes.Fool.]

3:22 I was assembling some new lizardmen while looking over the cities of Sigmar sprues I just bought and it’s getting worse. I started the hobby with 3rd edition 40k 20 years ago and I just turned 42 so I have plenty of experience working with everything including FW. Even with perfect 20/20 vision and video game reflexes I’m now having trouble just seeing and holding new GW minis to assemble the let alone painting. I cannot imagine being an older hobbyist with glasses or someone with poorer eye hand coordination. There’s a such thing as too much detail and too many tiny pieces to assemble making subassemblies harder, we reached that awhile ago. I remember doing Dark Eldar at release thinking those would be the most complex minis possible and they’re honestly straightforward compared to releases the last five years like the AT Reaver titan. 😂

[@Fortunes.Fool.]

8:45 that took me years to realize 😅

[@MediocreHobbies]

Haha yep. They are insane these days.

[@Fortunes.Fool.]

@@MediocreHobbies And you're killing it with the Old World, I love it.

[@madmerlinsart]

Great model. I just don't get on with green skins. 😅 I've been on a spray-athon and got a bunch of models ready to paint, including the last 2 Knights for my first Lance and a bunch of Bretonnian characters. I'm eagerly awaiting the Beastmen release as they will be my next army.

[@MediocreHobbies]

You sir have good taste.

[@madmerlinsart]

@@MediocreHobbies Thank you.

[@TheBackbunner]

Not really a “complicated”model question, but I want to work on my Nighthaunt and I’m curious if I can get that nice color transition easily by using a heavy dry brushing or would a green shade over a white basecoat be good enough?

[@MediocreHobbies]

You can do both. A drybrush and then a shade over the top to add depth.

[@TheBackbunner]

@@MediocreHobbies didn’t think of that, thank you!

[@MediocreHobbies]

@@TheBackbunner anytime pal.

[@Chr1s_90]

👍

[@MediocreHobbies]

Cheers.

[@Chr1s_90]

@@MediocreHobbies Cheers mate. Amazing content as always.

[@nickdavis5420]

The death rattle I’m painting them and it’s kinda a pain .

[@MediocreHobbies]

They can be so much detail on such big units.

[@nickdavis5420]

@@MediocreHobbies yeah not to mention I’ve already broken spears so I’ve saved the broken bits to glue to the base .

[@inquisitorsneed2]

I know this video is nothing to do with bretonnia but im just wondering is the errantry crusades a trap? I want a full knight list if possible

[@MediocreHobbies]

No it’s a great list. Not a trap at all just be aware of the errant knights getting pulled out of your line.

[@inquisitorsneed2]

@@MediocreHobbies nice one man, you'll be seeing the crusades of avalon coming to Dublin tournaments in no time

[@jeffholt9437]

Just looked at the GW website for this model - actually think yours is a better paint job...

[@MediocreHobbies]

That’s far too high a praise.

[@timraymond8245]

Silver doesn’t tarnish that way. 😂

[@MediocreHobbies]

Did you even watch the video. You buffoon.

[@crisisgear]

Why do I feel like someone needs to green stuff the horn on his shoulder pad into a squig sausage for ease of battle snacking? Will say when it comes to painting I've never liked the term table top standard, one persons table top standard is another's high detail (or the other way around). Don't chase a standard just paint within your capabilities and try to enjoy the process.

[@MediocreHobbies]

I think you’re missing the mark. I mean I can paint to a higher standard but I won’t be doing that on every miniature . Somthing a it’s ok to paint to a lesser standard.

[@crisisgear]

O no wasn't getting on at you, just the actual term itself. Probably me just being silly, but I panic myself with models I paint hoping they are viewed as table top standard, instead of focusing on if I feel I have done a good enough job that I think they are a table top standard myself. Did like the tip on painting from the inside/core by the way, a good way to break it down. Hopefully I cleared up any confusion caused by me 😅

[@youtubevanced4900]

GW are still really stuck in the mindset of just cramming everything with detail. 3D printing modellers did this a couple years ago. The 3D printing makers have finally started to shift away from this mentality. Understanding you can have an incredible model without overloading the model with garbage. That model is so overly busy. Detracts from the overall sculpt because you can’t focus on anything. That model would be better if it didn’t have the necklace, remove the fur thing on the shoulder. Remove all that garbage on his back. Nice Paint job. Well done.

[@MediocreHobbies]

Cheers ok.