The ultimate cheat technique to paint terrain and ruins FAST

Get ready for some serious time-saving hobby hacks. In this video, I'm going to show you how to paint all your bare plastic terrain kits in a matter of minutes, without using an airbrush... without even using a paintbrush!
The Ryza Ruins set featured here was discontinued by Games Workshop the week after I filmed this video. Well played, GW.
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Music: "Upon a Throne of Blood" by Sebastian Kling, and "End Credits" by Midwinter Minis.
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Here are some links to the main bits of gear I talk about in this video. These are Amazon affiliate links, so we earn a few pennies with each purchase without adding any extra cost to you!
The Matt Medium I used in this video: geni.us/MattMedium
Mirrored turntable: geni.us/MirrorTurntable
The only palette you'll ever need: geni.us/BestPalette
My favourite paints: geni.us/VallejoPaintSet
Cheap awesome detail brushes: geni.us/RLDetailTaklon
Another cheap awesome brush set: geni.us/RLTaklon

[@MidwinterMinis]

When I say "1 hour", I mean of "hands on" painting time. There was about 45 minutes of painting time on day 1, then I left it to dry overnight, and gave it 10-15 more minutes the next day :) Perfect for any last-minute tournament organisers having a freak-out that they don't have enough painted terrain!

[@Terrainosaur]

Good point.

[@doinrandomstuffwitdabois4426]

Hi

[@bobthepurple]

Are you going to finish your pile of shame before the twins arrive?

[@Bluecho4]

@@bobthepurple He's a wargamer. Those kids will inherit his pile of shame in his will. (As they should). [I kid, I kid].

[@BasedGhoul]

Nice lunchbox, reminds me of the Sesame Street lunchbox I used to have way back in the day lol. 😁😎😊👍

[@jewishdictionary1715]

4:19 brush held, literally unwatchable. I have contacted the authorities. Prepare for Exterminatus.

[@afpops]

I had the same reaction

[@Thaxsar]

3:14 as well.

[@kriegsschmiedezwerg7254]

This is the Departmento Munitorum Exterminatus Hotline. Press 1 to purge the filthy heretics in flames. For Additional Fire-Support press 2. For Exterminatus press 3. If you want to speak with a logistician, press 4.

[@juocyjay5732]

what

[@willleeks3542]

I really appreciate Guy’s tenacious commitment to keeping that pesky bit of carboard background in shot despite how frequently it insisted on toppling forward.

[@Bluecho4]

Anything for that *A E S T H E T I C.*

[@ThePickleJar]

*Nervous glance at pile of unpainted terrain in my cupboard* Well, no excuse now I guess! Great video :)

[@MidwinterMinis]

Yes mate! Dooo ittt

[@albertosara416]

can't explain how satisfying this was to watch, at first i didn't have a lot of faith but damn that turned out really cool looking!

[@MidwinterMinis]

Literally every time I paint anything. "This looks terrible, I should delete my channel".... "Oh, wait, actually, this is pretty good!"

[@chrisrobin4962]

@@MidwinterMinis "This looks terrible, I should delete my channel" HAHA! I laughed out loud at this, you funny mad man! :D Oh, yeah, cool terrain as well! Keep em coming.

[@phunkster93]

And next week on Midwinter Minis, our paintbrush ban continues and we'll be painting a tank with our feet and a wooden spoon, stay tuned!

[@MidwinterMinis]

Don't go giving me ideas

[@lucycannon6732]

You earned my first out loud guffaw of the day, cheers!

[@bstajic]

Bahahahahah!

[@EricHonaker]

I'm holding out for the Jackson Pollack method of painting space marines.

[@EternalQuestion]

"Having something painted is a million times better than bare plastic" Never a truer word spoken.

[@nadsozinc]

I did not come here expecting this vicious personal attack

[@johannwolfgangvongoethe8090]

He may not have a brush - but he's definitely got drip 💦

[@MidwinterMinis]

Oh no you didn't.

[@benwalls5946]

I hate you.

[@captainsludgeslinger3272]

He do have the drip tho 😳😳

[@finnbirk7339]

Just got a 3d printer and printing out terrain! This Video came in perfect time👍🏼

[@MidwinterMinis]

Nice! Good luck with it :)

[@finnbirk7339]

@@MidwinterMinis thanks!

[@ronvug]

This is what I really like about these videos, you make it seem like even a beginner can do this, thanks Guy!

[@MidwinterMinis]

The great thing about this technique is that it looks pretty good whether a "first timer" or a seasoned pro does it :)

[@jamiestringer3230]

This, 1000 times this. I always end a video feeling more confident about my painting or having a go at something than when I started

[@rastas81]

Pre ordered kill zone sector fronteris, opened box saw stack of plastic, closed box and put in a cupboard. Watched this video and now Waiting for my dip to dry will DAB in the morning. Great video!

[@KGood-kx2bi]

Me: "Eh, he's using blue as a base layer? That's going to be ugly" Also me: "Wow! What a beautiful set of layering. That turned out lovely!"

[@kubadutkowski7463]

I don't know why, by the outro makes my heart so warm. Thank you for all your videos.

[@J-Hell]

This is the third video I've watched on this channel (after Midwinter Medium and Taking Photos of Minis) and all three of them are in my "Worth Rewatching" list. Approachable, practical, valuable info in all three.

[@teun558]

I watched this video this morning and it motivated me to actually try and paint all my terrain today. As we speak the wash is drying and all it needs is a coat of varnish. Really happy with the result. Huge thanks for this video!

[@Beartree]

One of the best terrain painting video I have seen. Keep up the great work!!!!

[@TheBigDirty716]

6 months later and I'm using this recipe on the octarius terrain and its looking awesome! Thanks!!!

[@Draekal]

The only necessity missing was some blu tak for that sodding background XD Good job Guy!

[@HeatherSanto]

This was an awesome video. Your terrain with this method is lovely. I have no excuses now!

[@Dezz259]

Guy, like seriously, stop being so wholesome, I just can't take your Ork army seriously when you put the sponge bits in that cute as heck tin!!! WHOLESOME!

[@DismemberTheAlamo]

This may not be for everyone, the biggest take away for most will be the dip wash recipie. Also, DISTILLED water is they key if you plan on keeping this over time. You can boil water, but distilled keeps for a lot longer. I use a variant on this for my terrain (and ive even dipped a few models in it myself) and it works really well. Also, I would suggest an old towel for letting dipped pieces dry, as they tend to stick to cardboard / other paper surfaces.

[@penslasleikir]

me and i friend bought the dark uprising box, i painted all my minis and all the terrain before he assembled his minis, then i painted them for him :) felt real proud to have painted a whole box set alone.

[@MidwinterMinis]

Wow, that's a lot of terrain! Good job

[@penslasleikir]

@@MidwinterMinis thanks, I just got ispired one weekend

[@aramdonabedian1735]

Love how accessible this video makes this project feel. I'm really excited to start!

[@lordseptomus441]

Am I the only one who listens to all of the patreon names because of the beautiful end song.

[@Sammo212]

I also really like the "spray black and drybrush a color" trick too. Got the sector mechanicus Kill Team terrain done in like an hour as well plus you can go back and pick out and specific details you might want.

[@ricoqwertz123]

Thanks for the Video! I literally Spray primed my ruins just days ago, so this comes at the right time.😃👍

[@DanidGunner]

Perfect timing just bought a whole gaming table worth of terrain to play on during the lock down.

[@MidwinterMinis]

Woah, this'll be perfect! Good luck

[@wafflyfox7550]

YASSS THIS IS WHAT WE NEED!!!

[@MidwinterMinis]

No excuses now! :D

[@plaidpvcpipe3792]

WAIT THEY DISCONTINUED THE RYZA RUINS!? I'm really sad. I love that set, they're so simple and easy to get ready.

[@ctb3335]

Recast time

[@plaidpvcpipe3792]

@@ctb3335 nah. I have enough of the Ryza ruins. I just think it’s sad since they’re so cool. At least they have a whole lot of new terrain that’s also quite cool.

[@vthunder4238]

I have a bunch of 3D printed ruins I’ve been putting off painting and this is gonna be pretty darn helpful. Thanks again guy for helping stop procrastinating

[@jmalkvideos]

I guessed spray paint and dip wash but I forgot about the magic of sponges!

[@MidwinterMinis]

MAGIC SPONGE! A wargamer's best friend.

[@Bluecho4]

I've got a few sponge offcuts from when I made my DIY wet palette. I suppose I have no excuse...

[@initialrift9128]

Go go gadget uhh... sponge...piece

[@KabinMiniatures]

Inspirational to see how easy it can be to get terrain like this done! Awesome as always, my friend!

[@sternguard77]

Oh. Well. This came at the perfect time for me. I was just starting to get my terrain collection in order. And I’ve just got a whole bunch of new spray paint on order...

[@Terrainosaur]

OBJECTION your honour! The secret council of hardcore terrain builders objects to this minimalisation of our interests.

[@MidwinterMinis]

I won't tell anyone if you secretly use it ;)

[@CosmicDrama]

im a big fan of all of your videos, ive learned a lot from them.... but this video... was also fantastic. this is great advice for knocking out terrain!

[@MiniatureHobbyist]

Awesome, my painting has definently improved because of your advice and more importantly Im actually enjoying the painting part =)

[@tommygtXD]

Half way through doing mine following this exactly, this guide is excellent

[@Unit93JV]

Good video to get base colours and highlights done. For "better" look, use brush to get all the pesky cables and other things done with colours of your choosing. Good, informative video again, keep up the great work.

[@TheMrFishnDucks]

Fantastic video. Keep up the good work.

[@danwagner4306]

Awesome work as always, Continue to impress with your effective and efficient advice. Your videos are the main reason why I've at least made a dent in my PoS.

[@peterisbb]

This is what's great about this channel. What a simple way to get things looking up to snuff. Its not going to win any awards but man is it fast.

[@davedogge2280]

Who has their grey assembled Sector Imperalis just staring at you on the shelf for 6 years ?

[@MidwinterMinis]

Can you hear it in your dreams? ".... paaaaaaaint meeeeee..."

[@Bluecho4]

It's waited long enough.

[@ArdWulf]

My "shelf of opportunity" (per Terrainosaur) shuddered and creaked menacingly throughout this video. Thanks, Guy...my weekend has now apparently been planned for me. Hmmmm...perhaps headphones are in the offing). Great stuff as usual Cheers!

[@notcreativeside]

Back in the 2000s, dipping was done with a wood stain and polyurethane combination. Normally needed to thin it some though.

[@MidwinterMinis]

Yeah! Plus it makes your terrain smell PINE FRESH!

[@mikereckhaus1139]

Very cool and grim dark look! I definitely gonna try. Thanks for the great tutorial

[@vicariousventuregaming2670]

I have a shelf full of Sector Mechanicus terrain that I've had very little motivation to paint, but this technique makes it seem like a much less intimidating project! Thanks for the video!

[@CronosVids]

Even if you consider this isn't worthy as a final look, you can real easily keep adding to this excellent base paintjob.

[@garynorwood8013]

Great video. Took care of my entire pile of scenery shame in an afternoon. I even redone some of my already painted pieces so they all match.

[@UnkleKlumsy1353]

I still have an unpainted full set of cities of death terrain from 2004 in storage. The precursor to all existing plastic city ruins kits that are available now. I'll paint them one day, lol

[@roninomalley1766]

Midwinter Minis be like: WAKE IN THE MORNING AND I DAB!

[@matthewsmith5687]

Brilliant video! Thanks!

[@slanahesh]

This is going right in my saved videos because I will 100% be looking for it again at some point.

[@ZangXR.]

Rub n Buff is my favorite thing to use for terrain to give something a metal look. A little bit of silver rub n buff on an old rag to hit the edges of the metallic parts really makes it come to life at the end. This guide is gonna be super useful for my ruined city terrain I plan on building. Cheers

[@pinpingoin]

You absolute king, you just saved millions of people and their terrain pile of shame. Praise be.

[@thecompl33tnoob]

THIS earned a subscription. Great work!!

[@anthonyrivera3616]

Wow this was awesome, thanks for the video.

[@ShadowSlayerPhoenix]

Ive been subscribed for a bit now and just found this video! Tomorrow after work cant come quick enough

[@Makarislethal]

Awesome ! I actually did your other terrain video which was easy and similar but somehow you dumbed it down even more! Haha

[@Clear-As-Mudd]

That is awesome! Thanks Guy.

[@kevatkins1379]

Thanks Dude, you've just saved me a lot of time!!

[@secondary693]

You’re the best! Thanks Guy!

[@annoyingrequirement]

Great tips and content! For those in the US - check harbor freight, search for foam paint brush, Under 2 bucks for a small pack, under 5 for a 24 pack. Cheers from Southern California.

[@mikeparker9812]

I painted mine a few weeks ago and although not done in quite the same way as yours it was very similar. Instead of using rattle cans I used an airbrush because it was the perfect opportunity for me to learn how to use it. I also used an enamel wash, which was great fun. The Ryza Ruins kit is awesome and the should sell them without the killteam stuff. Yours came out awesome and might use that method for my mechanicum scenery. 👍

[@adele8955]

SUCH A GOOD VIDEO IT HELPED ME ALOUT IN MY IDEAS

[@coopervanderpoel4245]

"try to be more inconsistent with your dabbing" -Midwinter minis 2021

[@MaximilianonMars]

Dab on that terrain.

[@yesmilord2350]

Excited to do this to terrain once my army is painted!

[@GiangiotheDwarf]

You, sir, are an hero!

[@MidwinterMinis]

Nooo, no, no no.

[@scottmaclellan85]

I've got all the terrain from Conquest sitting in a drawer. Might actually paint it now. Also, good luck with the twins and love to all :)

[@WhiteWulfe]

Sponging is an incredibly useful and versatile technique. I painted up my crashed Aquila Lander from the Battle for Macraggae boxed set after it sat for yeaaars in a box in the closet unloved. Okay, mine did have an airbrush involved, but only for priming, base coats, and varnishing since I used said terrain to teach myself how to actually use my airbrush... But several brushes were also involved... Sure does look good though, with the purple body still visible under all that weathering... And best of all it could probably fit in fairly well with my Infinity table, or even on a 40k table.

[@mattcoyle5316]

I Love the background music in this video!like it's always great but this one a banger!

[@theLohan]

Fun video, great new tunes!

[@bensaunders9623]

I happen to have a set of those Ryza Ruins that I bought a few weeks ago, with Warhammer 40k Conquest magazine. I'd got as far as priming them black, so this is great timing.

[@alexfilmwriting]

Dude. Excellent.

[@evilscientistrecords]

Thanks for the dipwash recipe!

[@TCS-Robin]

I love these vids, when crafters share recipes for DIY alternatives of somewhat expensive products. More please. Nice video Guy! 👍

[@alexwork2612]

Another great video and with Geek Gaming Scenics, such good products.

[@rockroo9874]

Yesss I needed this vid thanks a lot!!!

[@juiceslinger]

20 seconds in and I already feel called out... 😅😅

[@martyp00s]

Great vid!

[@SharamNamdarian]

This is the video I needed. Thank you

[@Writh811]

Great information! I'll be using this to punch out terrain quick and I'll go back and paint in the finer details of each piece at an at my own pace rate (Mostly to silence the screaming my own head).

[@DavidHesselfeldt]

Awesome quick and dirty video!

[@ThomasGallinari]

The music is so badass

[@psavelli65]

Thanks - this is very helpful.

[@spice6828]

I made the DIY dip wash from your previous video and didn't have any Medium to hand due to lockdown, used dish soap (or washing up liquid as Penny would say) instead and it works just as well.

[@d.w.7203]

I love your vids so much. Best 40k content.

[@wolodja1870]

what a great and helpful video.

[@GhostMaker00]

Thanks this is perfect for me !

[@TylerProvick]

Because I never use washes I haven't tested this, but Acrylic Pouring Medium should be the best medium to use for home made washes. It is designed to be self-leveling which means it will run into crevices better than normal medium, which is meant to be thixotropic (basically stays where you put it and doesn't run)

[@bigbob9439]

I've been looking for a brilliant tutorial to paint these

[@MidwinterMinis]

Well, I hope you find one.... haaaa

[@kiesminis]

Erm, I just managed to finish some terrain but I still have some sat around. Thanks for this video guy very helpful, I tend to dry brush a lot though.

[@bellportbattlebunker4682]

Great tutorial, I have been looking for a quick way to get all my scratch built terrain for this oil refinery table I have been working on and this got me motivated. Would like to see in the video the spraying technique you explained when applying the lighter color over the black like you showed the sponge technique. Going to give it a whirl after a little more searches. Thanks for sharing.

[@WinterDisco]

I really need to paint my terrain. This is the way!

[@MidwinterMinis]

Woo! Get it DONE

[@WinterDisco]

@@MidwinterMinis thats the plane!

[@lawrencebostock7539]

Needed this video some just gave me the age of sigmar grave yard to paint, thanks for the tips now time for a dip 😂

[@chrishandy9172]

I like the idea of this, and will probably try it out with my unprimed Ryza terrain. That having been said I usually just prime black and dry brush with makeup brushes.

[@knightdrachne]

I love this!

[@tressil3607]

This is amazing

[@peterk4626]

Love this 😀

[@emilienmoussie809]

Amazing result with minimum effort !

[@MidwinterMinis]

That's my motto! Haha

[@Eric-jt8yx]

Great video