So Your Paint Job Sucks, Now What?

[@2MeatyOwlLegs]

I love your relaxed style. Especially acknowledging the frustration and obstacles in this hobby. Hearing from someone much better that they are frustrated with their work takes a lot of stress away from it.

[@geekytenikidndfan]

100% agree. Its hard to picture our favorite artists as being sucky at all.

[@tomsule]

True.

[@noquedaniuno]

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast... Simple as that. Great content! Happy new year for you sir! 😬

[@cbsg5861]

I'm going to rewatch this whenever a watercolor painting I'm on to is starting to suck...
Great advice John! Applies to any artistic medium :)

[@ninja_cazzle2641]

Watercolours always go through that "shite", underpainitng stage. A good friend of mine (who makes a living from art), always reminds me to have confidence, push the values and to keep pushing through the shite stage. And if it still looks like crap? Reward yourself with a beer and a bonfire!

[@BenGreen1980]

Casually painting a masterpiece, "it's alright I guess"

[@jonc8561]

It's a nice paint job don't get me wrong, but to call it a masterpiece is an overstatement IMO.

[@THE_MR_MAN]

Yeah

[@Dehalove]

@@jonc8561 sometimes people say things they don't mean literally. You'll learn that when preschool starts next year

[@jonc8561]

@@Dehalove it's more a comment on sensationalism bud. No need to be hostile, go take a walk.

[@danzo5521]

@@Dehalove calm down sir

[@joshuaclark3406]

Your videos have a certain quality that I haven't found in other miniature painting youtubers. Not to diminish their achievements, simply pointing out you bring a different perspective and energy to the hobby and it's an awesome edition to my usual rotation. Keep it up Jon!

[@Makeroomformushrooms]

Good to see ya using the English form of the word "shite" great vid!!

[@johnreid5539]

It hails from the land of Scotland.... You make this look tooooo easy

[@Gonothing]

Ninjon: "So your paint job sucks..."
Me: "...Dad?"

[@laam999]

Random comment - I really like this electronic jazz music you have on. I've not heard anything quite like it, really suits how you've put it in the video.

[@tomhancock]

It gives a very relaxing bob ross, goobertown hobbies vibe. Which is a great contrast to Jon's personality which is the other end of the spectrum in a good way

[@Finkeldinken]

Some day that hat guy and Casey's glasses guy is gonna meet up and none of us will be ready.

[@sasserine]

Maybe the nemeses could critique the other Tuber's work?

[@cabe_bedlam]

Miniac's "But Scottt!" guy would be sat there noting everything wrong.

[@MiguelFuentes11]

OMG... That would be amazing!

[@DayWalker745]

Are you dressing up as a bandito or a ninja?

[@CobraModeMiniatures]

Awesome video! This is definitely something all artists can relate to. Sometimes you just have to struggle and push through!

[@stolenhearteddragon]

I am just starting out in the miniature painting world after two years of 3d printing and Dungeons and Dragons. Ninjon and Miniac are my favorite channels. It feels like we are just hanging out while you teach me. I love the style. Thank you.

[@ElNick09]

This was fun! To add to the theme, I'll throw out a request for a video: turning a sculpt you DON'T like into a painted mini you DO like. New as I am to the hobby, I've actually had a lot of fun painting some sub-par models I got in bits lots or 2-mini blister packs, maybe because there's no pressure and I tried some new things. Just a suggestion. Love the channel!

[@adamholt5395]

"They're a narcissistic prick." *shots fired at Scott*

[@LegionaireSiggi]

Savage.

[@PartisanGerm]

Virtue signal received, agreed, and confirmed.

[@butler9598]

Exactly my first thought.

[@larzelot5114]

Who?

[@aaronbono4688]

@@larzelot5114 Scott the Miniac

[@teejay91b]

I want to give you props for not just doing a standard painting video. Really getting into the psychology of painting and how to keep a positive attitude is refreshing and welcome.
Don’t get me wrong, your painting skills are awesome! It’s learning your thought process when you approach a painting that really helps me. Thanks for the great videos!

[@markgall34]

Right.... straight off the bat. The way you threw out the term "shite" was glorious and I cannot emphasize how many times this is used by someone from Scotland. This snail was really well done and made me revisit a few minis of my own.

[@MrStatistx]

"So Your Paint Job Sucks, Now What?" - Nail it to a wall as a warning for all following minis?

[@devonwilson8306]

Help my wall is covered in poorly-painted miniatures, where do I hang the next one!

[@Miniac]

Snail* it to a wall???

[@crowdemon_archives]

Lmfao

[@baguvix2221]

This video is so relaxing and helps me calm down. There are tons of frustrating projects that I just can't stand. I picked some of them up and just added little highlights or shadows and they look so much better. You are correct, you do get better with practice and time! ♥

[@andrewwilson1850]

John, I have to say....Your videos are great! You talk about painting as well as the mental hula-hoops all painters deal with. Thanks my man!

[@suzieq1237]

I wholeheartedly agree!

[@Ninjon]

I’m just glad that what I enjoy making people don’t think is utter garbage! 😘

[@TheJiamy]

Something that might help with color schemes is taking a picture of the mini and taking it into a program like krita, then using layer modes like multiply and overlay to color it and make sure it’ll look good in the layout you want. If it does, then do some swipes of the colors you think you’re going to use next to each other and see how they play

[@HpacEastern]

Great job Jon. The perspective you teach is just as important as the painting techniques.

[@Dannos3d]

Great vid and so true. I’ve had this exact moment. Great points. Thanks making this. Knowing your not alone in these moments is great

[@MagatsuNimura]

Can I just say that this is my favourite model that you've painted on the channel so far? xD
I really love the model, that definitely helps, but the paintjob looks super beautiful to me. And I'm not talking about quality of the paintjob alone, because I know that you can paint at a much higher level (and I'm not saying this is low level either xd) but the thing is that in the final shots of the mini, I just kept thinking "wow, that is beautiful, man...".
So yeah, just wanted to say that.

[@Ninjon]

Thanks a ton!

[@sinisterplank3113]

Kind of found this video late, but I’m working my way through your catalogue.
Got to say, this video covers one of the most important topics that keeps our minis grey, the daunting. A finely made miniature is always incredible intimidating when you’re looking at all the unpainted details and trying to figure out how it’ll look when you’re done, and it becomes difficult to figure out where to start, and the solution is deceptively simple. Just pick any colour and put it on the model. Once you’ve got some paint on there, you can start thinking about what works and what doesn’t.

[@thierrydevries]

Ninjon I'm so impressed in what way you communicate painting, and the mindset you have towards painting! Or any creative process in that case.
PLZ continue your great work!

[@Darkhorse77777]

Here I was thinking I was only going to learn about how to fix my suck, however, the way you made the green with the base colour and the overlay of yellow, big brain move right there. Love it.
Tbh I think your model looked sick the whole way through. I think our suck is definitely more often than not specific to our eyes looking at our own work :) great vid again.

[@michaelc9310]

Awesome content; even when the subject has been beat to death by other creators; your presentation always makes it feel fresh and unique. Keep up the excellent work.

[@Zickzag]

on my last project i had one of the final moments where i hated how it had ended up. But the next day when i saw it i ended up really liking it, i showed it to my friends and they did aswell.
So my 2 cent would be: -Don't judge too fast your own work, give it the time it needs.
-Get feedback from people you trust and respect their opinions.
Also i really liked the snail from the beginning, and loved the look at the end.

[@Ninjon]

Great advice!

[@daltoninnes7401]

Jon, I can always appreciate your honest approach to painting. I also quite enjoy the style of your painted minis. Really keeps the eye moving over each piece.

[@laurenceomeara15]

I was actually always interested in the use of zenithal painting when you just covered it anyway. But the use to help identify areas for light and shade makes complete sense now. Also finishing a space before moving on might seem like common sense to most, but I regularly just rush to get to the areas I like and then come back and mess it up

[@chriskelley996]

I tell you what.. that slow-motion chair swivel in the intro is the best two seconds of my day. I chuckle EVERY. DAMNED. TIME.

[@natalieb6893]

CobraMode? On a Ninjon vid? My two favorite things! ❤ yall should check them out, the discord community is great, and their models are so well thought out!

[@DarthPackman]

The Discord has a great vibe.

[@harrisonfewster3417]

Dude, there was a couple of times in this video where I was blown away by how great you were painting. Been sitting on the idea to subscribe and this video won me over. Keep at it!!

[@Ninjon]

Very happy to have you along!

[@myronbernard7184]

Gotta say this video is a great example of why I love your channel. I love your positivity and the way you teach and develop skills in your viewers. Thanks for your content!

[@Ninjon]

I appreciate that!

[@allencolwell3140]

Quickly becoming my favorite content creator Jon. Keep the wonderful videos coming!!

[@Glaswalker1001]

There are so many things I love about your channel. One being that your sponsors oftenatch your channels topic.

[@NeonHOBBITT]

you, EbayMR, and Scott always know how to inspire me to do more in the hobby and I really appreciate you guys.

[@mana_fiend]

It's so refreshing to hear somebody with as much skill as you talk about improving their craft and the thought process about when your models arent where you want them to be! I've only been painting for a few years, and am only starting to feel like I'm moving beyond the basics. I've found myself really getting better are applying washes lately (used to slap them on far too thick) and I've tried to improve my basing a lot recently.
One thing I'm always fearful of is highlighting. I always feel like they dont look good and the contrast is far too stark. I've started to try do more on skirmish warband compared to huge armies, but I really want to get better and every time I try I feel like it's just too ugly.

[@cyborgzulu2011]

Especially as a brand new mini person (also brand new to warhammer, age of sigmar) this is the video I needed. I just roll with it at this point.

[@BreakingDamian]

Dude, you are shockingly positive and helpful.
Even I started some time ago I still seek for self-improvement and recently just was not happy with how I paint.
This video means a lot to me. Thank you.

[@0_killjoy_078]

Great video! Very much appreciated to see frustration in a high level painter, and how you deal with it. I will be using these processes in the future! Thanks!

[@iRogueRenegade]

@Ninjon love style you have in your videos they've helped me a lot starting down my path to mini painting. This one in particular has been very helpful, I'll definitely try to be less negative and more reflective of my work. Thanks for the awesome and wholesome content!

[@oxiixo6762]

Fantastic viewpoint, so encouraging in a slightly negative standpoint.This is positive feedback for all of us.Not what to do ,more what not to do! Very informative and educational, brilliant tutorial 10/10 ..

[@MatthewBester]

Nice work. I am filled with despair during base coat. Once the shade goes on I feel a lot better.
You spinning on the chair in the intro cracks me up everytime. 😂

[@rogthepirate4593]

It's funny, I've been listening to you and Scott talk so much while painting and thus not actually looking at the screen that I can't even tell which voice belongs to whom any more. For about half the vid I zoned out and thought this was Scott's channel ...

[@Biggles369]

Every now and then there is a video that is a lightbulb moment and how I missed this video a year ago I don't know, but I am so glad I have seen it now.

[@bluedotdinosaur]

One of the most valuable things to learn, and also one of the hardest, is "everything looks terrible until near the very end". This is true in any form of art. You really have to separate PROCESS from RESULT in your mind. Don't hate the process, or be discouraged by it. It's just the process; it's a box of Lego bricks that are only half assembled.
Once you learn to see most of the work in your hands as a process in progress, your anxiety levels tend to go way down. Of course, this is where there's no substitute for experience. Much of the time when we feel our work is awful, it is because we don't know where to go next with it to make it look more pleasing to ourselves. You can't trust the process if you don't know what the steps in the process are.
So yeah, it's unavoidable that for a while, you're going to be frustrated until you build up a library of techniques and methods to have at your disposal. Once you do however, you can look at your work in progress and immediately say to yourself "okay, I can try THIS next, and then THAT afterwords, and finally--".

[@huntersigler9895]

I’m so glad you started your own channel.

[@Buliwyf621]

Great video, I learn something again today. Thanks Jon. Another thing I learned last week is to not hold the brush too hard while painting if I don't want my tendon to get inflamed 😅

[@Lion4de]

Dude, so helpful. Not just in thinking through ways to improve your own paint jobs, but getting over the discouragement that comes when you feel like you've failed. I'm trying to teach my kids how to deal with that emotion, and I think that starting with "this is a normal thing to feel AND it's a GOOD thing!" is an awesome paradigm shift. Thanks for the vid!

[@Maztermox]

Just started and painted my first cultist and i was not happy, but after taking a day off and starting on the next one and getting new ideas that worked, felt really good. Don't give up!

[@ramza813]

I gotta say this Vallejo Metal Aluminum is real good. Sticks well with smooth coverage. Loving it painting swords ! Thanks Ninjon!

[@drsh0ckalu]

"I'm molten core"
/screams in Ragnaros

[@Ninjon]

/howls in core hound

[@wookieeemperor5500]

Dude, this video came at the best time for me. Pushed through and now i am happy with my paint job. Cheers!!!

[@aaronbono4688]

A crafter who has been building and painting small models of all sorts for many decades once told me, there is only one tool that you never use: speed.

[@bionicgeekgrrl]

That sculpt is both bonkers and awesome. The paintjob is too.
Another great video.

[@druidobianco9734]

Ninjon: “... or the chicken”
Me: “oh my... wut?!? Hey there is a chicken there!”

[@Stixanimated2]

Looks gorgeous. The tips and points you made were excellent, and I’ll be watching this video over and over again I’m sure.

[@faethos]

I just found this channel tonight and I just want to say thankyou and keep posting please.

[@reddarkness8593]

I absolutely love how it turned out.

[@adamkerby-jones5711]

I love that you are simply honest and dont care about swearing and cussing.
A lot of youtubers wont do that in order to earn money, you couldn't give a shite 😂
Keep on rocking jon

[@Ninjon]

Oh fuck, am I not supposed to swear?

[@W.edgewargames]

Thanks Ninjon, between you, Miniac, Sorestoro and a couple others, I finally dipped my feet into the miniatures painting world.
Not only have I learned new skills but my kids enjoy not only painting but also set/diorama builds.

[@DeathByFrenchFry]

TY Jon, you're such an inspiration!

[@yankee1112]

thanks for the video! hit this wall the last few days, and its good to know im not alone and its not abnormal.

[@tassosmoukas5247]

Finally Darryl is back...Star of the show man...love that char

[@tomhancock]

Darryl Neeenyes.

[@berzinghpumzi9095]

Just the advices I needed! I'm stuck with a mini since some time and avoiding painting it because it looks like crap. I will give it a new try.

[@TheBuskingRyan]

This video feels like going to marriage counseling with your badly painted miniature to solve your issues with them !

[@maxxammax0]

I like it when a sponsor is relevant to a video.
10/10 vid again.

[@albin3dklein]

I love your videos because I can see your painting process all the way with the models you paint... I helps a lot! My models lack of contrast and now I "think" I know how to do something about it.

[@BullyBait88]

I painted a packmule recently, same problems so many objects to give color to, was truly my favorite model I've painted recently came out fantastic love the details

[@gunsandwaffles7617]

Really dig all those technical terms you introduced in this vid, like "un-suck", "feels like ass", for me as a non-native speaker this opens a whole new level to the english language xD
Thank you for the tip, contrasting real world with fantasy world, this is something I sometimes feel overhelmed with by over detailed models, covered in skulls.

[@LeriusDoman]

Great video! I'm getting started in this hobby, and went nuts with paints but becoma apprehensive and got stuck overthinking it. I mean, better fail and repaint than overthink it I feel.

[@tomb1686]

The positivity of this video was exactly what I needed today

[@bartdevuyst]

Just wanted to say that you have an excellent speaking style & pacing... Very pleasant to listen to! 👌

[@x1BULLETfromABOVE1x]

Loving these videos,keep up the top tier content! would love to see you do a model and see if you could use every colour you own on it as a challenge lol

[@overtotter8639]

I'm about to start Warhammer 40k, and am glad this advice is here. I'm starting with Dark Angels so wish me luck.😌

[@yagsipcc287]

Great video bud :-) Last month iI was painting two Batman Miniatures Game minis it was going ok and then I messed the whole thing up on both!! of them I was using oil washes and well I forgot to change my sponge (It was like 3 am I do night work and this was the night before I was to start it for the week so I stay up late to sleep in the morning and be up on time for work) all I done was rub the oils together mixing them and I left them a bit too long, Just messed it all up, I tried to fix it and nope! So I was about to just stop for the night but I didn't and I went on to paint another mini and it turned out to be one of my best ever painted minis :-) went from rock bottom to being surprised with myself.

[@catcadev]

I feel like when I paint a model I don't often hate it. I usually end up satisfied after I add a wash, base, and quick highlight.

[@doczoff5655]

So I just spent 4 years watching 'how to paint awesome' videos, which made me think "I suck so bad" that I despaired and all the grey stayed grey. Then I saw this video saying 'its okay to suck, you can fix it' so I stopped freaking out and just started painting. Picked up some elves that 'went wrong' and got shelved long before we ever heard the name Sigma, had a great evening getting back into painting again and the elves are less sucky than before. Gonna carry on tomorrow night, don't know if I'll see further improvement after another evening, but I do know they were never gonna get better abandoned on the shelf. Thanks Ninjon... You just dug me out of a 4 year 'painter's block'.

[@chrisschultz7993]

Man Jon, thank you so much. I needed this one.
I've been working on a large power sword, and my blends on it look.... fucking awful. The effect just wont translate, no matter how many times I glaze, re-layer, and re-start. This was a good example on how to refocus and examine the steps I needed to take to try and fix the "ass" phase of every project.

[@Davy.J.Y]

I love this snail miniature, you done a great job painting it..

[@geekfreak69]

I always look forward to seeing your videos. As there always fun and full of helpful tips to improve my skills in the hobby. Oh the miniature is incredibly interesting and highly detailed. Oh I have shared on some of my social media websites.

[@chuck-n-debtaylor7553]

I kinda figured that shite happens to noob and vet alike, but thank you for walking through the process - I know it helps this noob to step a little further away from noobville. Cheers to you for consistently great content and editing. 👍🏻

[@minibob9252]

I feel this video deep in my heart. I just finished an awesome mini with, what I consider, the best and most flawless base coat I've ever done. Then came the details and I messed it all up. Rescued it somewhat afer breathing and thinking: "Fuck it, I paint not long enough and the pic in my mind won't match the minis for a long time."

[@FrankyDCrafter]

Im on a marathon of your videos dude, you are the man!!!!!!!

[@geekytenikidndfan]

Please continue to unsuckify my attitide about starting a craptastic paint job!! Thanks Jon!

[@z4p0tek]

You are my favourite "new" youtuber. I love your attitude and passion for painting and the thing that you share it and your expertise with us. Thank you. I will patreon soon.

[@all-father4873]

I painted the leman russ and magnus diorama about 2 years ago. Now it looks bad to me and have started painted over it using new techniques i have learnt and used previous paint job as an “undercoat” and shading. Its starting to look much much better now.

[@marcwittkowski5146]

Damn, that mini turned out absolutely amazing! Love it!

[@yuvrajahluwalia1132]

cracks me up again and again and i have only watched the intro. i listen to trapped under plastic and watch miniac too hope your channel grows massively

[@daveberger7646]

So relevant to my hobby right now. Thanks for the words mate!

[@pixl3l]

Found this video just on the right day, needed this. Thanks.

[@BoAngles]

Really enjoy your videos! I love the work you put into them- and it really shows! I may have just recently fell down the tabletop rabbit hole, but you are certainly making this more fun!

[@SirBuffton]

Love the friendly style. Always enjoy your videos!

[@duranbarnett8587]

Ah the infamous butts phase of the paint job. This video is filled with so much truth. I feel like I'm going have to keep coming back to this one. Thanks so much.

[@thealgorerhythm9379]

Thank you for using and pronouncing the adjective 'Shite' correctly. With love from Ireland

[@oliverp3545]

I think something to remember is that you can very easily make brown a vibrant colour.
Alot of artists like brown for the fact that it works with any colour scheme depending on how you work it.

[@RickSanchez-1943]

I know this is an old video but This really informational and you nailed how people feel. "unsuckifying" is a word I will use till I die now, lol

[@freddiedummett9416]

banger video as always! also turd covered nose dive is now one of my favourite terminologies.

[@TheGoodMood]

I love how you're painting all these 3D printed minis now. How far you've come!

[@kristoff7049]

Love it, this equally applies to other areas of life to!