it would be cooler if the diorama had more dispair, like mangled bodies or the actual aftermath of a war. What if the models are actually standing on fallen comrades. I feel like the dog doesn't add much and it would be cooler if there was a medic attending to a fallen soldier etc. Also stop beating yourself up about not winning, I think you're great
I agree that this would add more drama and cohesion to the piece, it can also be a huge negative against the piece as a whole if it isn't properly executed. If Jon's intention is to have this be a competition piece, he runs the risk of sculpting something that might not be 100% up to the judge's standards. If he has not sculpted anything at all, he would not run the risk for any unnecessary judgement. But hey, maybe he can really pull it off, and it would make it all the better. This is just a concern for competition pieces.
I love the subtle life lessons in here. "I learned from my mistakes, grew, and won't make those mistakes again. Instead, I'll make all new ones!" Perfect summation of life.
i literally started the 'hobby' this weekend and am amused at being at the fartest reaches of the skill spectrum from this but your videos have been instrumental in recent weeks in helping me get set up and prepared to paint! Thank so much and I cant wait to see how this turns out.
Great job as always. Just as an idea for you, maybe you should add some battle damage to miniatures, like damaged weapons and armore, bandaged body parts and severed limbs, to really sell the look that they have just come out from hard battle. And maybe a couple of corpses here and there, provided you have free space left.)
It looks really good! I also wonder how it would look if the guys on foot were looking up at the mounted leader, and he was looking down, somber after a costly defense of the castle/city. The hope of the soldiers as they look up to their leader contrasting with the melancholy of the leader that knows they have lost too much and may not recover in time for the next attack.
I'm looking forward to seeing several more videos on this project! Before you go to painting, I think you should convert some wind generated motion into all of the minis. The cloak on the right guy certainly but also the others. Just some strings/ bandages could sell the effect for the cloakless minis. What could also be cool is adding that effect into the eventual trees/bushes you'll add.
Where I'm from every kid used to play with DAS clay in elementary school, once you get to know the material you can do some very small and precise details.
Honestly the vampire scene was sick! I DO get the composition issues with it, but it also has good... What I can only describe as flow? Movement? The zombies coming up the rear look great
It was so funny to see you looking for inspiration with that photo 😂 In fact, it is the castle of "Sant Miquel" in Alta-Riba, in Catalonia, not far from where I live! Thank you for the video, it was very interesting and useful (like all of the others that you make) 🎉🎉
I love this concept! Reminds me of those WWII photos of squads after a battle or something just standing there heroically or with this solemn look after a harrowing battle.
Went looking through Epic Basing's offerings but couldn't find the ruined walls you used, maybe I'm just blind! (I did find the ancient temple flooring you used so that's cool!)
I'd like to encourage any and all painters to make scenic bases. The process I found extremely rewarding and liberating. A very nice way to take a step back from a precise and ardous paintjob, and just let loose with a bunch of random stuff. Great video Jon!
DAS clay is an essential part of my terrain/basing. Probably not the best for bricks though, but SUPER good for smoothing out the transition between vertical layers, creating hills/lumps/etc. Really recommend.
omg I love this! You've really inspired me to paint my own CoS box :) Would you consider adding the gargolyians onto the base? They're these cool little critters that hang around cities of sigmar armies.
The scene composition looks gorgeous. If you wanted an epic look, you definitely achieved it! Can't wait to see how you paint one of my fav kits recently released, the Freeguild Cavalier-Marshal 🤩
Ryan Neil of Bonsai Mirai is such a strong proponent of asymmetry that it’s fundamental to his compositional philosophy when potting trees. When faced with the question of more or less symmetry, he usually pushes it further afield, towards more dynamism, more demanding composition. Go beyond, NinJon!
Looks very cool. Like a character creation splash page out of a roleplaying book. I'm thinking a smoldering fire pit between the pikeman and the shield guy would be a neat touch and a chance for some interesting source lighting.
Two other suggestions that might already be in the comments 1) There are other building materials mixed into stone buildings (wood, iron, etc.) that will help provide more of an idea of the settlement that was destroyed. 2) Mix in some amount of evidence of human toll to the scene (ripped banner, charred keepsakes) to sell the story that this is grim determination in the face of overwhelming destructive capacity. Also, bonus third thing check the eyelines on the dude on the left. He is looking a little low and too the left. Awesome work my dude. I am pulling for you to win, but also just want you to be happy with your effort.
What an awesome scene! This video just helped with the composition of a diorarma I am working now. Look forward to following this journey and seeing it myself at the Golden Demon. Good luck.
This setup looks amazing. They feel like they are preparing to stand against a greater foe that is charging in. Looks epic and cant wait to see it painted up. Good luck!!
I really like where you're headed with this project - the way you've set up the minis creates some great negative spaces that are already starting to pop even even without a coat of primer.
This is incredible - you nailed the composition in my opinion. The slow rise of characters up to the Marshall has this heroic posing that lends to the story of what had just occurred in this scene. Love it
When I first saw you original piece I thought exactly the same thing (that there is to much empty space and flatness) but I thought to myself "ahh its Jon, he knows what he is doing and I have no idea"... but hearing you figuring out your problems with the piece gave me some validation haha. Really interesting and helpful to see you go back and figuring out "bad" aspects of your older projects and figuring them out on new ones. Btw, I thing this new composition is reallyreally nice!
That is already looking very interesting. I particularly noted how you have the figures all looking at only 2 different reference points outside of the diorama. Great work incorporating all of your learnings!
I'd add a few different grades of grit sparingly over the brown textured areas to sell the recently collapse look, as the fine texture would suggest less rubble and its just sunk into the ground over time, rather than a pule of rubble of the remains of a keep.
If you can eventually pull off a GD, that would have to be the best improvement in artistry I’ve seen in the hobby. The fact you’re even competing just shows the effort you’ve put in, not just in painting, but in your video quality and scripts. I have a feeling you’re a very competitive person, and I really do appreciate the work you put in on your videos.
I'm a very humble paintenr but i wanna say that this diorama that didn't win is my favorite diorama of all those i've ever seen. The night/day idea is brilliant and very well executed. Don't be too hard on yourself ;)
No idea whether john reads the comments; But I for one am super happy that he chose to make a video about what is exciting him instead of what will get the most views. It sucks to have to put effort into shit you don't enjoy as much instead of what you are getting enjoyment out of. And as a bonus its way more fun to watch someone talk about shit they are excited for in general. I would love to have more of these kinds of videos to watch while I do my boring job that I get no enjoyment out off ^^
That looks like it’s going to be a fun project. I managed to get some time in painting a model this week and did some pretty solid work painting my first ork
That mini diorama looks pretty bad ass, I look forward to seeing it in the case this coming year at Adepticon! Thanks for sharing the process.. your videos are always enjoyable and informative!!
I’d love to see a analysis of what you would do with last year’s entry. Given what you learned, I’d love to see how you would redo it. Not a full repaint/redo of course, but seeing a rough sketch of your ideas would be cool.
Looking great, to me this video was way more interesting and entertaining than a normal “paint the mini” video. I’ll be on the look out for the next one in this series.
Did anyone else notice the number of tabs opened on the Chrome? My guy...close a window haha. My IT brain/soul is screaming haha. Love the videos and content!!! Inspired me to really take painting seriously and want to do my first competition piece because of your enthusiasm for the hobby!
Looking at finished Golden Demon dioramas always feels so intimidating, like completely unapproachable for the average hobbyist, but seeing you go through the whole process in detail, breaking it down even to the pre-thought and sketching stages makes it seem so much more interesting. This video actually inspires me to try out a diorama, maybe to use as a terrain piece or something functional as I’m not a competition level painter. (Side note: finally clicked the button and placed an order from Into the AM! That hoodie finally sold me on checking them out.)
This looks great! Reall inspiring for a CoS diorama im planning right now! Working up a plan currently to do a very similar rag tag last stand type scene.
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it would be cooler if the diorama had more dispair, like mangled bodies or the actual aftermath of a war. What if the models are actually standing on fallen comrades. I feel like the dog doesn't add much and it would be cooler if there was a medic attending to a fallen soldier etc. Also stop beating yourself up about not winning, I think you're great
Maybe resculpt the cloak on the rightmost soldier? It is just hanging right now while the hero's is flying in the wind along with the banner.
I second this it'll make the whole thing look that much more heroic. Makes everyone there look like heroes instead of a hero and his entourage
Was about to comment for this but it seems I just have to upvote yours! Can't agree more, the rest looks great.
Was thinking the same thing. Same with the one on the left, although that's less jarring.
Yeah, that heavy wind from the main mini should be reflected somehow on to the rest of the diorama...
I agree that this would add more drama and cohesion to the piece, it can also be a huge negative against the piece as a whole if it isn't properly executed.
If Jon's intention is to have this be a competition piece, he runs the risk of sculpting something that might not be 100% up to the judge's standards. If he has not sculpted anything at all, he would not run the risk for any unnecessary judgement.
But hey, maybe he can really pull it off, and it would make it all the better. This is just a concern for competition pieces.
I love the subtle life lessons in here. "I learned from my mistakes, grew, and won't make those mistakes again. Instead, I'll make all new ones!" Perfect summation of life.
The fact that the blurred silhouette in the thumbnail looks visually interesting is a good sign for the finished product.
Man this thing is going to be sick! Can’t wait to see it painted.
i literally started the 'hobby' this weekend and am amused at being at the fartest reaches of the skill spectrum from this but your videos have been instrumental in recent weeks in helping me get set up and prepared to paint! Thank so much and I cant wait to see how this turns out.
YYYYEEEEAAAAAHHHH!!!!!
I know nothing about composition, but this year's diorama is already much more exciting!
13:42 100% will. These are my favorite video John!
Just saw the Golden Demon update. Congrats on taking home an award. Looked like the competition was steep.
2:15 I tend to have a lot of tabs open in my browser, but this is next level John!
Great job as always. Just as an idea for you, maybe you should add some battle damage to miniatures, like damaged weapons and armore, bandaged body parts and severed limbs, to really sell the look that they have just come out from hard battle. And maybe a couple of corpses here and there, provided you have free space left.)
The vampire scene was amazing. This one looks to be even better.
Didnt like it so much. This one started way better
looking forward to seeing this painted
That looks great, my dude! I can't wait to see it painted. You'll win for sure.
It looks really good! I also wonder how it would look if the guys on foot were looking up at the mounted leader, and he was looking down, somber after a costly defense of the castle/city. The hope of the soldiers as they look up to their leader contrasting with the melancholy of the leader that knows they have lost too much and may not recover in time for the next attack.
It’s a good day when we get a new Ninjon upload!
It's not often I bookmark a video, but I think this one is going to be a valuable reference for me in the not too distant future.
The composition is so great, looks like those old Renaissance portraits or photos of soldiers of the world wars.
I can hardly wait to see what it looks like with paint on it!
I'm looking forward to seeing several more videos on this project!
Before you go to painting, I think you should convert some wind generated motion into all of the minis. The cloak on the right guy certainly but also the others. Just some strings/ bandages could sell the effect for the cloakless minis.
What could also be cool is adding that effect into the eventual trees/bushes you'll add.
I use DAS for my Emperor's Children bases. But I mix it with PVA glue to make it less brittle when it dries. Then use textured rollers over them.
Love the composition on this one. Looking forward to seeing it painted!
Where I'm from every kid used to play with DAS clay in elementary school, once you get to know the material you can do some very small and precise details.
Honestly the vampire scene was sick! I DO get the composition issues with it, but it also has good... What I can only describe as flow? Movement? The zombies coming up the rear look great
I came back to this video after watching the podcast and its great to see you made changes.
The sculpt of the marshal has the wind blowing from left to right. Would be awesome if that is reflected in other parts of the diorama as well.
It was so funny to see you looking for inspiration with that photo 😂
In fact, it is the castle of "Sant Miquel" in Alta-Riba, in Catalonia, not far from where I live!
Thank you for the video, it was very interesting and useful (like all of the others that you make) 🎉🎉
Looks pretty cool, can't wait to see how you go painting it.
Yeah this base is looking on point, cant wait to see it get some colour.
I love this concept! Reminds me of those WWII photos of squads after a battle or something just standing there heroically or with this solemn look after a harrowing battle.
Went looking through Epic Basing's offerings but couldn't find the ruined walls you used, maybe I'm just blind! (I did find the ancient temple flooring you used so that's cool!)
Did you manage to find what the ruined walls were? Im looking currently!
I really like this piece! I Can't wait for it to be painted!
I'd like to encourage any and all painters to make scenic bases. The process I found extremely rewarding and liberating. A very nice way to take a step back from a precise and ardous paintjob, and just let loose with a bunch of random stuff. Great video Jon!
DAS clay is an essential part of my terrain/basing. Probably not the best for bricks though, but SUPER good for smoothing out the transition between vertical layers, creating hills/lumps/etc. Really recommend.
omg I love this! You've really inspired me to paint my own CoS box :)
Would you consider adding the gargolyians onto the base? They're these cool little critters that hang around cities of sigmar armies.
Looking forward to the painting video!
Looks super clean
Dude, I love your videos. Can't wait to see this painted up.
The scene composition looks gorgeous. If you wanted an epic look, you definitely achieved it!
Can't wait to see how you paint one of my fav kits recently released, the Freeguild Cavalier-Marshal 🤩
Go Go Go Ninjon, I'll be cheering for you...
Looks great, looking forward to the painting stage
Dayum that really looks sick! Love it already.
Ryan Neil of Bonsai Mirai is such a strong proponent of asymmetry that it’s fundamental to his compositional philosophy when potting trees. When faced with the question of more or less symmetry, he usually pushes it further afield, towards more dynamism, more demanding composition. Go beyond, NinJon!
Looks very cool. Like a character creation splash page out of a roleplaying book. I'm thinking a smoldering fire pit between the pikeman and the shield guy would be a neat touch and a chance for some interesting source lighting.
New series? Let’s go!!
Two other suggestions that might already be in the comments
1) There are other building materials mixed into stone buildings (wood, iron, etc.) that will help provide more of an idea of the settlement that was destroyed.
2) Mix in some amount of evidence of human toll to the scene (ripped banner, charred keepsakes) to sell the story that this is grim determination in the face of overwhelming destructive capacity.
Also, bonus third thing check the eyelines on the dude on the left. He is looking a little low and too the left.
Awesome work my dude. I am pulling for you to win, but also just want you to be happy with your effort.
Wow! That is going to be a great model. Look forward to seeing it finished.
I absolutely love this! This has inspired me to create small sized dioramas for models and i absolutely love the process, keep up the great work
@Ninjon - this looks awesome! A big improvement and much more epic. Really looking forward to seeing this painted.
Awesome video, awesome project….just all-around awesome. The composition and setting looks great (also awesome)!
Comp looks great!
I'm really excited to see the final result!
Super excited to see how this goes!
Damn! It`s already lookin great! Cant wait for the progress!
What an awesome scene! This video just helped with the composition of a diorarma I am working now.
Look forward to following this journey and seeing it myself at the Golden Demon. Good luck.
Beautiful
This setup looks amazing. They feel like they are preparing to stand against a greater foe that is charging in. Looks epic and cant wait to see it painted up. Good luck!!
13:33 Slay the Gray young man. Slay the Gray.
Really nice scene right there 👏👏
Love the new diorama. Can’t wait to see it painted
I really like where you're headed with this project - the way you've set up the minis creates some great negative spaces that are already starting to pop even even without a coat of primer.
The number of tabs open when you were scrolling through the composition website caused me psychic damage.
Looks awesome Jon, really think you've got a winner there, excited to see it realized.
This is incredible - you nailed the composition in my opinion. The slow rise of characters up to the Marshall has this heroic posing that lends to the story of what had just occurred in this scene. Love it
When I first saw you original piece I thought exactly the same thing (that there is to much empty space and flatness) but I thought to myself "ahh its Jon, he knows what he is doing and I have no idea"... but hearing you figuring out your problems with the piece gave me some validation haha. Really interesting and helpful to see you go back and figuring out "bad" aspects of your older projects and figuring them out on new ones. Btw, I thing this new composition is reallyreally nice!
That is already looking very interesting. I particularly noted how you have the figures all looking at only 2 different reference points outside of the diorama. Great work incorporating all of your learnings!
I'd add a few different grades of grit sparingly over the brown textured areas to sell the recently collapse look, as the fine texture would suggest less rubble and its just sunk into the ground over time, rather than a pule of rubble of the remains of a keep.
Looks awesome Jon
Someone NEEDS to say it:
What the hell is going on with the tabs on your browser on 2:18 ?
Great video, though
Such a fun and dynamic piece, I can't wait to see it painted!!
Looks great already! I love this project of yours.
Cant wait to see you slap some paint on this bad boy mate! Great great video as always!
Excellent composition 😊
Looks great Jon!
Looks AWESOME! Thanks for sharing your thought process and techniques. Looking forward to the next step.
Lovely progress so far, Jon!
Thanks, really inspiring.
If you can eventually pull off a GD, that would have to be the best improvement in artistry I’ve seen in the hobby. The fact you’re even competing just shows the effort you’ve put in, not just in painting, but in your video quality and scripts. I have a feeling you’re a very competitive person, and I really do appreciate the work you put in on your videos.
I'm a very humble paintenr but i wanna say that this diorama that didn't win is my favorite diorama of all those i've ever seen. The night/day idea is brilliant and very well executed. Don't be too hard on yourself ;)
looking great!
looks great
amazing piece! Cannot wait to se the paint job on this :)
Love your work and has inspired me to devil into more scenic bases and dioramas then gameplay.
No idea whether john reads the comments; But I for one am super happy that he chose to make a video about what is exciting him instead of what will get the most views. It sucks to have to put effort into shit you don't enjoy as much instead of what you are getting enjoyment out of. And as a bonus its way more fun to watch someone talk about shit they are excited for in general. I would love to have more of these kinds of videos to watch while I do my boring job that I get no enjoyment out off ^^
I did read this comment, and I appreciate you taking the time to write it! I try to keep a healthy balance
I was concerned about the symmetry of the cork until you placed the brick bits and then BAM it came to life
That looks like it’s going to be a fun project. I managed to get some time in painting a model this week and did some pretty solid work painting my first ork
That mini diorama looks pretty bad ass, I look forward to seeing it in the case this coming year at Adepticon! Thanks for sharing the process.. your videos are always enjoyable and informative!!
I’d love to see a analysis of what you would do with last year’s entry. Given what you learned, I’d love to see how you would redo it.
Not a full repaint/redo of course, but seeing a rough sketch of your ideas would be cool.
Looks so good!
Jon there is a shot at the end the horse front right leg looked like it was hovering and did not look like it was natural on the floor. 😊
looks awesome already, indeed much better than last year's diorama
Jon, looking thin and healthy man! Thanks for the content. Golden demon piece last time was *chefs kiss*
Looking great, to me this video was way more interesting and entertaining than a normal “paint the mini” video. I’ll be on the look out for the next one in this series.
Amazing stuff Jon, like you said composition already feels exciting and dramatic, and focused. Keep it up and truly hope you get placed in the top 3!
The amount of icons at the tops of the browser at 2:20 gives me an anxiety that I cannot out fully into words 😅
Did anyone else notice the number of tabs opened on the Chrome? My guy...close a window haha. My IT brain/soul is screaming haha.
Love the videos and content!!! Inspired me to really take painting seriously and want to do my first competition piece because of your enthusiasm for the hobby!
Looking at finished Golden Demon dioramas always feels so intimidating, like completely unapproachable for the average hobbyist, but seeing you go through the whole process in detail, breaking it down even to the pre-thought and sketching stages makes it seem so much more interesting. This video actually inspires me to try out a diorama, maybe to use as a terrain piece or something functional as I’m not a competition level painter.
(Side note: finally clicked the button and placed an order from Into the AM! That hoodie finally sold me on checking them out.)
This looks great! Cant wait to see progress videos on this! \m/
Love this. Looking forward to seeing more videos in the future showing further progress on this project.
This looks great! Reall inspiring for a CoS diorama im planning right now! Working up a plan currently to do a very similar rag tag last stand type scene.