Over the past few days, I’ve had an absolute blast painting up some commission models for a Vampire Counts army in Warhammer: The Old World. These were classic old-school Warhammer Fantasy models: Vampire on Abyssal Terror, Spirit Hosts, and Bat Swarms. I’m really glad to see oldhammer models being used for Warhammer: The Old World – it’s amazing to see these classics getting some love again! Painting them was a real treat, and it hit me with a wave of nostalgia – took me right back to the days of tournament play, where I’d see loads of these models in action. Brought back some seriously good memories!

Vampire on Abyssal Terror
This one was a particularly tricky piece, as the person I painted it for had a very specific vision for how it should turn out. Even though this was a completely different model, I did my best to replicate the look they wanted as closely as possible. The beast’s body and wings were meant to be in a pale grey-white tone, blending into dark, smudged black speckles. On top of that, there were these bloody veins for that extra gruesome effect, and the vampire’s cloak had to shift from deep crimson to a vibrant, striking red. The armour was almost pure black, with sharp edges to enhance that dark and menacing vibe. Definitely a challenge, but I was really happy with how it came together in the end.

Spirit Hosts
These models have a pretty simple sculpt, but that’s exactly what makes them so fun to paint – loads of room to play around with different techniques and effects. I went for a spectral, ghostly feel, bringing out an ethereal quality with soft colour transitions and subtle lighting effects. It really gave them that proper haunting presence on the tabletop. I had a great time working on them, as they offered so much creative freedom to experiment.

Bat Swarms
These little guys were also a joy to work on. Instead of the standard chunky metal rods, I swapped them out for pins, which are much thinner and give them a far more delicate, weightless look – way better in my opinion! The wing membranes are painted in shades of blue, just like their bigger cousins, the Fell Bats, which I’d painted before. It tied the army together nicely and gave them an even eerier appearance

All in all, painting these oldhammer models wasn’t just a fun project – it was a proper nostalgia trip back to the golden days when Warhammer Fantasy was at its peak. I really hope I get the chance to paint more of these classic models in the future because they bring back so many good memories!