Ikeda and Hobbyists Weigh in on Warhammer's New Tone Pro Paints

Key points

• Kentaro Ikeda, a multiple-time Golden Demon winner, tested the new Warhammer Tone Pro paints in Nottingham and expressed enthusiasm for using them to 'paint for the Emperor.'
• The Tone Pro range consists of 150 paints organized into 30 colors, each with five distinct tones, allowing users to move from dark basecoats to bright highlights.
• The new paints are available in Warhammer Stores and independent hobby shops, with in-store painting demos scheduled in Japan starting October 3.
• A promotional contest is running until October 4, offering three winners a full set of the new paints, drybrushes, and Warhammer Pro Tools.
• Independent reviewer Randy Gregory II noted that while the paints offer excellent coverage and blend well, they dry quickly and retain the widely disliked pot design.

Background

Warhammer Tone Pro launched globally on September 26, 2026, as a major update to the company's paint line. Previous coverage highlighted that the range includes 150 colors designed for strong first-pass coverage and versatility in basecoating, highlighting, and drybrushing. The launch was accompanied by a series of interviews with prominent painters, including Ninjon, Albert Moreto Font, and Aleksandra Cvetanovski, all of whom tested the new products in Nottingham.

How outlets are covering it

Warhammer Community presents a positive view through the lens of elite painters like Kentaro Ikeda, who see the new range as a tool for high-level competition and artistic expression. In contrast, GamingTrend offers a more critical, independent perspective. While acknowledging the paints' high pigmentation and coverage, GamingTrend points out that the quick drying time can be a drawback for some users and that the controversial pot design remains unchanged. Additionally, GamingTrend notes that the color naming system still relies on Warhammer universe names rather than traditional color names, which may not appeal to all hobbyists.

Why it matters

The launch of Warhammer Tone Pro represents a significant shift in Games Workshop's approach to miniature painting, aiming to simplify the process while maintaining high quality. The mixed reactions from top painters and independent reviewers highlight the ongoing debate in the hobby community about the balance between convenience, traditional techniques, and product design. The success of this new range could influence future product development and the broader market for miniature paints.

What to watch

Hobbyists and painters will continue to test and review the Warhammer Tone Pro paints in the coming weeks. The promotional contest will conclude on October 4, and in-store painting demos in Japan will begin on October 3. Further reviews and feedback from the community will likely provide a more comprehensive understanding of the paints' long-term performance and value.