Thank you!
Well, back before the Internet it was much harder I think.
One is the materials used (paints but also those pewter - or even lead - miniatures), and one is how to obtain the knowledge. In the 80s if you didn't have somebody in your local circle who could show you a technique, you would not know it unless you were really lucky to find it out yourself or read it in a magazine.
Yesterday I watched videos about how to paint Kairic Acolytes and Tzaangors and thought: Holy crap I wouldn't have the slightest clue how those color schemes work without that video, especially the skin. But this is the 21st century, I just watch someone (who might be from another continent) how he paints it, in 1080p resolution on my 46" TV. In the middle of the night if I want to. Ten times in a row if I want, without loss of quality. That changes a lot.
Btw, since you posted your '80s minis:
I am VERY sure that without the Internet that's pretty much exactly how my miniatures would look. I am a bit of a shut-in so I'd probably not be the person sitting in a GW store painting. Seeing how your minis look pretty great nowadays I'd say you practised quite well.
And it may be silly, but it really helps to see everybody started somewhere. It gave me a lot of hope to read this article:
https://www.warhammer-community.com/2016/11/14/my-first-model-part-1-our-own-duncan-rhodes/
Duncan is a great painter, and he shows his first model, which, well... let's say it doesn't quite reach the standards he is known for today. And I found it great how he explains that he keeps it near his desk to remind himself that everyone starts somewhere. That's a great attitude as well.