THE ARMY PAINTER: John Blanche Masterclass – Emperor Gold (18mL)
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Preorder Notice: This item is expected to be released on September 19, 2026.
THE ARMY PAINTER: John Blanche Masterclass – Emperor Gold (18mL)
Emperor Gold is a water-based acrylic metallic paint developed by The Army Painter in collaboration with John Blanche. Its reflective gold finish is suited to armor, weapons, ornaments, jewelry, trim, machinery, icons, and weathered metallic details on fantasy and science-fiction miniatures.
Key Features
- Official The Army Painter product code WP4009P.
- Developed in collaboration with John Blanche.
- Warpaints Fanatic metallic acrylic for models and miniatures.
- Gold metallic color with a reflective finish.
- Specialized blend of aluminum flake and mica.
- Formulated to balance metallic coverage and sheen.
- Useful as a basecoat for detailed gold surfaces.
- Mixable with other Warpaints Fanatic Metallic colors.
- Suitable for clean, aged, weathered, and grimdark gold finishes.
- Supplied in an 18mL dropper bottle.
Product Specifications
| Brand | The Army Painter |
|---|---|
| Collection | John Blanche Masterclass |
| Paint Range | Warpaints Fanatic Metallic |
| Color Name | Emperor Gold |
| Color Family | Gold |
| Paint Type | Water-based acrylic metallic miniature paint |
| Metallic Components | Specialized blend of aluminum flake and mica |
| Application Effect | Reflective metallic coverage and gold sheen |
| Container | Dropper bottle |
| Volume | 18mL |
| Product Code | WP4009P |
| Primary Use | Models and miniatures |
Gold Metallic Paint for Miniatures
Emperor Gold provides a reflective metallic base for gold areas while preserving sculpted edges, engraved details, rivets, decorative trim, and surface texture.
It can be used on small details or across larger armor panels depending on the model and the desired finish.
Aluminum Flake and Mica Formula
Warpaints Fanatic Metallics use a specialized combination of aluminum flake and mica to balance coverage with metallic reflectivity.
This formulation helps produce visible shine while reducing the need for numerous heavy coats that could soften fine miniature details.
Created for Expressive Grimdark Painting
The John Blanche Masterclass collection supports expressive, textured, gothic, and story-driven miniature painting.
Emperor Gold can be kept bright and polished or shaded and weathered to create an older, darker finish suited to grimdark armor, religious icons, relics, machinery, and battle-worn equipment.
Official Gold Painting Recipe
An official Army Painter tutorial begins gold areas with an Emperor Gold basecoat.
The painted areas are then shaded with Dark Skin Shade and highlighted along the edges with True Brass. A heavily thinned green can be placed around rivets and crevices when an aged verdigris effect is desired.
Shading Emperor Gold
Apply a compatible wash after the metallic basecoat has dried to deepen recesses, separate overlapping details, and increase contrast.
Guide the wash into joints, engraved lines, rivets, folds, and lower edges. Remove excessive pooling from broad raised surfaces before it dries.
Highlighting Gold Edges
Restore the Emperor Gold base color on raised surfaces after shading, then apply a brighter metallic along selected edges and focal points.
Keep the brightest highlights limited to the areas that would catch the most light so the finished gold retains depth and readable contrast.
Aged and Weathered Gold
Controlled brown, green, or dark washes can be added around recesses, rivets, joins, and damaged areas to produce an older or more weathered gold finish.
Build these effects gradually so the metallic reflection remains visible beneath the added shading and surface discoloration.
Mixing Metallic Colors
Warpaints Fanatic Metallics can be mixed with one another to adjust the brightness, warmth, and character of the metallic finish.
Mix small amounts first and record the proportions when painting several miniatures that require a consistent custom gold color.
Suggested Painting Uses
- Gold armor, helmets, shields, and weapons
- Decorative trim, icons, symbols, and insignia
- Jewelry, ornaments, crowns, and relics
- Mechanical details, machinery, and vehicle parts
- Fantasy treasure, statues, and terrain details
- Clean or polished true metallic metal finishes
- Aged, tarnished, and weathered gold effects
- Grimdark and Blanchitsu-inspired miniatures
How to Use
- Shake the bottle thoroughly for approximately 30 seconds.
- Dispense a small amount to check that the metallic particles are evenly mixed.
- Shake the bottle again when visible separation remains.
- Apply the paint over a clean, dry, and primed surface.
- Use thin, controlled coats rather than one heavy application.
- Allow each coat to dry before evaluating the coverage.
- Add a wash after the metallic basecoat has dried when deeper shading is required.
- Apply brighter metallic highlights after the shaded areas are fully dry.
Paint-Type Notice: Emperor Gold is a Warpaints Fanatic Metallic. It should not be classified as a standard non-metallic acrylic, Speedpaint, wash, effect paint, or primer.
Mixing Notice: Metallic particles can settle inside the bottle. Shake thoroughly before use and repeat when the paint does not appear evenly mixed.
Color Notice: Screen settings, lighting, primer color, surrounding colors, application thickness, and viewing angle can affect the appearance of the metallic finish. Refer to the physical bottle or a painted sample when an exact match is required.
Product Notice: Follow all instructions and precautions printed on the physical product label.
Recommended For
- Gold true metallic metal painting
- John Blanche and grimdark-inspired miniatures
- Armor, weapons, trim, jewelry, and ornaments
- Fantasy, science-fiction, and gothic miniatures
- Clean, shaded, highlighted, or weathered gold finishes
- Tabletop armies, display figures, and terrain
- Beginners and experienced miniature painters
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of paint is Emperor Gold?
Emperor Gold is a water-based Warpaints Fanatic metallic acrylic paint made for models and miniatures.
Is Emperor Gold a metallic paint?
Yes. It uses a specialized blend of aluminum flake and mica to produce metallic coverage and sheen.
How much paint is included?
The dropper bottle contains 18mL of Emperor Gold metallic paint.
What can Emperor Gold be used for?
It can be used for gold armor, weapons, trim, jewelry, icons, ornaments, machinery, terrain, and other metallic details.
Can Emperor Gold be shaded?
Yes. A compatible wash can be applied after the basecoat has dried to increase contrast and deepen recessed details.
What can be used to highlight Emperor Gold?
The Army Painter uses True Brass as an edge highlight over Emperor Gold in an official painting tutorial.
Can Emperor Gold be weathered?
Yes. Controlled brown, dark, or green shading can create aged, tarnished, and verdigris-style effects around rivets and recesses.
Can it be mixed with other metallic paints?
Yes. Warpaints Fanatic Metallics are designed to mix with one another for custom metallic colors.
Should the bottle be shaken before use?
Yes. Shake the bottle thoroughly for approximately 30 seconds and confirm that the metallic particles are evenly distributed.
Is Emperor Gold a Speedpaint?
No. Emperor Gold is a Warpaints Fanatic Metallic rather than a one-coat Speedpaint.
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