THE ARMY PAINTER: John Blanche Masterclass – Ironclad Grey (18mL)
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Preorder Notice: This item is expected to be released on September 19, 2026.
THE ARMY PAINTER: John Blanche Masterclass – Ironclad Grey (18mL)
Ironclad Grey is a deep grey acrylic miniature paint developed by The Army Painter in collaboration with John Blanche. It works as a dark foundation for black and grey areas while retaining enough visible color for shading, layering, weathering, and edge highlights.
Key Features
- Official The Army Painter product code WP4002P.
- Developed in collaboration with John Blanche.
- Deep grey color for black, charcoal, and dark neutral areas.
- Useful as a dark basecoat that can still receive visible shading and highlights.
- High-quality Warpaints Fanatic acrylic for models and miniatures.
- Dense pigmentation supports controlled coverage and layering.
- Premium resin base with proprietary stabilizers.
- Can be thinned extensively while maintaining pigment dispersion.
- Part of the Black & Greys Flexible Colour Triad PLUS+ family.
- Supplied in an 18mL dropper bottle.
Product Specifications
| Brand | The Army Painter |
|---|---|
| Collection | John Blanche Masterclass |
| Paint Range | Warpaints Fanatic |
| Color Name | Ironclad Grey |
| Color Family | Deep grey and charcoal |
| Flexible Triad Family | Black & Greys PLUS+ |
| Paint Type | Acrylic miniature paint |
| Container | Dropper bottle |
| Volume | 18mL |
| Product Code | WP4002P |
| Primary Use | Models and miniatures |
| Formula Base | Premium resin base with proprietary stabilizers |
Dark Foundation for Black and Grey Areas
Ironclad Grey provides a dark neutral foundation without immediately reducing every surface to pure black. The visible grey tone leaves room for deeper shading, controlled midtones, and brighter edge highlights.
It is useful for armor plates, weapons, clothing, straps, mechanical parts, industrial terrain, vehicle components, and other areas that need a strong dark base.
Black & Greys Flexible Colour Triad PLUS+
Ironclad Grey is the John Blanche Masterclass color included in The Army Painter Black & Greys Flexible Colour Triad PLUS+ family.
It can be used with related black and grey tones to build a controlled progression from deep shadows through visible midtones and sharper highlights.
Official Black Painting Recipe
The Army Painter uses Ironclad Grey as the basecoat for black areas in an official Horus Heresy White Scars painting guide.
In that recipe, the basecoat is followed by a Dark Tone wash, an edge highlight with Uniform Grey, and final selected highlights with Ash Grey. This demonstrates how Ironclad Grey can anchor a readable black finish without starting from a completely flat black base.
Created for Grimdark Miniature Painting
The John Blanche Masterclass range was developed for expressive, textured, gothic, and story-driven miniature painting.
Ironclad Grey works naturally in worn, industrial, battle-damaged, and restrained color schemes where deep neutrals need to remain visually interesting.
Warpaints Fanatic Acrylic Formula
Warpaints Fanatic uses dense pigmentation in a premium resin base with proprietary stabilizers. The formula supports smooth application, controlled coverage, and consistent pigment distribution.
Ironclad Grey can be diluted for layering, glazing, transitions, and controlled shadow work while retaining even pigment dispersion.
Suggested Painting Uses
- Black and charcoal armor
- Dark weapons and mechanical components
- Industrial machinery and terrain
- Dark cloth, gloves, boots, and straps
- Vehicle tracks, tires, and equipment
- Cold shadows and muted neutral areas
- Weathered and battle-damaged surfaces
- Underpainting for black-to-grey transitions
How to Use
- Shake the bottle thoroughly for approximately 30 seconds.
- Dispense a small amount onto a palette.
- Check that the pigment is evenly mixed before applying it.
- Add water or a suitable acrylic medium gradually when thinning.
- Apply thin, controlled layers rather than one heavy coat.
- Allow each layer to dry before adding further shading or highlights.
- Shake the bottle again if pigment separation becomes visible.
Color Notice: Screen settings, lighting, primer color, surrounding colors, and application thickness can affect how Ironclad Grey appears. Refer to the physical bottle or a painted sample when an exact color match is required.
Application Notice: Shake the bottle thoroughly before use. Add water or acrylic medium in small amounts to maintain control over the consistency and coverage.
Safety Notice: Follow all instructions and precautions printed on the product label. This paint is not suitable for children under 14 years of age.
Recommended For
- Black and dark-grey miniature painting
- Grimdark and Blanchitsu-inspired projects
- Weathered armor and mechanical details
- Industrial terrain and science-fiction models
- Gothic fantasy miniatures
- Layering, glazing, and edge highlighting
- Tabletop models and display figures
- Beginners and experienced miniature painters
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of paint is Ironclad Grey?
Ironclad Grey is a Warpaints Fanatic acrylic paint made for models and miniatures.
What color family does Ironclad Grey belong to?
It belongs to The Army Painter Black & Greys Flexible Colour Triad PLUS+ family.
Can Ironclad Grey be used for black areas?
Yes. Its deep grey color makes it useful as a basecoat for black areas that will receive additional shading and highlights.
How much paint is included?
The dropper bottle contains 18mL of acrylic miniature paint.
Can Ironclad Grey be thinned?
Yes. Add water or a compatible acrylic medium gradually when thinning it for layering, glazing, or controlled transitions.
Should the bottle be shaken before use?
Yes. Shake it thoroughly for approximately 30 seconds, then check that the paint is evenly mixed before painting.
Is Ironclad Grey a metallic paint?
No. Ironclad Grey is a standard Warpaints Fanatic acrylic color, not a metallic paint.
Is Ironclad Grey a Speedpaint or wash?
No. It is an acrylic miniature paint rather than a Speedpaint or dedicated wash.
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