THE ARMY PAINTER: John Blanche Masterclass – Heavy Metal (18mL)
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Preorder Notice: This item is expected to be released on September 19, 2026.
THE ARMY PAINTER: John Blanche Masterclass – Heavy Metal (18mL)
Heavy Metal is a water-based acrylic metallic paint developed by The Army Painter in collaboration with John Blanche. Its steel-toned finish is suited to weapons, armor, machinery, chainmail, tools, vehicles, industrial terrain, and dark metallic details on fantasy and science-fiction miniatures.
Key Features
- Official The Army Painter product code WP4019P.
- Developed in collaboration with John Blanche.
- Warpaints Fanatic Metallic acrylic for models and miniatures.
- Steel-toned metallic color for weapons, armor, and machinery.
- Specialized blend of aluminum flake and mica.
- Formulated to balance metallic coverage and reflective sheen.
- Useful as a basecoat for steel and dark metallic surfaces.
- Mixable with other Warpaints Fanatic Metallic colors.
- Suitable for clean, shaded, highlighted, and weathered metal finishes.
- Supplied in an 18mL dropper bottle.
Product Specifications
| Brand | The Army Painter |
|---|---|
| Collection | John Blanche Masterclass |
| Paint Range | Warpaints Fanatic Metallic |
| Color Name | Heavy Metal |
| Color Family | Steel metallic |
| Paint Type | Water-based acrylic metallic miniature paint |
| Metallic Components | Specialized blend of aluminum flake and mica |
| Application Effect | Reflective metallic coverage and steel sheen |
| Container | Dropper bottle |
| Volume | 18mL |
| Product Code | WP4019P |
| Primary Use | Models and miniatures |
Steel Metallic Paint for Miniatures
Heavy Metal provides a reflective metallic foundation for steel areas while preserving sculpted details such as rivets, engraved lines, mechanical joints, weapon edges, and armor plates.
It can be used across larger metal surfaces or reserved for selected weapons, equipment, and mechanical details.
Aluminum Flake and Mica Formula
Warpaints Fanatic Metallics use a specialized combination of aluminum flake and mica to balance coverage with metallic reflectivity.
The formula is designed to produce visible metallic sheen without requiring numerous heavy coats that could soften fine miniature detail.
Official Steel Painting Recipe
An official Army Painter tutorial begins steel areas with a basecoat of Heavy Metal.
Grimdark Shadow is then applied across the metal for depth, followed by Plate Mail Metal along raised edges to restore shine and define the brightest areas.
Weapons and Dark Metallic Surfaces
Heavy Metal works well on swords, firearms, blades, mechanical weapons, buckles, chains, tools, armor fittings, and other steel components.
A darker wash can be added after the metallic basecoat has dried to separate panels, recesses, rivets, and moving parts.
Shading Heavy Metal
Apply a compatible miniature wash over the dry metallic basecoat to deepen recesses and increase contrast.
Guide the wash into joints, panel lines, weapon mechanisms, chain links, vents, engraved details, and lower edges. Remove excessive pooling from broad raised areas before it dries.
Highlighting Metallic Edges
After shading, reapply Heavy Metal to selected raised surfaces that need more clarity.
Finish with a brighter metallic such as Plate Mail Metal along prominent corners, blade edges, armor ridges, rivets, and other points that would catch the strongest light.
Weathered and Battle-Damaged Metal
Heavy Metal can be combined with dark washes, rust colors, grime, scratches, and painted chips to create worn steel and battle-damaged equipment.
Apply the weathering gradually so portions of the metallic surface remain visible beneath the added dirt and corrosion.
Sponge Chipping and Scratches
A small amount of Heavy Metal can be applied with a torn sponge to represent exposed steel beneath damaged painted armor.
Use a fine brush to add selected scratches and edge marks. Keep the placement irregular and concentrate wear around corners, handles, moving parts, and exposed surfaces.
Armor, Machinery and Industrial Terrain
Heavy Metal can be used on armor, mechanical limbs, engines, weapons, generators, pipes, industrial flooring, doors, vehicles, and terrain components.
Combine it with controlled washes and brighter edge highlights to prevent larger metallic areas from appearing flat or uniform.
Mixing Metallic Colors
Warpaints Fanatic Metallics can be mixed with one another to adjust the brightness, temperature, and character of the final metal color.
Mix small test amounts first and record the ratio when painting several miniatures that require a consistent custom metallic finish.
Suggested Painting Uses
- Steel armor, helmets, shields, and weapons
- Swords, blades, firearms, chains, and tools
- Mechanical limbs, machinery, engines, and vehicles
- Buckles, rivets, armor fittings, and equipment
- Industrial terrain, pipes, doors, and flooring
- Exposed steel beneath chipped painted surfaces
- Clean, shaded, highlighted, or weathered metallic finishes
- Grimdark and John Blanche-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 instead of 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: Heavy Metal is a Warpaints Fanatic Metallic. It should not be classified as a standard non-metallic acrylic, Speedpaint, wash, effects paint, primer, or pre-thinned airbrush paint.
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.
Application Notice: Allow the metallic basecoat to dry completely before applying washes, weathering, or brighter edge highlights.
Safety Notice: Follow all directions and precautions printed on the physical product label. This product is not suitable for children under 14 years of age.
Recommended For
- Steel and dark true-metallic-metal painting
- John Blanche and grimdark-inspired miniatures
- Armor, weapons, machinery, chains, and tools
- Fantasy, science-fiction, historical, and gothic miniatures
- Clean, shaded, highlighted, chipped, or weathered steel
- Vehicles, mechanical models, and industrial terrain
- Tabletop armies and display figures
- Beginners and experienced miniature painters
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of paint is Heavy Metal?
Heavy Metal is a water-based Warpaints Fanatic metallic acrylic paint made for models and miniatures.
Is Heavy Metal a metallic paint?
Yes. It uses a specialized blend of aluminum flake and mica to provide metallic coverage and reflective sheen.
How much paint is included?
The dropper bottle contains 18mL of Heavy Metal metallic paint.
What can Heavy Metal be used for?
It can be used for weapons, steel armor, chains, machinery, tools, vehicle parts, industrial terrain, and other metallic details.
Can Heavy Metal be used as a steel basecoat?
Yes. The Army Painter uses it as a basecoat for steel areas and weapons in official painting guides.
How can Heavy Metal be shaded?
A compatible miniature wash can be applied after the metallic basecoat has dried. The Army Painter uses Grimdark Shadow in an official steel-painting sequence.
What can be used to highlight Heavy Metal?
The Army Painter uses Plate Mail Metal for brighter edge highlights over shaded Heavy Metal.
Can Heavy Metal be used for chipping?
Yes. Apply a small amount with a torn sponge or fine brush to create exposed steel, scratches, and chipped painted surfaces.
Can it be mixed with other metallic paints?
Yes. Warpaints Fanatic Metallics can be mixed with one another to create 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 Heavy Metal a Speedpaint or wash?
No. Heavy Metal is a Warpaints Fanatic Metallic rather than a Speedpaint or miniature wash.
Explore More Miniature Paints
Browse more products from The Army Painter, explore additional colors in The Army Painter Metallic Paints, or find more supplies in the Figure and Miniature Painting collection.