Vallejo True Metallics - Shade
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Vallejo True Metallic Obsidian Black Shade
Vallejo True Metallic Obsidian Black Shade True Metallic Metal (TMM) is a painting technique that aims to represent realistic metallic surfaces usi...
View full detailsVallejo True Metallic Rusty Metal Shade
Vallejo True Metallic Rusty Metal Shade True Metallic Metal (TMM) is a painting technique that aims to represent realistic metallic surfaces using ...
View full detailsVallejo True Metallic Sterling Silver Shade
Vallejo True Metallic Sterling Silver Shade True Metallic Metal (TMM) is a painting technique that aims to represent realistic metallic surfaces us...
View full detailsVallejo True Metallic Aged Metal Shade
Vallejo True Metallic Aged Metal Shade True Metallic Metal (TMM) is a painting technique that aims to represent realistic metallic surfaces using p...
View full detailsVallejo True Metallic Imperial Gold Shade
Vallejo True Metallic Imperial Gold Shade True Metallic Metal (TMM) is a painting technique that aims to represent realistic metallic surfaces usin...
View full detailsVallejo True Metallic Arcane Gold Shade
Vallejo True Metallic Arcane Gold Shade True Metallic Metal (TMM) is a painting technique that aims to represent realistic metallic surfaces using ...
View full detailsVallejo True Metallic Hydra Turqoise Shade
Vallejo True Metallic Hydra Turqoise Shade True Metallic Metal (TMM) is a painting technique that aims to represent realistic metallic surfaces usi...
View full detailsVallejo True Metallic Ruby Red Shade
Vallejo True Metallic Ruby Red Shade True Metallic Metal (TMM) is a painting technique that aims to represent realistic metallic surfaces using pai...
View full detailsVallejo True Metallic Forged Red Shade
Vallejo True Metallic Forged Red Shade True Metallic Metal (TMM) is a painting technique that aims to represent realistic metallic surfaces using p...
View full detailsVallejo True Metallic Greenish Gold Shade
Vallejo True Metallic Greenish Gold Shade True Metallic Metal (TMM) is a painting technique that aims to represent realistic metallic surfaces usin...
View full detailsVallejo True Metallic Sapphire Blue Shade
Vallejo True Metallic Sapphire Blue Shade True Metallic Metal (TMM) is a painting technique that aims to represent realistic metallic surfaces usin...
View full detailsVallejo True Metallic Ancient Copper Shade
Vallejo True Metallic Ancient Copper Shade True Metallic Metal (TMM) is a painting technique that aims to represent realistic metallic surfaces usi...
View full detailsVallejo True Metallic Amber Green Shade
Vallejo True Metallic Amber Green Shade True Metallic Metal (TMM) is a painting technique that aims to represent realistic metallic surfaces using ...
View full detailsVallejo True Metallic Amethyst Purple Shade
Vallejo True Metallic Amethyst Purple Shade True Metallic Metal (TMM) is a painting technique that aims to represent realistic metallic surfaces us...
View full detailsVallejo True Metallic Radiant Yellow Shade
Vallejo True Metallic Radiant Yellow Shade True Metallic Metal (TMM) is a painting technique that aims to represent realistic metallic surfaces usi...
View full detailsVallejo True Metallic Beetle Green Shade
Vallejo True Metallic Beetle Green Shade True Metallic Metal (TMM) is a painting technique that aims to represent realistic metallic surfaces using...
View full detailsVallejo True Metallic Celestial Violet Shade
Vallejo True Metallic Celestial Violet Shade True Metallic Metal (TMM) is a painting technique that aims to represent realistic metallic surfaces u...
View full detailsVallejo True Metallic Crimson Magenta Shade
Vallejo True Metallic Crimson Magenta Shade True Metallic Metal (TMM) is a painting technique that aims to represent realistic metallic surfaces us...
View full detailsVallejo True Metallic Dusken Green Shade
Vallejo True Metallic Dusken Green Shade True Metallic Metal (TMM) is a painting technique that aims to represent realistic metallic surfaces using...
View full detailsVallejo True Metallic Ultramarine Blue Shade
Vallejo True Metallic Ultramarine Blue Shade True Metallic Metal (TMM) is a painting technique that aims to represent realistic metallic surfaces u...
View full detailsVallejo True Metallics â Shade Tones
Vallejo True Metallics â Shade Tones are the essential darkest metallics in the Vallejo range, crafted to establish depth, shadow, and rich undertones beneath brighter metal layers. These colorsâincluding deep iron, dark steel, shadowed bronze, tarnished copper, and near-black metallic blendsâprovide the foundation of realistic Non-Metallic-Metal (NMM-style metallic) transitions. Shade Tones enhance definition, create contrast, and anchor a modelâs metal surfaces with stronger visual weight.
Ideal for weapons, war machines, knights, mechs, steampunk machinery, historical armor, and sci-fi plating, these darker tones help painters reinforce recesses, simulate grime and patina, and build natural light-to-dark gradients. Vallejo Shade Metallics offer smooth coverage, ultra-fine metallic flakes, and excellent brush or airbrush performance, making them the perfect starting point for layered metallic work. Whether youâre aiming for dramatic depth, subtle shadowing, or advanced high-contrast armor finishes, Shade Tones create the crucial groundwork for showpiece-quality metallic effects.
1. What are Vallejo Shade Metallics used for?
Shade Tones establish the darkest values in metallic painting, acting as the base shadows beneath midtone and highlight metals. They define recesses, edges, and deep reflections, helping create a natural metallic gradient that mimics real light behavior.
2. Why use Shade Metallics instead of simply washing regular metallics?
Shade Metallics maintain their reflective qualities even in dark tones, whereas washes often dull or flatten shine. Using true dark metallics preserves a cohesive metallic finish, allowing smoother transitions and more realistic depth without sacrificing polish.
3. What colors are considered Shade Tones?
Deep iron, dark steel, gunmetal shadow, smoky silver, tarnished bronze, aged brass, and near-black metallics all fall under Shade Tones. These colors replicate soot-darkened metals, heat exposure, and natural patina found on weapons and industrial surfaces.
4. Are Shade Metallics brush-friendly?
Yes. Their smooth consistency and high opacity allow controlled application in recesses and shadow zones. They spread evenly without streaky texture, making them perfect for large armor plates or tight trim sections on characters and vehicles.
5. Do Shade Metallics work well with an airbrush?
Absolutely. Shade Metallics thin gracefully with Vallejo Airbrush Thinner or Flow Improver. When airbrushed, they produce rich gradients for high-contrast metal schemes, perfect for mechs, tanks, plasma weapons, and complex armor surfaces.
6. What primers work best for dark metallics?
Black primer creates instant depth and enhances the richness of Shade Metallics. Dark grey or brown primers can shift the undertone for bronze or weathered metal effects. These primers help the metallic flakes reflect light more subtly and naturally.
7. How do I build highlights from Shade Tones?
Start with Shade Metallics in the deepest recess areas, then layer Vallejo True Metallic Base Tones as midtones. Follow this with Light Tones for edge highlights and high reflection points. This three-step process creates dimensional, realistic metallic depth suitable for competition-level painting.
8. Can Shade Metallics replace NMM-style shadows?
They offer a hybrid approach. Shade Metallics maintain true metallic sparkle while achieving near-NMM contrast. Painters often combine dark metallics with matte glazing or subtle shading to amplify depth without switching fully to non-metallic techniques.