I tested Vallejos new True Metallics

For this project I wanted to try out Vallejo’s True Metallic Metal gold paints, as an alternative to my usual Citadel golds.
The goal was a rich, warm gold that still reads clearly on a mostly black miniature, without losing metallic shine.

This guide documents the exact steps I used.

Paints & Materials

Paints

• Vallejo True Metallic Metal Imperial Gold Base (77.123)
• Vallejo True Metallic Metal Imperial Gold Light (77.103)
• Citadel Agrax Earthshade

Other

• Black primer (I used an airbrush, but spray can works fine)
• Size 1 brush (use a synthetic brush as the small metal particles can ruin your expensive kolinsky brush)
• Wet palette (optional)
• Clean water + paper towel

Step 1 – Basecoat: Imperial Gold Base

The miniature was primed black beforehand.

1. I applied Imperial Gold Base directly over the black primer.
2. The paint was slightly thinned with water, but kept fairly opaque.
3. Two thin coats were enough to get full coverage and a smooth metallic finish.

Step 2 – Shade with Agrax Earthshade

Then I shaded the gold with Citadel Agrax Earthshade to get better readability.

1. Agrax was applied carefully into recesses, not flooded over the entire surface.
2. On flatter areas I wicked away excess wash with a clean brush.
3. The wash was allowed to dry completely before moving on.

Agrax works particularly well here because it adds brown warmth rather than turning the gold green or black.

Step 3 – Highlight: Imperial Gold Light

For highlights, I switched to Imperial Gold Light.

1. This was applied to:
   • Upper surfaces
   • Sharp edges
   • The centre of raised details
2. The paint was kept thin and applied in small strokes.
3. On the sharpest edges, I used it almost straight from the bottle.
4. Optional – you can also mix in some silver for the very edges or corners

Sorry for the bad photo – the light reflects on the paint, but if you zoom in, you can see the difference.

Thoughts on Vallejo True Metallics

Compared to standard acrylic metallics:

• Coverage is excellent.
• Metallic flakes seems to be very fine.
• Very good consistency, not much water is needed.
• The Imperial Gold is very yellow, but with a shade and highlights, you knock back most of it.

I’ll definitely be using these again for gold, bronze, and copper effects.