Vallejo True Metallic Metal – Sapphire Blue Shade

True Metallic Metal (TMM) is a painting technique that aims to represent realistic metallic surfaces using paints with actual metallic pigment—rather than simulating metal with flat colors, as in Non Metallic Metal (NMM). TMM achieves natural reflections and visually striking results with less painterly artifice, preserving the material richness of metal in miniature form.

But painting with TMM requires more than just metallic paint. It involves applying traditional principles of light, shadow, and volume—working with blends, transitions, and contrast as you would with any non-metallic surface.

Through a clear and consistent approach based on the BSL model (Base – Shade – Light), you can paint metallic surfaces with volume, atmosphere, and clear light definition—without giving up the authentic shine of real metal.

Designed for shading the Base colors. With a satin finish, that preserves the shine of the underlying Base layer, the washes are a darker, non-metallic version of the 20 Base tones. Their rich pigmentation and controlled flow enable subtle shading in mid-tones and strong definition in recessed areas. They can be diluted with water to create gradient effects in the shadows and the colors are fully mixable.

Full color chart and combinations available HERE

18 ml bottle with eyedropper.