If you’ve spent any time with Warpaints Fanatic, you’ll already know how useful the Flexible Triad System is. It gives painters a clear way to move from base to midtone to highlight, while still leaving room to push contrast and personal style. With the upcoming release of new Masterclass sets, John Blanche Volume 3 and John Blanche Volume 4, we wondered: How do these cold and warm, atmospheric colours sit alongside the existing triads?
To find out, The Army Painter Studio Painter Joachim McLaughlin put the paints through their paces. He tested the John Blanche colours alongside the Warpaints Fanatic Flexible Triads to see where they naturally slot in, where they can act as warmer or cooler options, and where they can extend a triad beyond its usual range. As a note, these sets weren't specifically developed within the Triad System but they do have useful applications alongside the existing structure.
What follows is a practical breakdown of how John Blanche Volumes 3 and 4 work with the Flexible Triad System.
How John Blanche Volume 3 Fits in the Triad System
Iceborn
Iceborn fits as a highlight extension to the Desaturated Violets, as a highlight to Wilted Rose. You could also use it as a highlight for Divine Light in the Magentas triad.
Moonpetal
Moonpetal works as an option alongside Elder Flower in the Desaturated Violets triad - especially if used for cold Caucasian skin tones.
Skyshard
Skyshard is a good highlight for Bright Sapphire in the Vivid Blues triad or Marine Mist in the Turquoises triad.
Ashroot
Ashroot makes a good darkest colour in the Rose Skin Tones triad.
Bramble Grove
Bramble Grove could be used in place of Medieval Forest in the Desaturated Cool Greens triad if you want a slightly cooler shadow.
Dewpath
Dewpath sits a bit in between Deep Azure and Hydra Turquoise in the Turquoises triad.
Shadow Thorn
Shadow Thorn fits in between Deep Ocean Blue and Abyssal Blue in the Deep Green Blues triad. If you want a cooler shadow, you could use it in place of Abyssal Blue.
Frostveil
Frostveil is another option for Royal Blue in the Vivid Blues triad if you want a midtone that pops a little more.
How John Blanche Volume 4 Fits in the Triad System
Gladeshard
Gladeshard fits in between Emerald Forest and Leafy Green, or as a cooler option to use in place of Leafy Green in the Vibrant Greens triad.
Thicket Grove
Thicket Grove slots into the Ochres & Tan triad between Tundra Taupe and Prairie Ochre.
Sunpetal
Sunpetal could be applied in place of Warped Yellow in the Yellows triad for a warmer highlight, or maybe in between Vivid Volt and Afterglow in the Vibrant Greens triad.
Emberveil
Emberveil could be swapped for Molten Lava as a darker base in the Oranges triad.
Rootpath
Rootpath fits into the same place as Thicket Grove, between Tundra Taupe and Prairie Ochre, in the Ochre & Tans triad.
Umberroot
Umberroot makes a warm basecoat for Moonstone Skin in the Rose Skin Tones triad or between Carnelian Skin and Tiger’s Eye Skin in the Warm Skin Tones triad.
Hearthborn
Hearthborn goes nicely between Amber Skin and Dorado Skin in the Deep Skin Tones triad.
Bloodthorn
Bloodthorn could be a basecoat for Wicked Pink in the Pinks triad.
Joachim’s testing shows that John Blanche Volumes 3 and 4 don’t sit outside the Warpaints Fanatic triad system — they expand it. These colours can act as alternatives, extensions, or mood-shifters within existing Flexible Triads, while still playing nicely with the logic of base, midtone, and highlight.
That means you don’t need to change how you paint to use them. You can drop them straight into triads you already know, mix them with other Warpaints Fanatic colours, or use them on their own when you want to lean hard into atmosphere and expression. As always, the best advice is to experiment. Try swapping one colour in a familiar triad. Push contrast further than usual. See what happens when cold and warm palettes meet on the same miniature. Have fun with it! No Rules, Just Paint.
If you’d like to revisit how the Flexible Triad System works, you can explore the full range of Warpaints Fanatic Flexible Triads. Don’t forget our Flexible Triad PLUS+ sets, which include extra colours from John Blanche Volumes 1 and 2.
And if you’re keen to get your hands on these new palettes, John Blanche Volumes 3 and 4 are available for preorder now. Remember: online preorders include an exclusive DipIt’s Most Magnificent Brush.
