Paint equivalent guide

Black Equivalent

BLACK is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest BLACK equivalent is Black Stallion (Green Stuff World) (ΔE 3.1).
For the BLACK equivalent Vallejo, Black (70.950) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 4.0).
The best BLACK Army Painter equivalent is Matt Black (Army Painter) (ΔE 4.4).

AK Interactive acrylic #12120C

Best equivalents by brand

Ranked by Delta-E CIEDE2000 · All brands · Interactive
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Direct answer

Which equivalent should you pick for BLACK?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to BLACK in the current local catalogue is Black Stallion from Green Stuff World (Delta-E 3.14).

Method

Matches are computed from the local paint catalogue with Delta-E CIEDE2000. Lower values mean a closer visual match on the miniature.

Limits

Finish, opacity, flow, and bottle format are not captured by Delta-E alone. Test the substitute if the recipe relies on a specific behaviour.

What to check before replacing this base

Before adopting a substitute, check these points specific to this base paint:

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Frequently asked questions

BLACK is a paint from AK Interactive. Its specific pigment load, drying behaviour, and finish set it apart from other paints in the same category, which is why a direct substitute needs to match more than just the colour value.

The closest Vallejo option is Black (70.950) (Delta E 3.96).

Yes, BLACK is currently part of the AK Interactive range. Check local stock or equivalent alternatives if the pot is hard to source.

Check Delta-E, finish type, coverage, opacity, and behaviour over your chosen primer. Run a full test with one shade and one highlight pass before applying the substitute to an entire unit.

BLACK is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest BLACK equivalent is Black Stallion (Green Stuff World) (ΔE 3.1).
For the BLACK equivalent Vallejo, Black (70.950) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 4.0).
The best BLACK Army Painter equivalent is Matt Black (Army Painter) (ΔE 4.4).

BLACK is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.

The closest BLACK equivalent is Black Stallion (Green Stuff World) with Delta E 3.1. For a BLACK equivalent Vallejo match, Black (70.950) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 4.0 is the closest pick. The best BLACK Army Painter equivalent is Matt Black (Army Painter) with Delta E 4.4.

BLACK Vallejo equivalent

The closest Vallejo match is Black (70.950) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 4.0.

BLACK Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is Matt Black (Army Painter) with Delta E 4.4.

BLACK equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

As a paint, BLACK requires specific handling that affects how any substitute performs. The colour sits in the near-black range.

Brand comparison

  • Closest equivalent : Black Stallion (Green Stuff World) – ΔE 3.1
  • Closest Vallejo option : Black (70.950) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 4.0
  • Closest Army Painter option : Matt Black (Army Painter) – ΔE 4.4

A paint substitute only becomes trustworthy once it survives the same primer, shade, and highlight sequence as the original recipe.

Looking at the surrounding palette matters because a near match can still push the finished model warmer, colder, or flatter than expected.

That combination of colour distance, finish, and recipe context is what makes a paint substitute reliable on an actual miniature.