Paint equivalent guide

Blue Equivalent

Blue is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Blue equivalent is SC-15 Adriatic Blue (Scale75) (ΔE 5.2).
For the Blue equivalent Vallejo, Light Turquoise (70.840) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 6.1).
The best Blue Army Painter equivalent is Hydra Turquoise (Army Painter) (ΔE 6.9).

AK Interactive lacquer #408EA0

Top 3 closest equivalents

These 3 substitutes are ranked by Delta-E accuracy. Each entry includes a behaviour comment.

1
SC-15 Adriatic BlueScale75
ΔE 5.2moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
2
Light Turquoise (70.840)Vallejo Model Color
ΔE 6.1significant colour distance -- test before committing
3
Hawk TurquoiseCitadel (Games Workshop)
ΔE 6.1significant colour distance -- test before committing

Best equivalents by brand

Ranked by Delta-E CIEDE2000 · All brands · Interactive
Computing Delta-E…
Buy it now · Blue
Compare stock and prices · Blue
Direct answer

Which equivalent should you pick for Blue?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to Blue in the current local catalogue is SC-15 Adriatic Blue from Scale75 (Delta-E 5.2).

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:

Need the paint card for Blue?
Usage, recipes, primer guidance, and painting context live on the dedicated paint page
View paint card →

Frequently asked questions

Blue 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 Light Turquoise (70.840) (Delta E 6.07).

Yes, Blue 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.

Blue is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Blue equivalent is SC-15 Adriatic Blue (Scale75) (ΔE 5.2).
For the Blue equivalent Vallejo, Light Turquoise (70.840) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 6.1).
The best Blue Army Painter equivalent is Hydra Turquoise (Army Painter) (ΔE 6.9).

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

The closest Blue equivalent is SC-15 Adriatic Blue (Scale75) with Delta E 5.2. For a Blue equivalent Vallejo match, Light Turquoise (70.840) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 6.1 is the closest pick. The best Blue Army Painter equivalent is Hydra Turquoise (Army Painter) with Delta E 6.9.

Blue Vallejo equivalent

The closest Vallejo match is Light Turquoise (70.840) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 6.1.

Blue Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is Hydra Turquoise (Army Painter) with Delta E 6.9.

Blue equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

As a paint, Blue requires specific handling that affects how any substitute performs. The colour sits in the teal range.

Brand comparison

  • Closest equivalent : SC-15 Adriatic Blue (Scale75) – ΔE 5.2
  • Closest Vallejo option : Light Turquoise (70.840) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 6.1
  • Closest Army Painter option : Hydra Turquoise (Army Painter) – ΔE 6.9

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.