Paint equivalent guide

Medium Blue Equivalent

MEDIUM BLUE is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest MEDIUM BLUE equivalent is Deep Ocean Blue (Army Painter) (ΔE 4.7).
For the MEDIUM BLUE equivalent Vallejo, Coal Black (72.053) (Vallejo Game Color) (ΔE 5.1).
The best MEDIUM BLUE Army Painter equivalent is Deep Ocean Blue (Army Painter) (ΔE 4.7).

AK Interactive acrylic #183A49

Top 4 closest equivalents

These 4 substitutes are ranked by Delta-E accuracy. Each entry includes a behaviour comment.

1
Deep Ocean BlueArmy Painter
ΔE 4.7moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
2
Scarab GreenArmy Painter
ΔE 4.8moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
3
Asurmen Blue WashCitadel (Games Workshop)
ΔE 4.8moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
4
Stegadon Scale GreenCitadel (Games Workshop)
ΔE 4.9moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection

Best equivalents by brand

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

Which equivalent should you pick for MEDIUM BLUE?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to MEDIUM BLUE in the current local catalogue is Deep Ocean Blue from Army Painter (Delta-E 4.66).

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 MEDIUM BLUE?
Usage, recipes, primer guidance, and painting context live on the dedicated paint page
View paint card →

Frequently asked questions

MEDIUM 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 Coal Black (72.053) (Delta E 5.13).

Yes, MEDIUM 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.

MEDIUM BLUE is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest MEDIUM BLUE equivalent is Deep Ocean Blue (Army Painter) (ΔE 4.7).
For the MEDIUM BLUE equivalent Vallejo, Coal Black (72.053) (Vallejo Game Color) (ΔE 5.1).
The best MEDIUM BLUE Army Painter equivalent is Deep Ocean Blue (Army Painter) (ΔE 4.7).

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

The closest MEDIUM BLUE equivalent is Deep Ocean Blue (Army Painter) with Delta E 4.7. For a MEDIUM BLUE equivalent Vallejo match, Coal Black (72.053) (Vallejo Game Color) with Delta E 5.1 is the closest pick. The best MEDIUM BLUE Army Painter equivalent is Deep Ocean Blue (Army Painter) with Delta E 4.7.

MEDIUM BLUE Vallejo equivalent

The closest Vallejo match is Coal Black (72.053) (Vallejo Game Color) with Delta E 5.1.

MEDIUM BLUE Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is Deep Ocean Blue (Army Painter) with Delta E 4.7.

MEDIUM BLUE equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

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

Brand comparison

  • Closest equivalent : Deep Ocean Blue (Army Painter) – ΔE 4.7
  • Closest Vallejo option : Coal Black (72.053) (Vallejo Game Color) – ΔE 5.1
  • Closest Army Painter option : Deep Ocean Blue (Army Painter) – ΔE 4.7

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.