Paint equivalent guide

Obsidian Skin Equivalent

Obsidian Skin is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Obsidian Skin equivalent is RLM 61 (AK Interactive) (ΔE 3.0).
For the Obsidian Skin equivalent Vallejo, Basalt Grey (70.869) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 5.6).
The best Obsidian Skin Army Painter equivalent is Oak Brown (Army Painter) (ΔE 4.0).

Army Painter warpaint_fanatic #56504F

Top 5 closest equivalents

These 5 substitutes are ranked by Delta-E accuracy. Each entry includes a behaviour comment.

1
RLM 61AK Interactive
ΔE 3.0moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
2
SC-04 Anthracite GreyScale75
ΔE 3.4moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
3
GUN METALAK Interactive
ΔE 4.1moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
4
SC-64 Dark GreyScale75
ΔE 4.7moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
5
DARK GREYAK Interactive
ΔE 5.2moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection

Best equivalents by brand

Ranked by Delta-E CIEDE2000 · All brands · Interactive
Computing Delta-E…
Buy it now · Obsidian Skin
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Direct answer

Which equivalent should you pick for Obsidian Skin?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to Obsidian Skin in the current local catalogue is RLM 61 from AK Interactive (Delta-E 3.02).

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

Obsidian Skin is a paint from Army Painter. 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 Basalt Grey (70.869) (Delta E 5.61).

Yes, Obsidian Skin is currently part of the Army Painter 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.

Obsidian Skin is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Obsidian Skin equivalent is RLM 61 (AK Interactive) (ΔE 3.0).
For the Obsidian Skin equivalent Vallejo, Basalt Grey (70.869) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 5.6).
The best Obsidian Skin Army Painter equivalent is Oak Brown (Army Painter) (ΔE 4.0).

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

The closest Obsidian Skin equivalent is RLM 61 (AK Interactive) with Delta E 3.0. For a Obsidian Skin equivalent Vallejo match, Basalt Grey (70.869) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 5.6 is the closest pick. The best Obsidian Skin Army Painter equivalent is Oak Brown (Army Painter) with Delta E 4.0.

Obsidian Skin Vallejo equivalent

The closest Vallejo match is Basalt Grey (70.869) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 5.6.

Obsidian Skin Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is Oak Brown (Army Painter) with Delta E 4.0.

Obsidian Skin equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

As a paint, Obsidian Skin requires specific handling that affects how any substitute performs. The colour sits in the neutral grey range.

Brand comparison

  • Closest equivalent : RLM 61 (AK Interactive) – ΔE 3.0
  • Closest Vallejo option : Basalt Grey (70.869) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 5.6
  • Closest Army Painter option : Oak Brown (Army Painter) – ΔE 4.0

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.