Base Paint

Chemos Purple Equivalent

As a standard basecoat paint, this colour is formulated for opaque coverage over primer in one to two controlled passes. Purple shades evoke Slaanesh, luxury fabrics, and arcane glows across both 40K and Age of Sigmar..
The closest Chemos Purple equivalent is Hexed Lichen (72.015) (Vallejo Game Color) (ΔE 3.5).
For the Chemos Purple equivalent Vallejo, Hexed Lichen (72.015) (Vallejo Game Color) (ΔE 3.5).
The best Chemos Purple Army Painter equivalent is Diabolic Plum (Army Painter) (ΔE 4.0).

Citadel (Games Workshop) base #4F356C

Top 5 closest equivalents

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

1
Hexed Lichen (72.015)Vallejo Game Color
ΔE 3.5moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
2
Diabolic PlumArmy Painter
ΔE 4.0moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
3
SC-39 Deep VioletScale75
ΔE 4.4moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
4
Royal Purple (70.810)Vallejo Model Color
ΔE 4.9moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
5
SC-70 Amethyst AlchemyScale75
ΔE 6.2significant colour distance -- test before committing

Best equivalents by brand

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

Which equivalent should you pick for Chemos Purple?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to Chemos Purple in the current local catalogue is Hexed Lichen (72.015) from Vallejo Game Color (Delta-E 3.45).

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

Chemos Purple is a base paint from Citadel (Games Workshop). 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 Hexed Lichen (72.015) (Delta E 3.45).

Yes, Chemos Purple is currently part of the Citadel (Games Workshop) 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.

As a standard basecoat paint, this colour is formulated for opaque coverage over primer in one to two controlled passes. Purple shades evoke Slaanesh, luxury fabrics, and arcane glows across both 40K and Age of Sigmar..
The closest Chemos Purple equivalent is Hexed Lichen (72.015) (Vallejo Game Color) (ΔE 3.5).
For the Chemos Purple equivalent Vallejo, Hexed Lichen (72.015) (Vallejo Game Color) (ΔE 3.5).
The best Chemos Purple Army Painter equivalent is Diabolic Plum (Army Painter) (ΔE 4.0).

As a standard basecoat paint, this colour is formulated for opaque coverage over primer in one to two controlled passes. Purple shades evoke Slaanesh, luxury fabrics, and arcane glows across both 40K and Age of Sigmar..

The closest Chemos Purple equivalent is Hexed Lichen (72.015) (Vallejo Game Color) with Delta E 3.5. For a Chemos Purple equivalent Vallejo match, Hexed Lichen (72.015) (Vallejo Game Color) with Delta E 3.5 is the closest pick. The best Chemos Purple Army Painter equivalent is Diabolic Plum (Army Painter) with Delta E 4.0.

Chemos Purple Vallejo equivalent

The closest Vallejo match is Hexed Lichen (72.015) (Vallejo Game Color) with Delta E 3.5.

Chemos Purple Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is Diabolic Plum (Army Painter) with Delta E 4.0.

Chemos Purple equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

As a base paint, Chemos Purple requires specific handling that affects how any substitute performs. The colour sits in the purple range, with reliable coverage and stable opacity over the primer already used in your recipe.

Coverage and opacity

Chemos Purple is designed to cover primer evenly in one or two passes. Coverage is rated reliable, so a substitute that falls below this threshold will require extra coats to block the undercolour. Test the replacement over the same primer — a base that shifts tone with each coat can alter the entire highlight stack.

Primer and application

This base paint performs best over the primer already used in your recipe. A substitute that behaves well over a light primer may struggle over black or grey, especially if its opacity is lower. Apply two thin coats, letting each dry fully before the next.

Layer compatibility

The purple mid-tone of Chemos Purple anchors the layers above it. A replacement that dries glossier or rougher will change how shade and layer paints adhere.

Saturation and colour drift

Base paints carry more pigment than other types, so even a purple substitute with a close Delta-E can read warmer or cooler once shaded. Run a complete test: prime, base, shade, and highlight before committing.

Companion palette

The most useful partners for Chemos Purple are matching washes, mid-tones, and highlights. These supporting colours define how the base reads once the recipe is complete.

Brand comparison

  • Closest equivalent : Hexed Lichen (72.015) (Vallejo Game Color) – ΔE 3.5
  • Closest Vallejo option : Hexed Lichen (72.015) (Vallejo Game Color) – ΔE 3.5
  • Closest Army Painter option : Diabolic Plum (Army Painter) – ΔE 4.0

A base 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 base paint substitute reliable on an actual miniature.

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

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 too, because a near match can still push the finished model warmer, colder, flatter, or glossier than expected.

That is why the page keeps the recommendation anchored to painting workflow instead of treating Delta-E alone as the final decision.

A useful equivalent page should also reduce buying mistakes: the closer colour is not always the safer option if the bottle dries glossier, covers faster, or behaves differently on large armour panels.