Grimdark Shadow
John Blanche Masterclass
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As a shade or wash, this paint is designed to flow into recesses and create depth through controlled pooling. Neutral grey colours bridge the gap between black and white, used for stone, armour, and gradual highlights.
The closest Dark Grey Wash (70.517) equivalent is Grimdark Shadow (Army Painter) (ΔE 4.0).
No close Vallejo equivalent found for Dark Grey Wash (70.517).
For Army Painter, the closest match to Dark Grey Wash (70.517) is Grimdark Shadow (Army Painter) (ΔE 4.0).
These 5 substitutes are ranked by Delta-E accuracy. Each entry includes a behaviour comment.
Ranked by Delta-E CIEDE2000 · All brands · Interactive
The closest cross-brand equivalent to Dark Grey Wash (70.517) in the current local catalogue is Grimdark Shadow from Army Painter (Delta-E 3.99).
Matches are computed from the local paint catalogue with Delta-E CIEDE2000. Lower values mean a closer visual match on the miniature.
Finish, opacity, flow, and bottle format are not captured by Delta-E alone. Test the substitute if the recipe relies on a specific behaviour.
Before adopting a substitute, check these points specific to this shade paint:
Dark Grey Wash (70.517) is a shade with specific flow and pooling characteristics. Unlike base or layer paints, its behaviour in recesses, on flat panels, and over different primers defines whether the substitute works.
No reliable Vallejo match appears in the current top equivalents.
Yes, Dark Grey Wash (70.517) is currently part of the Vallejo Model Color 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 shade or wash, this paint is designed to flow into recesses and create depth through controlled pooling. Neutral grey colours bridge the gap between black and white, used for stone, armour, and gradual highlights.
The closest Dark Grey Wash (70.517) equivalent is Grimdark Shadow (Army Painter) (ΔE 4.0).
No close Vallejo equivalent found for Dark Grey Wash (70.517).
For Army Painter, the closest match to Dark Grey Wash (70.517) is Grimdark Shadow (Army Painter) (ΔE 4.0).
As a shade or wash, this paint is designed to flow into recesses and create depth through controlled pooling. Neutral grey colours bridge the gap between black and white, used for stone, armour, and gradual highlights.
The closest Dark Grey Wash (70.517) equivalent is Grimdark Shadow (Army Painter) with Delta E 4.0. No close Vallejo equivalent found for Dark Grey Wash (70.517). For Army Painter, the closest match to Dark Grey Wash (70.517) is Grimdark Shadow (Army Painter) with Delta E 4.0.
No Vallejo equivalent within an acceptable colour distance was found for Dark Grey Wash (70.517).
The best Army Painter option is Grimdark Shadow (Army Painter) with Delta E 4.0.
As a paint, Dark Grey Wash (70.517) flows into recesses and shadows naturally. The colour sits in the neutral grey range, with reliable coverage and stable opacity over the primer already used in your recipe.
The key property of Dark Grey Wash (70.517) is how it flows. A substitute must have similar surface tension to avoid pooling on flat areas or leaving tide marks.
Dark Grey Wash (70.517) dries with a consistent finish when handled correctly. A substitute that dries unevenly or leaves rings will require remedial work that the original formula does not.
The finish of Dark Grey Wash (70.517) affects how highlights read over it. A glossier substitute will change the surface before the next layer, while a matte one may need a medium coat to restore adhesion.
For recess shading, Dark Grey Wash (70.517) must wick into panel lines cleanly. Test the substitute on a grooved surface before applying to the whole model.
Dark Grey Wash (70.517) can be layered for deeper shadows. A substitute that darkens too quickly or stains the raised surfaces will limit the range of shadow you can build.
A shade substitute only becomes trustworthy once it survives the same primer, base coat, 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.
That combination of colour distance, finish, and recipe context is what makes a substitute reliable on an actual miniature.
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