Equivalent preview
Warpaint Blue · Army Painter · ΔE 5.31
Citadel (Games Workshop) · Contrast
Ultramarines Blue Citadel (Games Workshop) contrast paint card (#1A3A8A)
Citadel (Games Workshop)
Contrast
#1A3A8A
Equivalent preview
8 alternatives
#1
Warpaint Blue
Army Painter
ΔE 5.31
#2
Talassar Blue
Citadel (Games Workshop)
ΔE 5.50
#3
Space Wolves Grey
Citadel (Games Workshop)
ΔE 7.47
Equivalents by Brand
| Brand | Colour | Delta E | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Army Painter | Warpaint Blue | 5.31 | Acceptable |
| Citadel (Games Workshop) | Talassar Blue | 5.50 | Acceptable |
| Citadel (Games Workshop) | Space Wolves Grey | 7.47 | Acceptable |
| Army Painter | Purple Swarm | 13.94 | Distant |
| Army Painter | Tenebrous Grey | 15.53 | Distant |
| Citadel (Games Workshop) | Akhelian Green | 16.20 | Distant |
| Citadel (Games Workshop) | Leviathan Purple | 16.62 | Distant |
| Citadel (Games Workshop) | Luxion Purple | 18.00 | Distant |
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Ultramarines Blue paint guide
Ultramarines Blue Paint: Colour, Type & Equivalents
As a Contrast paint, this colour combines pigment and medium to deliver shade and base tone in one application over a light primer. Cool blue tones anchor many Space Marine chapters and provide a stable foundation for cold schemes.
The closest Ultramarines Blue equivalent is Warpaint Blue (Army Painter) (ΔE 5.3).
Ultramarines Blue is a contrast from Citadel (Games Workshop), commonly used for armour plates, cloth, and trim work.
Quick Equivalents
- Closest equivalent: Warpaint Blue (Army Painter) – ΔE 5.3
- Vallejo equivalent: no close Vallejo equivalent
- Army Painter equivalent: Warpaint Blue (Army Painter) – ΔE 5.3
How to Use Ultramarines Blue
This paint is typically used for:
- One-coat Contrast workflow
- Speed painting
Apply it over a suitable primer and build layers gradually. Coverage sits around medium, so two thin coats usually give a more stable finish than one heavy pass, especially over a dark primer.
Paint Behavior and Tips
Consider the following when working with this paint:
- Coverage: medium — affects how many coats are needed over primer
- Dilution: do not thin — use Contrast Medium to flow — keeping the right ratio maintains flow and prevents brushmarks
- Interaction with washes and highlights: always run a highlight pass to verify the tone does not shift after drying
A good equivalent should remain stable after shading and highlighting. Test this alternative on the same primer and in the same recipe before switching a whole unit.
Miniature Painting Tips
For best results with Ultramarines Blue on Warhammer and other miniature projects:
- Use the same primer across the project to keep tonal consistency
- Test on a spare part before applying to a full unit
- Compare after shading and highlights, not just the base coat
Even small differences can become visible on a finished miniature. This match may behave differently on textured surfaces like cloth, fur, and metal trim once the full recipe is applied.
Conclusion
Choosing the right Ultramarines Blue equivalent or substitute keeps your scheme consistent from the test model to the full army. Use this comparison to weigh the closest Vallejo, Army Painter, and other cross-brand options before repainting a whole squad.
A useful paint guide should connect colour accuracy, handling, and recipe context in one place.
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💡 Tip
Use Ultramarines Blue as your main contrast colour and build it up with thin, controlled coats. It has medium coverage. Thin it without adding water; use Contrast Medium if you need more flow. Good companion colours include Corax White, Wraithbone, Calgar Blue and Runefang Steel.
Avoid using it for a dark primer without a brighter undercoat or Standard Layering Techniques.
✅ Techniques
🎨 Pairs with
Direct answer
How should you use Ultramarines Blue on miniatures?
Use Ultramarines Blue as your main contrast colour and build it up with thin, controlled coats. It has medium coverage. Thin it without adding water; use Contrast Medium if you need more flow. Good companion colours include Corax White, Wraithbone, Calgar Blue and Runefang Steel.
- Citadel (Games Workshop) · Contrast
- Contrast · #1A3A8A
- Best for One-coat Contrast workflow, Speed painting
- Pairs well with Corax White, Wraithbone, Calgar Blue
Method
This summary is built from the local usage notes, structured paint detail data, and the same Delta-E matching system used across ChromaStack.
Limits
Avoid using it for a dark primer without a brighter undercoat or Standard Layering Techniques.