What do you think the most popular Contrast paints are? Hint; they are almost universally sold out and going for a premium on secondary sites right now!
Contrast paints cover the whole range of colors. But there are a few paints out there that are getting used up much more than some of the others. It turns out, there’s a lot of useful things you can do with these.
Some are even listed on eBay right now for $100 a pot… ooof!
Now, of course, that does not mean they are selling for that, but yikes! Let’s take a look at the top Contrast Paints out there and their uses.
The Most Popular Contrast Paints Around: What Are They Good For?
Like we said above, currently, these paints might be sold out on GW’s site. However, you can still get them at varying prices on websites like Amazon and eBay. Just be warned, you’ll probably be paying more for these paints because of the demand.
Warp Lightning Green
Warplightning green will always be a popular option as it’s got a rich bright (glow) to it. If you like your energy weapons/crystals looking green, this is perfect for the job. We used it in our video on top of Wraithbone and it looked great for Sylvaneth flesh.
Apothecary White
This a solid white to go with if you’re going to be doing things by hand. Citadel’s white base paints have known to dry out and get chunky in a short amount of time. Plus you have to apply about 5 coats of white over a model to give it a smooth finish. This white contrast paint cuts time in half by only needing one coat. Plus gives you an awesome starting point on your whites if you want to do something further from there.
This white/grey would make a great glaze for things like the White Scars and Tau!
Talassar Blue
Talassar Blue is the blue option to Warplightning. It’s perfect for getting a nice, quick undercoat for things like power swords, gems, spirit stones, and even painting a majority of the flesh of the Deepkins creatures if you’d like!
We used it on our Sylvaneth’s sword over Wraithbone, and the effects were quite striking for just one coat!
Contrast Model left, traditional painted model right.
Black Templar
Black Templar is awesome because you don’t have to worry so much about edge highlighting your models after you throw this paint on. The paint is thin enough to bring out the details from the bright undercoat leaving you with some awesome depth. Plus, you can thin this paint down a bit more than usual and put it over metallics for a slightly different effect from Nuln Oil washes.
Blood Angel Red
While we don’t have a pic of the Blood Angel red on the color chart, reds are always useful to have. If you’re playing any form of Blood Angel or maybe even Khorne, this is a great option that will speed up the painting process.
Snakebite Leather
Snakebite Leather is great for getting a bunch of leather projects done. In just about every 40k, AoS model, you can probably find a strap of leather somewhere.
Contrast Medium
Contrast Medium is what you’d want to use if you’re getting a little bit more in-depth with your painting projects. If you want to start thinning your paints down even more as well as combining colors, the Medium is a staple.
You can see the model we painted left with contrast thinned down 50/50, and “one thick coat” right.
Contrasts might have been invented for beginners level speed-painting in mind, but these Contrast paints have proven themselves to be widely used in a multitude of different painting techniques!
What are your favorite Contrast paint colors out there to use and why?
Let us know in the comments of our Facebook Hobby Group.
About the Author: Wesley Floyd
Wesley Floyd
Job Title: Staff Writer
Joined: 2018
Socials: @RealmbrushPainting
About Wesley Floyd: Wes has been in the Warhammer hobby since 2015 and joined the Spikey Bits writing team in 2018. He is known for his satirist takes on trending topics and imaginative yet amazingly affordable hobby solutions to painting Warhammer miniatures.
Imperial fanboy, tabletop fanatic, and the self-proclaimed King of Sprues. He knows for a fact that Mephiston red is the best-tasting paint and is the commission painting equivalent of a Wendy’s 4 for $4. If you like what he writes and want to contact him or have your tabletop minatures painted (to a mostly okayish standard), message him on Instagram.
