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Secrets to Using Citadel Contrast Color Paint Line

Citadel contrast color new paints games workshop buy lineup

Don’t miss a new look at all the colors, and some secrets on how hobbyists are supposed to use the new Citadel Contrast Color Line.

One of the biggest issues hobbyists face is balancing their hobby time with real life. Sometimes they just don’t have time to paint. Others don’t have any desire to paint. And some even feel like they don’t have enough skill to paint. While we think any paint job that you put your effort into is great, it’ll be easier to get your armies ready for the table now.

If you missed the first word, make sure you check out the initial announcement of GW’s new contrast paint line.

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A Deeper Look in Citadel’s Contrast Paint Line

citadel contrast paint games workshop

Sablednah sent us these first-hand pics at Warhammer Fest that really showcase more on these paints:

contrast

Citadel has two new primers that specifically matches to their Contrast “one thick coat” paints. The primers look to be an off-white and a sort of neutral grey.

contrast 1

Depending on which kind you choose to prime your models in, it could mean the difference between having an Alpha Legion color or something like Ultramarines. You can see the side-by-side comparison of the two colored primer models on either side of each paint bottle up-close.

contrast 2

 

contrast 3

From the looks of it, there are 34 new colors of paint, two spray primers, two brush on primers, and a thinner/medium? It’s hard to tell still, but for the bottle iteself they may be the 24ml sizes that sell for $7.80 currently, or slightly smaller.

EXPERT SPECULATION: Looking at the science behind these one-coat paints, we feel like the new primer might have a semi-gloss (or gloss) finish mixed in. From a regular painting standpoint, after you airbrush, you normally coat the model with a semi-gloss finish and then spread your wash (or glaze) over the model. The semi-gloss layer helps to evenly spread your wash as it creates the shading effect.

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While the contrast paint is essentially a thick wash applied over a bright base coat of primer, we feel like the primer might have a semi-gloss mixture. If you want to try out the contrast paints but don’t want to buy a can of Citadel’s primer, we feel like it might be a good idea to pick up a container of semi-gloss to put over the model after you prime it with whatever brand of primer you go with.   It would be a two-step process, primer-then semi-gloss, but still effective based on this line of thinking.

Remember, it’s not confirmed that the primer has a semi-gloss mixture but it would make sense if there is a gloss or semi-gloss component to this system. 

contrast 4

Great Unclean One Painted With Contrast Paints

How do you like Citadel’s new paint line tailored to the “one thick coat” method? Are you going to switch to the contrast paints or continue to paint using bases, layers, etc? Let us know in the comments of our Facebook Hobby Group. 

About the Author: Rob Baer

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Rob Baer

Job Title: Managing Editor

Founded Spikey Bits in 2009

Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X

About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.

Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls. 

Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.

Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.

With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.

While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.