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Did I get a bad pot, or is the Contrast Ultramarine Blue in no way shape or shade anywhere close to the same Ultramarine Blue in assorted other lines (Classic Macragge Blue, Vallejo UM etc) you see everywhere else? It'd make a great Libby or Crimson Fist blue though.

I imagine it's a lot darker because it's meant to shade those colours?

When they came out I looked at all the examples and samples and decided that none of them matched. Have not personally tried them, but am not surprised that you are having issues.

If you were starting fresh, and your army was 100% contrast, I’m sure it would be close enough. But I don’t see any pots close enough to mix color matching between ranges.

What base did you use? That makes a big difference for Contrast paints.

See: https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2019/06/contrast-paints-real-world-comparison.html

a_typical_hero wrote:
What base did you use? That makes a big difference for Contrast paints.

See: https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2019/06/contrast-paints-real-world-comparison.html

Vallejo grey. I think it's lighter than Seer Grey.

And yeah, looking at that link Ultramarines Blue is nowhere close to Macragge Blue or Vallejo UM.

Ultramarines Blue Contrast is pretty dark - much darker than you'd expect fromthe name.

As said above, I wouldn't mix and match between "standard" GW paints and contrasts, they will look different (though similar enough from across the table).

I used Ultramarines Contrast to shade and darken the other colors of GW blue you mentioned when painting some UM. Then cleaned up/highlighted back up with the paints. By itself the Contrast is dark. I've only ever used them over the contrast primers though, so don't know how they'd work/function over other primers.

Jangustus wrote:
Ultramarines Blue Contrast is pretty dark - much darker than you'd expect fromthe name.

As said above, I wouldn't mix and match between "standard" GW paints and contrasts, they will look different (though similar enough from across the table).

I've seen some people were experimenting with it, and having given it a try myself I don't think it turned out different enough at all not to do it if you're looking for something a little different or if, like me, you just can't rattlecan to save your life. it's the color match of Ultramarine Blue itself that was the problem here. I'm wondering what Tallasar Blue does over various primers, it's probably closer.

Breton wrote:

Jangustus wrote:
Ultramarines Blue Contrast is pretty dark - much darker than you'd expect fromthe name.

As said above, I wouldn't mix and match between "standard" GW paints and contrasts, they will look different (though similar enough from across the table).

I've seen some people were experimenting with it, and having given it a try myself I don't think it turned out different enough at all not to do it if you're looking for something a little different or if, like me, you just can't rattlecan to save your life. it's the color match of Ultramarine Blue itself that was the problem here. I'm wondering what Tallasar Blue does over various primers, it's probably closer.

Yes, using different primers makes a massive difference in how the contrasrt paints turn out. And I agree, it's generally close enough for most people.

Experimentation would be the key here, I'm pretty sure you could get that contrast to look very similar to the standard Ultramarines blue with the right primer.

Jangustus wrote:


Yes, using different primers makes a massive difference in how the contrasrt paints turn out. And I agree, it's generally close enough for most people.

Experimentation would be the key here, I'm pretty sure you could get that contrast to look very similar to the standard Ultramarines blue with the right primer.

Not based on the link, the Ultramarine contrast even on their primers - seer Gray, wraithbone, and their normal bright white what is it Apothecary? Corax? They’re all much darker.

I think think colours like UM blue and DA green come out darker on power armour because there’s no detail for the contrast medium to work around. In the BOL example there’s lots of detail and contrast paints work better. I’m not saying you won’t get the result you want from UM blue on power armour but in my experience it’s harder to work with contrast paints on flat surfaces.

Has anyone tried a very light blue primer under um blue. I think it would have to be very light but that might be better.

Talasaar blue over wraith bone (or greyseer) is what you want, UM blue is too dark

Ultra blue is the second darkest contrast blue it's more like kantor blue I think.