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One thing I’ve never properly nailed down is a reliable way to track which paints I’ve used for specific models—especially when I revisit a scheme months later or want to replicate it across units. I like to think that approaching each model a little differently gives them each their own flare, but that doesn't work for every army.

I’m curious:
- What apps, spreadsheets, or analog methods do you use to log your paint recipes?
- Do you track layer order, thinning ratios, or just the paint names?
- Bonus points if your system works well for multiple armies or Kill Teams.

I’ve seen Dakka’s Army Paint Scheme Tester which is great for visual planning, but I’m looking for something more like a recipe log or paint journal.
Would love to hear what’s worked (or failed) for you. Thank you.

I'm bad; I just write down the paint names on index cards with entries like "Skin: Bugman's Glow -> Druichi Violet -> Cadian Flesh-> Flayed One"

Do you do the whole model on the index cards or just sections of the model that you painted? I thought about getting one of those black journal notebooks.

I use the Notes app on my phone usually.

I have the Brushrage app, which tracks collection and time spent on a project.
It also has the ability to store recipes and paint collection information, but I am bad about upkeeping that & Notes is my first reflex

I blog everything I paint, and if I need to try to repeat something I break out the bullwhip and shovel and engage into a little technoarcheology and excavate old posts until I find what I did back then.

And hope I noted it down. Which I usually do, but not always. Is “BB” bleached bone, or bubonic brown? We may never know...

 Jammer87 wrote:
Do you do the whole model on the index cards or just sections of the model that you painted? I thought about getting one of those black journal notebooks.

I tend to use them for gangs/factions/armies rather than individual models. It's so my colors are consistent across the force. Here's an example:




Man, my camera sucked back then...

Thank you. I like the 3x5 card approach. I might give that a try. One thing I hate is that GW keeps renaming colors or releasing different colors that fit better.

@ Nevelon If I could get to that level I think that's probably a better approach. Considering how much stuff gets thrown away in my house keeping stuff digital would probably be a better long term solution? lots to think about.

I have a file folder for all my model kits on the computer, and I keep a document for each one with color recipes.

I used Brushrage on my last phone. It was a great app for tracking your overall paint collection, and you could right out recipes and painting methods and attach photos to them so that you knew exactly what you were doing. Really useful app and very user friendly. I'd highly recommend checking it out.

I also run excel spreadsheets on my PC for painting methods

I tried a lot of things over the years. I just want to know how I painted parts of the model to be able to replicate it in the future so all my Khorne guys have the same armor, all my Orruks have the same skin and so on.

The best way I found is to take a photo with the part of the model I want, upload it on google drive and add a comment like this:
1. Basecoat Wraithbone
2. Layer Thunderhawk Blue & Baharroth Blue & Kabalite Green (5:3:1)
3. Drybrush Baharroth Blue & Deepkin Flesh (1:1)
4. Drybrush Deepkin Flesh
5. Wash with Coelia Greenshade

That way I have access to my recipe at anytime to share with anyone.

But sometime I can't be bothered to do all this so I just take a quick photo of a painted mini with the colors used next to it.
Most times it's pretty easy to remember or figure out how I painted it.

I use a physical paint journal.
It has the standard recipes for every colour my army uses, with paint swatches for reference.

The paint swatch part is important because in the event of paint pot death I want to be able to source a new one with minimal fuss, in a portable form I can lug to the hobby shop. Digital records are just not accurate enough for matching paint. Every unit gets its own page with any variations from the standard colours noted down, including methods / ratios / diagrams. I also have some pages for categories of things, like banners, horses, war machines, basing, colour mixing etc. Colour scheme planning, heraldry, future purchase plans - if it's army related, into the book it goes!

I am old and so are my methods. I write my painting notes in a notebook. In the time that I have had it, I have gone through four phones and three computers. I don't have anything digital from those devices, but I still have my trusty old notebook.

Now that I am completing projects that I started decades ago, some of those old notes come in handy.