Citadel Contrast paints are one of the most significant things Games Workshop has released in the last decade — not the flashiest, but genuinely useful in a way that most painting innovations aren't. Since their launch in 2019, they've changed how a lot of people approach miniature painting, and for good reason. This guide covers how they actually work, where they fit into a paint scheme, and which colours are worth starting with.
How Contrast Paints Work
The formula is different from a standard acrylic. Contrast paints are mixed with a high-flow medium that pulls the paint towards recesses and deeper areas through capillary action. On a raised surface, the paint thins and dries relatively light. In crevices, folds, and undercuts, it pools and dries darker. The result — from a single coat — is a miniature with built-in shading and variation that would otherwise require separate base coats, washes, and dry brushing.
That said, they only work properly over a light primer. The two purpose-made options are Wraithbone (a warm off-white) and Grey Seer (a cooler light grey). The primer choice matters more than people expect: the same Contrast colour over Wraithbone will come out warmer and more muted, while Grey Seer gives sharper, cooler tones. A standard white primer also works — the contrast will be higher and the shading more pronounced.
What they're not: Contrast paints don't replace edge highlighting, fine detail work, or techniques like non-metallic metal. They're a starting point, not a shortcut to competition-level results. The best Contrast paint jobs use them as a foundation and build on top.
What You Need to Get Started
The kit for using Contrast paints is simple:
- Wraithbone or Grey Seer spray primer — these are the dedicated undercoats. Rattlecan format, available in both standard and large cans. Grey Seer is the more versatile of the two.
- A selection of Contrast paints — you don't need the whole range. Five or six well-chosen colours cover most of a standard infantry model.
- Contrast Medium — sold separately, this is the same liquid used in the paint formula. Thin a Contrast colour with it for a more translucent glaze, or slow the drying time in warm conditions.
- A decent synthetic brush — a medium round (size 1 or 2) works well. Contrast paints flow easily, so you don't need anything expensive.
Browse our full range of Citadel Paints — we stock the complete Contrast range alongside Contrast Medium, primers, and the rest of the Citadel Colour system.
The Best Colours to Start With
The Contrast range runs to over 80 colours, which is more than anyone needs at the beginning. These are the ones that earn their place in most collections:
Skeleton Horde
One of the most useful Contrast paints in the range. Over Wraithbone, it gives an instant aged bone tone with natural variation — ideal for undead armies, but equally useful for worn leather, parchment, or desert sand. It's the kind of colour that turns up in scheme after scheme because it reads as realistic without any effort.
Blood Angels Red
A vivid, slightly orange-leaning red that works particularly well over Grey Seer for clean armour panels. Over Wraithbone it sits warmer. On textured surfaces like GW's Blood Angels or Khorne miniatures with all their panels and rivets, the pooling effect creates natural depth. A coat of Mephiston Red on top sharpens it up if you want a brighter finish.
Space Wolves Grey
Despite the name, it reads as a cool mid-blue-grey. Works well for stone textures, Space Marine armour, and fur. One of the more subtle Contrast paints — the tonal variation is less dramatic than something like Blood Angels Red, but that makes it easier to control.
Militarum Green
A deep, olive-toned green that's been popular since day one of the Contrast range. Over Wraithbone it gives a worn, slightly muddy tone that suits Ork skin, military vehicles, and camouflage-era uniform colours. Over white primer it reads brighter.
Aggaros Dunes
A warm, sandy brown that's arguably better than Skeleton Horde for leather — it has more warmth and reads as clearly brown rather than bone. Useful for belts, pouches, weapon grips, and bases.
Basilicanum Grey
One of the darker Contrast paints. Works as a functional grey armour coat, but is also one of the better options for black panels on vehicles where you want some texture and variation rather than flat black. Thin it with Contrast Medium over pale armour if you want a darker grey without full coverage.
Tips for Better Results
Don't overbrush. Apply Contrast paints and let them settle — the capillary action needs time to do its job. Working paint around after it's started to dry breaks the effect and leaves marks.
Cover in one pass. Unlike standard acrylics, layering Contrast paints repeatedly doesn't build smoothly. The second coat will often create tide marks over dried paint. If the first coat isn't quite right, let it dry fully and then go over raised surfaces with a highlight to correct, rather than re-coating the whole area.
Keep pots clean. The medium in Contrast paints is stickier than standard acrylics. Pigment dries around the rim faster and can drop back into the pot. Wipe the rim after each session.
Use them on texture. Contrast paints shine on surfaces with definition — panel lines, scales, chainmail, folds of cloth, wood grain. They produce less impressive results on flat or very smooth surfaces where there's nothing to create tonal variation.
How Contrast Paints Fit a Wider Scheme
Most experienced painters use Contrast as one layer of a multi-stage scheme rather than a single-coat solution. A solid approach for Warhammer infantry might look like this:
- Grey Seer spray primer
- Contrast paints for base tones across skin, cloth, leather, and armour
- Standard base colours on specific detail areas where Contrast isn't needed (eyes, gems, metallics)
- Wash (Nuln Oil or Agrax Earthshade) over metallics or to deepen specific areas
- Single highlight on raised armour edges and cloth folds with a layer or highlight paint
That process gives results that look properly painted — not just speed-painted — without requiring advanced techniques. It's approachable for beginners and fast enough for experienced painters working through large units.
If you're building out a full painting setup, take a look at our acrylic paints collection and our range of modelling tools and accessories — everything from brushes and palettes to wet palettes and paint racks.
Getting Started with Warhammer
If you're new to the hobby and Contrast paints are part of why you're considering it, the starting point is a Warhammer 40,000 starter set — the Introductory Set and Combat Patrol boxes both come with miniatures specifically designed to paint with a small number of colours. Contrast paints make those first minis achievable, and the results are good enough to motivate the next purchase.
Our Citadel Paints range is stocked in full and dispatched from our warehouse in Newark-on-Trent. Rated 5 stars on Trustpilot by fellow hobbyists — and if you have questions about a colour or a scheme, get in touch. We paint too.