Citadel Contrast Paints — Complete Colour Guide | Warhammer Colour
Citadel Contrast Paints — Warhammer Colour
Complete colour listing · 18ml · Base coat, shade, and layer in one application · Now branded Warhammer Colour
Base, shade, and highlight in a single coat
Citadel Contrast paints use a high-flow medium that pulls paint into recesses and thins over raised surfaces through capillary action — delivering automatic shading and highlight variation from one application. The result is a miniature with built-in depth and colour variation that would otherwise require a base coat, wash, and highlight pass. Applied over Wraithbone (warm off-white) or Grey Seer (cool off-white) primer, Contrast paints produce the best results on textured surfaces: fur, cloth folds, skin, scales, and organic detail.
The 61-colour range covers nearly every faction in the Warhammer universe with named, army-specific shades. Many names are direct faction references: Blood Angels Red, Dark Angels Green, Space Wolves Grey, Black Templar, Ultramarines Blue. Contrast paints can also be thinned with Contrast Medium (CIT27-33) for use as a glaze or tint over standard paints.
Avoid large flat panels — Contrast pools unevenly on smooth surfaces such as Space Marine flat armour plates or vehicle panels. Best results come on textured, sculpted, or organic surfaces. All 18ml in a wide-mouth flip-top pot. Click any SKU to check availability.
Tips for using Contrast paints
Primer matters: Wraithbone produces warmer, richer colours. Grey Seer produces cooler, more muted results. White Scar spray gives the most vivid, saturated Contrast results. Some painters zenithal prime (black spray from below, Wraithbone from above) before applying Contrast for a pre-shaded effect.
Thin for glazing: Mix Contrast with Contrast Medium (CIT27-33) 1:1 or more to create a translucent glaze — useful for tinting over metallic paints, adding colour to OSL effects, and blending over existing Base coat layers.
Wash-like colours: Apothecary White, Gryph-Charger Grey, Space Wolves Grey, Plaguebearer Flesh, and Aethermatic Blue behave more like washes than most Contrast paints — thinner and more translucent, they shade primarily into recesses rather than fully colouring a surface.
Citadel Contrast — Full Colour List
One-coat paints for Warhammer 40,000 and Age of Sigmar. Faction association and use noted for every colour.
| SKU | Colour | Warhammer Application & Use |
|---|---|---|
| Whites & Greys | ||
| CIT29-34 | Apothecary White | Named for the Apothecary — the Space Marine battlefield medic in white armour. A thin, wash-like white that shades over white and light surfaces without fully colouring them — producing subtle shadow depth on white armour (Space Marine Apothecaries, Deathwing, White Scars), robes, scrolls, and Stormcast Eternal purity seals. Applied over White Scar or Wraithbone primer for the cleanest Space Marine Apothecary result. |
| CIT29-35 | Gryph-Charger Grey | Named for the Gryph-Charger — the eagle-lion cavalry mount of the Stormcast Eternals. A thin, wash-like cool grey Contrast. Used for shading white and grey surfaces: Grey Knights silver armour, Space Marine white helmets, Adeptus Mechanicus robes, marble and pale stone terrain. Also excellent applied over metallic paints as an alternative to Nuln Oil for a cooler, less oily finish. |
| CIT29-36 | Space Wolves Grey | Named for the Space Wolves — the Viking-themed Space Marine Chapter from Fenris. A thin, wash-like blue-grey Contrast for Space Wolves armour over white or Wraithbone primer — gives a single-coat result on Space Wolves infantry with the distinctive grey-blue tone. Also useful for cold stone, icy terrain surfaces, and Nighthaunt ethereal cloth where a pale blue-grey tint is needed. |
| CIT29-37 | Basilicanum Grey | Named for the Basilicanum — an Imperial religious monument. Dark, near-black cool grey. A strong, saturated Contrast that works as an excellent alternative to Nuln Oil over metallic and dark surfaces — produces a cooler, matte shadow than Nuln Oil. Used for Adeptus Mechanicus armour one-coat applications, dark grey Space Marine armour (Raven Guard, Iron Hands), metal weathering, and vehicle panel shading. |
| Yellows & Oranges | ||
| CIT29-10 | Iyanden Yellow | Named for Iyanden — the ghost-ship Aeldari Craftworld associated with the Imperial Fists yellow colour. The standard yellow Contrast — used for Imperial Fists Space Marines one-coat armour, Iyanden Wraithguard and Wraithlords, Ork yellow armour panels, and Kharadron Overlords. Applied over Wraithbone or White Scar for the most vivid result. One of the most popular Contrast colours in the range for speed-painting yellow armies. |
| CIT29-21 | Nazdreg Yellow | Named for Nazdreg Ug Urdgrub — a Flash Gitz Ork warboss. A darker, more orange-saturated yellow. Produces deeper, richer yellow tones than Iyanden Yellow — especially useful for Ork yellow armour where a grittier, less clean result is desired, Tau Sept armour, and warm OSL glow effects on torches and flames. Also used as a glaze over gold metallics for a warm antique effect. |
| CIT29-53 | Bad Moon Yellow | Named for the Bad Moon — the Ork clan who worship the moon and paint their armour yellow. Bright, clean yellow. Produces a lighter, more vibrant yellow result than Iyanden Yellow — particularly useful for Gloomspite Gitz Bad Moon iconography, Imperial Fists with a brighter finish, Necron energy coils, and glowing yellow eyes or gem effects. A newer addition that fills the gap for a purer yellow tone. |
| CIT29-52 | Ironjawz Yellow | Named for the Ironjawz — the massive, heavily-armoured Orruk faction. Deep, warm amber-yellow. Designed for Ironjawz heavy armour plates — produces a darker, battle-worn yellow result with heavy shading in recesses. Also used for aged brass and gold effects over metallic base coats, warm torch and firelight OSL on basing, and Bonesplitterz Orruk war-paint accents. |
| CIT29-11 | Gryph-Hound Orange | Named for the Gryph-Hound — the eagle-hound companion creature of the Stormcast Eternals. Warm orange. The orange Contrast for Gryph-Hound models, Fyreslayer skin and rune highlights, Salamanders Chapter flame effects, warm hair and beard tones on Duardin, and fire/lava basing OSL effects. Produces a vivid, warm orange with deep recess shading. |
| CIT29-68 | Magmadroth Flame | Named for the Magmadroth — the massive, fire-breathing volcanic beast ridden by Fyreslayer Runesons. Vivid orange-red. Specifically designed for Magmadroth scales and volcanic skin effects — produces intense orange with strong recess shading on scaled and textured surfaces. Also an excellent one-coat for Fyrestarters, Salamanders Chapter warm flame iconography, and hot lava basing effects over pale primer. |
| Reds & Pinks | ||
| CIT29-12 | Blood Angels Red | Named directly for the Blood Angels — the IX Space Marine Legion. The red Contrast for Blood Angels Space Marines, Flesh Tearers, and successor chapters. Applied over Wraithbone or White Scar for vivid red power armour in a single coat. Also used for Khorne Bloodbound mortal warriors, red Chaos Space Marine armour, and Seraphon red-scaled dinosaurs. A core Contrast paint for any red army. |
| CIT29-67 | Baal Red | Named for Baal — the twin-sunned desert world home world of the Blood Angels. A brighter, more vivid red than Blood Angels Red. Produces a cleaner, more saturated red result for Blood Angels models painted to a higher standard, and is the preferred option for large red surfaces needing strong colour. Also used for Khorne Daemon skin and Seraphon red-painted ritual markings. |
| CIT29-13 | Flesh Tearers Red | Named for the Flesh Tearers — the most savage Blood Angels successor chapter. The darkest red Contrast — produces a deep, near-black crimson result perfect for Flesh Tearers' notably darker armour. Also used for Khorne Berserker dark red armour one-coat painting, Chaos Word Bearers, and any model requiring a very dark, blood-soaked red without going completely black. |
| CIT29-14 | Volupus Pink | Named for Volupus — a Slaanesh-associated daemon world. Deep rose-pink. Used for Slaanesh Daemonettes and mortal flesh, Emperor's Children Chaos Space Marine armour one-coat (with a deeper, more muted result than a standard pink), and Tzeentch Pink Horror body skin. Also an excellent glaze over pale skin for a flushed, supernaturally vivid skin tone. |
| CIT29-66 | Doomfire Magenta | Named for the Doomfire Warlocks — Daughters of Khaine cavalry. Vivid, saturated magenta-pink. One of the brightest and most vibrant Contrast colours — produces a bold, almost fluorescent magenta. Used for Daughters of Khaine accent markings, Slaanesh Keeper of Secrets vivid flesh, Hedonite mortal skin highlights as a glaze, and Tzeentch magical flame effects in deep pink-purple. |
| CIT29-65 | Dreadful Visage | A subtle, muted pale rose-pink Contrast. Specifically praised for painting daemonic and supernatural skin with an unnervingly delicate, pale tone — used for Slaanesh daemon skin, Daemonette faces, and ethereal spirit forms. Also excellent for very pale human skin with a subtle warmth, Nighthaunt flesh tones, and spectral apparition effects in Age of Sigmar undead armies. |
| Purples | ||
| CIT29-15 | Shyish Purple | Named for Shyish — the Realm of Death in Age of Sigmar. Rich, deep purple. The go-to purple Contrast for Nighthaunt, Soulblight Gravelords, and Legions of Nagash armies. Also used for Genestealers and Genestealer Cult hybrid skin, Daughters of Khaine robes, Drukhari armour, and Tzeentch Lord of Change feather Contrast applications. Versatile for any dark purple need. |
| CIT29-16 | Magos Purple | Named for the Magos — the senior tech-priests of the Adeptus Mechanicus. Dark, saturated blue-purple. Used for Adeptus Mechanicus robe detailing, Genestealer Cult hybrid skin with a cooler tone, Drukhari armour darker application, and Tzeentch daemon feathers needing a deep indigo-purple. Darker and cooler than Shyish Purple — use when the deepest, most shadowed purple result is needed. |
| CIT29-62 | Leviadon Blue | Named for Leviathan — the Tyranid Hive Fleet known for its purple-blue carapace. Mid-value purple. Used for the iconic Leviathan Tyranid purple carapace on Gaunts, Warriors, and Carnifexes in one coat. Also for Genestealer Cult skin, Slaanesh daemon mid-tones, and any dark purple-blue surface needing a vivid but not too dark Contrast result. |
| CIT29-63 | Luxion Purple | A bright, vivid mid-purple Contrast. Used for vibrant Slaanesh daemon skin, Tzeentch magical glow effects, Power weapon energy over metallic paints, and as a glaze to push any surface toward vivid purple. Brighter and more saturated than Shyish Purple — ideal when a strong, clean purple result is needed rather than a deep, shadowed one. |
| CIT29-64 | Sigvald Burgundy | Named for Sigvald the Magnificent — the vain Slaanesh champion. Deep wine-red burgundy. Used for Hedonite Slaanesh mortal warrior armour (Sigvald's own warband), Vampire noble cloaks and robes in Soulblight Gravelords, Daughters of Khaine dark garments, and richly coloured Chaos lord robes. A distinctive colour that sits between deep red and dark purple. |
| Blues | ||
| CIT29-18 | Ultramarine Blue | Named directly for the Ultramarines — the XIII Space Marine Legion and the game's most iconic Chapter. The definitive blue Contrast for batch-painting Ultramarines Space Marines — applied over Wraithbone, a single coat produces shaded, highlighted blue armour ready for drybrushing or edge highlighting. Also used for Primaris Marine armour, Blue Scribes Tzeentch characters, and any deeply saturated blue armour. |
| CIT29-17 | Leviadon Blue | Named for the Leviadon — the massive armoured turtle-creature ridden by Idoneth Deepkin. Very dark navy blue. Used for deep, shadowed blue armour and cloaks, Idoneth Deepkin sea-warrior armour one-coat, Crimson Fists alternative to Ultramarine Blue for a darker result, and dark blue vehicle panel shading. Produces the deepest, most shadowed blue result in the Contrast range. |
| CIT29-38 | Black Templar | Named directly for the Black Templars — the crusading black-armoured Space Marine Chapter. Near-black with a subtle cool cast. The definitive black armour Contrast — applied over Grey Seer or Wraithbone to produce shaded black power armour in one coat. Used for Black Templars, Raven Guard, Black Legion Chaos Space Marines, and any black armour or clothing. Also widely used for black robes, hair, and dark leather. |
| CIT29-45 | Black Legion | Named for the Black Legion — Abaddon's Chaos Space Marine warband. A denser, more opaque black Contrast than Black Templar — produces a fuller black with less grey-shading through in recesses. Designed specifically for Black Legion Chaos Space Marine armour. Also used for black vehicle panels, Daemon Prince armour, and any model requiring maximum black coverage with a Contrast application. |
| CIT29-39 | Talassar Blue | Named for Talassar — an ocean world in Ultramar. Vivid mid-blue. Used for Ocean-themed Idoneth Deepkin wave effects, Stormcast Sacrosanct Chamber robe one-coat applications, and Tzeentch daemon body colour with a cleaner, brighter result than Leviadon Blue. Also an excellent Contrast for blue cloth, robes, and cloaks across any army where a bold, saturated blue is needed. |
| CIT29-41 | Aethermatic Blue | Named for the aetheric energy of the Kharadron Overlords. Thin, wash-like pale blue Contrast. Applied over metallic paints (Leadbelcher, Ironbreaker) it produces a vivid blue energy-glow effect for power weapons, Kharadron aether-tech, Necron energy coils, and Tzeentch magical flames. One of the most striking Contrast effects — pale metallic becomes vividly coloured with a single coat. |
| CIT29-59 | Asurmen Blue | Named for Asurmen — the first Phoenix Lord of the Dire Avengers. A rich, slightly cooler blue than Ultramarine Blue. Used for Aeldari Dire Avengers armour, Craftworld Alaitoc armour one-coat, and blue cloth and robes across Aeldari models. Also an effective glaze over Caledor Sky-based schemes to deepen and shade existing blue tones. |
| CIT29-60 | Celestium Blue | Named for the Celestium — a Stormcast Eternals magical material. Vivid, bright mid-blue. Used for Stormcast Eternal Sacrosanct spell effects, Tzeentch magic energy, power weapon mid-tone over metallic, and any model needing a clean, vivid sky-blue. Brighter and more saturated than Leviadon or Ultramarine Blue — for maximum blue vibrancy in a single coat. |
| CIT29-56 | Briar Queen Chill | Named for the Briar Queen — the Nighthaunt Warden of the Mirrored City. Pale icy blue-white. Specifically designed for Nighthaunt ethereal cloth highlights and spirit effects — creates a ghostly, cold glow appearance when applied over dark base coats. Also used for ice and frost basing effects, Idoneth Deepkin spirit-guide glow, and any supernatural cold-light effect across Age of Sigmar undead armies. |
| CIT29-57 | Frostheart | Named for the Frostheart Phoenix — the ice phoenix of the Lumineth Realm-lords. Very pale, icy blue Contrast. Used for Lumineth Frostheart Phoenix feathers, Idoneth Deepkin icy wave and spirit effects, snow and ice terrain highlighting, and any model requiring a delicate pale blue-white tint. Pairs with Briar Queen Chill as a lighter, more transparent counterpart. |
| CIT29-58 | Pylar Glacier | Named for the Pylar Glacier — a frozen location in the Mortal Realms. Cool, icy mid-blue. Applied over metallic paints it creates the power weapon glow effect with a single coat — instantly turning any metallic surface into a convincingly glowing energy weapon. Also used for ice magic effects on Lumineth and Hedonite models, Nighthaunt spectral aura effects, and cold-light OSL on basing. |
| Greens & Teals | ||
| CIT29-20 | Dark Angels Green | Named directly for the Dark Angels — the I Space Marine Legion. Very dark forest green. The definitive Contrast for Dark Angels Space Marine armour — applied over Wraithbone, a single coat produces the distinctive near-black dark green of the First Legion. Also used for Salamanders chapter armour one-coat (darker result), and as a deep recess glaze on any dark green scheme. |
| CIT29-24 | Militarum Green | Named for the Astra Militarum — the Imperial Guard army. Military olive-green. The go-to Contrast for Astra Militarum uniforms and equipment — applied over Wraithbone or Grey Seer for fast, tabletop-ready Catachan and Cadian green fatigues. Also used for Death Guard armour one-coat, Orruk skin darker applications, and military vehicle armour panels. |
| CIT29-22 | Ork Flesh | Named directly for Ork skin. The Contrast for Ork and Orruk green skin — applied over Wraithbone for fast, tabletop-ready green-skinned infantry. Produces a mid-value green with automatic shading in muscle definition, wrinkles, and surface texture. One of the most popular Contrast colours for anyone batch-painting large Ork Waaagh! forces quickly. Drybrush with Niblet Green or Nurgling Green to complete. |
| CIT29-23 | Creed Camo | Named for Lord Castellan Creed — the legendary Cadian Imperial Guard commander. Military grey-green. Used for Cadian Shock Troops camouflage fatigues and equipment, Astra Militarum camouflage pattern green tones, Death Guard corroded armour applications, and any Warhammer model wearing drab military-green combat clothing. A more neutral, desaturated green than Militarum Green. |
| CIT29-40 | Warp Lightning | Named for Warp Lightning — the dangerous Skaven electric energy channeled through Warp Lightning Cannons. Vivid bright green. Applied over metallic paints it produces a vivid green energy glow effect — used for Necron Gauss weapon coils and apertures, Skaven warp-tech, Night Goblin potion effects, and any model requiring a sharp, glowing green OSL over metal. |
| CIT29-47 | Mantis Warriors Green | Named for the Mantis Warriors — a Space Marine Chapter with insectoid green camouflage armour. Rich, natural mid-green. Used for Mantis Warriors one-coat armour, Salamanders Chapter armour with a mid-green result, and Seraphon Saurus and Skink natural hide and scale coloration. A versatile, earthy green Contrast that works well across reptilian, forest, and jungle themes. |
| CIT29-50 | Karandras Green | Named for Karandras — the Phoenix Lord of the Striking Scorpions, the green-armoured Aeldari Aspect Warriors. Vivid, bright pure green. Used for Striking Scorpions one-coat armour, Warboss Green-equivalent fast Ork skin painting, and any model needing a bright, clean green Contrast result. A newer and more vivid green than Ork Flesh — for when brightness matters more than a grimy, naturalistic tone. |
| CIT29-51 | Striking Scorpion Green | Named for the Striking Scorpions — the stealth Aeldari Aspect Warriors. Electric bright green. One of the most vivid Contrast colours in the range — produces a near-fluorescent bright green. Used for Striking Scorpion armour edge highlights applied as a Contrast glaze, Necron warp energy, Skaven warpstone effects, and any model where a glowing or luminescent bright green is needed as a focal point. |
| CIT29-19 | Akhelian Green | Named for the Akhelian — the warrior caste of the Idoneth Deepkin. Rich, jewel-like teal-green. The Contrast for Idoneth Deepkin armour and aquatic creature skin, Drukhari Kabalite warrior armour one-coat, and any deep ocean or aquatic-themed surface. Also applied over metallic paints for a vivid teal energy glow — effective on Necron exotic weapon variants and Tzeentch magical weapons. |
| CIT29-48 | Aeldari Emerald | Named for the Aeldari — the ancient alien race. Vivid emerald green. Used for Aeldari Wraithguard and Wraithlord spirit stone gem effects, Idoneth Deepkin spirit guide highlights, and gemstone effects on Chaos and Aeldari armour. Also one of the best Contrast paints for applying over silver metallic to create a vivid green gemstone or energy-crystal effect on Aeldari spirit stones. |
| CIT29-55 | Kroxigor Scales | Named for the Kroxigor — the massive amphibian warrior-servants of the Seraphon. Vivid teal-green. The definitive Contrast for Seraphon Kroxigor and Saurus warrior scales — produces a vivid, jewelled reptilian finish over Wraithbone. Also used for Idoneth Deepkin sea-creature skin and fins, Drukhari Wych armour, and any model with a vivid tropical reptile or aquatic colour theme. |
| CIT29-43 | Terradon Turquoise | Named for the Terradon — the flying reptilian mount of the Seraphon. Bright turquoise. Used for Seraphon Terradon and Ripperdactyl wing membranes, Idoneth Deepkin wave crest effects, and Tzeentch daemon feather gradient highlights. A vivid midpoint between blue and green — useful where neither a pure blue nor a pure green is quite right for tropical or magical reptilian effects. |
| CIT29-61 | Stormfiend | Named for the Stormfiend — the massive rat-ogre war construct of the Skaven. Dark, rich teal. Applied over Leadbelcher metallic it produces a vivid teal patina — perfect for Skaven warp-enhanced metal, Kharadron Overlords aether-machinery, and Chaos Daemon engine corrupted bronze-green plating. Also used for Idoneth Deepkin armour and Drukhari dark teal armour one-coat applications. |
| Nurgle & Undead | ||
| CIT29-42 | Plaguebearer Flesh | Named for the Plaguebearer — the standard daemon soldier of Nurgle. A thin, wash-like pale yellow-green. Applied over white primer it produces the sickly, pallid flesh of Nurgle daemons with one coat — the specific colour of Plaguebearer skin. Also used for Nurgle Great Unclean One skin, Death Guard Plague Marine bloated flesh areas, zombie and undead pallid skin, and any model requiring an unhealthy, disease-tinged flesh tone. |
| CIT27-19 | Nighthaunt Gloom | Named for the Nighthaunt — the spectral undead army of Age of Sigmar. A pale, ethereal teal-green. Originally a Technical paint, now reclassified in the Contrast range. Produces the iconic Nighthaunt ghostly colour over Wraithbone or white — the definitive Nighthaunt recipe uses this paint as the core colour for all spectral cloth and spirit forms. Also used for Idoneth Deepkin ethereal souls and undead spirit effects across the Mortal Realms. |
| CIT27-20 | Hexwraith Flame | Named for the Hexwraith — the mounted spectral undead cavalry of the Nighthaunt. Vivid, translucent yellow-green. Originally a Technical paint, now in the Contrast range. Applied over white or metallic surfaces it produces a ghoulish green-yellow flame effect — the definitive colour for Nighthaunt ghostfire and spirit-flame weapons. Also used for Skaven warpfire, Nurgle toxic slime, and any supernatural green fire or corrosive acid effect. |
| CIT29-44 | Garaghak's Sewer | Named for Garaghak — a powerful Chaos Warrior champion. Dark, murky brown-green. The Contrast for grimy, corroded surfaces — used for Nurgle sewer and rotting terrain, Death Guard corroded armour weathering, Skaven underhive scenery, Ork scrapyard terrain, and the foul slime and gunk that accumulates on neglected machinery across the Warhammer universe. Excellent mixed with Contrast Medium for weathering streaks. |
| Bone, Leather & Earth | ||
| CIT29-26 | Skeleton Horde | Named for the skeleton armies of the undead. Warm, aged bone tone. Applied over Wraithbone primer it produces a completely tabletop-ready skeleton in one coat — the ideal Contrast for batch-painting entire undead armies (Deathrattle, Ossiarch Bonereapers, Legions of Nagash) extremely fast. Also used for aged parchment, leather straps, sandy stone, and the bone details on any faction's models. |
| CIT29-27 | Snakebite Leather | Named for the Snakebites — the most feral and primitive Ork clan. Warm, rich brown leather. Used for leather straps, holsters, belts, and pouches on any Warhammer model in a single coat — far faster than the Base+Shade+Layer method. Particularly popular for batch painting Ork and Imperial Guard equipment. Also used for Beastmen hide, Chaos Cultist leather armour, and aged wood grain on weapon hafts. |
| CIT29-25 | Aggaros Dunes | Named for Aggaros — a desert realm of the Mortal Realms. Warm sandy tan. Used for Tau armour one-coat painting (particularly warmer Sept schemes), Necron stone surface and construct details, Astra Militarum desert armour, and sandy basing colour over textured paste. Produces a lighter, warmer result than Snakebite Leather — the desert yellow-tan of arid worlds and ancient tomb complexes. |
| CIT29-29 | Cygor Brown | Named for the Cygor — the massive, soul-eating Beastmen monster. Dark, rich warm brown. Used for Beastmen fur and hide, Gor and Bestigor Chaos warriors, Ogor Mawtribes skin, and wood grain on large wooden structures and palisades. A deeper, richer brown than Snakebite Leather — produces more heavily shaded results on large organic surfaces. |
| CIT29-28 | Gore-Grunta Fur | Named for the Gore-Gruntas — the Ironjawz mounted cavalry on tusked pig-beasts. Dark, almost mahogany brown-red. Used for the furry pig-beast mounts themselves, Chaos Warhound pelts, Beastmen dark fur, Space Wolf wolf companion fur, dark wood, and deeply stained leather. Produces very dark, richly shaded results — particularly effective on the deeply textured fur of large cavalry monsters. |
| CIT29-30 | Wyldwood | Named for the Wyldwood — the magical, cursed forests of the Sylvaneth. Very dark, near-black brown. Used for Sylvaneth bark skin, Treelord branches, and deeply charred or darkened wood on terrain. Also the go-to Contrast for weapon hafts, wooden shields, and ancient timber across all factions — produces realistic deep-shaded wood grain in a single application over pale primer. |
| CIT29-46 | Ratling Grime | Named for the Ratling — the small, sharp-shooting Abhuman in the Imperial Guard. Very dark, near-black brown. Behaves similarly to Basilicanum Grey but with a warm brown cast. Used as an alternative to Nuln Oil over metallic paints — produces a darker, grimier result. Excellent for weathering vehicle rivets (apply a small dot around each rivet for instant rust staining), metal panel shading, and grime effects on Ork scrap machinery and Death Guard corroded armour. |
| Skin & Flesh | ||
| CIT29-32 | Guilliman Flesh | Named for Roboute Guilliman — Primarch of the Ultramarines. Warm, medium flesh tone. The most popular skin Contrast — applied over Wraithbone for a complete tabletop-quality face with one coat. Used for Space Marine faces, Astra Militarum infantry, Stormcast Eternals character faces, and any model with warm, mid-tone human skin. Probably the most widely used Contrast paint across the entire hobby. |
| CIT29-33 | Darkoath Flesh | Named for the Darkoath — the tribal Chaos mortal warriors. Darker, more tanned flesh. Used for Darkoath Savagers, Bloodreavers, barbarian mortals of Chaos, Catachan Jungle Fighter dark skin, and any model depicting a weathered, sun-darkened, or darker skin tone. Produces a deeper result than Guilliman Flesh — the Contrast for anyone who wants a more swarthy or deeply tanned complexion. |
| CIT29-31 | Fyreslayer Flesh | Named for the Fyreslayers — the rune-tattooed, gold-obsessed Duardin warriors who fight bare-chested. Used for Fyreslayer skin — their heavily muscled, tattooed torsos benefit enormously from Contrast's automatic shading in muscle definition. Also used for Ogor Mawtribes skin, Gargant flesh, and any heavily muscular model where deep recessed shading is especially important. |
| CIT29-49 | Gutrippa Flesh | Named for the Gutrippa — the basic Kruleboyz Orruk infantry. A warm, light tan flesh — lighter in tone than Guilliman Flesh. Used for Kruleboyz Orruk human-flesh skin (the Hobgrots and mortal allies), lightly tanned human skin, and as a faster alternative to the full Base+Shade+Layer approach for models where a slightly sun-kissed, medium-light skin tone is needed. |
| CIT29-54 | Imperial Fist | Named for the Imperial Fists — the Primarch Rogal Dorn's VII Space Marine Legion. Despite the name, this is primarily used for Duardin and bronze-skinned human flesh rather than yellow armour. A warm, mid-toned flesh with a slightly golden cast — used for Duardin character faces, bronze or olive-skinned Astra Militarum soldiers, and Ogor skin highlights as a Contrast glaze. |
Shopping for Citadel Contrast paints at Wheels & Wings
Citadel Contrast paints are stocked at our Toronto store and ship across Canada. Individual pots are available singly — no need to commit to a set. Contrast Medium (CIT27-33) is also stocked for thinning and glazing applications. If you're starting a new army and want advice on the fastest Contrast-first workflow, the staff at Wheels & Wings are happy to help in-store.
Browse and purchase all Citadel Contrast paints in our online store.
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