What Can Citadel Contrast DO? - Quickly Paint Black Power Armour?

One of the most persistent painting questions I get is about painting black armour (particularly Space Marine power armour) and this was instantly in the queue when I took a straw-poll on Facebook. Let's find out how this new Contrast Paint does!
Also, check out the Let's Talk about Citadel Contrast paints in full video on KZbin or on SoundCloud as a Podcast.
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[@OldPaw]

Be nice to see the two coat version hit with Testor's dull coat afterward, or AP Anti-Shine. Thanks for the look at these paints.

[@NostokAgain]

It might have worked better if he gloss varnished in between the coats.

[@dom1310df]

GW do recommend applying a varnish anyway

[@TheDornsFist]

Thanks for the nice demonstration! Not fully convinced yet of the final result, but it looks like good start.

[@kirohaas3193]

The single thick coat reminds me more of the Red Scorpions than Black Templar or Raven Guard, to be honest. But still cool! I can definitely see myself using it for certain things.

[@jesperwallin]

Great video! I’m just looking into starting a Black Templar army, and was wondering about the contrast paint. i think I’ll do two coats and use a matte varnish.

[@lordneg1]

maybe prime them in a dark grey and then do the black over that?

[@minigamerjeonsofbattle9376]

I don't know about using a darker primer because you will darken the color overall but you will also darken the highlights created by the paint.

[@Tatti12321]

Fantastic demonstration. Camera angle makes me feel nauseous though.

[@8AFM4]

Battam if you are using an iPad or phone, flip it upside down... it helps

[@lowenadler]

same eww

[@awmperry]

Yeah, it’s the way it’s tilted a bit past vertical that makes it weird.

[@Rohnon]

@@awmperry I didn't notice it until you mentioned it. No I too can't watch it 😂

[@HotDiceMiniatures]

Love the scientific approach. Really appreciate these.

[@Matt-tb5un]

This is the demo I've been waiting to see! Thank you. I think two thick coats with a matte clear coat finish to remove the shine might work.

[@MrKrummith]

I really want to see what happens if you paint a power sword with contrast. I'm thinking leadbelcher with a bit of lightning and then 2 coats of a blue contrast paint with a lot of contrast medium.

[@quasistellar]

Oh wow that two coats model looks good to me. I always matte varnish anyway, plus that surface looks perfect for applying transfers. I'm going to try it over metallic for my iron hands. Also going to try maybe a zenithal of a dark gunmetal and bright silver.

[@alecdt3348]

Hello I’m trying to recreate the riever you made so I was wondering what primer did you use or did you use one of the new sprays. Thanks!

[@citrusorange794]

Tbh this works very well especially iron hands when doing Two Coats of Contrast

[@jordanlee3672]

Loving these videos! I've noticed that you're not shaking your pots a lot before you use the paints. I've been told that as they're heavily pigmented you need to give them a really good shake as the pigment will stick to the bottom of the pot.

[@alixbarwick7992]

When i was playing around with them in my local gw if you put a layer of the grey contrast then the black it comes out perfectly

[@whokilledjr3719]

A darker base color might get the same effect

[@nraketh]

What gray did you try?

[@iindre00]

2 coats + Matt Varnish for Death Company? What do you think. Also maybe the 2nd coat mixed with a bit of blue for some funny tones?

[@keanueraine]

Don't know. The two coats Darth Vader Empire feel kinda looks badass....will definitely experiment on a few minis....perhaps some hero units it would make them stand out, like some chaos space marine aspiring champions or Chaos Lords all shined up....definitely experiment worthy.

[@michaelmercuri4648]

Yeah varnish will fix the shine, that’s the way to go. 2 coats with Matt or satin varnish.

[@barrywise7185]

I would've liked to have seen the final product with a quick dry brush as well, I've seen some really nice results from contrast with a simple dry brush after.

[@cristhianmlr]

Are you using the special Contrast undercoat Citadel sprays? they use it and say that you have to use bone and a dark shade gray for optimal results.

[@josepholiveira2873]

I actually really like the super smooth glossy effect on the Marine with two layers. That's a tricky effect to get via conventional painting; it seems like it'd be handy in, say, painting Star Wars Legion models, like Dark Vader and the Death Troopers.

[@josepholiveira2873]

Now we just need an easy way to get glossy Stormtrooper white...

[@liammcloughlin80]

The contrast paint work differently depending on your base colour. When you do black try starting with a darker base colour like grey sear or even dawnstone. This will cover better in one coat and give the more realistic edge highlights.

[@shawnvaljean9260]

The two coat looks amazing! I’ll be using that for my deathtroopers for Star Wars Legion. Any chance you could show off the white? I feel like I’m putting way too much effort into my stormtroopers and they still look terrible.

[@squallrulz20]

Almost looks like you could wash over the top of the contrast... But I would be tempted to try white > contrast > wash > matte or just using the contrast as a way of preshading for airbrushing

[@Shadoweyed09]

My Space Wolves armor is currently white primer with 3 layers of Badab Black wash, do you think I could achieve similar results with a thin coat of this over white?

[@ernieme101]

fyi there is already a video (sorry , i forget who did it) using the Contrast paint through an airbrush . they work as paint , but you don't get the contrast effect . i think it would be useful for doing large areas on vehicles to color match shaded areas done with brush interesting video , thanks ! i'm very surprised the second coat went so gloss .

[@mikhailholland665]

I think it might look darker with the other primer they offer. I'm not remembering the name but it tends to have Cooler tone while this one is warmer. Might fit the Templars better.

[@LtCdrRoyFokker]

Thanks for putting up these guides as they're very helpful. The contrast paints, just like every technique, seem to have their specific uses. I have to say that I prefer the double cost black lacquered look out of those two but you'd obviously better be going for that specifically instead of normal black.

[@GuerrillaMiniatureGames]

I call it 'The Darth Vader' :)

[@LtCdrRoyFokker]

Yup! Historical samurai armor came to mind for me first but that was the inspiration for Vader iirc so we're on the same page. :). Also, it's supposed to be two coats and not cost above.... Not sure why autocorrect is harping on that both here and above.

[@approximatelydaniel]

These videos are very good, give me all kind of ideas. I have some Scale white metal paint, I wonder how it would work as a base coat for Contrast.

[@GuerrillaMiniatureGames]

Fine I’m sure!

[@Gnarlf]

Since i would highlight black with blue, i might try a blue/dark blue undercoat for this one. It might just give me the result i wanted.

[@philipisbest]

This looks like it would be fantastic for my glooming lords army, the dark grey would play off of the mottled greens well! How well have the contrast paints been working on non-contrast primers? ‘Cause unfortunately most of my army is already primed in grey.

[@remlap42]

from what i've read/watched the contrast colours work best with a light base coat, doesnt need to be a contrast specific one. you can also get some cool effects painting it over a metallic layer such as lead beltcher

[@haloreaper1018]

I was hoping to use these for black legion and the chitin on my nids but 1 coat isnt dark enough and 2 coats is too glossy. i will probably still pick it up to give it a try, maybe it would better in person or i might find a way for it to work for me. thanks for the video demonstration it was very infromative

[@1tsrhodes]

The shiny black looks terrific. Should look great on Sisters of battle

[@Shypa]

Im super curious about the white colors. Ive seen white scars done with co trast paints. This could be very usefull on armies with white, yellow, grey colors.

[@danielw.6992]

Can I apply the contrast paints over a. layer from my base color Castellan green or I the Militarum Green similar to that ?

[@dom1310df]

You *can* paint over other colours, but the paints may not give the same effect (for good or bad)

[@TheeMrRasmus]

Would a matt varnish dim down the shine if applied on the intercessor?

[@katfezza4570]

Regarding your comments about large areas. Would that include things like Khorne Skullcrushers? Do you think areas like their armour would be too large? Better to paint them in a traditional manner? I have concerns that contrast red (Flesh Tearer I think?) might look a bit pink on something their size. Oh, and thanks for the WCCCD series.

[@GuerrillaMiniatureGames]

As long as it's broken up by spikes and trim I think you're okay. The big smooth butt plates might not look the best though.

[@DrunkenRoadkill]

I wonder if it would perform better on like a medium grey base for

[@TableTopLaboratories]

I really struggle to paint black. Do you think this would work for a Ringwraith? If so, what are you supposed to use for the base color! Great video!

[@mikesprague]

I wonder if this is a case where a darker grey primer, rather than the new one, would work to the advantage of black power armor...

[@johncleave]

The one with 2 coats looks pretty good, nice and smooth surfaces and retains a lot of the edges, it just needs some matte varnish.

[@quasistellar]

I actually think two coats may be the best for me. I think even with a darker primer it might still look a little too splotchy. Have to test it for sure though.

[@markmcdowell2733]

I think a base coat of mechanicus grey would work well.

[@TheSonsofSigmar]

I know its supposed to be used with the new primers but I wonder if in this case if using Macragge Blue would give a better result? I know leadbelcher is really good for a shiny metallic black... That said I REALLY like the High Gloss Vader-esque 2 coats of black you got.

[@Axquirix]

Black Templar over either of the two contrast sprays is good if you want a kind of glossy black finish, I think. If you want a more matte or just darker black, spraying Mechanicus Standard Grey is probably the best bet. I'm going to try using the contrast over Fenrisian Grey at some point for a super-quick way of doing the clean black scheme on the paint app.

[@rickandrewsacting6098]

So, if you were doing Ulthwe Eldar, would you lean towards two coats? I certainly am, but wonder if you tried a thinned coat then a thick one on top? Or vice versa?

[@798christian]

nice vid. but what would interest me: does the contrast paints only work with the gw primer? I mainly use vallejo primers, such as white, gray and german panzer gray

[@GuerrillaMiniatureGames]

Any primer

[@MrScottBlott]

Definitely think that the black is a great paint though will likely be thinning it with the medium for a second coat

[@mikewong7007]

feels like wanna use contrast paint to those armour plates only. the gun and others just use normal citadel paint. i wonder is it ok for my opinion?

[@wezab]

I bought a pot of plaguebearer flesh and used two colours to undercoat. I have plagure marines in grey and green plastic. The two undercoats were bleached bone and codex grey and they were painted on. One of each colour on a grey and green marine. The colour of the plastic has an impact, grey makes the undercoats darker. I shook the pot quite hard and for at least a minute then used a size 2 brush and slapped the green on starting from the top and working down, I was not to worried about over wash and it took 45 seconds per figure from top to bottom. The effect on the bone colour I don't like, it lets the bone show through and there is no edge highlights. The effect on the grey results in a more solid finish and definitely darker. It is a good quick top coat. The trim, accoutrements and weapons were always going to be done with standard paints which means I was not worried about colour blend or the base contrast showing through, and I was always going to use real metalics also. This is what I think GW wanted for painters who don't want to spend time painting. 45 seconds for a coat over a mid grey undercoat is the bees knees for a consistently painted army. No highlighting and some basic trim and weapons work and you have a painted army instead of bare plastic. I have yet to see any review paint like I was shown in the GW store and maybe that is the problem for the reviewers. I'm taking pictures as I progress but apart from face book I don't know how to show them.

[@HeadCannonPrime]

My suggestion for black power armor with contrast paints would be to start with a a mid tone grey primer (I use Army Painter uniform grey). Then zenith highlight with either a pure white spray or light cool grey (looks like you used a vallejo warm grey? which is great for flesh and colored earth tones but turns black muddy) . Then finally hit it with the black templar contrast. Since you will be starting from a darker grey overall the contrast paint will be able to take it much blacker in one coat yet you will still get the very bright edge highlight from the zenith highlight.

[@Kottery]

The Black Templar paint was the first thing I tried when I went up to a GW store to demo contrast paints. It came out VERY grey which was quite disappointing. I guess it'll look nice for a non-metallic bolter color, but as someone that runs Black Templars and Sisters of Battle I will likely stick to the good ol' black primer with Eshin Grey drybrush. The Blood Angels Red and Aethericwhatever Blue, however, impressed me as they turned out really nice. Blood Angels Red was really vibrant and the light blue contrast paint will be perfect for light coatings over power swords and plasma weapons or for adding blue tints (Such as Celestine's or anyone else's wings).

[@RainMakeR_Workshop]

Wonder how it would look on a black primed with white/grey dry brushing under the contrast paint.

[@GuerrillaMiniatureGames]

That’s how I did my Battletech mecha last week!

[@RainMakeR_Workshop]

@@GuerrillaMiniatureGames Is there a vid of that? or a link to some pics? Have you tried using the underpainting method? (Zenital + Dry Brushing. Usually meant as a base for glazes or inks)

[@manolisanastasiou6393]

2 thick coats looks like chaos black spray but from the bottle haha

[@col.hertford9855]

Great video Ash, maybe a thick coat and a thinned dark grey or black over it? How about a dark green for pre-Heresy Dark Angels? Also, a good matt varnish will take the sheen off the intercessor.

[@johnp4000]

It is interesting it creates a nice worn look which I prefer to the shiny look.

[@JTMC93]

Seems like it would work best if painted as a split apart model. Like the shoulders, main body, head, and backpack being separate from the rest and some other parts maybe separated to allow one to get a more uniform coat of paint. Sounds in theory like it would work best for old style Tactical Marines that needed few colors but in practice it might have trouble with the flat areas of the armor.

[@sloth210983]

double coat + matt varnish .. would that work ya think?

[@piltonbadger9897]

What about using Corvus Black with the black Templar Contrast?

[@benfabz]

Think it’d do justearin warplate well?

[@slipspacetacotaco4468]

Wish I’d found this before I ordered three pots of the stuff for my Black Templars lol

[@Jetcom10]

Black primer and apothecary white does a good job

[@Gilean80]

How does it look with the grey primer? Does it darken the colour with just 1 coat?

[@GuerrillaMiniatureGames]

That is over the grey

[@wraithdino1217]

I think your supposed to paint over the places you dont want contrast with the same primer you painted the model with, thats how the warhammer people did it the just kinda painted the primer back over when they wanted a new color using the primer pots they released with the contrast

[@Spookiester]

Sorry for dumb question. Is it still worth buying normal paints that are non contrast? Going to start painting minis soon. I already bought some paints over time but feel slightly dumb.....

[@Gauldame]

Contrast paints serve one purpose: get an army up to tournament legal paint standards fast, with as little technique as possible. If that's what you want, to bang out squads fast and have them looking decently okay then go ahead. Get the paints and the primers they tell you to use them with slap on three colors straight from the can and go. So far from what I have seen, they do not perform as well as other paints when doing some of the moderate to advanced painting techniques, which is fine. The purpose of this line is speed, not fancy. You're not dumb for getting other paints, because some paints are better at some techniques than others. Welcome to the hobby, check out guys like Sam Lenz, Miniac, and Uncle Atom Tabletop Minions and pay close attention to beginner guides to mini painting. Remember, the only way to get good is to slap paint on little grey army men. You don't need to be hung up on just ONE fancy new widget. Paint how you want, as long as the results a) make you happy b) are tournament legal for those you play with. Fuck everyone else's opinion, including mine.

[@jellyfishgamer2578]

Would be awesome if you could show us if it works well on tanks? :) appreciate it may pool

[@monkeybuizznes1]

What would happen if you added some Abaddon black to it? Would it be better or worse?

[@TheGreatDayne1983]

GW says you should use a varnish after painting because contrast goes on thin after drying. They are coming out with a Matt varnish.

[@GreatOldPete]

You can always spray matte varnish over it and get rid of the glossiness

[@Mike-zi4hi]

What about with grey seer undercoat

[@ceowulf69]

How do they taste?

[@rhysredin3030]

what about one coat plus nuln oil?

[@richmcgee434]

You tried doing a Nuln Oil wash over the single coat of this stuff? That blacken it up any without getting the gloss/lacquer look going?

[@zacharysmith1284]

Nun oil dries glossy. Hence oil.

[@richmcgee434]

Nuln Oil comes in both standard and gloss varieties, like all their washes. If you didn't know that, you might to check your bottles - the ones labeled Gloss produce very different effects than the normal variety.

[@tssteelx]

Humm i wounder what would happen if you used a dark blue, as a base coat

[@SpannSr1970]

Saw boltgun as a base and snake bite to make a bronze armor.

[@SwashBuccaneer]

I think these paints are going to shine with minis with a lot of organic details and crevices, skin tones, and over zenithal highlighting.

[@dagoth-ursbeekeeper9119]

That might work with a Mechanicus Standard Grey spray

[@Caddrel]

I missed it, how did you do the intercessor?

[@GuerrillaMiniatureGames]

Two coats of thick Black Templar Black

[@McPatMan124]

I think that would be a lot better if you used a medium grey primer on the armor. It can only get darker and closer to black with the black contrast paint and highlights should still be visibly lighter

[@mantradox]

Only 15 mins and voila! you can put your mini down the trasher, thank you for doing this, now we know.

[@aghostanimage]

I'm sitting here just wondering how to use these contrasts on my adeptus custodes.

[@andrewamann8855]

Undercoat or prime in a bright silver, pick out the details with wraithbone or mechanicus standard gray, and use the contrast paints to tint... Easy mode engaged.

[@andrewsimmons2711]

Sorry. I don't watch mud dry . . . ;) Looks great!

[@leudwigvonshwartsenhelm3624]

I think the two thick Coats look good as far as black armor goes, because let's be honest black armor would be shiny wouldn't?

[@audioweasel6997]

I'm thinking that Templar Black is going to look great on the guns on Infinity models

[@obyiscushobbyandgaming]

He used it in another video on the guns for his brawlers, it turned out great

[@deadphoenix8085]

Out of interest what happens if you do 1 coat and then cover with black wash rather then a second contrast coat?

[@loveone789]

also worth noting that the base/primer color impacts the finished result so had you used greyseer rather than wraithbone, the armor would likely have been darker

[@CGoody564]

It's a integral part to the system. Although it's kind of apparent that with a semi translucent paint, the color underneath will effect the final result. I want to find a way to get a real metallic black, but I think that's wishful thinking. I was considering the gold base with a good amount of black contrast on top, but im thinking it will just look wierd with some brown/gold tinge coming through, or it won't have any effect at all if enough paint is on there to make it actually appear black. I'm torn between classic and contrast though (im new). I feel like you get more control and precision regarding classic, but on some surfaces it's hard to replicate the finish that some of the contrast paints give naturally.

[@TBWOC]

I would try this: spray prime/paint the whole model in (gloss) black. Paint all nonblack areas in white. Paint all white areas with contrast colours (skin, weapons, gear etc).

[@myslavename4445]

Sorry, what'd you prime it with?

[@GuerrillaMiniatureGames]

Grey Seer

[@ajr1775]

Wonder how that two coat of black templar would look knocked back by a matt varnish.

[@tornapart75]

Could add a quick drybrush over the one with 2 coats on to make it more battle hardened and lose the majority of that gloss.

[@GuerrillaMiniatureGames]

I was thinking sponging Damage actually.

[@ramza813]

that wraith bone or grey seer priemer?

[@GuerrillaMiniatureGames]

Grey Seer

[@ramza813]

@@GuerrillaMiniatureGames thanks for the reply! PLEASE keep cranking out these vids!! you are the only ones with contrast updates all week!! i ordered the set on impulse. what can they do!! ahah

[@TiberiusWilson]

Boss, do a nights watch model with the contrast paints ;)

[@Mozoleum27]

Why not use the contrast medium and apply two thin layers of Black Templars black? It'll go on way better that way and more even as we'll, plus I hope you shook the contrast paint well because it'll pool on the bottom.

[@nraketh]

I actually really like that shiny dude. I think I might do up a test deathwatch with black templar and see what I think.

[@dudeiusmannigast1543]

Where are the close ups?

[@TheJankmaster]

so you're saying the Contrast line is made of mud? :)

[@LoneWolf8003]

My army was about to be a black army... then I realized that I was much more drawn to Zandri Dust. To simplify the replicatability, for the space marine portion of my army (excluding characters), I spray them Zandri Dust, touch the right pauldron (shoulder pad for those not cultured in armor talk) with Mephiston Red, and then pick a 'unit' color for the left side. Then later on when I feel the 'urge to detail' I paint the weapons and such. My blacks on the other hand? well, I just sprayed black.

[@keanueraine]

Nice even review. As a proud owner of the entire new chaos line, I have been holding off on painting my black legion until I've seen exactly what you've demonstrated. Thank you. I think I will be going the standard route and not using contrast on my B.L. I was hoping to use these as a time saver, but I want my Black Legion to be black, not the Grey Legion. The high Gloss Darth Vader look with the edge highlighting isn't half bad though.....Heresy!!!! Two Thick Coats...lol. Again, thank you. Will still experiment a bit, I want to see this black over top of Leadbelcher. (P.S. I love the non bias tone of your video, please keep it up. I can take your opinion without a grain of salt like I have to with certain others).

[@maxxon99]

Probably could try black over a medium-to-dark blue base.

[@zacharysmith1284]

Just brush matte medium over it, or a matte or satin varnish when the model is done.

[@LoneWolf8003]

Also; you have already performed in an improved manner over the GW tutorial given. GW: Paint main color, dry. Paint second color, dry. *reapply the base color*, then apply the lightest contrast colors. you: Paint main color while avoiding the face and pouches... thank you.

[@Arkiham]

An the model looks the worse for it. Looks very rush and very much like the typical eBay "professional painted to high stanard" army

[@DicePunk]

Codex grey FTW.

[@edwardcote2440]

They look fine, some of the better Space Marines I've seen done with Contrast Paints, really, but they just aren't at their best on armor like that or Stormcast.

[@lostsanityreturned]

I would be pretty disappointed if I ended up with a result like this. For black I would be directing new painters to a black primer and using a dark blue grey drybrush (probably a big makeup brush for the soft effect and easy coverage) Get them to step it up with some edge highlighting when they want it to look a bit better. For brighter colours though, the contrasts work alright on space marine armour imo. Just suffered a bit with this black. I cannot see it taking over from airbrush zenithal basecoating for space marines for folks who are willing to go the airbrush route for speed. The leather pouches, aquilla and skin are all great targets for contrast paints with either of the two previously mentioned scenarios and won't cost an arm and a leg like it would to paint one thick coat over 90% of every miniature.

[@edwardcote2440]

@@lostsanityreturned Well, honestly... I just don't like these for Space Marines or Stormcast at all, so take it with a grain of salt.

[@R.A-Wicks]

So GW recommended doing 1 coat and let dry. Then do a second coat but use a Contrast medium to thin but keep from separating. Do not do ! Two thick coats

[@odinoldman5850]

Shark marines

[@jasonmolenaar119]

Do do do do