
Games Workshop produces a line of acrylic paints for painting miniatures under the Citadel Colour name. With over 300 paints in the range, Citadel Colour allows users to recreate iconic colour schemes for their miniatures and terrain. In 2019, Games Workshop added Contrast paints to its paint range, promoted as speeding up the painting process for players. The existing range of paints was also expanded and reorganised when Contrast was released, and some colours were renamed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of name change | 2019 |
| Old brand name | Citadel |
| New brand name | Citadel Colour |
| Number of paints in the range | Over 300 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

The introduction of Contrast paints in 2019
Games Workshop added Contrast paints to its collection in 2019, promoting them as a way to speed up the painting process for players. The introduction of Contrast paints also brought about changes to the existing paint range. Firstly, the branding changed from Citadel to Citadel Colour. Secondly, the Glaze line of paints was discontinued and replaced with Air Clear paints. The Edge line of paints was combined into the Layer line, and some colours were renamed. Finally, the previously separate Texture line of paints was merged into the Technical line.
Citadel Colour now offers over 300 paints, allowing users to recreate iconic colour schemes from books, box art, and other sources. The Citadel Colour range includes Base, Layer, Shade, Dry, Contrast, Technical, and Spray paints, each serving a unique purpose in the miniature painting process.
Contrast paints, for example, can be applied over a white base coat to base, shade, and layer a miniature simultaneously. They can also be used to glaze or tint other paints. Shade paints, on the other hand, are formulated to flow into the recesses of the model, creating shadows and adding depth to the miniature. Dry paints have a lower paint medium content, making them ideal for dry brushing and quick highlighting.
Citadel Colour Spray paints provide an even coat of colour, serving as a base for further paint applications. Technical paints add special effects to the miniatures, such as churned earth, grisly gore, corrosion, or spectral glows. The Layer line of paints, which incorporated the previous Edge line, is used for layering techniques, building up colours and adding highlights.
The addition of Contrast paints and the reorganisation of the existing range expanded the creative possibilities for miniature painters, offering new opportunities for customisation and expediting the painting process.
The Legalities of Painting a Fence That's Not Yours
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Glaze line discontinued
Games Workshop did change the names of some of their paints when they expanded and reorganised their paint range in 2019. The branding was changed from Citadel to Citadel Colour. The Glaze line of paints was discontinued and replaced with the introduction of Air Clear paints. The Edge line of paints was combined into the Layer line, with some colours being renamed. The previously separate Texture line was combined into the Technical line.
Citadel Colour now offers over 300 paints, catering to all skill levels. The range includes base paints, which provide strong solid coats ideal for a foundation. Layer paints, which have less pigment and flow better from the brush, are designed to go on top of base paints to add brightness and highlights. Shade paints create shadows by flowing into the recesses of the model, leaving very little pigment on raised areas. Dry paints are ideal for drybrushing, a quick highlighting technique, as they have less medium in them.
The Glaze line of paints was discontinued to make way for the new Air Clear paints. Air Clear paints are designed for airbrushing and are known for their strong coverage and ease of application. They are formulated to be sprayed through an airbrush and provide a smooth, even finish. This type of paint is ideal for basecoating miniatures and models, as well as for covering large surfaces quickly and efficiently.
The decision to discontinue the Glaze line was likely made to streamline the paint range and provide a more specialised option for airbrushing. Airbrushing has become an increasingly popular technique in miniature painting, and having a dedicated range of airbrush paints allows for better results and easier application.
While some painters might miss the Glaze line, the introduction of Air Clear paints offers a more tailored approach to airbrushing. With the new range, painters can achieve consistent and efficient coverage, speeding up the painting process and resulting in high-quality finishes for their miniatures and models.
Creating Paint Splatters in Keynote: A Simple Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Edge line combined with Layer line
Games Workshop has been in the business of painting miniatures for four decades. The company produces a line of acrylic paints for painting miniatures under the Citadel name, now known as Citadel Colour. In 2019, Games Workshop expanded its paint range with the addition of Contrast paints, promoted as a faster way to paint for players. This expansion and reorganisation of their paint range also saw the branding change from Citadel to Citadel Colour.
As part of this reorganisation, the previously separate Edge line of paints was combined with the Layer line. The Layer line of paints from Citadel Colour has a specific purpose in the painting process. These paints have less pigment than the Base paints and flow better from the brush. They are designed to be applied on top of Base paints to make the colours brighter or to add highlights.
The Edge paints, now part of the Layer line, likely serve a similar function. Edge paints are probably designed to be used after the application of a base coat, to add details and highlights to the model. The Edge paints may have a slightly different formulation than the original Layer paints, perhaps with a thinner consistency, allowing for finer details and crisper lines.
By combining the Edge and Layer lines, Games Workshop has simplified its paint range, offering a more streamlined and organised selection of paints for its customers. This change also likely provides a wider range of colour options within the Layer category, giving painters more choices for their miniature projects.
The reorganisation of the paint range, including the combination of the Edge and Layer lines, demonstrates Games Workshop's commitment to evolving its products and meeting the needs of its customers. With over 300 paints in the Citadel Colour range, the company continues to be a leading provider of miniature paints, catering to hobbyists and Warhammer enthusiasts alike.
Painting a Room: How Long Does It Really Take?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Texture line combined with Technical line
Games Workshop produces a line of acrylic paints for painting miniatures under the Citadel name, now known as Citadel Colour. With over 300 paints in the range, Citadel Colour allows hobbyists to recreate iconic colour schemes from Warhammer books and box art.
In 2019, Contrast paints were added to the Games Workshop paint range, and the existing range was reorganised. The Texture line of paints was combined with the Technical line, and some colours were renamed. The Texture line of paints is designed to create specific textures on miniatures, such as rust, corrosion, or weathering effects. These paints often contain particles that add a textured finish to the surface, creating a realistic, tactile quality to the model.
The Technical line, on the other hand, offers a range of special effect paints that can be used to create unique finishes and effects. These paints can be used to simulate different materials, create transparent effects, or add gloss or matte finishes. By combining the Texture and Technical lines, Games Workshop has provided hobbyists with a versatile set of tools to enhance their miniature creations.
For example, a hobbyist could use a texture paint to create a rusted metal effect on a vehicle model, and then apply a technical paint to add a glossy finish, simulating a fresh coat of paint. Or, they could use a texture paint to simulate mud on the base of a miniature, and then use a matte finish from the technical line to reduce shine and create a natural appearance.
The combination of the Texture and Technical lines in the Citadel Colour range offers Warhammer enthusiasts and miniature painters a wide array of creative possibilities, allowing them to add intricate details and unique touches to their models. With the right combination of these paints, hobbyists can take their miniature collections to the next level, making their creations stand out and truly come to life.
Customizing Your License Plate: Painting Letters Legally
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Rebranding from Citadel to Citadel Colour
Games Workshop produces a line of acrylic paints for painting miniatures under the Citadel name. In 2019, Contrast paints were added to the Games Workshop paint range, and the branding changed from Citadel to Citadel Colour. This rebrand also saw the existing range of paints expanded and reorganised. The Glaze line of paints was discontinued and replaced with Air Clear paints, the Edge line of paints were combined into the Layer line, and the Texture line was combined into the Technical line. Some colours were also renamed.
Citadel Colour paints are designed for painting miniatures and models, particularly those associated with the Warhammer universe. With over 300 paints in the range, Citadel Colour allows users to recreate iconic colour schemes from books, box art, and beyond. The paints are divided into a series of ranges, each with a specific purpose in the painting process. For example, base paints contain more pigment, making them ideal for applying as a foundation, while layer paints have less pigment and are designed to be applied on top of base paints to add brightness or highlights. Shade paints are formulated to flow into the recesses of models, creating shadows and adding contrast. Dry paints, meanwhile, are ideal for dry brushing, a technique used for quickly highlighting miniatures.
The Citadel Colour range is endorsed by members of the global Warhammer community, who offer up expertly painted examples of models in their signature styles. The range is also supported by an app that features tutorials, colour recipes, a paint inventory, and more.
Citadel Colour paints are marketed as a way to bring miniatures and terrain to life, with the act of painting described as a creative, relaxing, and satisfying pastime. The range offers users the opportunity to display their painted miniatures or use them in games, fostering a sense of pride and ownership in their creations.
The Divine Mercy: A Painting's Evolution
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Games Workshop did change the names of their paints when they expanded and reorganised their paint range in 2019. The branding changed from Citadel to Citadel Colour.
Citadel Colour is Games Workshop's line of acrylic paints for painting miniatures. With over 300 paints in the range, it has everything you need to paint amazing miniatures, from base coats to layer coats and dry brushing.
Games Workshop changed the names of their paints to reflect the expanded and reorganised paint range, which included the addition of Contrast paints in 2019. The new branding, Citadel Colour, also emphasises the purpose of each type of paint in the painting process.
Contrast paints were added to the Games Workshop paint range in 2019 and are promoted as a way to speed up the painting process for players.
Yes, in addition to changing the names and branding of their paints, Games Workshop also updated the formulas. For example, the Layer line of paints now has more pigment, allowing for brighter colours and better highlighting.










































