Games Workshop’s Warhammer Colour range sets the standard for miniature paints, offering unmatched pigmentation and smooth application. From basecoats to edge highlights, it’s the go-to toolkit for bringing Warhammer armies to life.
Most Popular Citadel Paints
Nuln Oil an iconic citadel shade for adding instant realism and depth
Chaos Black Spray Paint: your go-to primer for smooth, even basecoats
Abaddon Black & Leadbelcher: foundational base paints for endless Warhammer colour schemes
Colour-matched to the official Citadel colour chart for perfect touch-ups and blends
These are paints we use ourselves and trust to perform time and time again. Explore more like our
Citadel Base: Abaddon Black 12ml or Citadel Shade: Nuln Oil to anchor your palette.
Frequently Asked Question
Yes. Warhammer Colour is simply the new name for Citadel Colour — the formula, the pots and the colours are all unchanged. Games Workshop renamed the range so the label clearly reflects what the paint is for. If a colour you love still says "Citadel" on the pot, it's identical to the Warhammer Colour version.
Each type has a specific job. Base paints give strong, even coverage over a primed model. Layer paints are thinner, for adding highlights and detail on top. Shades are washes that sink into recesses to create instant shadow and depth. Contrast paints combine a base coat, shade and highlight in one step, so they're the fastest route to a finished miniature.
For Base and Layer paints, yes — a little water (or thinning medium) on your palette helps the paint flow smoothly and stops it obscuring detail. Aim for a milk-like consistency. Shade and Contrast paints are already formulated to be used straight from the pot, and Air paints come pre-thinned for airbrushes.
A simple starter kit covers most beginners: A spray or brush-on primer (Chaos Black or Wraithbone are popular) Two or three Base paints in your army's main colours One Shade to add depth quickly A Layer paint or two for highlights A decent brush and a water pot If you want results fast, a few Contrast paints over a light primer will get you a tabletop-ready model in a fraction of the time.
Absolutely. While they're designed for Warhammer, these are high-quality acrylic paints that work brilliantly on any miniature, model or scenery — other wargames, D&D minis, scale models and more. They mix freely with other acrylic ranges too, so they slot straight into an existing collection.
