Citadel Contrast paint is built for exactly this job: covering a whole Space Marine army in chapter-accurate colors with one coat over a primed and undercoated model, instead of the base, layer, and shade sequence a fully painted scheme normally takes. For most of the major chapters, there is a Contrast color already named after or matched to the scheme.
Chapter colors in the Contrast range
The Citadel Contrast line includes several colors built specifically around named Space Marine chapters, and a few more general colors that read well as chapter armor.
| Chapter or scheme | Contrast color | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Black Templars | Black Templar | Over white primer for the classic bone-white armor look |
| Blood Angels | Blood Angels Red | Deep true red over black or red primer |
| Dark Angels | Dark Angels Green | Dark green over black primer for shadowed armor |
| Wood and leather trim | Wyldwood | Works across chapters for pouches, hafts, and cloaks |
| Medical or Apothecary detail | Apothecary White | Standard white detail across most chapters |
| Tech and energy effects | Aethermatic Blue | Glowing weapon and rune effects |
| Alternate scheme reds | Baal Red | A second red option distinct from Blood Angels Red |
Chapters without a directly named Contrast color, such as Ultramarines or Imperial Fists, still have close matches in the range under their own color name rather than a chapter name, since Citadel ships both approaches side by side.
How to actually run a Contrast army scheme
Prime the model in a color close to the base tone you are aiming for. Contrast paint depends heavily on primer color because it is semi-transparent and pools into recesses on its own, so a black primer under a red Contrast color reads much darker than a white primer under the same paint. For Black Templars specifically, white primer is close to mandatory since the whole point of the scheme is bright, pale armor.
Apply Contrast in a single coat and let it dry fully before touching it again. Resist the urge to go back over a patchy-looking area immediately, since Contrast paints often look uneven wet and settle into a consistent finish once dry. If a panel genuinely needs a second pass, wait until the first coat is bone dry, then apply a thin second coat rather than a full reapplication.
Combining Contrast with traditional painting
Most tabletop Space Marine armies mix Contrast base coats with a small amount of traditional edge highlighting on raised armor panels, using a Layer color a shade lighter than the Contrast color for trim. This keeps the speed advantage of Contrast for the bulk of the model while still giving raised edges some pop under table lighting. See the beginner's guide to Citadel Contrast for the full application sequence and a broader color list beyond Space Marines specifically.
FAQ
Is there a Contrast paint for every Space Marine chapter?
Not every chapter has a color named after it directly, but the range's general colors cover most chapter schemes closely enough to use without custom mixing.
Do I still need to prime before using Contrast paint?
Yes, Contrast paint is not a primer replacement. It needs a primed surface, and the primer color directly affects how the finished color looks.
Can I use Contrast paint over a Contrast base coat that already dried?
Yes, layering one Contrast color thinly over another for shading or blending effects works, though most painters use a traditional wash or Layer color for that step instead.
How long does a Contrast-painted Space Marine take compared to traditional layering?
A single Contrast coat plus basic highlights typically runs a fraction of the time of full base, layer, and shade painting, which is the main reason the range exists for army-scale projects.
What primer color should I use under Black Templar Contrast paint?
White or a very light grey primer, since the scheme depends on pale armor and a dark primer underneath will pull the finished color much darker than intended.