Researched paint note
What should you know about Agrax Earthshade?
| Brand | Range | Product code | Type | Catalog color |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citadel | Shade | Not listed | shade | #A99D8D |
Who should use this shade?
It suits painters who want to darken recesses, folds, and textures with a translucent wash rather than lay down an opaque color. If you need a solid basecoat, a base or layer paint is the right product.
Is the name alone enough to identify the formula?
No. The Shade range has been revised, and at least one retailer still lists an older Agrax Earthshade formula separately, so the name has covered more than one formulation. Check which version you are buying if that matters to you.
Source: Citadel Shade Agrax Earthshade listing, Agrax Earthshade 24 ml (old formula) listing
What does a close ΔE match mean for a wash?
The stored value describes a thin translucent layer, not an opaque paint. A low score can point to a similar recorded color, but it says nothing about wash strength, drying, or how the shade pools on a surface.
What should you verify before buying?
Confirm it is the 24 ml Shade pot. A product with the same name in another range, such as a Contrast or air paint, behaves differently even when the intended color is close.
Which catalog colors are closest?
ΔE compares the listed digital color values only. Each row also compares the stored catalog attributes — purpose, chemistry, application, effect, finish and opacity. A conflicting attribute is flagged as a mismatch, a missing one as unverified, and neither is a physical substitute. How these matches are computed.
| Paint | Brand | ΔE | Catalog compatibility | Match type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taupe | Folk Art | 1.7 | Catalog attribute conflictCross-classpurpose: wash vs paint; opacity: transparent vs opaque | Nearby color |
| Thunder Gray | Folk Art | 2.2 | Catalog attribute conflictCross-classpurpose: wash vs paint | Nearby color |
| Gargoyle Grey | Army Painter | 2.8 | Catalog attribute conflictCross-classpurpose: wash vs paint | Nearby color |
| Taupe | Folk Art | 1.7 | Catalog attribute conflictCross-classpurpose: wash vs paint; opacity: transparent vs opaque | Cross-brand |
| Thunder Gray | Folk Art | 2.2 | Catalog attribute conflictCross-classpurpose: wash vs paint | Cross-brand |
| Gargoyle Grey | Army Painter | 2.8 | Catalog attribute conflictCross-classpurpose: wash vs paint | Cross-brand |
Sources and scope
- Citadel Shade Agrax Earthshade listing: Retailer listing identifying the product as a Citadel Shade paint; a current first-party product page was not reachable during research.
- Agrax Earthshade 24 ml (old formula) listing: Retailer listing the 24 ml pot and labelling its stock as the older formula, showing the name has covered more than one formulation.
Closest catalog colors
Digital color matchesΔE compares the listed catalog color values only, not finish, opacity, or coverage.
Cross-brand catalog colors
Digital color matchesΔE compares the listed catalog color values only, not finish, opacity, or coverage.
Technical Color Analysis
Agrax Earthshade is a orange with medium-light value (L*: 65.3). This neutral color has muted saturation (chroma: 10.1), making it excellent for highlights and focal points and great for realistic, weathered effects.
Medium-Light
neutral
Muted
Lighter midtone excellent for first highlights or as a lighter base coat option.
Balanced temperature that works harmoniously with both warm and cool palettes. Versatile for various applications.
Subtle, understated color. Excellent for realistic effects, weathering, and natural materials.
Recommended Undercoats
White
Light transparent paints show best over bright primers
Layering & Paint Order Guide
Light value suitable for first highlights or overall brightening
Suggested Layer Progression
This paint works best as a highlight in your layering sequence.
Use Before (Shadows/Base)
Use After (Highlights)
Layering Tips
- Apply each layer to progressively smaller areas, leaving previous layers visible
- Maintain consistent light direction across all layers
- Thin paints for smoother transitions between layers