Researched paint note
What should you know about Macragge Blue?
| Brand | Range | Product code | Type | Catalog color |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citadel | Spray | Not listed | acrylic | #103E7C |
Who is Macragge Blue Spray for?
It is for painters who want a blue undercoat and base color across several models. It is a poor fit if you only need a small brush-on touch-up paint.
When does this version make sense?
It makes the most sense when a large part of a model or army needs the same blue starting coat. Games Workshop describes the spray as a way to simplify undercoating and basing and specifies a smooth matt finish.
Can the ΔE matches replace the spray?
Only as color references. The match table compares recorded color coordinates; it cannot account for aerosol application, surface preparation, can coverage, or how a brush paint behaves over primer.
What should you check before ordering?
Confirm that the listing is the 400 ml spray can. A bottle paint with the Macragge Blue name serves a different job 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Blue | Green Stuff World | 0.9 | Catalog data incompleteUnverifiedapplication: candidate not recorded or recognized; effect: both products not recorded or recognized | Nearby color |
| Beowulf Blue | Army Painter | 1.9 | Catalog attribute conflictCross-classpurpose: paint vs contrast | Nearby color |
| Royal Blue | Vallejo | 2.8 | Catalog data incompleteUnverifiedapplication: candidate not recorded or recognized; effect: both products not recorded or recognized | Nearby color |
| Marine Blue | Green Stuff World | 0.9 | Catalog data incompleteUnverifiedapplication: candidate not recorded or recognized; effect: both products not recorded or recognized | Cross-brand |
| Beowulf Blue | Army Painter | 1.9 | Catalog attribute conflictCross-classpurpose: paint vs contrast | Cross-brand |
| Royal Blue | Vallejo | 2.8 | Catalog data incompleteUnverifiedapplication: candidate not recorded or recognized; effect: both products not recorded or recognized | Cross-brand |
Sources and scope
- Games Workshop Macragge Blue Spray: First-party source for its undercoating and basing purpose, smooth matt finish, and 400 ml can size.
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
Macragge Blue is a dark cool vibrant blue with dark value (L*: 26.8). This cool color has saturated saturation (chroma: 40.7), making it ideal for shadows and base layers and perfect for bold, eye-catching areas.
Dark
cool
Saturated
Deep color ideal for shadow areas, recesses, and providing contrast against lighter tones.
Cool color that recedes visually. Creates depth and calm. Excellent for shadows when mixed with warm base tones.
Rich, vivid color with strong presence. Good for focal points and vibrant subjects.
Recommended Undercoats
Black or Dark Grey
Dark colors can use fewer coats over dark primers
Grey
Neutral option if you want slightly easier corrections
Layering & Paint Order Guide
Dark value works well for shadow glazes or shading recesses
Suggested Layer Progression
This paint works best as a shadow 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