The New Citadel Paint Range

I am sure you've all seen the recent news about GamesWorkShop releasing their new range / line of paints. Now I think many were like me and they were just expecting a re-pot and the addition of a few paints (or re-adding the classics like Tentacle Pink). However, GW dropped the bomb, its a complete re-branding and new formula's (I.E new pigments).



Here's GW's official word on the matter:

"145 - a number now synonymous with the new Citadel Paint range, which you can see above in all its Technicolor glory. From greens and blues, through to reds and pinks (yes, we have pink paint again!) you will soon have access to the new and exciting world of Citadel Paint. From today there will be 145 new colours available to order."

The range is pretty epic;

That's a lot of shades and options, but they've added in completely new "tools" to the kits as well. But like I say, one of the biggest things here is the fact they have RE-BRANDED, and not just remodelled their range.

RE-BRANDING

Fortunately GW has released a colour chart to help us find our correct paints under the new system. I'd book mark this link, because in six months time you going to want it, trust me.

http://www.games-workshop.com/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m2320032a_Citadel_Conversion_Chart

GW have had a history of changing things up with their pots and paints. They started back with round pots with no labelling (I still own these, and they have not dried), and then they added labels and a much much broader range (again, these are still fine to this day, thats 20 years). GW then, in the mid 90's, relaunched their paints with the "hex" pots, still flip lids, but had slightly thicker pigment which made for better painting, however these still had the consistency and chemicals that have seen them survive to today. Then, GW's worst move in the paint world, the dreaded removable cap. These paints rarely lasted to the end of the pot, let alone the end of the decade, and they were replaced with what we use to this day.

Obviously we've seen some changes in this time. Inks became washes (and far easier to use), and this saw the transition of painting from the days of dry brushing, line highlighting then blending, to washes, and not much else. Foundation paints was another transition which saw painting attempted to be simplified at the grass routes level.

However, the new line has brought in some new tools.

NEW PIGMENTS

Remember ladies and gent's these are NEW PIGMENTED paints. Like how Vallejo "equivalents" are close, but not quite the same as their citadel counter parts, these new paints, even with the charge, won't quite be the same, its the nature of the beast.

If your mid way through an army, I suggest loading up with old paints before they get removed (and unlike GW of the 90's that would throw the paints in a box and discount sale them, these will go back to be burnt or something).

I expect better quality paints (even if marginally better), but they will be different. While Lothern Blue will look very similar to Ice Blue it will both finish and apply slightly differently.


TEXTURED PAINTS

By far my favourite of the new "paints". This is basically a flock paint. It seems they have various coloured textured paints that allow you to apply the texture onto the base that you want, opposed to the tedious "flocking" that I think most people severely dislike.

For me this is a huge change because I've always hated flock, and I paint my bases where ever possible, and this just slots into the "ease of use" that I want. If I don't want to build/convert my bases (like my deathwing) I can use this to create a simple effect.

I am really excited about this one. It just works for me

GLAZES

The coloured glazes are a hark back to the days of inks.

Right now we have liquid skill that is washes, that basically help create depth without needing to blend. Why make 4 or 5 layers when you can base coat wash and reapply base coat?

Now glazes add another level, where you can dramatically alter the hue of a model. They are limited to eight I believe, but the test models did show some neat tricks.

However, I do feel this is just another "lazy trick" created to make it easier to paint. I am by no means against this, just because I won't use it doesn't its not good. If I ever had to rush out an army these are the sort of tricks that allow you to spent 1/10th the time on an army (where I'd typically layer and blend) and get a good table top effect.

DRY PIGMENT

Dry brushing seems to be on the decline, which I am glad of. Washes does give a better effect (darken the model then bring it back up, opposed to the brazen and brash "highlights" of a dry brush), but dry brushes can just be a quick and effective way to create a model.

Like last summer I had my "two ways to do a ghost", and one involved multiple dry brushes and was both fast and reasonably effective.

The dry pigment is pretty much what you imagine, a much thicker paint that lends itself to dry brushing. However, this really is only good if your going to use the right base to go with the pigment, and don't know how to apply dry brush effectively or get the right level of paint on the brush.

I think this is more of an entry level tool, as dry brushing is one of the earliest things (if I was a model paint teacher)  that I'd show to new painters (followed by washes, line highlighting then layering, finally blending, off the top of my head).

FINAL VIEW

I am a big fan of the additional things, but not a fan of the rebranding. While I get why they have done it (more associational paints etc...), they have built up these names over 20 years, and just want to throw that out the window, which is slightly annoying.

The fact that its a complete relaunch does mean you need to plan the logistics of your painting now. I am just about to start a project, and I have maybe 2 pots of each of the main paints I need, I'll now just wait for the new paints before I start. If your mid way through, or have an old army that you might add to if new models come out, just pick up spares and stow them away.

New paints are a good thing, they allow more colour combo's, mixes and challenges. We have the new textures and tools, and I am sure they will find their uses. I am quite excited to test some of these.