Buying guide
The Paint Shelf
Updated How we research
Build a paint collection that covers every job. The page is split into five sections (Organize your growing collection; One-coat contrast style paints; Washes for instant shading; Metallics for armor and blades; Inks for glazes and depth), followed by every pick ranked by our score so you can compare them in one place.
The short version
We compared 20 picks. Our scores range from 7.0 to 9.2 out of 10.
- Best overall:Plydolex Plywood Storage Rack - 105 Bottle Holes for 17 ml Vallejo Paints, 14 Paintbrush Slots, 6 Miniature Stands, 2 Drawers. Highest overall score in this guide at 9.2/10.
- Also great value:Vallejo Game Color Range Metallic Colors Set | 8 Bottles x 18 ml. Value score of 8/10, overall 8.4/10.
- Solid build:Vallejo Metal Color Steel 32 ml. Build and materials score of 9/10, overall 7.6/10.
- Feature-rich:Vallejo Game Color Range Inks Colors Set | 8 Bottles x 18 ml. Features score of 8/10, overall 8.4/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Organize your growing collection
- Plydolex Plywood Storage Rack - 105 Bottle Holes for 17 ml Vallejo Paints, 14 Paintbrush Slots, 6 Miniature Stands, 2 DrawersOur score9.2/10
- OPHIR Wooden Paint Rack for 60 Bottles with 2 Brush Holders & 2 Drawers | Paint Organizer with 1.42" Dia Holes for 12/18/24/60ml Model Paints, 2 Miniature Painting Handles for Miniature PaintersOur score7.6/10
- Acrylic Paint Organizer Wall Mount, Paint Holder for Craft Hobby Storage, Rack for 2 oz Bottles, with Brush HolderOur score7.2/10
- Flythww 360° Rotating Acrylic Paint Organizer with Brush Holder, Clear Paint Storage Rack for 2oz Craft Paint Bottles, Space Saving Art Supply Organizer for Acrylic Paints & BrushesOur score7.2/10
One-coat contrast style paints
- Citadel Choose-Your-Own Paint Set: Contrast and Technical Paints with Brushes and AccessoriesOur score8.2/10
- Games Workshop Citadel Colour: Contrast - Militarum GreenOur score7.9/10
- Games Workshop Citadel Contrast Paint: Guilliman Flesh (18ml)Our score7.7/10
- Games Workshop Citadel Contrast Paint: Gore-Grunta Fur (18ml)Our score7.7/10
Washes for instant shading
- Games Workshop Citadel Colour Shade: Agrax Earthshade (18ml)Our score7.7/10
- Citadel Shade Paint: Nuln Oil (18ml)Our score7.6/10
- Games Workshop - Citadel Paint - Shade: Reikland Fleshshade (18ml)Our score7.3/10
- Games Workshop Citadel Shade Drakenhof NightshadeOur score7.0/10
Metallics for armor and blades
- Vallejo Game Color Range Metallic Colors Set | 8 Bottles x 18 mlOur score8.4/10
- Vallejo Model Color Effects Metallic Colors Set | 8 Bottles x 18 mlOur score8.0/10
- Vallejo Metal Color Steel 32 mlOur score7.6/10
- The Army Painter, Air Triads Most-Wanted Metallics, 6 x 18 ml, airbrushOur score7.2/10
Inks for glazes and depth
- Vallejo Game Color Range Inks Colors Set | 8 Bottles x 18 mlOur score8.4/10
- Vallejo Game Color Ink Blue 18 ml | Shading and Wash Effects | Satin FinishOur score7.5/10
- Vallejo Game Color Ink Red 18 ml | Shading and Wash Effects | Satin FinishOur score7.5/10
- Vallejo Game Color 72082 White Ink (18ml)Our score7.0/10
All 20 picks, ranked by our score
Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.
#1Plydolex plywood storage rack with 105 holes for 17 ml Vallejo paints, 14 brush slots, 6 miniature stands and 2 drawers.
Fit for the job 10/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + 105 holes sized for 17 ml Vallejo style dropper bottles
- + 14 brush slots and 2 drawers keep tools organized in one unit
- + 6 miniature stands hold work-in-progress models
- - Holes sized for droppers may not fit Citadel pots well
- - Flat-pack plywood needs assembly before use
#2Vallejo Game Color Metallic set of 8 bottles in 18ml, core silvers, golds and bronzes for tabletop armor and weapons.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Mix of silver, gold and bronze tones covers most metal details
- + Game Color line is tuned for fantasy and sci-fi miniatures
- + Dropper bottles keep metallic flakes easier to mix and dispense
- - Metallic pigment settles, so bottles need firm shaking each session
- - Not as smooth as dedicated Metal Color for display-level finishes
#3Vallejo Game Color Inks set of 8 bottles in 18ml, transparent colors for glazes, tints and vivid shading.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Transparent inks glaze color over highlights without hiding detail
- + 8 colors cover the common tints for gems, cloth and armor
- + Can be mixed into washes to create custom shades
- - Inks dry slightly glossy, so a matte varnish may be needed
- - Very strong tint can overpower a mini if not thinned
#4Citadel Choose-Your-Own Paint Set with Contrast and Technical paints plus brushes and accessories for speed painting.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Mix of Contrast and Technical paints covers fast bases and texture effects
- + Brushes and accessories are included, so the kit is ready to use
- + Flexible choice lets you build a set around your own army colors
- - Exact contents depend on the selection, so check what you receive
- - Official Citadel pricing is higher than rival speed paint brands
#5Vallejo Model Color Effects Metallic set, 8 bottles of 18ml metal paints for historical kits, vehicles and minis.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Includes a range of metal tones suited to weathered historical gear
- + Model Color finish mixes well with Vallejo's other acrylic ranges
- + Dropper bottles let you blend custom metals like dark iron
- - Effects colors are more niche than basic silver and gold sets
- - Brushed finish is less bright than lacquer-based metal paints
#6Citadel Contrast Militarum Green in an 18 ml pot, a water-based one-coat paint that bases, shades and highlights a model in a single application.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Bases, shades and highlights in one coat, the effect Contrast paints are known for
- + Water-based formula thins and cleans up with water
- + A single pot is the cheapest way to try Contrast before buying a set
- - One colour only, so a full army scheme needs several more pots
- - Contrast paints need a smooth light undercoat or the finish turns patchy
#7A single 18ml pot of Citadel Contrast Guilliman Flesh, a warm skin tone that shades faces and hands in one coat.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Warm flesh tone settles into facial detail for quick natural skin
- + One coat over light primer handles face, hands and bare arms fast
- + Popular pick for Imperial armies and human characters
- - Single color only, so you need a highlight paint for crisp faces
- - Can look blotchy on large smooth skin areas if applied too heavily
#8Citadel Contrast Gore-Grunta Fur in an 18ml pot, a rich brown for fur, leather straps and wooden hafts.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Brown tone flows into fur texture and leaves raised strands lighter
- + Very versatile for leather, wood, pelts and ork squig hide
- + Speeds up large batches of belts and pouches in a single coat
- - On smooth surfaces the effect can look streaky without thin coats
- - Only one shade, so layering tones needs other Contrast colors
#9Citadel Colour Shade Agrax Earthshade in the newer 18ml pot, the go-to all-purpose brown wash.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + All-purpose brown wash works on gold, flesh, leather and bone
- + Newer 18ml pot matches current Citadel paint range packaging
- + Thin flowing formula settles into detail with little brush work
- - Smaller volume than older pots, so heavy users may run out fast
- - Pot lids can dry out if not closed tightly between sessions
#10OPHIR wooden paint rack for 60 bottles with 2 brush holders and 2 drawers. A tabletop station for paints, brushes and tools.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + 60 holes of 1.42 inch diameter fit 10 ml to 60 ml flip top pots and jars, covering most hobby paint bottle sizes.
- + Built in brush holders and two drawers keep brushes and small tools next to the paints.
- + Made from 4 mm high density wood and listed as supporting up to 20 kg, with a no glue assembly using rubber rings.
- - Holds fewer bottles than the 81 bottle rack it replaces.
- - Takes desk space as a freestanding station, and the transparent platform needs its protective film removed.
#11Citadel Shade Nuln Oil in an 18ml pot, an acrylic shade paint from the Citadel range for adding shadow and depth over basecoated miniatures.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 5/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Shade paint from the Citadel range, so it sits alongside the other Citadel shades in this guide
- + Acrylic formula fits in with standard water-based miniature paints
- + 18ml pot is a small outlay for painters who want to try a single shade first
- - Listing has only two short bullets and no guidance on finish or how to apply it
- - A single 18ml color, so other tones need separate pots or a full wash set
#12Vallejo Metal Color Steel in a 32ml bottle, an ultra-fine metallic formula mainly meant for airbrushing realistic steel.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Very fine pigment gives a smooth, realistic polished steel look
- + Larger 32ml bottle covers vehicles and big batches of weapons
- + Ideal when airbrushing tanks, mechs or aircraft parts
- - Formula is thin and delicate, so brushed coats can look patchy
- - Rubs off with handling unless protected by a suitable varnish
#13Vallejo Game Color Ink Blue in 18ml, a satin-finish ink for blue shading, gem glazes and cold armor tints.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Vivid blue tint makes gems and power effects pop over white
- + Doubles as a strong shade for blue armor recesses
- + Dropper bottle lets you add a drop to washes for cooler tones
- - Satin finish leaves slight sheen on matte areas
- - Single color is best as an add-on, not a complete ink solution
#14Vallejo Game Color Ink Red in 18ml, a satin red ink for blood effects, red glazes and rich cloak shading.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Deep transparent red is well suited to fresh blood and gore effects
- + Glazes over red highlights to make colors richer and smoother
- + Mixes with brown washes for warm rust and leather tones
- - Easy to overdo, so blood effects need a light touch
- - Satin sheen can look wet where you did not intend it
#15Citadel Shade Reikland Fleshshade in an 18ml pot, a flesh-tone shade formulated to flow over other layers into the recesses. A natural pick for skin and faces where a black wash would look too harsh.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Formulated to flow over other layers and settle into recesses, which defines detail in a single pass
- + Flesh-tone shade adds a second wash color to this guide for skin, faces and other warm areas
- + Designed and manufactured by Games Workshop, so it matches the rest of the Citadel Colour range
- - A single 18ml pot of one color, so a full range of washes costs more this way than a boxed set
- - Sold as a pot, not a dropper bottle, and the listing does not state whether the finish is matte or gloss
#16Wall mount acrylic paint organizer for 2 oz bottles with a brush holder, a space-saving hobby storage rack.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Wall mount frees desk space for painting and tools
- + Clear acrylic lets you see colors at a glance
- + Built-in brush holder keeps brushes within reach
- - Sized for 2 oz craft bottles rather than hobby dropper bottles
- - Wall mounting requires drilling and suitable fixings
#17Flythww rotating clear acrylic paint organizer with brush holder that holds 27 standard 2 oz bottles. A small desktop rack that spins for easy access.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 360 degree rotating base brings every bottle within reach without moving the organizer.
- + Holds up to 27 standard 2 fl oz bottles in a 2 tier layout with 8 sections, and the center compartment holds brushes.
- + Clear acrylic lets paint colors be seen at a glance, and the compact footprint saves desk space.
- - Holds fewer bottles than wall or multi tier racks, so large collections need more than one.
- - Sized for 2 oz bottles, so small dropper bottles may tip or sit loosely.
#18The Army Painter Air Triads Most-Wanted Metallics is a set of six 18ml pre-thinned metallic paints for airbrush use, grouped as matched shadow, midtone and highlight colors.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Six pre-thinned metallics are formulated to spray straight from the bottle with no extra thinning
- + Triad grouping gives matched shadow, midtone and highlight tones for quick metal gradients
- + A low-cost way to add metallics to an airbrush setup compared with the 10-bottle sets in this guide
- - Made for airbrushing, so brush painters are better served by the regular metallic sets listed here
- - Six bottles cover fewer metal tones than an 8 or 10 color metallic set
#19Citadel Shade Drakenhof Nightshade, a dark blue shade developed to flow over other paints into the recesses of a miniature. A cool-toned alternative to black washes for blue armor, cloaks and night schemes.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Developed to flow over other paints and into cavities, defining details and recesses as it dries
- + Blue shade gives cooler shadows than a black or brown wash on blue, grey and silver areas
- + Listing states a 0.8 fl oz (24 ml) pot, a little more than the 18ml of other single shades here
- - One color in one pot, so it is a specialist addition after you already own a black and a brown wash
- - The listing text is short and does not say whether the finish dries matte or gloss
#20Vallejo Game Color 72082 White Ink in 18ml, a translucent white for lightening inks and making soft glazes.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Lightens other inks without making them chalky or opaque
- + Helpful for misty glows, frost and pale glaze effects
- + Product number 72082 matches Vallejo's Game Color system
- - Used alone it gives little coverage, so it is a mixing tool
- - Less essential than colored inks for most beginners
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Mini Paint Lab curates picks for US shoppers. Scores are our editorial assessment. We may earn a commission from links on this page.