What is the difference between Ionic Blue and Primary Cyan?

ΔE 16 (loose). Primary Cyan is noticeably darker, warmer. Swatch colours are estimates.

Ionic Blue vs Primary Cyan

Ionic Blue

Brand: Army Painter
Range: Warpaints Air
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #2a90d0 (estimate)

Primary Cyan

Brand: Pro Acryl
Range: Expert Acrylics
Code: E014
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #1a6ab0 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 16.5, loose: different enough that you should pick on purpose. Primary Cyan is noticeably darker, warmer than Ionic Blue.

Can I use Primary Cyan instead of Ionic Blue?

Not as a straight swap; see the closer alternatives below. Loose match (ΔE 16). Primary Cyan is noticeably darker, warmer than Ionic Blue.

Can I use Ionic Blue instead of Primary Cyan?

The same difference applies the other way round: Ionic Blue is noticeably lighter, cooler.

ΔE is the colour difference between our two swatch estimates: under about 6 is close, over about 15 is loose. Real paints also differ in finish, coverage and how they thin, so test before you commit.

See Ionic Blue on the colour wheel See Primary Cyan on the colour wheel

Other Pro Acryl paints close to Ionic Blue

Ionic Blue vs Sky Blue (012)Standard / Signature / AMP · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Primary Cyan
Ionic Blue vs Faded Ultramarine (013)Standard / Signature / AMP · ΔE 16, loose · closer than Primary Cyan
Ionic Blue vs Grey Blue (055)Standard / Signature / AMP · ΔE 24, loose

Other Army Painter paints close to Primary Cyan

Primary Cyan vs Crystal BlueWarpaints Fanatic · ΔE 2, very close · closer than Ionic Blue
Primary Cyan vs Crystal BlueWarpaints Air · ΔE 6, close · closer than Ionic Blue
Primary Cyan vs Sapphire GemWarpaints Air · ΔE 7, close · closer than Ionic Blue

All matches: Ionic Blue equivalents · Primary Cyan equivalents