What is the difference between Psychic Shock and Light Blue (Luftwaffe)?

ΔE 20 (loose). Light Blue (Luftwaffe) is much more muted, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

Psychic Shock vs Light Blue (Luftwaffe)

Psychic Shock

Brand: Army Painter
Range: Warpaints Air
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #48b0a0 (estimate)

Light Blue (Luftwaffe)

Brand: Tamiya
Range: AS Spray (aircraft)
Code: AS-5
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #7ca9ac (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 20.4, loose: different enough that you should pick on purpose. Light Blue (Luftwaffe) is much more muted, cooler than Psychic Shock.

Can I use Light Blue (Luftwaffe) instead of Psychic Shock?

Not as a straight swap; see the closer alternatives below. Loose match (ΔE 20). Light Blue (Luftwaffe) is much more muted, cooler than Psychic Shock.

Can I use Psychic Shock instead of Light Blue (Luftwaffe)?

The same difference applies the other way round: Psychic Shock is much more saturated, warmer.

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 Psychic Shock on the colour wheel See Light Blue (Luftwaffe) on the colour wheel

Other Tamiya paints close to Psychic Shock

Psychic Shock vs Cobalt Green (PS-54)PS Spray (polycarbonate) · ΔE 7, close · closer than Light Blue (Luftwaffe)
Psychic Shock vs Coral Blue (TS-41)TS Spray · ΔE 9, close · closer than Light Blue (Luftwaffe)
Psychic Shock vs Light Blue (XF-23)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 22, loose

Other Army Painter paints close to Light Blue (Luftwaffe)

Light Blue (Luftwaffe) vs Shark WhiteWarpaints Air · ΔE 12, fair · closer than Psychic Shock
Light Blue (Luftwaffe) vs Neptune GlowWarpaints Fanatic · ΔE 14, fair · closer than Psychic Shock
Light Blue (Luftwaffe) vs Cadre GreyWarpaints Air · ΔE 14, fair · closer than Psychic Shock

All matches: Psychic Shock equivalents · Light Blue (Luftwaffe) equivalents