What is the difference between The Darkness and Carbon Black?

ΔE 9 (close). Carbon Black is a little darker, more muted. Swatch colours are estimates.

The Darkness vs Carbon Black

The Darkness

Brand: Army Painter
Range: John Blanche Vol. 1-4
Code: Vol. 1
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #182128 (estimate)

Carbon Black

Brand: Pro Acryl
Range: Expert Acrylics
Code: E002
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #141414 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 8.6, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. Carbon Black is a little darker, more muted than The Darkness.

Can I use Carbon Black instead of The Darkness?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 9). Carbon Black is a little darker, more muted than The Darkness.

Can I use The Darkness instead of Carbon Black?

The same difference applies the other way round: The Darkness is a little lighter, more saturated.

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 The Darkness on the colour wheel See Carbon Black on the colour wheel

Other Pro Acryl paints close to The Darkness

The Darkness vs Satin Black (S39)Standard / Signature / AMP · ΔE 7, close · closer than Carbon Black
The Darkness vs Blue Black (056)Standard / Signature / AMP · ΔE 8, close · closer than Carbon Black
The Darkness vs Dark Sea Ben (S13)Standard / Signature / AMP · ΔE 9, close

Other Army Painter paints close to Carbon Black

Carbon Black vs Matt BlackWarpaints Air · ΔE 3, very close · closer than The Darkness
Carbon Black vs Matt BlackWarpaints Fanatic · ΔE 6, close · closer than The Darkness
Carbon Black vs Matt Black (WP4020P)Warpaints Historical · ΔE 6, close · closer than The Darkness

All matches: The Darkness equivalents · Carbon Black equivalents