What is the difference between The Darkness and Pure Black?

ΔE 7 (close). Pure Black is a little darker, more muted. Swatch colours are estimates.

The Darkness vs Pure Black

The Darkness

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

Pure Black

Brand: Reaper
Range: Master Series Paints
Code: 09037
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #191919 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 7.1, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. Pure Black is a little darker, more muted than The Darkness.

Can I use Pure Black instead of The Darkness?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 7). Pure Black is a little darker, more muted than The Darkness.

Can I use The Darkness instead of Pure 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 Pure Black on the colour wheel

Other Reaper paints close to The Darkness

The Darkness vs Midnight Blue (09019)Master Series Paints · ΔE 2, very close · closer than Pure Black
The Darkness vs Blue Liner (09066)Master Series Paints · ΔE 6, close · closer than Pure Black
The Darkness vs Steely Blue (09151)Master Series Paints · ΔE 7, close

Other Army Painter paints close to Pure Black

Pure Black vs Matt BlackWarpaints Air · ΔE 5, very close · closer than The Darkness
Pure Black vs Dark Olive (WP4023P)Warpaints Historical · ΔE 7, close · closer than The Darkness
Pure Black vs Brigandine BrownWarpaints Fanatic · ΔE 8, close

All matches: The Darkness equivalents · Pure Black equivalents