What is the difference between Tidal Blue and Primary Cyan?

ΔE 19 (loose). Primary Cyan is much more saturated, warmer. Swatch colours are estimates.

Tidal Blue vs Primary Cyan

Tidal Blue

Brand: Army Painter
Range: Warpaints Fanatic
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #006a93 (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 19.3, loose: different enough that you should pick on purpose. Primary Cyan is much more saturated, warmer than Tidal Blue.

Can I use Primary Cyan instead of Tidal Blue?

Not as a straight swap; see the closer alternatives below. Loose match (ΔE 19). Primary Cyan is much more saturated, warmer than Tidal Blue.

Can I use Tidal Blue instead of Primary Cyan?

The same difference applies the other way round: Tidal Blue is much more muted, 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 Tidal Blue on the colour wheel See Primary Cyan on the colour wheel

Other Pro Acryl paints close to Tidal Blue

Tidal Blue vs Dark Turquoise (S34)Standard / Signature / AMP · ΔE 12, fair · closer than Primary Cyan
Tidal Blue vs Phthalo Turquoise Light (E019)Expert Acrylics · ΔE 17, loose · closer than Primary Cyan
Tidal Blue vs Sky Blue (012)Standard / Signature / AMP · ΔE 21, loose

Other Army Painter paints close to Primary Cyan

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

All matches: Tidal Blue equivalents · Primary Cyan equivalents