What is the difference between Ultramarine Blue and Blue Base?

ΔE 18 (loose). Blue Base is a little lighter, much more muted, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

Ultramarine Blue vs Blue Base

Ultramarine Blue

Brand: Army Painter
Range: Warpaints Air
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #2a4a98 (estimate)

Blue Base

Brand: Green Stuff World
Range: Opaque Colors
Code: 4115
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #3e5588 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 18.0, loose: different enough that you should pick on purpose. Blue Base is a little lighter, much more muted, cooler than Ultramarine Blue.

Can I use Blue Base instead of Ultramarine Blue?

Not as a straight swap; see the closer alternatives below. Loose match (ΔE 18). Blue Base is a little lighter, much more muted, cooler than Ultramarine Blue.

Can I use Ultramarine Blue instead of Blue Base?

The same difference applies the other way round: Ultramarine Blue is a little darker, 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 Ultramarine Blue on the colour wheel See Blue Base on the colour wheel

Other Green Stuff World paints close to Ultramarine Blue

Ultramarine Blue vs Marine Blue (1792)Acrylic Colors · ΔE 10, fair · closer than Blue Base
Ultramarine Blue vs Imperium Blue (1846)Acrylic Colors · ΔE 13, fair · closer than Blue Base
Ultramarine Blue vs Summersea Blue (1793)Acrylic Colors · ΔE 16, loose · closer than Blue Base

Other Army Painter paints close to Blue Base

Blue Base vs Regal BlueWarpaints Fanatic · ΔE 9, close · closer than Ultramarine Blue
Blue Base vs Stratos BlueWarpaints Fanatic · ΔE 10, close · closer than Ultramarine Blue
Blue Base vs Griffon BlueWarpaints Legacy · ΔE 10, close · closer than Ultramarine Blue

All matches: Ultramarine Blue equivalents · Blue Base equivalents