What is the difference between Viking Blue and Primary Cyan?

ΔE 17 (loose). Primary Cyan is a little lighter, much more saturated, warmer. Swatch colours are estimates.

Viking Blue vs Primary Cyan

Viking Blue

Brand: Army Painter
Range: Warpaints Legacy
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #0057a5 (estimate)

Primary Cyan

Brand: Golden
Range: Heavy Body Acrylics
Code: PB15:3 / PW6
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #115dc7 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 17.3, loose: different enough that you should pick on purpose. Primary Cyan is a little lighter, much more saturated, warmer than Viking Blue.

Can I use Primary Cyan instead of Viking Blue?

Not as a straight swap; see the closer alternatives below. Loose match (ΔE 17). Primary Cyan is a little lighter, much more saturated, warmer than Viking Blue.

Can I use Viking Blue instead of Primary Cyan?

The same difference applies the other way round: Viking Blue is a little darker, 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 Viking Blue on the colour wheel See Primary Cyan on the colour wheel

Other Golden paints close to Viking Blue

Viking Blue vs Cerulean Blue, Chromium (PB36)Heavy Body Acrylics · ΔE 16, loose · closer than Primary Cyan
Viking Blue vs Azurite HueHeavy Body Acrylics · ΔE 17, loose · closer than Primary Cyan
Viking Blue vs Phthalo Blue (Green Shade) (PB15:3)Heavy Body Acrylics · ΔE 18, loose

Other Army Painter paints close to Primary Cyan

Primary Cyan vs Ultramarine BlueWarpaints Air · ΔE 17, loose · closer than Viking Blue
Primary Cyan vs Royal BlueWarpaints Fanatic · ΔE 17, loose
Primary Cyan vs Sapphire GemWarpaints Air · ΔE 18, loose

All matches: Viking Blue equivalents · Primary Cyan equivalents