Nuln Oil vs Pure Black

Nuln Oil

Brand
Citadel / Warhammer
Range
Colour: Shade
Type
a wash/shade
Swatch
#1a1a1a (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 0.5, very close: most people won’t see a difference side by side. Our swatches for the two are almost the same. They are different kinds of paint: Citadel Nuln Oil is a wash/shade and Reaper Pure Black is an opaque base/layer paint, so they won’t behave the same on the model even where the colour is close.

Can I use Pure Black instead of Nuln Oil?

Yes, for most jobs. Very close match (ΔE 1). The swatches are almost the same. They are different kinds of paint.

Can I use Nuln Oil instead of Pure Black?

The same difference applies the other way round.

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 Nuln Oil on the colour wheel See Pure Black on the colour wheel

Other Reaper paints close to Nuln Oil

Other Citadel paints close to Pure Black

All matches: Nuln Oil equivalents · Pure Black equivalents

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