Overview
The Army Painter Speedpaint 2.0 is a fast-application paint formula built specifically for miniature painters and wargamers who want striking results without hours of layering and shading. Building on the original Speedpaint line, this second-generation formula combines pigment, shade, and a matte finish into a single pot, meaning one coat can produce depth, contrast, and definition on tabletop miniatures that would normally require separate basecoat, wash, and highlight steps. The paint flows into recesses and pools naturally around raised details, creating automatic shading effects, while the innovative resin binder dries to a satin-matte finish rather than the glossy sheen common to older speed paints, giving models a more natural, display-ready look straight off the brush.
What sets the 2.0 formula apart from its predecessor is the refined flow control and pigment density, which reduce the blotchy or overly translucent patches that sometimes plagued the original release. The updated recipe allows for better buildable opacity, so painters can apply thin coats for subtle shading or thicker applications for bolder, more saturated color without sacrificing the paint's signature self-shading quality. The range spans dozens of colors suited to armor, skin, cloth, metal, and fantastical creature textures, making it versatile across historical wargaming armies, fantasy hordes, and sci-fi factions alike. Each pot is designed to work seamlessly over primed miniatures, whether the undercoat is black, white, or gray, adapting its final tone accordingly.
For hobbyists managing large armies or bulk miniature collections, Speedpaint 2.0 dramatically cuts down painting time while still delivering tabletop-ready quality, and for more meticulous painters, it serves as an efficient base layer that can be enhanced with traditional layering, dry brushing, or edge highlighting. The formula remains water-based and thins easily, allowing airbrush application for those wanting even faster coverage across multiple models. Packaged in the Army Painter's signature dropper bottles, each paint offers precise, mess-free dispensing and long shelf life, making Speedpaint 2.0 a practical, reliable choice for painters at any skill level looking to bring their miniatures to life with minimal fuss and maximum visual impact.
Key features
- 01One-coat shade, base and highlight paint formula
- 02Improved matte finish reducing sheen after full cure
- 03Reformulated flow for better recess shading control
- 04Available in 40+ colors plus Speedpaint Skintones range
- 05Compatible with airbrush when thinned appropriately
- 06Water-based formula for easy brush cleanup
Specifications
| Volume | 18ml per bottle |
|---|---|
| Base | Water-based acrylic |
| Finish | Matte (post-cure) |
| Color Range | 40+ shades plus Skintones line |
| Recommended Primer | Black or White |
Pros & cons
What we liked
- Drastically speeds up painting large armies
- Great automatic shading in recesses and folds
- Matte finish looks better than original Speedpaint
- Consistent pigment distribution reduces blotching
- Works well over both black and white primer
- Good value per model painted
What could be better
- Still requires practice to avoid pooling
- Some colors dry slightly glossier than others
- Can be too strong/dark for very light armor without dilution
- Bottles can dry out at the nozzle if not sealed properly
Hobbyist notes
Feedback from painters and players who use it.
Cut my army painting time in half
I painted 40 Warhammer infantry in a weekend using Speedpaint 2.0. The shading in the details is automatic and the new matte finish looks so much better than the old glossy Speedpaints.
Great but needs technique
Once I learned to avoid overloading my brush, results improved massively. Pooling in deep recesses was my only issue, otherwise fantastic for batch painting.
Perfect for Kill Team and skirmish models
The skintone range is excellent for faces, and the metallics blend surprisingly well with the new formula. Highly recommend for anyone short on time.
Solid upgrade from original Speedpaint
The matte finish alone makes this worth switching. A few colors still dry a bit shiny, but overall a big improvement for army-scale projects.
Our verdict
Excellent for building a reliable colour library
Speedpaint 2.0 is a meaningful refinement of Army Painter's original one-coat system, offering better matte finish, improved consistency, and reliable shading straight from the pot. It remains one of the fastest ways to get tabletop-ready miniatures painted, especially for bulk armies, though careful application is still needed to avoid pooling in tight details.
Check price on AliExpress
