Overview
The Citadel Base Paint Set is Games Workshop's foundational acrylic paint collection designed specifically for miniature painting and wargaming hobbyists working on plastic, resin, and metal models. Base paints are formulated with a thick, highly pigmented consistency that provides dense, opaque coverage in very few coats, making them the ideal starting point for building up a miniature's color scheme from bare primer. This set typically bundles together a core range of shades spanning reds, blues, greens, yellows, browns, and neutrals, giving painters of Warhammer 40,000, Age of Sigmar, and other tabletop miniature lines a versatile palette to block in the primary colors across armor, cloth, skin, and terrain features before moving on to shading and highlighting stages.
Each pot in the Citadel Base range uses Games Workshop's proprietary water-based acrylic formula, which has been refined for smooth application with a brush straight from the pot, minimal streaking, and reliable drying times that fit into a typical hobby session. The paints adhere well over Citadel primers like Chaos Black, Wraithbone, or Grey Seer, and their consistency is specifically engineered to avoid pooling in recesses or obscuring fine sculpted details such as armor trim, fabric folds, and weapon engravings. Because base coats establish the visual foundation for every subsequent layer, this set is structured so that hobbyists can confidently commit color choices early, knowing the paint will settle into a flat, even foundation ready for glazes, washes, and edge highlights.
Packaged in Citadel's signature screw-top pots with a flip-open dropper lid, the set is built for practical studio and tabletop use, preventing spills and keeping brushes clean between color changes during multi-army painting projects. It suits complete beginners assembling their first paint kit alongside a starter miniature, as well as returning hobbyists restocking core colors that see constant use across large model collections. Paired with Citadel Shade and Layer paints, the Base range forms the backbone of Games Workshop's three-stage painting system, and owning this set gives wargamers a dependable, consistent color library that matches the exact shades referenced in official painting guides and army showcases.
Key features
- 01Highly pigmented base paints for opaque coverage in one or two coats
- 02Formulated specifically for priming and base-coating plastic, resin, and metal miniatures
- 03Includes staple colors such as Abaddon Black, Mephiston Red, Retributor Armour, and Corax White
- 04Flip-top dropper bottles with agitator ball for consistent mixing
- 05Water-based acrylic formula, safe for airbrush use when thinned properly
Specifications
| Bottle Size | 12ml |
|---|---|
| Paint Type | Water-based acrylic |
| Finish | Matte |
| Recommended Use | Base-coating primed miniatures |
| Compatibility | Plastic, resin, metal models |
Pros & cons
What we liked
- Excellent pigment density covers primed models quickly
- Consistent color matching across bottles and batches
- Dropper bottle design reduces mess and waste
- Wide range of colors suitable for most army schemes
- Works well with Citadel Shades and Layer paints for full painting system
What could be better
- Bottles are small so heavy users burn through them fast
- Thicker consistency requires occasional thinning with water or medium
- Pricier per ml compared to some competitor acrylic paints
- Caps can clog with dried paint if not cleaned regularly
Hobbyist notes
Feedback from painters and players who use it.
Solid coverage every time
I've used these base paints for years on my Space Marine army. One coat usually does it after priming, and the colors stay consistent bottle after bottle.
Great paint, small bottles
The pigmentation is fantastic and blends well with Citadel shades, but I go through the small bottles quickly when doing large units.
Best base coat paints I've tried
Switched from another brand and the difference in opacity is night and day. Retributor Armour especially is gorgeous on Space Wolves terminators.
Reliable but pricey
Quality is consistently good, though I wish the bottles were bigger for the price. Still my go-to for tabletop-ready armies.
Our verdict
Excellent for building a reliable colour library
Citadel Base paints remain a reliable foundation for miniature painters at any skill level, offering strong pigmentation and consistent results straight from the pot. While the price per bottle is higher than some hobby paint alternatives, the quality and ease of use make it a worthwhile investment for anyone serious about wargaming miniatures.
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