Black Paints Compared for Miniature Painting

Key Points

• Army Painter Matt Black and Green Stuff World Black: Both scored the highest in my tests, offering excellent pigmentation, smooth application, and quick drying times.
• Black 3.0 by Stuart Semple: Achieved the deepest black, but requires careful handling and specific application techniques due to its higher viscosity.
• Scale 75 Black and Citadel Abaddon Black: Provided reliable performance with good pigmentation and coverage, though they require more effort to achieve a smooth finish.

The Contenders

In my comparison, I evaluated the following black acrylic paints:

• Army Painter Matt Black
• Green Stuff World Black
• Vallejo Model Color Black
• Citadel Abaddon Black
• Scale 75 Black
• Black 3.0 by Stuart Semple

Each of these paints has its own strengths and weaknesses, which I’ll explore in detail.

Note: Some others in the miniature painting community have suggested that Musou Black Water-based Acrylic Paint is another contender and direct competitor to Stuart Semple’s Black 3.0 (or even Black 4.0).

Application and Viscosity

Army Painter Matt Black: This paint offers a smooth application and dries relatively quickly. It’s easy to work with, making it a solid choice for both beginners and experienced painters. It was particularly hard to smooth out when applied quickly, indicating that a slower, more deliberate application might yield better results.

Green Stuff World Black: Similar to Army Painter, this paint has a good consistency but can be slightly more challenging to apply evenly. It requires a bit more effort to achieve a smooth finish. It also dried the worst in terms of consistency, which can be a drawback if you’re aiming for a pristine surface.

Vallejo Model Color Black: This paint has a medium viscosity, making it easy to control. It applies smoothly and evenly but requires a bit longer drying time compared to Army Painter and Green Stuff World.

Citadel Abaddon Black: Known for its reliability, Citadel Abaddon Black has a slightly thicker consistency. It provides excellent coverage and smooth application but needs careful handling to avoid brush strokes.

Scale 75 Black: This paint is known for its high pigmentation and smooth application. It has a slightly thicker consistency but flows well, making it easy to achieve an even coat with minimal effort.

Black 3.0: Known for its extreme blackness, Black 3.0 requires careful handling. Its viscosity is higher, meaning it can be tricky to apply smoothly without thinning. This paint requires a bit of fitting to get it cleanly and smoothly on the surface. Despite these challenges, once applied, it delivers an incredibly deep black that is unmatched by the other paints tested.

Drying Time and Finish

Army Painter Matt Black: This paint dries quickly, which can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. While it speeds up the painting process, it also means you need to work fast to avoid visible brush strokes.

Green Stuff World Black: The drying time is moderate, giving you a bit more flexibility to smooth out the paint. However, it doesn’t dry as evenly as Army Painter, which can lead to a less consistent finish.

Vallejo Model Color Black: This paint dries at a moderate pace, allowing for smoother application. The finish is consistent and even, making it a reliable choice for detailed work.

Citadel Abaddon Black: With a moderate drying time, this paint allows for ample working time. It dries to a smooth, even finish, making it ideal for both large surfaces and fine details.

Scale 75 Black: This paint dries slightly slower than the others, allowing for smooth blending and layering. Its finish is matte and consistent, ideal for high-detail work.

Black 3.0: This paint has the slowest drying time of the three, allowing for a more controlled application. Its finish is the darkest, though achieving a smooth coat can be challenging without proper thinning. I was unsure if it would actually work with an actual miniature. This testing is ongoing.

Varnishing and Final Appearance

To see how these paints hold up under varnish, I applied two flat coats: one varnished and one unvarnished.

Army Painter Matt Black: When varnished, this paint maintains a consistent matte finish. However, the varnish can slightly diminish its blackness. Depending on the light shining on the varnished surface, you might see a little bit of glare, but in general, varnish tends to reduce the matte quality slightly.

Green Stuff World Black: Similar to Army Painter, the varnish affects its appearance, adding a slight gloss that can detract from the matte finish. Varnishing this paint also diminishes its blackness, and the consistency of the finish might not be as high as Army Painter.

Vallejo Model Color Black: This paint holds up well under varnish, maintaining a consistent finish with minimal impact on its blackness.

Citadel Abaddon Black: The varnish slightly affects the finish, adding a minor gloss. However, the blackness remains relatively intact, making it a good choice for gaming models.

Scale 75 Black: This paint retains its matte finish well under varnish. The varnish has minimal impact on its overall appearance, keeping the blackness consistent.

Black 3.0: The varnish significantly impacts Black 3.0, reducing some of its ultra-black qualities. It’s essential to be aware that varnishing for protection will alter the appearance of this paint more noticeably than the others. Applying varnish to protect your models for gameplay or other purposes will affect the overall blackness of the paint.

RELATED: HOW TO FIX FOGGY OR FROSTED VARNISH ON YOUR MODELS

• Varnished on the Right, Unvarnished on the Left: Notice the slight glare depending on the light, indicating how varnish affects each paint’s appearance.

Conclusion

In summary, if you prioritize ease of use and quick drying, Army Painter Matt Black is a reliable choice. For a middle ground in terms of application and finish, Green Stuff World Black is a solid option. Vallejo Model Color Black offers a consistent and smooth finish, making it great for detailed work.

Citadel Abaddon Black is known for its reliability and excellent coverage. Scale 75 Black provides high pigmentation and smooth application, ideal for detailed work.

However, if you are looking for the blackest possible finish and are willing to handle the challenges of its application, Black 3.0 by Stuart Semple is unparalleled. An alternative black, of course, to the Black 3.0 or Black 4.0 is Musou Black—which by all measure in the miniature painting community is another good option if you’re looking for a bit of a novel go at painting black on your models or minis.

Ultimately, each of these paints has its own unique properties, and the best choice will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If I had to choose just one black paint for all of my work though, I’d go with my current favorite: Army Painter Matt Black.

Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned for more paint comparisons, tips and tutorials of how I paint miniatures.

Thanks for reading!