What is a paint scheme planner for miniatures?

A paint scheme planner lets you choose colors for each zone of your miniature before you buy a single pot. You assign colors to roles like primary, secondary, accent, metallic, and wash, then preview how they work together. This saves money by avoiding paints that clash and helps you plan a consistent army scheme from the start.

How do I choose a miniature color scheme?

Start with your primary color and work outward. Choose a secondary color that is two to three steps away on the color wheel for contrast. Pick an accent color that pops against both (complementary colors work well here). Metallic and wash colors follow the base scheme. A classic approach: dark primary with light secondary and a warm metallic accent keeps armies readable on the tabletop.

How do I plan a Warhammer paint scheme?

Warhammer army schemes typically use two to three main colors plus a metallic and a wash. Look at the faction's official palette for inspiration, then decide whether to follow it or diverge for a custom chapter or successor faction. Set your primary armor color first, then choose secondary trim and detail colors that complement it. Test on a single model before committing to a full unit.

How do I pick paint scheme miniatures will look good with?

Contrast is more important than matching. A dark primary (Kantor Blue, Abaddon Black) works best with a light or warm secondary (bone, gold, off-white). Avoid using two desaturated colors together since the result reads muddy at arm's length. A single strong accent color, like a bright orange or yellow, unifies an otherwise dark army. Keep washes and metallics neutral so they work across all your chosen colors.

What are complementary colors for miniature painting?

Complementary colors sit opposite each other on the color wheel. Red and green, blue and orange, purple and yellow are the classic pairs. On miniatures, complementary accents make the primary color read more vivid. Blue marines with orange weapons or red armor with green lenses both use this principle. Analogous colors (adjacent on the wheel) give a more harmonious look that suits nature themes and organic models.

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Miniature paint scheme planner

Choose colors for each role in your scheme, preview them on a miniature silhouette, and get complementary color suggestions. Works with Citadel, Vallejo, and Army Painter. No signup needed.

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How to plan a miniature paint scheme

Most painters pick colors by eye and regret it after painting twenty models that do not read well as a unit. Planning a scheme before you open a pot saves money on paints that do not work and produces a more consistent result across an entire army.

Start with the primary and build outward

Your primary color covers the most surface area and sets the army's identity. Choose it first, then pick a secondary that creates contrast. Two similar colors at the same value (brightness) blend together at arm's length. A dark blue primary with a light bone secondary reads clearly; a dark blue primary with a medium grey secondary disappears.

Accent colors tie the scheme together

A single accent color on weapon casings, lenses, or trim unifies a diverse army. Warm accents (gold, orange, yellow) work well against cool primaries (blue, green, purple). Cool accents (teal, ice blue) can break up an otherwise warm scheme. Limit your accent to one or two colors or the scheme becomes busy.

Metallics and washes are not neutral

Gold reads warm, silver reads cool. A Retributor Armour metallic with a warm brown wash (Agrax Earthshade) suits imperial and fantasy armies. A Leadbelcher silver with a blue-black wash (Nuln Oil) fits sci-fi and undead armies. Choose metallics and washes that reinforce your primary color temperature.

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Miniature paint scheme planner