Why is my Contrast UM Blue So dark

[Redrandy93]

Brothers,

 

It has been a few months since I painted any figures.   I am repainting some  figures I bought on Feebay that are red space marines to our favorite boys in blue.    I used my UM contrast blue and it is very very dark.    Should I have primed them grey before using the contrast paint?     My three companies are much lighter  blue as I used the old UM blue that Coat g'arms still produces.    Is Macgrage blue lighter in comparison?    When my computer burned up I lost alot of data as I had not backed up in 18 months.   I know I was stupid.    any help appreciated.    I ask as i am going to paint another UM company as i found I have enough first gen figures to do it.    maybe some day I will paint all my Primaris UM figures.   VBG

 

Thanks for any help.

 

[Karhedron]

Yes, contrast paint must be applied over GW's specially formulated primer. For UMs, you probably want to primer with Grey Seer first. It just won't work without the primer.

[Tacitus]

11 hours ago, Karhedron said:

Yes, contrast paint must be applied over GW's specially formulated primer. For UMs, you probably want to primer with Grey Seer first. It just won't work without the primer.

Even then you'll look like Crimson Fists. The UM Contrast blue is very much darker and different than the expected Ultramarine color scheme.  I just use Vallejo in the air brush. 

 

Edit to Add:  The other Contrasts are generally pretty good.  I don't use the Contrast primer but still get good results from most other colors.  The Blood Angel one is more but still not a match - and makes for a good color.  The Dark Angels Green is a touch darker but still close enough and good - you can fix it in layers later.  The white and black are great.  But save the UM Blue for Crimson Fists and Librarians. 

Edited 5 hours ago by Tacitus