Paint equivalent guide

Ratskin Flesh

Citadel (Games Workshop) base #A86648
#A86648

Looking for an alternative to Ratskin Flesh (Citadel (Games Workshop))? Whether you want a cheaper option, a dropper-bottle format, or simply a paint that's in stock — this page ranks every equivalent by Delta-E CIEDE2000 colorimetric accuracy, the international standard for colour difference measurement.

Best equivalents by brand

Ranked by Delta-E CIEDE2000 · All brands · Interactive
ΔE < 3 — Direct substitution
ΔE 3-6 — Acceptable
ΔE > 6 — Noticeable difference
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Computing Delta-E…

💡 Save 30-40% vs Citadel

Vallejo and Army Painter offer professional-quality paints at significantly lower cost. Use the equivalent above to find the exact shade.

How Delta-E works

Delta-E CIEDE2000 is the international standard for measuring colour differences, used in printing, textile and industrial colour matching. ChromaStack applies it to miniature paints — converting each hex colour to the LAB colour space and calculating perceptual distance. A ΔE below 3 means the difference is imperceptible on a painted miniature. A ΔE above 10 means the colours are clearly different and substitution is not recommended.

Ratskin Flesh — Full paint card
Techniques · Triads · Compatible armies
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Frequently asked questions

The closest Vallejo equivalent is shown in the comparison table above, ranked by Delta-E CIEDE2000. A ΔE below 3 means the difference is quasi-imperceptible on a finished miniature. Both Vallejo Model Color and Vallejo Game Color ranges are covered.

Yes — Vallejo (17ml dropper bottle, ~€2.90) and Army Painter (~€3.50) are typically 50-57% cheaper than Citadel (12ml pot, ~€4.80) while offering comparable quality. The price-per-ml is significantly lower, especially for Vallejo (€0.17/ml vs €0.40/ml for Citadel).

Ratskin Flesh (base) is a base coat — it works as an excellent primer layer for Contrast paints when applied over a suitable primer.

Delta-E CIEDE2000 is the international colour science standard. ChromaStack converts each paint's hex colour to the CIELAB perceptual colour space and measures the Euclidean distance. ΔE <1 = invisible difference · ΔE 1-3 = subtle · ΔE 3-6 = acceptable substitution · ΔE >10 = not recommended. Note that paint finish (matte/satin/gloss) is not factored in.

Ratskin Flesh is one of Citadel (Games Workshop)'s most recognisable paints: a rich red base that appears across many Warhammer schemes. A rich red base paint from Citadel (Games Workshop)'s Base range. It appears frequently in various Warhammer armies colour schemes. If you are looking for a reliable Ratskin Flesh equivalent, the comparison table above gives you the closest matches ranked by Delta-E.

How to use Ratskin Flesh

Ratskin Flesh offers good coverage, which makes it useful for broad armour panels and repeatable base layers.

For the cleanest finish, thin it slightly: légère.

It behaves best over blanc ou beige primer before the first coat.

Typical workflows include basecoating and layering.

Avoid using it for NMM effects.

When to use this colour

Ratskin Flesh is a strong fit for various Warhammer armies and similar colour recipes.

It pairs naturally with Reikland Fleshshade (Shade peau), Cadian Fleshtone (Couleur de base), Kislev Flesh (Highlight / Highlight) and Bugman's Glow (Couleur de base).

Ratskin Flesh equivalents

If you want a Ratskin Flesh equivalent to save money, switch bottle format, or find a better-stocked range, compare the Delta-E scores above. A lower score means a closer colour match on the finished miniature.

Always test substitutes when finish, opacity, or flow matter to your recipe.

Tips from experienced painters

Frequently asked questions

Use the Delta-E table above to compare the closest Vallejo, Army Painter, and other cross-brand alternatives.

Work in thin coats, follow the usage notes on the page, and adapt the primer and thinning to your project.