Color Theory
Just enough color science to make dramatically better painting decisions — no fine arts degree required.
Why You Should Never Shade With Black
Pure black shadows flatten a miniature. Learn why experienced painters shade with dark blues and browns instead — and how to pick the right one for your base color.
Warm vs. Cool: The Color Split Every Painter Should Know
Warm colors advance, cool colors recede. Here's how to use that one rule to add depth, focus attention, and make your miniatures read better on the tabletop.
Hue Shifting: Why Your Highlights Shouldn't Just Be Lighter
A highlight that's just a lighter version of the base color looks flat. Learn hue shifting — nudging the hue warmer as you go lighter — for richer, more natural transitions.
Saturation as a Spotlight: Directing the Eye With Vividness
Where you put your most saturated color is where the viewer looks first. Learn how to use saturation like a spotlight to control focal points on your miniature.
Complementary Accents: Small Doses of Maximum Contrast
Complementary colors — opposites on the color wheel — create the strongest visual pop when used sparingly. Learn how to place complementary accents on your miniatures.
How PaintGuide Picks Your Shade & Highlight Ladder
PaintGuide suggests shade and highlight partners for any paint using OKLCH color math, not guesswork. Here's exactly how the ladder is built and why it makes those color choices.
Try the Ladder Explorer
Pick any paint from the full catalog and see its suggested shade and highlight partners, live.
Ladder Explorer
Pick any paint to see its suggested shade and highlight partners, computed live from the full catalog.
Loading paint catalog…