Purple is a regal and striking color for any army, whether you're painting the alien horrors of the Tyranids, the arcane forces of Chaos, or a custom Space Marine chapter. Achieving a rich, vibrant purple that doesn't look flat or muddy can be a challenge, but with the right combination of paints, you can create a stunning color scheme. In this guide, we'll explore how to combine Citadel's Dechala Lilac and Luxion Purple to achieve depth and vibrancy in your purple armor and cloth.

We'll cover the properties of each paint, how to layer and contrast them, and provide step-by-step techniques for painting purple armies. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned painter, these tips will help you elevate your purple painting game.

Understanding Dechala Lilac and Luxion Purple

Dechala Lilac is a light, desaturated lilac with a slightly dusty tone, perfect for highlighting and creating a soft transition from darker purples. It has a smooth, creamy consistency that works well for layering and edge highlighting. On the other hand, Luxion Purple is a Contrast paint known for its intense, vibrant purple hue. It flows into recesses and leaves a rich color on raised areas, making it ideal for base coating and shading.

When used together, these two paints create a dynamic range from deep, shadowed purple to bright, almost pinkish highlights. The key is to use Luxion Purple as a base or shade, then build up layers with Dechala Lilac to create a smooth gradient. This combination is particularly effective on large surfaces like vehicle panels or power armor, where you want a striking but not overly saturated look.

  • Luxion Purple is a Contrast paint that provides natural shading and highlighting in one coat.
  • Dechala Lilac is a layer paint that is excellent for building up highlights and adding a dusty, muted tone.

Step-by-Step: Base Coating with Luxion Purple

Start by priming your model with a light grey or white primer. This ensures that the Luxion Purple Contrast paint will have a bright, even base to work with. Apply a generous coat of Luxion Purple over the areas you want to be purple. Because it's a Contrast paint, it will naturally pool in recesses and leave lighter tones on raised areas, creating an instant base color with shading.

For best results, use a large brush and work quickly, but avoid letting the paint pool too much in flat areas. If you're painting a large model like a vehicle, you may need to work in sections to keep the paint wet and avoid visible brush strokes. Once the base coat is dry, you can move on to layering with Dechala Lilac.

  • Use a wet palette to keep your paints moist and prevent drying.
  • Apply thin coats to avoid obscuring details.

Layering and Highlighting with Dechala Lilac

Once the Luxion Purple base is dry, it's time to build up highlights with Dechala Lilac. This paint is perfect for layering because it's slightly opaque but still allows the undercolor to show through. Mix a small amount of water into the paint to achieve a smooth consistency, then apply it to the raised areas of the model. You can use the edge highlighting technique to define the edges of armor plates, or apply it broadly to create a gradient effect.

For a more subtle transition, you can mix Dechala Lilac with a bit of the base purple or add a drop of Lahmian Medium to create a glaze. This will soften the transition between the dark purple and the lilac highlight. Repeat the layering process, each time covering a smaller area, until you achieve the desired brightness.

  • Build up highlights in thin, controlled layers to avoid chalkiness.
  • Use a fine detail brush for precise edge highlights.

Combining Layer and Contrast for a Rich Purple Scheme

The true power of combining Dechala Lilac and Luxion Purple lies in the ability to create a rich, multi-dimensional color scheme. By using Luxion Purple as a base and Dechala Lilac as a highlight, you can achieve a vibrant purple that has depth and interest. This combination works exceptionally well for armies like the Tyranids, where you want a striking yet organic look, or for Chaos Space Marines, where a regal purple can signify devotion to the Dark Gods.

For even more depth, consider adding a shade like Druchii Violet in the recesses before applying your highlights. This will enhance the shadows and make the purple pop. You can also use a drybrush of Dechala Lilac to quickly bring out details on textured surfaces like fur or scales.

  • Use Druchii Violet shade for deeper shadows.
  • Drybrush Dechala Lilac for quick highlights on textured surfaces.

To get started on your purple army, you'll need the right paints and tools. Citadel's Layer and Contrast ranges are essential, and you can find them at GUNNZO. For your base, consider the Citadel Air: Phoenician Purple 24ml, which is an airbrush-ready paint that provides a smooth, even base coat. For layering, the Citadel Layer: Vulkan Green 12ml might seem out of place, but it's actually a great complementary color for purple, especially for adding contrast details like gems or eyes.

Citadel Layer: Vulkan Green 12ml

Citadel Layer: Vulkan Green 12ml

If you're looking for a versatile white for mixing or priming, the Mr. Color Paint UG18 Gundam Color White Ver. Anime Color 10ml is an excellent choice. And for those who enjoy a bit of fun alongside their painting, the Nanoblock Lucky Charm & Omikuji Mininano Series - Blind Bag offers a delightful break and a charming desk companion.

  • Citadel Air: Phoenician Purple 24ml - a smooth airbrush or brush-on base.
  • Mr. Color Paint UG18 Gundam Color White - perfect for mixing and highlighting.

Tips for Painting Purple Armies Efficiently

Painting an entire army can be time-consuming, so it's important to work efficiently. Use the 'one base coat, multiple models' approach: apply Luxion Purple to all your models first, then go back and highlight with Dechala Lilac. This way, you minimize the number of times you need to clean your brush and change colors.

Another time-saving tip is to use a spray primer and airbrush for the base coat if you have one. The Citadel Air range is perfect for this, and you can achieve a smooth, even base in minutes. For those without an airbrush, a large drybrush can also speed up the process.

  • Batch paint to save time.
  • Use an airbrush for large models or vehicles.

Combining Dechala Lilac and Luxion Purple is a powerful technique for painting purple armies that stand out on the tabletop. With the right paints and a bit of practice, you can achieve stunning results that will impress your opponents. Explore GUNNZO's selection of Citadel paints and accessories to get started on your purple army today. Check out the Citadel Air: Phoenician Purple 24ml for a reliable base, and don't forget to have fun with your painting projects!