Intermediate Blue is a mid-tone muted blue with a cool undertone. No shortage of substitutes here, Grey Blue from Vallejo matches at 90 percent and 3 brands carry a strong same-finish near-match. For modelling, drop to Slate Grey in the recesses and step up to Mediterranean Blue on the edges, both Humbrol paints. In practice you can substitute across brands here without anyone noticing at arm's length.
Intermediate Blue equivalents in other ranges
Several ranges orbit this color without landing on it. Here is the closest each brand manages, nearest first:
- Closest Vallejo equivalent: Vallejo Grey Blue, close enough that batch variation matters more (delta E 1.9).
- Best Green Stuff World option: Green Stuff World Smoked Blue, close, with a hint of drift side by side (delta E 3.2).
- From Two Thin Coats: Two Thin Coats Wolf Grey, a near match with visible drift up close (delta E 3.5).
- Citadel's closest color: Citadel Russ Grey, a usable stand-in rather than a twin (delta E 4.2).
- Nearest in the Monument Pro Acryl catalog: Monument Pro Acryl Grey Blue, workable at tabletop distance, not up close (delta E 4.5).
- Best AK Interactive option: AK Interactive English Grey, a usable stand-in rather than a twin (delta E 4.9).
Side by side the two agree in lightness and temperature; at delta E 1.9 the gap is smaller than the variation between two pots of the same paint.
How to read the score
90+Close
80sUsable
<70Mix
Vallejo
Green Stuff World
Two Thin Coats
Citadel
Monument Pro Acryl
AK Interactive
Tamiya
The Army Painter
Revell
About this color
Color profile
Highlight and shade ladder
Pairs well with
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Frequently asked
What is the closest equivalent to Humbrol Intermediate Blue?
The closest same-finish match is Vallejo Grey Blue at 90% color similarity.
What color is Intermediate Blue?
Intermediate Blue is a mid-tone muted blue with a cool undertone (hex #5B6D80).
What do I highlight and shade Intermediate Blue with?
Highlight Intermediate Blue toward Mediterranean Blue and shade it down into Slate Grey, both Humbrol paints in the same finish family.