Color-wise this is a moderate, very light teal leaning cool. For modelling, drop to Ivory Tusk in the recesses and step up to Trooper White on the edges, both Two Thin Coats paints. Ion Blue is a little less common: the closest same-finish match, AK Interactive Snow Blue, reaches 81 percent, and 1 other brand carries a strong same-finish alternative. Any substitute is a mixing base rather than a drop-in, so tune it on the model.
Ion Blue equivalents and near misses
Fair warning: nothing matches Two Thin Coats Ion Blue cleanly. The options below are the least bad, and every one of them drifts.
Closest AK Interactive equivalent: AK Interactive Snow Blue, close, with a hint of drift side by side (delta E 3.7).
The Army Painter's closest color: The Army Painter Marine Mist, workable at tabletop distance, not up close (delta E 4.8).
Nearest in the Citadel catalog: Citadel Ulthuan Grey, a usable stand-in rather than a twin (delta E 4.9).
Best Humbrol option: Humbrol Israeli Light Blue, workable at tabletop distance, not up close (delta E 4.9).
Worth knowing before you swap: AK Interactive Snow Blue runs slightly lighter and warmer, which shows most where the paint thins over raised detail.
How to read the score
90+Close
80sUsable
<70Mix
AK Interactive
The Army Painter
Citadel
Humbrol
P3 Paints
Scale75
Vallejo
Tamiya
Revell
About this color
Color profile
Highlight and shade ladder
Pairs well with
Try any paint in the scheme toolMatch difficulty
Where painters use it
Frequently asked
What is the closest equivalent to Two Thin Coats Ion Blue?
The closest same-finish match is AK Interactive Snow Blue at 81% color similarity.
Is there a The Army Painter equivalent of Ion Blue?
Yes. The closest The Army Painter option is Marine Mist at 76%, a same-finish match.
What color is Ion Blue?
Ion Blue is a very light moderate teal with a cool undertone (hex #B7D8DA).
What do I highlight and shade Ion Blue with?
Highlight Ion Blue toward Trooper White and shade it down into Ivory Tusk, both Two Thin Coats paints in the same finish family.