Brown Black (AK17047) is a deep, earthy dark brown shade within the QUICK GEN range, designed for painters who want rich shadows, natural warmth and a powerful foundation for dark elements. Its subtle blend of brown and black gives it a grounded, realistic character that works beautifully across fantasy, historical and sci-fi miniatures. This colour immediately adds weight and mood to any model it touches.

As a high coverage paint, Brown Black delivers strong, immediate results in a single coat. It settles naturally into recesses while maintaining consistent opacity across broader surfaces. This makes it ideal for painting leather, aged wood, dark cloth, armour shadows and any area that benefits from a strong, warm-toned darkness. The matte finish enhances texture visibility, helping sculpted details stand out even under softer lighting.

Features & benefits

• Warm, dark brown-black tone perfect for deep shading.
• High coverage for rich shadows and solid basecoats.
• Matte finish for a natural, grounded look.
• Excellent flow for effortless contrast creation.
• Ideal for leather, cloth, wood, armour and weathered surfaces.
• Highly compatible with lighter Quickgen browns for smooth transitions.

Technical details

• Volume: 18ml.
• High coverage.
• Water-based acrylic.
• Matte finish.
• Suitable for brush and airbrush.

Applications & examples

Brown Black’s versatility makes it a go-to shadow colour for painters who want a natural and believable dark tone. It works exceptionally well on cloaks, straps, belts, wooden objects, rocky textures and aged surfaces. It also serves as an effective grime or soot layer on mechanical components. For basing, it adds instant depth to soil, stone and underground structures, making it useful for both small infantry bases and large scenic pieces.

• Dark shadows on leather garments and accessories.
• Wood grain enhancement on spears, crates, doors and scenery.
• Dirty or grim shading for undead and skeletal figures.
• Weathered stone and rocky terrain elements.
• Subtle dirt buildup on armour, weapons and machinery.

Included in popular sets

Brown Black features prominently in two themed QUICK GEN sets. In the Skeletons set, it serves as a foundational tone for deep shadows and natural bone contrast, pairing beautifully with lighter bone colours to create a lifelike appearance. Its warmth brings skeletal figures to life while reinforcing the aged, dusty look many painters aim for.

In the Rocks set, Brown Black plays a vital role as the deepest anchor tone for stone and terrain. It defines cracks, shadows and structural depth in rocky environments, making it invaluable for basing and terrain artists. The colour integrates seamlessly with the grey spectrum used for natural stone, giving a cohesive finish with minimal effort.

Comparable tones

Across paint ranges, Brown Black aligns with deep, warm shadow browns that lean toward black. These colours are typically used for leather, aged effects and natural shading. What sets Brown Black apart is its high coverage combined with the smooth behaviour of the Quickgen formula, allowing painters to achieve dramatic, natural-looking depth in far fewer steps.

Brown Black is an essential choice for painters who want a reliable, expressive and warm dark tone. Whether you’re working on fantasy heroes, grim undead, rugged scenery or sci-fi machinery, this colour provides depth, contrast and atmosphere with remarkable ease. It has become a favourite among hobbyists who prioritise both efficiency and artistic expression.