Dirty Grey (AK17046) is an earthy, muted grey within the QUICK GEN paint series, created for painters who want natural shadows, weathered tones and organic variation without harsh transitions. Its subtle mix of grey, brown and green undertones makes it immediately convincing on models that require realism, grit or a worn aesthetic. Whether used on terrain, dark armour, cloaks or environmental bases, Dirty Grey brings an unmistakably grounded look to any miniature.

As a medium coverage color, Dirty Grey offers a strong presence while still maintaining the transparency needed for depth and modulation. This balanced behaviour allows painters to achieve a natural, lived-in look with a single coat. The Quickgen formula ensures that pigment flows naturally into recessed areas while leaving raised surfaces lighter, creating depth quickly and efficiently. This makes Dirty Grey especially effective for painters who want to combine realism with a streamlined workflow.

Features & benefits

• Earthy, weathered grey with subtle green-brown undertones.
• Medium coverage provides solid shading without obscuring details.
• Matte finish enhances natural textures and reduces shine.
• Flows smoothly into recesses for fast, natural contrast.
• Ideal for terrain, ruined environments, dark fantasy models and industrial sci-fi.
• Pairs well with greens, browns, metallics and other Quickgen greys.

Technical details

• Volume: 18ml.
• Medium coverage.
• Water-based acrylic with a matte finish.
• Optimised for brush painting; suitable for airbrush use.
• Cleans easily with water.

Applications & examples

Dirty Grey excels in scenarios where realism and grit are essential. Its earthy tone makes it perfect for stone, soil, worn fabric, weathered armour and organic surfaces. On terrain pieces, it brings immediate depth to rocks, ruins and underground structures. On miniatures, it delivers natural shading on cloaks, leather, beast hide, undead skin, demonic textures and any element that benefits from grounded visual weight.

• Weathered stone walls, rocky bases and ruined structures.
• Natural shading for cloaks, robes and worn clothing.
• Organic shadows on skin, bone, scales and monstrous features.
• Dirt, grime and wear on machinery, vehicles and sci-fi surfaces.
• Unifying tones for basing materials and environmental terrain.

Included in thematic workflows

Painters often use Dirty Grey in combination with muted browns and greens to create convincing natural palettes. It serves as a strong midtone in stone-focused painting systems and brings atmospheric balance to terrain pieces. The color also performs well in dark fantasy environments, adding weight and subtle variation to fabric, armour and organic structures.

In more advanced workflows, Dirty Grey is frequently used to unify disparate elements across a model. Even a thin glaze can tie highlights and shadows together, making the miniature feel more cohesive. Many painters appreciate how effortlessly the color interacts with textured surfaces, enhancing every crack, wrinkle and sculpted detail.

Comparable tones

Similar hues in other ranges are typically opaque greys mixed with olive or brown. Dirty Grey, however, stands apart due to its medium coverage and natural matte finish. This gives it more versatility: strong enough for bold shading, subtle enough for weathering and nuanced enough for atmospheric modulation.

For painters seeking a grounded, realistic grey that handles terrain, organic textures and worn materials with ease, Dirty Grey is a powerful and reliable choice. It offers expressive depth, dependable behaviour and an authentic, weathered character that enriches every miniature or diorama.