Another month, another miniature paint Kickstarter… but this time it’s a true passion project from Artis Opus and Cult of Paint. Mini Colour promises to be the “paint for everyone”, and the Kickstarter has already surpassed the £200,000 mark. I’ve tested the prototypes and will tell you whether it’s worth jumping on board or not.

The Mini Colour story

Behind Mini Colour are Andy Wardle (multiple Golden Demon winner) and Henry Steel, known from their YouTube channel Cult of Paint, alongside Byron Orde, drybrushing expert from the renowned brush brand Artis Opus and head of Element Games. Mini Colour is a genuine labour of love that the team has been developing for over five years. In fact, Byron first showed me the early prototypes back in 2022, but it took them a few more years until they were truly satisfied with the formula.

Five prototype Mini Colour bottles arranged in a line, in front of a pink lit concrete background
Some of the prototype bottles I got
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With Mini Colour, the focus is squarely on quality and colour intensity. Several resin bases and pigment mixes were tested together with the manufacturer (I assume HMG Ltd. in the UK), with the team consistently choosing the best (and most expensive) options available. You can really feel it on the brush: the consistency is rich and velvety-smooth, and it applies beautifully smooth, whatever technique you use. The working time is slightly longer than average, making blending a bit easier, and the dilution capabilities down to the thinnest glaze is exceptional. The finish is a satin matte, less flat than Pro Acryl or Vallejo Game and Model Color, and comparable to AK 3rd Gen or Warpaints Fanatic.

My thoughts on Mini Colour

Five years ago, Mini Colour would have felt truly revolutionary. But by now, many paint manufacturers have stepped up their game, and the choice of high-quality miniature paints is vast (as you can see on my YouTube channel). I think Mini Colour’s real USP lies in its colour selection. When selecting the 63 colours, Andy, Henry, and Byron focused relentlessly on creating the most beautiful and vibrant hues possible. This is especially noticeable in the reds, but even more subdued tones like browns have remarkable depth. While other brands such as The Army Painter and Two Thin Coats prioritise maximum coverage (often at the expense of vibrancy, resulting in paler, more pastel-like colours), Mini Colour swings the pendulum towards saturation and depth. That means you might need a few extra layers for the lighter tones, but you’ll be rewarded with stunningly vibrant results.

So if you’re after a compact, premium paint set designed by experienced competition-level painters, you should definitely check out the Mini Colour Kickstarter. A full review will follow once the campaign has shipped and the paints are widely available.