For me (not ranked):
Vallejo Dark Sand,
Citadel Khorne Red,
Contrast Flesh Tearers Red,
Speed Paint 2.0 Metallic Enchanted Steel,
Speedpaint 2.0 Ghillie Dew
Citadel Pylar Glacier
- Contrast Gryph-charger grey
- Contrast Nazdrag yellow
- Speed paint blood red
- Speed paint peachy flesh
- Xpress colour ork skin
Vallejo Scurvy Green - an amazing color that can be used to add depth to just about anything.
AK Light Flesh - a great off white to mix into other paints for highlighting
Vallejo Metal color Silver - the best metallic paint than can be covered with inks or contrast to creat any metal color.
Contrast Blood Angels Red - a way to bring the red richness back with glazing
Vallejo Game Color Lustful purple – a interesting base shade for whites. Highlight up with Light Flesh for an interesting white.
Vallejo Metal color Silver- I second this. Especially the “metallic air” series. One coat solid coverage, and it can be brushed on.
Vallejo Model Color Black: It’s a bit boring to say, but it’s definitely my most used color.
Vallejo Game Color Scrofulous Brown: Great for my Yu Jing, but also pus, fire OSL, Gold NMM, and various other applications. It’s so nice in a glaze.
Citadel Doombull Brown: It’s just a very satisfying color for me. I use it all the time, especially for leathers and the occasional rust.
AK’s Ice Yellow. When in doubt, I just mix this in for a highlight color.
Dark Reaper / Dark Sea Blue. I just need a dark blue-gray all the time either as a shadow color or as the first highlight for black.
Honorable mention: Blood for the Blood God.
Shoot I forgot about doombull brown and rhinox hide in my list. They’re great workhorses.
Ice yellow is also great! I’ll have to try out your other recs
I really like Vallejo burnt red.
Vallejo black (super basic I know)
Vallejo German cammo dark green
Vallejo Metal Color gunmetal grey
Citidel Retributor armor.
These are just the ones I use a lot and enjoy using. I also really like ProAcryl for vivid base coats. Citidel paints are great for dry brushing. Don’t use contrast very often but recently discovered that I get really nice yellows by painting something skin tones and shading before finishing with one of citidel’s yellow contrast paints.
Citadel Mephiston Red
Pro Acryl Bold Pyrrole Red
Pro Acryl Bold Titanium White
Two Thin Coats Sir Coates Silver
Scale75 irati green