INKTENSE BLACK vs BUFF: Choosing Shadows and Highlights
By SCALE75 - HOBBIES & GAMES – SCALE75 - Hobbies & Games | Published: 2026-10-28
Category: Comparisons
Compare SCALE75's INKTENSE BLACK and BUFF paints for miniature shadows and highlights. Learn the tradeoffs and find your best fit.
Quick answer
Use INKTENSE BLACK for deep, satin shadows and BUFF for warm, creamy highlights. The choice comes down to whether you need a transparent glaze or an opaque base tone.
Satin shadows vs creamy highlights
INKTENSE BLACK is a transparent, satin-finish acrylic ink. It's designed to be applied over already painted surfaces to deepen shadows without hiding the underlying color. BUFF is a premium creamy acrylic paint with high coverage, ideal for building up highlights or creating a smooth base layer.
The key difference is transparency versus opacity. INKTENSE BLACK lets your base coat show through, giving you subtle control over shadow intensity. BUFF covers completely, making it better for solid highlight areas or mixing with other colors.
Application methods
Both paints work with brush and airbrush, but they behave differently. INKTENSE BLACK flows easily and can be used straight from the bottle for glazing. BUFF's creamy consistency is excellent for layering and blending on the palette.
If you want to tint a recessed area, INKTENSE BLACK is faster and more controlled. For a bright, opaque highlight on an edge or raised surface, BUFF gives you immediate coverage.
Tradeoffs at a glance
- Transparency: INKTENSE BLACK is a transparent ink that tints shadows. BUFF is an opaque paint that covers completely. Choose INKTENSE BLACK for glazing, BUFF for solid highlights.
- Finish: INKTENSE BLACK has a satin finish. BUFF is creamy and can be matte or satin depending on thinning. INKTENSE BLACK adds a subtle sheen to shadows; BUFF gives a more uniform finish.
- Volume: INKTENSE BLACK comes in 17ml, BUFF in 20ml. Both are economical for their uses. BUFF offers slightly more paint per bottle for base coating.
Product details
- INKTENSE BLACK: Slightly satin acrylic ink, 17ml, valid for brush and airbrush. The satin finish and transparency let you create subtle shadow glazes that preserve the underlying paint job.
INKTENSE BLACK - BUFF: Premium creamy acrylic paint, 20ml, valid for brush and airbrush. Its high coverage and creamy texture make it ideal for smooth, opaque highlights and base coating.
BUFF
Which one is right for you?
Best for
- Miniature painters who want transparent, controlled shadow glazes with a satin finish (INKTENSE BLACK).
- Painters who need a smooth, opaque highlight paint that covers well and blends easily (BUFF).
Not for
- Painters who need a matte black shadow (INKTENSE BLACK has a satin finish).
- Painters who want a transparent glaze for highlights (BUFF is opaque).
