Citadel Servo-Skull Palette

The Citadel Skull Silicone Palette might look like a novelty at first glance — a sculpted skull-shaped tray with the familiar Warhammer flair — but underneath its characterful design lies a surprisingly smart and practical tool. Games Workshop has clearly taken a thoughtful step toward improving the everyday painting experience, and the result is both functional and fun.

First Impressions

Out of the box, the Skull Palette feels distinctly “Citadel”: well-made, sturdy, and visually appealing. The silicone has a pleasing weight and flexibility that instantly differentiates it from hard plastic palettes. The skull design isn’t just decorative; it’s subtly ergonomic. The shallow wells are shaped to hold small amounts of paint, while the smooth silicone surface encourages a balanced spread rather than pooling or drying too quickly.

Practical Performance

In use, the silicone material really shines. Traditional plastic palettes often end up with dried, stubborn paint stains, but this one handles Citadel paints beautifully. Acrylics bead slightly at first, but once you get a feel for the surface tension, mixing and thinning become intuitive. Paint doesn’t soak in or crust over, and once a session is done, cleanup is effortless — a quick flex or rinse and even dried paint peels off without resistance.

One of the most underrated benefits is how it interacts with Citadel’s wide paint range. Whether you’re working with thick Base paints, thinner Layers, or even Contrast and Shade paints, the silicone wells keep the consistency manageable. It’s particularly handy for mixing subtle tones or creating small gradient transitions without wasting product.

Everyday Usability

For hobbyists who paint regularly, the Skull Palette offers a middle ground between a dry palette and a wet palette. It won’t keep paints hydrated for hours, but it dramatically slows down drying compared to hard plastic. The tactile silicone surface also helps prevent brush tip damage — a detail miniature painters will appreciate after long painting sessions.

Possible Downsides

1. Limited Paint Longevity
   While the silicone surface slows drying compared to hard plastic, it doesn’t replace a wet palette. For longer painting sessions, paint can still start to thicken or skin over after 15–20 minutes, especially in dry environments. It’s perfect for quick mixes — less ideal for marathon sessions.

2. Limited Well Depth
   The sculpted wells are relatively shallow. This keeps things compact and visually appealing but can make it tricky if you want to mix larger quantities of paint for big models or batch painting.

3. Dust and Static
   The matte silicone can attract small dust particles or lint when not in use. A quick rinse fixes it, but it’s something to be aware of if your workspace tends to collect debris.

Final Thoughts

The Citadel Skull Silicone Palette is more than a gimmick; it’s a genuinely useful addition to any painter’s toolkit. It bridges the gap between convenience and style, offering an easy-to-clean, durable surface that complements Citadel’s painting system perfectly. While professional painters might still reach for wet palettes for large projects, this silicone skull earns its place on the desk for quick sessions, detail work, and mixing experiments.

If you enjoy tools that combine functionality with a bit of Warhammer personality, the Skull Silicone Palette delivers exactly that — a practical piece of hobby gear with a distinct Citadel soul.