What is the difference between WWI French Brown and Burnt Umber?

ΔE 12 (fair). Burnt Umber is more muted, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

WWI French Brown vs Burnt Umber

WWI French Brown

Brand: AK Interactive
Range: 3rd Gen AFV Series
Code: AK11304
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #462514 (estimate)

Burnt Umber

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Color
Code: 70.941
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #412d28 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 12.4, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Burnt Umber is more muted, cooler than WWI French Brown.

Can I use Burnt Umber instead of WWI French Brown?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 12). Burnt Umber is more muted, cooler than WWI French Brown.

Can I use WWI French Brown instead of Burnt Umber?

The same difference applies the other way round: WWI French Brown is more saturated, warmer.

ΔE is the colour difference between our two swatch estimates: under about 6 is close, over about 15 is loose. Real paints also differ in finish, coverage and how they thin, so test before you commit.

See WWI French Brown on the colour wheel See Burnt Umber on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to WWI French Brown

WWI French Brown vs Flat Earth (70.983)Model Color · ΔE 10, close · closer than Burnt Umber
WWI French Brown vs Charred Brown (72.045)Game Color · ΔE 11, fair · closer than Burnt Umber
WWI French Brown vs Cam. Middle Brown (70.740)Model Color · ΔE 12, fair · closer than Burnt Umber

Other AK Interactive paints close to Burnt Umber

Burnt Umber vs Afro Shadow (AK11276)Color Punch · ΔE 3, very close · closer than WWI French Brown
Burnt Umber vs S.C.C. No.1A Very Dark Brown (AK11384)3rd Gen AFV Series · ΔE 4, very close · closer than WWI French Brown
Burnt Umber vs NATO Brown (AK11359)3rd Gen AFV Series · ΔE 5, very close · closer than WWI French Brown

All matches: WWI French Brown equivalents · Burnt Umber equivalents