What is the difference between Pure Yellow and Desert Yellow?

ΔE 14 (fair). Desert Yellow is noticeably darker, more muted. Swatch colours are estimates.

Pure Yellow vs Desert Yellow

Pure Yellow

Brand: AMMO by Mig
Range: Acrylic Colors for Figures
Code: AMMO.F-529
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #f1bc2f (estimate)

Desert Yellow

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Game Color
Code: 72.063
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #c7a421 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 13.6, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Desert Yellow is noticeably darker, more muted than Pure Yellow.

Can I use Desert Yellow instead of Pure Yellow?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 14). Desert Yellow is noticeably darker, more muted than Pure Yellow.

Can I use Pure Yellow instead of Desert Yellow?

The same difference applies the other way round: Pure Yellow is noticeably lighter, more saturated.

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 Pure Yellow on the colour wheel See Desert Yellow on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Pure Yellow

Pure Yellow vs Plague Brown (72.039)Game Color · ΔE 7, close · closer than Desert Yellow
Pure Yellow vs Flat Yellow (70.953)Model Color · ΔE 7, close · closer than Desert Yellow
Pure Yellow vs Deep Yellow (70.915)Model Color · ΔE 10, close · closer than Desert Yellow

Other AMMO by Mig paints close to Desert Yellow

Desert Yellow vs Light Brick (A.MIG-0626)Dio Drybrush · ΔE 9, close · closer than Pure Yellow
Desert Yellow vs Sandgelb RLM 79 (ATOM-20024)ATOM · ΔE 11, fair · closer than Pure Yellow
Desert Yellow vs Zinc Chromate Yellow (ATOM-20013)ATOM · ΔE 15, fair

All matches: Pure Yellow equivalents · Desert Yellow equivalents