What is the difference between Desert Skin and Petroleum Brown?

ΔE 9 (close). Petroleum Brown is a little darker, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

Desert Skin vs Petroleum Brown

Desert Skin

Brand: Army Painter
Range: Warpaints Historical
Code: WP4151P
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #af7349 (estimate)

Petroleum Brown

Brand: Pro Acryl
Range: Standard / Signature / AMP
Code: S14
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #9a6932 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 9.2, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. Petroleum Brown is a little darker, cooler than Desert Skin.

Can I use Petroleum Brown instead of Desert Skin?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 9). Petroleum Brown is a little darker, cooler than Desert Skin.

Can I use Desert Skin instead of Petroleum Brown?

The same difference applies the other way round: Desert Skin is a little lighter, 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 Desert Skin on the colour wheel See Petroleum Brown on the colour wheel

Other Pro Acryl paints close to Desert Skin

Desert Skin vs Tan Flesh (024)Standard / Signature / AMP · ΔE 6, close · closer than Petroleum Brown
Desert Skin vs Burnt Umber (AMP-018)Standard / Signature / AMP · ΔE 9, close
Desert Skin vs Shadow Flesh (042)Standard / Signature / AMP · ΔE 11, fair

Other Army Painter paints close to Petroleum Brown

Petroleum Brown vs Dark DAK Sand (WP4144P)Warpaints Historical · ΔE 7, close · closer than Desert Skin
Petroleum Brown vs Bullwhack BrownWarpaints Air · ΔE 10, close
Petroleum Brown vs Kawa Brown (WP4163P)Warpaints Historical · ΔE 10, close

All matches: Desert Skin equivalents · Petroleum Brown equivalents