What is the difference between Desert Skin and Elf Skin Tone?

ΔE 8 (close). Elf Skin Tone is more saturated, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

Desert Skin vs Elf Skin Tone

Desert Skin

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

Elf Skin Tone

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Game Color
Code: 72.004
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #bc6e49 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 8.3, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. Elf Skin Tone is more saturated, cooler than Desert Skin.

Can I use Elf Skin Tone instead of Desert Skin?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 8). Elf Skin Tone is more saturated, cooler than Desert Skin.

Can I use Desert Skin instead of Elf Skin Tone?

The same difference applies the other way round: Desert Skin is more muted, 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 Elf Skin Tone on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Desert Skin

Desert Skin vs Med. Flesh Tone (70.860)Model Color · ΔE 6, very close · closer than Elf Skin Tone
Desert Skin vs Wood (71.077)Model Air · ΔE 7, close · closer than Elf Skin Tone
Desert Skin vs Beige Red (70.804)Model Color · ΔE 8, close · closer than Elf Skin Tone

Other Army Painter paints close to Elf Skin Tone

Elf Skin Tone vs Viper BrownWarpaints Air · ΔE 6, very close · closer than Desert Skin
Elf Skin Tone vs Nomad FleshWarpaints Air · ΔE 8, close · closer than Desert Skin
Elf Skin Tone vs Kawa Brown (WP4163P)Warpaints Historical · ΔE 9, close

All matches: Desert Skin equivalents · Elf Skin Tone equivalents