What is the difference between Desert Yellow and Petroleum Brown?

ΔE 14 (fair). Petroleum Brown is more saturated, warmer. Swatch colours are estimates.

Desert Yellow vs Petroleum Brown

Desert Yellow

Brand: Army Painter
Range: Warpaints Fanatic
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #897440 (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 14.5, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Petroleum Brown is more saturated, warmer than Desert Yellow.

Can I use Petroleum Brown instead of Desert Yellow?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 14). Petroleum Brown is more saturated, warmer than Desert Yellow.

Can I use Desert Yellow instead of Petroleum Brown?

The same difference applies the other way round: Desert Yellow is more muted, cooler.

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 Yellow on the colour wheel See Petroleum Brown on the colour wheel

Other Pro Acryl paints close to Desert Yellow

Desert Yellow vs Caramel Brown (S28)Standard / Signature / AMP · ΔE 11, fair · closer than Petroleum Brown
Desert Yellow vs Green Brown (AMP-020)Standard / Signature / AMP · ΔE 12, fair · closer than Petroleum Brown
Desert Yellow vs Warm Brown (S09)Standard / Signature / AMP · ΔE 16, loose

Other Army Painter paints close to Petroleum Brown

Petroleum Brown vs Dark DAK Sand (WP4144P)Warpaints Historical · ΔE 7, close · closer than Desert Yellow
Petroleum Brown vs Desert Skin (WP4151P)Warpaints Historical · ΔE 9, close · closer than Desert Yellow
Petroleum Brown vs Bullwhack BrownWarpaints Air · ΔE 10, close · closer than Desert Yellow

All matches: Desert Yellow equivalents · Petroleum Brown equivalents