What is the difference between Ensign Blue and Dark Blue?

ΔE 8 (close). Dark Blue is a little lighter, warmer. Swatch colours are estimates.

Ensign Blue vs Dark Blue

Ensign Blue

Brand: Army Painter
Range: Warpaints Historical
Code: WP4028P
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #003560 (estimate)

Dark Blue

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Color
Code: 70.930
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #28396a (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 8.0, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. Dark Blue is a little lighter, warmer than Ensign Blue.

Can I use Dark Blue instead of Ensign Blue?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 8). Dark Blue is a little lighter, warmer than Ensign Blue.

Can I use Ensign Blue instead of Dark Blue?

The same difference applies the other way round: Ensign Blue is a little darker, 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 Ensign Blue on the colour wheel See Dark Blue on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Ensign Blue

Ensign Blue vs French Blue (71.088)Model Air · ΔE 8, close · closer than Dark Blue
Ensign Blue vs Blue (71.004)Model Air · ΔE 8, close
Ensign Blue vs Medium Blue (70.963)Model Color · ΔE 8, close

Other Army Painter paints close to Dark Blue

Dark Blue vs Gothic BlueWarpaints Fanatic · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Ensign Blue
Dark Blue vs Omega BlueWarpaints Air · ΔE 6, close · closer than Ensign Blue
Dark Blue vs Imperial NavyWarpaints Fanatic · ΔE 8, close

All matches: Ensign Blue equivalents · Dark Blue equivalents