What is the difference between Gothic Blue and French Blue?

ΔE 10 (close). French Blue is more muted, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

Gothic Blue vs French Blue

Gothic Blue

Brand: Army Painter
Range: Warpaints Fanatic
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #2a3971 (estimate)

French Blue

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Air
Code: 71.088
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #294370 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 9.6, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. French Blue is more muted, cooler than Gothic Blue.

Can I use French Blue instead of Gothic Blue?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 10). French Blue is more muted, cooler than Gothic Blue.

Can I use Gothic Blue instead of French Blue?

The same difference applies the other way round: Gothic Blue is more saturated, 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 Gothic Blue on the colour wheel See French Blue on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Gothic Blue

Gothic Blue vs Dark Blue (70.930)Model Color · ΔE 5, very close · closer than French Blue
Gothic Blue vs Royal Blue (70.809)Model Color · ΔE 9, close · closer than French Blue
Gothic Blue vs Flat Blue (70.962)Model Color · ΔE 9, close · closer than French Blue

Other Army Painter paints close to French Blue

French Blue vs Imperial NavyWarpaints Fanatic · ΔE 8, close · closer than Gothic Blue
French Blue vs Ensign Blue (WP4028P)Warpaints Historical · ΔE 8, close · closer than Gothic Blue
French Blue vs Deep BlueWarpaints Legacy · ΔE 8, close · closer than Gothic Blue

All matches: Gothic Blue equivalents · French Blue equivalents