What is the difference between Pure Red and Brown?

ΔE 10 (fair). Brown is a little lighter, more muted. Swatch colours are estimates.

Pure Red vs Brown

Pure Red

Brand: Army Painter
Range: Warpaints Fanatic
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #b90119 (estimate)

Brown

Brand: Mr. Hobby
Range: Aqueous Hobby Color
Code: H-7
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #c93331 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 10.1, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Brown is a little lighter, more muted than Pure Red.

Can I use Brown instead of Pure Red?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 10). Brown is a little lighter, more muted than Pure Red.

Can I use Pure Red instead of Brown?

The same difference applies the other way round: Pure Red is a little darker, more saturated.

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 Pure Red on the colour wheel See Brown on the colour wheel

Other Mr. Hobby paints close to Pure Red

Pure Red vs Character Red (C-108)Mr. Color · ΔE 6, very close · closer than Brown
Pure Red vs Wine Red (H-43)Aqueous Hobby Color · ΔE 6, very close · closer than Brown
Pure Red vs Brown (C-7)Mr. Color · ΔE 10, fair

Other Army Painter paints close to Brown

Brown vs Dragon RedWarpaints Air · ΔE 6, very close · closer than Pure Red
Brown vs Blood ChaliceWarpaints Fanatic · ΔE 7, close · closer than Pure Red
Brown vs Dragon RedWarpaints Fanatic · ΔE 7, close · closer than Pure Red

All matches: Pure Red equivalents · Brown equivalents