What is the difference between Ruddy Umber and Brown?

ΔE 13 (fair). Brown is noticeably darker, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

Ruddy Umber vs Brown

Ruddy Umber

Brand: Army Painter
Range: Warpaints Fanatic
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #9b5b4d (estimate)

Brown

Brand: Tamiya
Range: X Gloss Acrylic
Code: X-9
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #7b3c37 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 12.9, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Brown is noticeably darker, cooler than Ruddy Umber.

Can I use Brown instead of Ruddy Umber?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 13). Brown is noticeably darker, cooler than Ruddy Umber.

Can I use Ruddy Umber instead of Brown?

The same difference applies the other way round: Ruddy Umber is noticeably lighter, 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 Ruddy Umber on the colour wheel See Brown on the colour wheel

Other Tamiya paints close to Ruddy Umber

Ruddy Umber vs Flat Earth (XF-52)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 9, close · closer than Brown
Ruddy Umber vs Dull Red (TS-33)TS Spray · ΔE 10, fair · closer than Brown
Ruddy Umber vs Red Brown (TS-1)TS Spray · ΔE 14, fair

Other Army Painter paints close to Brown

Brown vs Fur BrownWarpaints Fanatic · ΔE 6, very close · closer than Ruddy Umber
Brown vs Camo Brown (WP4040P)Warpaints Historical · ΔE 6, close · closer than Ruddy Umber
Brown vs Fur BrownWarpaints Air · ΔE 8, close · closer than Ruddy Umber

All matches: Ruddy Umber equivalents · Brown equivalents