What is the difference between Yellow Ochre and Desert Brown?

ΔE 19 (loose). Desert Brown is a little lighter, much more saturated, warmer. Swatch colours are estimates.

Yellow Ochre vs Desert Brown

Yellow Ochre

Brand: Army Painter
Range: Warpaints Historical
Code: WP4133P
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #a98c4e (estimate)

Desert Brown

Brand: Nocturna Models
Range: N-Paint Basic
Code: NA46
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #d09544 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 18.5, loose: different enough that you should pick on purpose. Desert Brown is a little lighter, much more saturated, warmer than Yellow Ochre.

Can I use Desert Brown instead of Yellow Ochre?

Not as a straight swap; see the closer alternatives below. Loose match (ΔE 19). Desert Brown is a little lighter, much more saturated, warmer than Yellow Ochre.

Can I use Yellow Ochre instead of Desert Brown?

The same difference applies the other way round: Yellow Ochre is a little darker, much 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 Yellow Ochre on the colour wheel See Desert Brown on the colour wheel

Other Nocturna Models paints close to Yellow Ochre

Yellow Ochre vs Yellow Sand (NA47)N-Paint Basic · ΔE 9, close · closer than Desert Brown
Yellow Ochre vs Warrior Skin (NA05)N-Paint Basic · ΔE 15, loose · closer than Desert Brown
Yellow Ochre vs Leather Brown (NA44)N-Paint Basic · ΔE 19, loose

Other Army Painter paints close to Desert Brown

Desert Brown vs Yellow DuneWarpaints Air · ΔE 6, close · closer than Yellow Ochre
Desert Brown vs Burnt TurfWarpaints Fanatic · ΔE 11, fair · closer than Yellow Ochre
Desert Brown vs Hemp RopeWarpaints Legacy · ΔE 11, fair · closer than Yellow Ochre

All matches: Yellow Ochre equivalents · Desert Brown equivalents