What is the difference between Steel Legion Drab and Brown Violet RLM81?

ΔE 6 (close). Brown Violet RLM81 is more muted. Swatch colours are estimates.

Steel Legion Drab vs Brown Violet RLM81

Steel Legion Drab

Brand: Citadel / Warhammer
Range: Colour: Base
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #5a4a3a (estimate)

Brown Violet RLM81

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Air
Code: 71.264
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #575145 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 6.0, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. Brown Violet RLM81 is more muted than Steel Legion Drab.

Can I use Brown Violet RLM81 instead of Steel Legion Drab?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 6). Brown Violet RLM81 is more muted than Steel Legion Drab.

Can I use Steel Legion Drab instead of Brown Violet RLM81?

The same difference applies the other way round: Steel Legion Drab is 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 Steel Legion Drab on the colour wheel See Brown Violet RLM81 on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Steel Legion Drab

Steel Legion Drab vs Camou. Pale Brown (71.035)Model Air · ΔE 3, very close · closer than Brown Violet RLM81
Steel Legion Drab vs US Field Drab (71.139)Model Air · ΔE 3, very close · closer than Brown Violet RLM81
Steel Legion Drab vs IJA Khaki Brown (71.287)Model Air · ΔE 3, very close · closer than Brown Violet RLM81

Other Citadel paints close to Brown Violet RLM81

Brown Violet RLM81 vs Skavenblight DingeColour: Layer · ΔE 6, very close · closer than Steel Legion Drab
Brown Violet RLM81 vs Eshin GreyColour: Layer · ΔE 9, close
Brown Violet RLM81 vs Stormvermin FurColour: Layer · ΔE 10, close

All matches: Steel Legion Drab equivalents · Brown Violet RLM81 equivalents