What is the difference between Zamesi Desert and Plague Brown?

ΔE 9 (close). Plague Brown is a little lighter, more saturated. Swatch colours are estimates.

Zamesi Desert vs Plague Brown

Zamesi Desert

Brand: Citadel / Warhammer
Range: Colour: Layer
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #d8a030 (estimate)

Plague Brown

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Game Color
Code: 72.039
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #e0ab24 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 8.6, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. Plague Brown is a little lighter, more saturated than Zamesi Desert.

Can I use Plague Brown instead of Zamesi Desert?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 9). Plague Brown is a little lighter, more saturated than Zamesi Desert.

Can I use Zamesi Desert instead of Plague Brown?

The same difference applies the other way round: Zamesi Desert is a little darker, more muted.

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 Zamesi Desert on the colour wheel See Plague Brown on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Zamesi Desert

Zamesi Desert vs Yellow Ochre (70.913)Model Color · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Plague Brown
Zamesi Desert vs Sand Yellow (70.916)Model Color · ΔE 10, fair
Zamesi Desert vs Desert Yellow (72.063)Game Color · ΔE 11, fair

Other Citadel paints close to Plague Brown

Plague Brown vs Golden GriffonColour: Dry · ΔE 7, close · closer than Zamesi Desert
Plague Brown vs Averland SunsetColour: Base · ΔE 9, close
Plague Brown vs Averland SunsetColour: Air · ΔE 9, close

All matches: Zamesi Desert equivalents · Plague Brown equivalents