What is the difference between Burnt Umber and Charred Brown?

ΔE 18 (loose). Charred Brown is a little lighter, much more saturated, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

Burnt Umber vs Charred Brown

Burnt Umber

Brand: Golden
Range: Heavy Body Acrylics
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #372a20 (estimate)

Charred Brown

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Game Color
Code: 72.045
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #60342e (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 17.6, loose: different enough that you should pick on purpose. Charred Brown is a little lighter, much more saturated, cooler than Burnt Umber.

Can I use Charred Brown instead of Burnt Umber?

Not as a straight swap; see the closer alternatives below. Loose match (ΔE 18). Charred Brown is a little lighter, much more saturated, cooler than Burnt Umber.

Can I use Burnt Umber instead of Charred Brown?

The same difference applies the other way round: Burnt Umber is a little darker, much more muted, 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 Burnt Umber on the colour wheel See Charred Brown on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Burnt Umber

Burnt Umber vs Olive Brown (70.889)Model Color · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Charred Brown
Burnt Umber vs Burnt Umber (70.941)Model Color · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Charred Brown
Burnt Umber vs Burnt Umber (71.040)Model Air · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Charred Brown

Other Golden paints close to Charred Brown

Charred Brown vs Burnt Umber Light (PBr7)Heavy Body Acrylics · ΔE 7, close · closer than Burnt Umber
Charred Brown vs Violet Oxide (PR101)Heavy Body Acrylics · ΔE 10, fair · closer than Burnt Umber
Charred Brown vs Van Dyke Brown Hue (PR101 / PBk7)Heavy Body Acrylics · ΔE 17, loose · closer than Burnt Umber

All matches: Burnt Umber equivalents · Charred Brown equivalents