What is the difference between Burnt Umber and Flat Brown?

ΔE 18 (loose). Flat Brown is noticeably lighter, more saturated, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

Burnt Umber vs Flat Brown

Burnt Umber

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

Flat Brown

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Color
Code: 70.984
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #643b3a (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 17.9, loose: different enough that you should pick on purpose. Flat Brown is noticeably lighter, more saturated, cooler than Burnt Umber.

Can I use Flat Brown instead of Burnt Umber?

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

Can I use Burnt Umber instead of Flat Brown?

The same difference applies the other way round: Burnt Umber is noticeably darker, 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 Flat 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 Flat Brown
Burnt Umber vs Burnt Umber (70.941)Model Color · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Flat Brown
Burnt Umber vs Burnt Umber (71.040)Model Air · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Flat Brown

Other Golden paints close to Flat Brown

Flat Brown vs Burnt Umber Light (PBr7)Heavy Body Acrylics · ΔE 11, fair · closer than Burnt Umber
Flat Brown vs Violet Oxide (PR101)Heavy Body Acrylics · ΔE 14, fair · closer than Burnt Umber
Flat Brown vs Van Dyke Brown Hue (PR101 / PBk7)Heavy Body Acrylics · ΔE 19, loose

All matches: Burnt Umber equivalents · Flat Brown equivalents