What is the difference between Light Orange and Desert Tan?

ΔE 15 (loose). Desert Tan is noticeably darker, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

Light Orange vs Desert Tan

Light Orange

Brand: Golden
Range: Heavy Body Acrylics
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #fed0a6 (estimate)

Desert Tan

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Air
Code: 70.613
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #d0bb84 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 15.3, loose: different enough that you should pick on purpose. Desert Tan is noticeably darker, cooler than Light Orange.

Can I use Desert Tan instead of Light Orange?

Not as a straight swap; see the closer alternatives below. Loose match (ΔE 15). Desert Tan is noticeably darker, cooler than Light Orange.

Can I use Light Orange instead of Desert Tan?

The same difference applies the other way round: Light Orange is noticeably lighter, 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 Light Orange on the colour wheel See Desert Tan on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Light Orange

Light Orange vs Skin Tone (72.099)Game Color · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Desert Tan
Light Orange vs Light Flesh (70.928)Model Color · ΔE 6, very close · closer than Desert Tan
Light Orange vs Aged White (71.132)Model Air · ΔE 12, fair · closer than Desert Tan

Other Golden paints close to Desert Tan

Desert Tan vs Naples Yellow Hue (PW6:1 / PW6 / PY42 / PY83(HR70))Heavy Body Acrylics · ΔE 15, fair · closer than Light Orange
Desert Tan vs Titan Buff (PW6:1 / PW6)Heavy Body Acrylics · ΔE 18, loose
Desert Tan vs Titan Green Pale (PW6 / PY42 / PBr7 / PG7)Heavy Body Acrylics · ΔE 22, loose

All matches: Light Orange equivalents · Desert Tan equivalents