What is the difference between Paynes Gray and Black?

ΔE 9 (close). Black is a little darker, more muted. Swatch colours are estimates.

Paynes Gray vs Black

Paynes Gray

Brand: Golden
Range: Heavy Body Acrylics
Code: PB29 / PBk7
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #202731 (estimate)

Black

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Color
Code: 70.950
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #1a171b (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 9.3, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. Black is a little darker, more muted than Paynes Gray.

Can I use Black instead of Paynes Gray?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 9). Black is a little darker, more muted than Paynes Gray.

Can I use Paynes Gray instead of Black?

The same difference applies the other way round: Paynes Gray is a little lighter, 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 Paynes Gray on the colour wheel See Black on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Paynes Gray

Paynes Gray vs Dark Sea Blue (70.898)Model Color · ΔE 2, very close · closer than Black
Paynes Gray vs Glossy Sea Blue (71.300)Model Air · ΔE 2, very close · closer than Black
Paynes Gray vs Signal Blue (71.091)Model Air · ΔE 3, very close · closer than Black

Other Golden paints close to Black

Black vs Carbon Black (PBk7)Heavy Body Acrylics · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Paynes Gray
Black vs Mars BlackHeavy Body Acrylics · ΔE 6, very close · closer than Paynes Gray
Black vs Bone Black (PBk9)Heavy Body Acrylics · ΔE 9, close · closer than Paynes Gray

All matches: Paynes Gray equivalents · Black equivalents