What is the difference between Paynes Gray and Medium Blue?

ΔE 28 (loose). Medium Blue is noticeably lighter, much more saturated. Swatch colours are estimates.

Paynes Gray vs Medium Blue

Paynes Gray

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

Medium Blue

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Color
Code: 70.963
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #224676 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 28.0, loose: different enough that you should pick on purpose. Medium Blue is noticeably lighter, much more saturated than Paynes Gray.

Can I use Medium Blue instead of Paynes Gray?

Not as a straight swap; see the closer alternatives below. Loose match (ΔE 28). Medium Blue is noticeably lighter, much more saturated than Paynes Gray.

Can I use Paynes Gray instead of Medium Blue?

The same difference applies the other way round: Paynes Gray is noticeably darker, much 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 Paynes Gray on the colour wheel See Medium Blue 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 Medium Blue
Paynes Gray vs Glossy Sea Blue (71.300)Model Air · ΔE 2, very close · closer than Medium Blue
Paynes Gray vs Signal Blue (71.091)Model Air · ΔE 3, very close · closer than Medium Blue

Other Golden paints close to Medium Blue

Medium Blue vs Cerulean Blue Deep (PB36)Heavy Body Acrylics · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Paynes Gray
Medium Blue vs Azurite HueHeavy Body Acrylics · ΔE 12, fair · closer than Paynes Gray
Medium Blue vs Prussian Blue Hue (PBk9 / PB15:0 / PV23)Heavy Body Acrylics · ΔE 19, loose · closer than Paynes Gray

All matches: Paynes Gray equivalents · Medium Blue equivalents