What is the difference between Purple and Red?

ΔE 15 (loose). Red is more muted, warmer. Swatch colours are estimates.

Purple vs Red

Purple

Brand: Kimera Kolors
Range: Pure Pigments
Code: Pure Pigments
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #a2294c (estimate)

Red

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Air
Code: 71.269
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #973336 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 15.3, loose: different enough that you should pick on purpose. Red is more muted, warmer than Purple.

Can I use Red instead of Purple?

Not as a straight swap; see the closer alternatives below. Loose match (ΔE 15). Red is more muted, warmer than Purple.

Can I use Purple instead of Red?

The same difference applies the other way round: Purple is more saturated, cooler.

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 Purple on the colour wheel See Red on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Purple

Purple vs Warlord Purple (72.014)Game Color · ΔE 10, fair · closer than Red
Purple vs Sunset Red (70.802)Model Color · ΔE 12, fair · closer than Red
Purple vs Flat Red (70.957)Model Color · ΔE 16, loose

Other Kimera Kolors paints close to Red

Red vs Red Oxide (Pure Pigments)Pure Pigments · ΔE 7, close · closer than Purple
Red vs Magenta (Pure Pigments)Pure Pigments · ΔE 10, close · closer than Purple
Red vs Oxide Brown Light (Pure Pigments)Pure Pigments · ΔE 18, loose

All matches: Purple equivalents · Red equivalents