What is the difference between Light Brown and Desert Brown?

ΔE 8 (close). Desert Brown is a little darker, more saturated. Swatch colours are estimates.

Light Brown vs Desert Brown

Light Brown

Brand: Mr. Hobby
Range: Mr. Color
Code: C-321
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #a88665 (estimate)

Desert Brown

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Color
Code: 70.767
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #a07c50 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 7.6, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. Desert Brown is a little darker, more saturated than Light Brown.

Can I use Desert Brown instead of Light Brown?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 8). Desert Brown is a little darker, more saturated than Light Brown.

Can I use Light Brown instead of Desert Brown?

The same difference applies the other way round: Light Brown is a little lighter, 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 Light Brown on the colour wheel See Desert Brown on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Light Brown

Light Brown vs Camoufl age Brown (71.117)Model Air · ΔE 3, very close · closer than Desert Brown
Light Brown vs Light Brown (71.027)Model Air · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Desert Brown
Light Brown vs US Earth Yellow (71.291)Model Air · ΔE 8, close

Other Mr. Hobby paints close to Desert Brown

Desert Brown vs Khaki (C-527)Mr. Color · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Light Brown
Desert Brown vs RLM 79 Sandy Brown (H-66)Aqueous Hobby Color · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Light Brown
Desert Brown vs Dark Yellow Sandy Yellow (C-39)Mr. Color · ΔE 11, fair

All matches: Light Brown equivalents · Desert Brown equivalents