What is the difference between Phthalo Cyanine Blue and Dark Blue?

ΔE 11 (fair). Dark Blue is more saturated. Swatch colours are estimates.

Phthalo Cyanine Blue vs Dark Blue

Phthalo Cyanine Blue

Brand: Mr. Hobby
Range: Mr. Color
Code: C-322
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #313a5b (estimate)

Dark Blue

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Color
Code: 70.930
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #28396a (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 10.5, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Dark Blue is more saturated than Phthalo Cyanine Blue.

Can I use Dark Blue instead of Phthalo Cyanine Blue?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 11). Dark Blue is more saturated than Phthalo Cyanine Blue.

Can I use Phthalo Cyanine Blue instead of Dark Blue?

The same difference applies the other way round: Phthalo Cyanine Blue is 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 Phthalo Cyanine Blue on the colour wheel See Dark Blue on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Phthalo Cyanine Blue

Phthalo Cyanine Blue vs Oxford Blue (70.807)Model Color · ΔE 2, very close · closer than Dark Blue
Phthalo Cyanine Blue vs Prussian Blue (70.965)Model Color · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Dark Blue
Phthalo Cyanine Blue vs Deep Sky (71.090)Model Air · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Dark Blue

Other Mr. Hobby paints close to Dark Blue

Dark Blue vs Phthalo Cyanine Blue (H-322)Aqueous Hobby Color · ΔE 6, very close · closer than Phthalo Cyanine Blue
Dark Blue vs Blue FS15050 (C-328)Mr. Color · ΔE 11, fair
Dark Blue vs Blue FS15044 (C-326)Mr. Color · ΔE 15, loose

All matches: Phthalo Cyanine Blue equivalents · Dark Blue equivalents