Elven Flesh vs Desert Tan

How close are they?

ΔE 13.5, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Desert Tan is noticeably darker, cooler than Elven Flesh.

Can I use Desert Tan instead of Elven Flesh?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 14). Desert Tan is noticeably darker, cooler than Elven Flesh.

Can I use Elven Flesh instead of Desert Tan?

The same difference applies the other way round: Elven Flesh is noticeably lighter, warmer.

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.