Faded Ultramarine vs Ultramarine Blue

How close are they?

ΔE 12.8, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Ultramarine Blue is noticeably darker, more saturated than Faded Ultramarine.

✓ Herrick Games paint comparison chart lists these two as equivalents.

Can I use Ultramarine Blue instead of Faded Ultramarine?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 13). Ultramarine Blue is noticeably darker, more saturated than Faded Ultramarine.

Can I use Faded Ultramarine instead of Ultramarine Blue?

The same difference applies the other way round: Faded Ultramarine is noticeably 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.