What is the difference between Sepia and Burnt Umber?

ΔE 8 (close). Burnt Umber is a little lighter, more muted, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

Sepia vs Burnt Umber

Sepia

Brand: Pro Acryl
Range: Expert Acrylics
Code: E012
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #3a2616 (estimate)

Burnt Umber

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Color
Code: 70.941
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #412d28 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 8.3, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. Burnt Umber is a little lighter, more muted, cooler than Sepia.

Can I use Burnt Umber instead of Sepia?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 8). Burnt Umber is a little lighter, more muted, cooler than Sepia.

Can I use Sepia instead of Burnt Umber?

The same difference applies the other way round: Sepia is a little darker, more saturated, 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.

See Sepia on the colour wheel See Burnt Umber on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Sepia

Sepia vs Cam. Middle Brown (70.740)Model Color · ΔE 7, close · closer than Burnt Umber
Sepia vs Canvas (70.763)Model Color · ΔE 9, close
Sepia vs Olive Brown (70.889)Model Color · ΔE 9, close

Other Pro Acryl paints close to Burnt Umber

Burnt Umber vs Mahogany (009)Standard / Signature / AMP · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Sepia
Burnt Umber vs Dark Umber (019)Standard / Signature / AMP · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Sepia
Burnt Umber vs Burnt Umber (E007)Expert Acrylics · ΔE 7, close · closer than Sepia

All matches: Sepia equivalents · Burnt Umber equivalents