What is the difference between Dark Earth and Sand Brown?

ΔE 10 (close). Sand Brown is more saturated, warmer. Swatch colours are estimates.

Dark Earth vs Sand Brown

Dark Earth

Brand: Tamiya
Range: AS Spray (aircraft)
Code: AS-22
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #7f625c (estimate)

Sand Brown

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Air
Code: 71.034
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #895e4e (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 9.6, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. Sand Brown is more saturated, warmer than Dark Earth.

Can I use Sand Brown instead of Dark Earth?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 10). Sand Brown is more saturated, warmer than Dark Earth.

Can I use Dark Earth instead of Sand Brown?

The same difference applies the other way round: Dark Earth is more muted, cooler.

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 Dark Earth on the colour wheel See Sand Brown on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Dark Earth

Dark Earth vs Saddle Brown (70.940)Model Color · ΔE 3, very close · closer than Sand Brown
Dark Earth vs USAF Brown (71.125)Model Air · ΔE 6, close · closer than Sand Brown
Dark Earth vs Malefic Flesh (74.012)Fantasy-Pro · ΔE 7, close · closer than Sand Brown

Other Tamiya paints close to Sand Brown

Sand Brown vs Red Brown (TS-1)TS Spray · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Dark Earth
Sand Brown vs NATO Brown (XF-68)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 9, close · closer than Dark Earth
Sand Brown vs NATO Brown (TS-62)TS Spray · ΔE 9, close · closer than Dark Earth

All matches: Dark Earth equivalents · Sand Brown equivalents