What is the difference between Medium Blue and Deep Sky Blue?

ΔE 15 (loose). Deep Sky Blue is noticeably lighter, warmer. Swatch colours are estimates.

Medium Blue vs Deep Sky Blue

Medium Blue

Brand: Tamiya
Range: XF Flat Acrylic
Code: XF-18
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #1a7b9e (estimate)

Deep Sky Blue

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Color
Code: 70.844
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #5594c6 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 15.1, loose: different enough that you should pick on purpose. Deep Sky Blue is noticeably lighter, warmer than Medium Blue.

Can I use Deep Sky Blue instead of Medium Blue?

Not as a straight swap; see the closer alternatives below. Loose match (ΔE 15). Deep Sky Blue is noticeably lighter, warmer than Medium Blue.

Can I use Medium Blue instead of Deep Sky Blue?

The same difference applies the other way round: Medium Blue is noticeably darker, 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 Medium Blue on the colour wheel See Deep Sky Blue on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Medium Blue

Medium Blue vs Light Turquoise (70.840)Model Color · ΔE 9, close · closer than Deep Sky Blue
Medium Blue vs Russian AF Blue (71.333)Model Air · ΔE 9, close · closer than Deep Sky Blue
Medium Blue vs Turquoise (72.024)Game Color · ΔE 11, fair · closer than Deep Sky Blue

Other Tamiya paints close to Deep Sky Blue

Deep Sky Blue vs French Blue (TS-10)TS Spray · ΔE 11, fair · closer than Medium Blue
Deep Sky Blue vs Intermediate Blue (US Navy) (AS-19)AS Spray (aircraft) · ΔE 14, fair · closer than Medium Blue
Deep Sky Blue vs Light Blue (TS-23)TS Spray · ΔE 15, loose

All matches: Medium Blue equivalents · Deep Sky Blue equivalents