What is the difference between Royal Blue and Deep Sky?

ΔE 9 (close). Deep Sky is a little darker, more muted, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

Royal Blue vs Deep Sky

Royal Blue

Brand: Tamiya
Range: X Gloss Acrylic
Code: X-3
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #2f3e67 (estimate)

Deep Sky

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Air
Code: 71.090
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #233552 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 9.0, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. Deep Sky is a little darker, more muted, cooler than Royal Blue.

Can I use Deep Sky instead of Royal Blue?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 9). Deep Sky is a little darker, more muted, cooler than Royal Blue.

Can I use Royal Blue instead of Deep Sky?

The same difference applies the other way round: Royal Blue is a little lighter, 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 Royal Blue on the colour wheel See Deep Sky on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Royal Blue

Royal Blue vs Blue (71.004)Model Air · ΔE 0, very close · closer than Deep Sky
Royal Blue vs French Blue (71.088)Model Air · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Deep Sky
Royal Blue vs Prussian Blue (70.965)Model Color · ΔE 6, very close · closer than Deep Sky

Other Tamiya paints close to Deep Sky

Deep Sky vs Sea Blue (XF-17)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Royal Blue
Deep Sky vs Dark Blue (TS-55)TS Spray · ΔE 6, close · closer than Royal Blue
Deep Sky vs Dark Mica Blue (TS-64)TS Spray · ΔE 11, fair

All matches: Royal Blue equivalents · Deep Sky equivalents