Paint equivalent guide

Black Red Equivalent

BLACK RED is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest BLACK RED equivalent is Catachan Fleshtone (Citadel (Games Workshop)) (ΔE 1.9).
For the BLACK RED equivalent Vallejo, Mahogany Brown (70.846) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 5.2).
The best BLACK RED Army Painter equivalent is Oak Brown (Army Painter) (ΔE 11.9).

AK Interactive acrylic #43281F

Top 4 closest equivalents

These 4 substitutes are ranked by Delta-E accuracy. Each entry includes a behaviour comment.

1
Catachan FleshtoneCitadel (Games Workshop)
ΔE 1.9slight colour difference, well within acceptable range
2
Dark UmberGreen Stuff World
ΔE 3.0moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
3
Scorched WoodGreen Stuff World
ΔE 3.0moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
4
Thondia BrownCitadel (Games Workshop)
ΔE 3.9moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection

Best equivalents by brand

Ranked by Delta-E CIEDE2000 · All brands · Interactive
Computing Delta-E…
Buy it now · BLACK RED
Compare stock and prices · BLACK RED
Direct answer

Which equivalent should you pick for BLACK RED?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to BLACK RED in the current local catalogue is Catachan Fleshtone from Citadel (Games Workshop) (Delta-E 1.95).

Method

Matches are computed from the local paint catalogue with Delta-E CIEDE2000. Lower values mean a closer visual match on the miniature.

Limits

Finish, opacity, flow, and bottle format are not captured by Delta-E alone. Test the substitute if the recipe relies on a specific behaviour.

What to check before replacing this base

Before adopting a substitute, check these points specific to this base paint:

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Frequently asked questions

BLACK RED is a paint from AK Interactive. Its specific pigment load, drying behaviour, and finish set it apart from other paints in the same category, which is why a direct substitute needs to match more than just the colour value.

The closest Vallejo option is Mahogany Brown (70.846) (Delta E 5.24).

Yes, BLACK RED is currently part of the AK Interactive range. Check local stock or equivalent alternatives if the pot is hard to source.

Check Delta-E, finish type, coverage, opacity, and behaviour over your chosen primer. Run a full test with one shade and one highlight pass before applying the substitute to an entire unit.

BLACK RED is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest BLACK RED equivalent is Catachan Fleshtone (Citadel (Games Workshop)) (ΔE 1.9).
For the BLACK RED equivalent Vallejo, Mahogany Brown (70.846) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 5.2).
The best BLACK RED Army Painter equivalent is Oak Brown (Army Painter) (ΔE 11.9).

BLACK RED is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.

The closest BLACK RED equivalent is Catachan Fleshtone (Citadel (Games Workshop)) with Delta E 1.9. For a BLACK RED equivalent Vallejo match, Mahogany Brown (70.846) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 5.2 is the closest pick. The best BLACK RED Army Painter equivalent is Oak Brown (Army Painter) with Delta E 11.9.

BLACK RED Vallejo equivalent

The closest Vallejo match is Mahogany Brown (70.846) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 5.2.

BLACK RED Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is Oak Brown (Army Painter) with Delta E 11.9.

BLACK RED equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

As a paint, BLACK RED requires specific handling that affects how any substitute performs. The colour sits in the rich red range.

Brand comparison

  • Closest equivalent : Catachan Fleshtone (Citadel (Games Workshop)) – ΔE 1.9
  • Closest Vallejo option : Mahogany Brown (70.846) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 5.2
  • Closest Army Painter option : Oak Brown (Army Painter) – ΔE 11.9

A paint substitute only becomes trustworthy once it survives the same primer, shade, and highlight sequence as the original recipe.

Looking at the surrounding palette matters because a near match can still push the finished model warmer, colder, or flatter than expected.

That combination of colour distance, finish, and recipe context is what makes a paint substitute reliable on an actual miniature.