Burnished Gold
Base
Paint equivalent guide
DARK SAND AK Interactive acrylic paint equivalents (#E5BD58)
DARK SAND is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest DARK SAND equivalent is Burnished Gold (Citadel (Games Workshop)) (ΔE 2.7).
No close Vallejo equivalent found for DARK SAND.
For Army Painter, the closest match to DARK SAND is Barren Dune (Army Painter) (ΔE 3.6).
AK Interactive
acrylic
#E5BD58
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Top 4 closest equivalents
These 4 substitutes are ranked by Delta-E accuracy. Each entry includes a behaviour comment.
1
Burnished GoldCitadel (Games Workshop)
ΔE 2.7slight colour difference, well within acceptable range2
Barren DuneArmy Painter
ΔE 3.6moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection3
Shining GoldCitadel (Games Workshop)
ΔE 4.7moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection4
Inner LightArmy Painter
ΔE 4.9moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspectionBest equivalents by brand
Ranked by Delta-E CIEDE2000 · All brands · Interactive
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Direct answer
Which equivalent should you pick for DARK SAND?
The closest cross-brand equivalent to DARK SAND in the current local catalogue is Burnished Gold from Citadel (Games Workshop) (Delta-E 2.66).
- Closest overall: Burnished Gold (Citadel (Games Workshop), Delta-E 2.66)
- Closest Vallejo: Sun Yellow (72.006) (Delta-E 5.76)
- Closest Army Painter: Barren Dune (Delta-E 3.62)
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:
- Coverage: reliable — check how many coats are needed for full opacity
- Thinning: controlled thinning — verify the right ratio for your technique
- Recommended primer: the primer already used in your recipe — keep the same surface preparation
- Test swatch: always test the substitute on a spare part first
- Recipe check: compare with the full wash and highlight sequence
Need the paint card for DARK SAND?
Usage, recipes, primer guidance, and painting context live on the dedicated paint page
Frequently asked questions
DARK SAND 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.
No reliable Vallejo match appears in the current top equivalents.
Yes, DARK SAND 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.
DARK SAND is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest DARK SAND equivalent is Burnished Gold (Citadel (Games Workshop)) (ΔE 2.7).
No close Vallejo equivalent found for DARK SAND.
For Army Painter, the closest match to DARK SAND is Barren Dune (Army Painter) (ΔE 3.6).
DARK SAND is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest DARK SAND equivalent is Burnished Gold (Citadel (Games Workshop)) with Delta E 2.7. No close Vallejo equivalent found for DARK SAND. For Army Painter, the closest match to DARK SAND is Barren Dune (Army Painter) with Delta E 3.6.
DARK SAND Vallejo equivalent
No Vallejo equivalent within an acceptable colour distance was found for DARK SAND.
DARK SAND Army Painter equivalent
The best Army Painter option is Barren Dune (Army Painter) with Delta E 3.6.
DARK SAND equivalent and alternative: brand comparison
As a paint, DARK SAND requires specific handling that affects how any substitute performs. The colour sits in the warm orange range.
Brand comparison
- Closest equivalent : Burnished Gold (Citadel (Games Workshop)) – ΔE 2.7
- Closest Vallejo option : no close Vallejo equivalent
- Closest Army Painter option : Barren Dune (Army Painter) – ΔE 3.6
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.
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