Paint equivalent guide

Tan Equivalent

Tan is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Tan equivalent is Basic Skintone (70.815) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 1.6).
For the Tan equivalent Vallejo, Basic Skintone (70.815) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 1.6).
The best Tan Army Painter equivalent is Barbarian Flesh (Army Painter) (ΔE 4.2).

AK Interactive lacquer #D38B6A

Top 5 closest equivalents

These 5 substitutes are ranked by Delta-E accuracy. Each entry includes a behaviour comment.

1
Basic Skintone (70.815)Vallejo Model Color
ΔE 1.6slight colour difference, well within acceptable range
2
Cadmium Skin (72.099)Vallejo Game Color
ΔE 3.5moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
3
SC-20 Basic FleshScale75
ΔE 3.9moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
4
Barbarian FleshArmy Painter
ΔE 4.2moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
5
SC-04 Salmon RoseScale75
ΔE 4.3moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection

Best equivalents by brand

Ranked by Delta-E CIEDE2000 · All brands · Interactive
Computing Delta-E…
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Direct answer

Which equivalent should you pick for Tan?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to Tan in the current local catalogue is Basic Skintone (70.815) from Vallejo Model Color (Delta-E 1.56).

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

Tan 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 Basic Skintone (70.815) (Delta E 1.56).

Yes, Tan 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.

Tan is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Tan equivalent is Basic Skintone (70.815) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 1.6).
For the Tan equivalent Vallejo, Basic Skintone (70.815) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 1.6).
The best Tan Army Painter equivalent is Barbarian Flesh (Army Painter) (ΔE 4.2).

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

The closest Tan equivalent is Basic Skintone (70.815) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 1.6. For a Tan equivalent Vallejo match, Basic Skintone (70.815) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 1.6 is the closest pick. The best Tan Army Painter equivalent is Barbarian Flesh (Army Painter) with Delta E 4.2.

Tan Vallejo equivalent

The closest Vallejo match is Basic Skintone (70.815) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 1.6.

Tan Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is Barbarian Flesh (Army Painter) with Delta E 4.2.

Tan equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

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

Brand comparison

  • Closest equivalent : Basic Skintone (70.815) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 1.6
  • Closest Vallejo option : Basic Skintone (70.815) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 1.6
  • Closest Army Painter option : Barbarian Flesh (Army Painter) – ΔE 4.2

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.