Base Paint

Tanned Flesh Equivalent

As a standard basecoat paint, this colour is formulated for opaque coverage over primer in one to two controlled passes. Warm reds like this one are staples for chapter colours, hazard markings, and focal armour accents..
The closest Tanned Flesh equivalent is RLM 79 (1942) (AK Interactive) (ΔE 1.4).
For the Tanned Flesh equivalent Vallejo, Earth (72.062) (Vallejo Game Color) (ΔE 4.2).
The best Tanned Flesh Army Painter equivalent is Topaz Skin (Army Painter) (ΔE 8.1).

Citadel (Games Workshop) base #A95C3E

Top 4 closest equivalents

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

1
RLM 79 (1942)AK Interactive
ΔE 1.4slight colour difference, well within acceptable range
2
Earth (72.062)Vallejo Game Color
ΔE 4.2moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
3
Redwood BrownGreen Stuff World
ΔE 4.2moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
4
Brown Rose (70.803)Vallejo Model Color
ΔE 5.2moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection

Best equivalents by brand

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

Which equivalent should you pick for Tanned Flesh?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to Tanned Flesh in the current local catalogue is RLM 79 (1942) from AK Interactive (Delta-E 1.35).

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:

Need the paint card for Tanned Flesh?
Usage, recipes, primer guidance, and painting context live on the dedicated paint page
View paint card →

Frequently asked questions

Tanned Flesh is a base paint from Citadel (Games Workshop). 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 Earth (72.062) (Delta E 4.23).

Yes, Tanned Flesh is currently part of the Citadel (Games Workshop) 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.

As a standard basecoat paint, this colour is formulated for opaque coverage over primer in one to two controlled passes. Warm reds like this one are staples for chapter colours, hazard markings, and focal armour accents..
The closest Tanned Flesh equivalent is RLM 79 (1942) (AK Interactive) (ΔE 1.4).
For the Tanned Flesh equivalent Vallejo, Earth (72.062) (Vallejo Game Color) (ΔE 4.2).
The best Tanned Flesh Army Painter equivalent is Topaz Skin (Army Painter) (ΔE 8.1).

As a standard basecoat paint, this colour is formulated for opaque coverage over primer in one to two controlled passes. Warm reds like this one are staples for chapter colours, hazard markings, and focal armour accents..

The closest Tanned Flesh equivalent is RLM 79 (1942) (AK Interactive) with Delta E 1.4. For a Tanned Flesh equivalent Vallejo match, Earth (72.062) (Vallejo Game Color) with Delta E 4.2 is the closest pick. The best Tanned Flesh Army Painter equivalent is Topaz Skin (Army Painter) with Delta E 8.1.

Tanned Flesh Vallejo equivalent

The closest Vallejo match is Earth (72.062) (Vallejo Game Color) with Delta E 4.2.

Tanned Flesh Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is Topaz Skin (Army Painter) with Delta E 8.1.

Tanned Flesh equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

As a base paint, Tanned Flesh requires specific handling that affects how any substitute performs. The colour sits in the rich red range, with reliable coverage and stable opacity over the primer already used in your recipe.

Coverage and opacity

Tanned Flesh is designed to cover primer evenly in one or two passes. Coverage is rated reliable, so a substitute that falls below this threshold will require extra coats to block the undercolour. Test the replacement over the same primer — a base that shifts tone with each coat can alter the entire highlight stack.

Primer and application

This base paint performs best over the primer already used in your recipe. A substitute that behaves well over a light primer may struggle over black or grey, especially if its opacity is lower. Apply two thin coats, letting each dry fully before the next.

Layer compatibility

The rich red mid-tone of Tanned Flesh anchors the layers above it. A replacement that dries glossier or rougher will change how shade and layer paints adhere.

Saturation and colour drift

Base paints carry more pigment than other types, so even a rich red substitute with a close Delta-E can read warmer or cooler once shaded. Run a complete test: prime, base, shade, and highlight before committing.

Companion palette

The most useful partners for Tanned Flesh are matching washes, mid-tones, and highlights. These supporting colours define how the base reads once the recipe is complete.

Brand comparison

  • Closest equivalent : RLM 79 (1942) (AK Interactive) – ΔE 1.4
  • Closest Vallejo option : Earth (72.062) (Vallejo Game Color) – ΔE 4.2
  • Closest Army Painter option : Topaz Skin (Army Painter) – ΔE 8.1

A base 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 base paint substitute reliable on an actual miniature.

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

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 too, because a near match can still push the finished model warmer, colder, flatter, or glossier than expected.

That is why the page keeps the recommendation anchored to painting workflow instead of treating Delta-E alone as the final decision.

A useful equivalent page should also reduce buying mistakes: the closer colour is not always the safer option if the bottle dries glossier, covers faster, or behaves differently on large armour panels.