Paint equivalent guide

Dark Sand (70.847) Equivalent

Dark Sand (70.847) is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Dark Sand (70.847) equivalent is DECOMPOSED FLESH (AK Interactive) (ΔE 4.1).
For the Dark Sand (70.847) equivalent Vallejo, Yellow Olive (72.064) (Vallejo Game Color) (ΔE 5.3).
The best Dark Sand (70.847) Army Painter equivalent is Burnt Turf (Army Painter) (ΔE 7.5).

Vallejo Model Color acrylic #ADA055

Top 3 closest equivalents

These 3 substitutes are ranked by Delta-E accuracy. Each entry includes a behaviour comment.

1
DECOMPOSED FLESHAK Interactive
ΔE 4.1moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
2
Yellow Olive (72.064)Vallejo Game Color
ΔE 5.3moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
3
Desert Yellow (72.062)Vallejo Game Color
ΔE 6.1significant colour distance -- test before committing

Best equivalents by brand

Ranked by Delta-E CIEDE2000 · All brands · Interactive
Computing Delta-E…
Buy it now · Dark Sand (70.847)
Compare stock and prices · Dark Sand (70.847)
Direct answer

Which equivalent should you pick for Dark Sand (70.847)?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to Dark Sand (70.847) in the current local catalogue is DECOMPOSED FLESH from AK Interactive (Delta-E 4.11).

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 Dark Sand (70.847)?
Usage, recipes, primer guidance, and painting context live on the dedicated paint page
View paint card →

Frequently asked questions

Dark Sand (70.847) is a paint from Vallejo Model Color. 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 Yellow Olive (72.064) (Delta E 5.35).

Yes, Dark Sand (70.847) is currently part of the Vallejo Model Color 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 (70.847) is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Dark Sand (70.847) equivalent is DECOMPOSED FLESH (AK Interactive) (ΔE 4.1).
For the Dark Sand (70.847) equivalent Vallejo, Yellow Olive (72.064) (Vallejo Game Color) (ΔE 5.3).
The best Dark Sand (70.847) Army Painter equivalent is Burnt Turf (Army Painter) (ΔE 7.5).

Dark Sand (70.847) is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.

The closest Dark Sand (70.847) equivalent is DECOMPOSED FLESH (AK Interactive) with Delta E 4.1. For a Dark Sand (70.847) equivalent Vallejo match, Yellow Olive (72.064) (Vallejo Game Color) with Delta E 5.3 is the closest pick. The best Dark Sand (70.847) Army Painter equivalent is Burnt Turf (Army Painter) with Delta E 7.5.

Dark Sand (70.847) Vallejo equivalent

The closest Vallejo match is Yellow Olive (72.064) (Vallejo Game Color) with Delta E 5.3.

Dark Sand (70.847) Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is Burnt Turf (Army Painter) with Delta E 7.5.

Dark Sand (70.847) equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

As a paint, Dark Sand (70.847) requires specific handling that affects how any substitute performs. The colour sits in the warm yellow range.

Brand comparison

  • Closest equivalent : DECOMPOSED FLESH (AK Interactive) – ΔE 4.1
  • Closest Vallejo option : Yellow Olive (72.064) (Vallejo Game Color) – ΔE 5.3
  • Closest Army Painter option : Burnt Turf (Army Painter) – ΔE 7.5

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.