Color-wise this is a muted, dark brown leaning warm. This is a common color; 5 other brands cover it, the nearest being Monument Pro Acryl Bright Brown Grey at 97 percent. Within the Humbrol range it ladders cleanly, Dark Green for the shadows and Freight Stock Grey for the highlights. Bottom line: run out mid-project and another brand will get you within a shade.
Dark Earth equivalents across other brands
The short answer: yes, Dark Earth has a true equivalent. If the pot runs dry mid project, here is the closest color each brand offers.
Closest Monument Pro Acryl equivalent: Monument Pro Acryl Bright Brown Grey, indistinguishable once dry (delta E 0.6).
- From AK Interactive: AK Interactive Grey-Brown, close, with a hint of drift side by side (delta E 2.9).
- The Army Painter's closest color: The Army Painter Bootstrap Brown, a near match with visible drift up close (delta E 3.0).
- Nearest in the Vallejo catalog: Vallejo Leather Brown, close, with a hint of drift side by side (delta E 3.7).
- Best Two Thin Coats option: Two Thin Coats Cuirass Leather, a near match with visible drift up close (delta E 3.9).
- From Revell: Revell N.A.T.O. Olive/N.A.T.O.-Oliv (RAL 7013), a usable stand-in rather than a twin (delta E 4.3).
We checked the Lab numbers for a hidden catch and there is none: lightness and temperature both line up, so this swap is as safe as they come.
How to read the score
90+Close
80sUsable
<70Mix
Monument Pro Acryl
AK Interactive
The Army Painter
Vallejo
Two Thin Coats
Revell
Scale75
Citadel
Tamiya
Green Stuff World
P3 Paints
About this color
Color profile
Highlight and shade ladder
Pairs well with
Try any paint in the scheme toolMatch difficulty
Found in 5 other brands with a same-finish match.
Where painters use it
Frequently asked
What is the closest equivalent to Humbrol Dark Earth?
The closest same-finish match is Monument Pro Acryl Bright Brown Grey at 97% color similarity.
Is there a The Army Painter equivalent of Dark Earth?
Yes. The closest The Army Painter option is Bootstrap Brown at 85%, a same-finish match.
What color is Dark Earth?
Dark Earth is a dark muted brown with a warm undertone (hex #5D4C3E).
What do I highlight and shade Dark Earth with?
Highlight Dark Earth toward Freight Stock Grey and shade it down into Dark Green, both Humbrol paints in the same finish family.