Color-wise this is a moderate, mid-tone brown leaning warm. No shortage of substitutes here, Cork Brown from Vallejo matches at 87 percent and 4 brands carry a strong same-finish near-match. For modelling, drop to Khaki in the recesses and step up to Khaki Drill on the edges, both Humbrol paints. In practice you can substitute across brands here without anyone noticing at arm's length.
Tan equivalents and near misses
Fair warning: nothing matches Humbrol Tan cleanly. The options below are the least bad, and every one of them drifts.
Closest Vallejo equivalent: Vallejo Cork Brown, close, with a hint of drift side by side (delta E 2.5).
Best AK Interactive option: AK Interactive Cork, a near match with visible drift up close (delta E 2.6).
From The Army Painter: The Army Painter Ruddy Umber, close, with a hint of drift side by side (delta E 3.1).
Scale75's closest color: Scale75 Orange Leather, a near match with visible drift up close (delta E 3.1).
The honest caveat: Vallejo Cork Brown dries slightly cooler and more muted than Tan, so expect recess shading and edge highlights to shift with it.
How to read the score
90+Close
80sUsable
<70Mix
Vallejo
AK Interactive
The Army Painter
Scale75
Citadel
Tamiya
P3 Paints
Revell
Two Thin Coats
Green Stuff World
Monument Pro Acryl
About this color
Color profile
Highlight and shade ladder
Pairs well with
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Where painters use it
Frequently asked
What is the closest equivalent to Humbrol Tan?
The closest same-finish match is Vallejo Cork Brown at 87% color similarity.
What color is Tan?
Tan is a mid-tone moderate brown with a warm undertone (hex #A06943).
What do I highlight and shade Tan with?
Highlight Tan toward Khaki Drill and shade it down into Khaki, both Humbrol paints in the same finish family.