This is a common color; 3 other brands cover it, the nearest being Tamiya Flat Earth at 96 percent. In the pot, Brown Sand reads as a warm brown, mid-tone and moderate. For modelling, drop to Beige Brown in the recesses and step up to Rust on the edges, both Vallejo paints. In practice you can substitute across brands here without anyone noticing at arm's length.
Brown Sand equivalents across other brands
The short answer: yes, Brown Sand has a true equivalent. If the pot runs dry mid project, here is the closest color each brand offers.
Closest Tamiya equivalent: Tamiya Flat Earth, indistinguishable once dry (delta E 0.7).
- From Two Thin Coats: Two Thin Coats Boot Strap Brown, close, with a hint of drift side by side (delta E 3.7).
- Scale75's closest color: Scale75 Orange Leather, workable at tabletop distance, not up close (delta E 4.0).
- Nearest in the The Army Painter catalog: The Army Painter Fur Brown, a usable stand-in rather than a twin (delta E 4.2).
- Best Humbrol option: Humbrol Tan, workable at tabletop distance, not up close (delta E 4.7).
- From Revell: Revell Mud Brown (RAL 8003), a usable stand-in rather than a twin (delta E 4.7).
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
Tamiya
Two Thin Coats
Scale75
The Army Painter
Humbrol
Revell
AK Interactive
P3 Paints
Green Stuff World
Citadel
Monument Pro Acryl
About this color
Color profile
Highlight and shade ladder
Pairs well with
Try any paint in the scheme toolMatch difficulty
Where painters use it
Frequently asked
What is the closest equivalent to Vallejo Brown Sand?
The closest same-finish match is Tamiya Flat Earth at 96% color similarity.
Is there a The Army Painter equivalent of Brown Sand?
Yes. The closest The Army Painter option is Fur Brown at 79%, a same-finish match.
What color is Brown Sand?
Brown Sand is a mid-tone moderate brown with a warm undertone (hex #906143).
What do I highlight and shade Brown Sand with?
Highlight Brown Sand toward Rust and shade it down into Beige Brown, both Vallejo paints in the same finish family.