Matching it is straightforward: AK Interactive Dark Brown lands at 84 percent in the same finish, and 4 brands in all carry a close same-finish swap. Sepia is a very dark moderate brown with a warm undertone. It builds a smooth gradient with Nocturnal Red underneath and German Grey on the highlights, all in the Vallejo line. Bottom line: run out mid-project and another brand will get you within a shade.
Sepia equivalents in other ranges
Sepia is awkward to replace. Treat the matches below as starting points for a mix rather than straight swaps.
Closest AK Interactive equivalent: AK Interactive Dark Brown, a near match with visible drift up close (delta E 3.2).
Best Green Stuff World option: Green Stuff World Bestial Brown, close, with a hint of drift side by side (delta E 3.4).
From The Army Painter: The Army Painter Brigandine Brown, a near match with visible drift up close (delta E 3.8).
Humbrol's closest color: Humbrol Chocolate, close, with a hint of drift side by side (delta E 3.9).
Check it on a spare model first, because AK Interactive Dark Brown sits slightly warmer than the original and the difference grows over large flat panels.
How to read the score
90+Close
80sUsable
<70Mix
AK Interactive
Green Stuff World
The Army Painter
Humbrol
Monument Pro Acryl
P3 Paints
Revell
Citadel
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 Sepia?
The closest same-finish match is AK Interactive Dark Brown at 84% color similarity.
Is there a The Army Painter equivalent of Sepia?
Yes. The closest The Army Painter option is Brigandine Brown at 81%, a same-finish match.
What color is Sepia?
Sepia is a very dark moderate brown with a warm undertone (hex #352613).
What do I highlight and shade Sepia with?
Highlight Sepia toward German Grey and shade it down into Nocturnal Red, both Vallejo paints in the same finish family.