How does Tar by Farrow & Ball compare with Johnstone's’s closest paints? The nearest match by perceptual distance is Johnstone's Summer Shadow (ΔE 2.1, “near-identical”). 5 more Johnstone's colours sit within ΔE 4 — close enough that the difference is hard to spot once paint’s on the wall. These 6 Johnstone's paints are all priced at £12.36 per litre, against Farrow & Ball Tar at £25.60/L.
Farrow & Ball Tar vs Johnstone's
6 closest Johnstone's matches ranked by ΔE
ΔE (CIEDE2000) is a perceptual distance metric — lower means a closer match. Matches under ΔE 2 are typically indistinguishable; ΔE 2–4 looks “the same” once dry on a wall; ΔE 4–6 is noticeable side-by-side. Always view a sample pot before committing — screen colours and lighting vary.
| Colour | Number | ΔE | Match quality | Price/L | Price/m2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Shadow | — | 2.1 | near-identical | £12.36 | £2.06 |
| Phantom Hue | — | 2.1 | near-identical | £12.36 | £2.06 |
| Knight's Armor | — | 2.4 | near-identical | £12.36 | £2.06 |
| Zombie | — | 3.0 | near-identical | £12.36 | £2.06 |
| Dark Woods | — | 3.2 | very close | £12.36 | £2.06 |
| Glazed Granite | — | 3.3 | very close | £12.36 | £2.06 |