How does Messel (No.No.39) by Mylands compare with Johnstone's’s closest paints? The nearest match by perceptual distance is Johnstone's Bitter Bean (ΔE 1.7, “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 Mylands Messel at £27.20/L.
Mylands Messel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitter Bean | — | 1.7 | near-identical | £12.36 | £2.06 |
| King's Court | — | 2.2 | near-identical | £12.36 | £2.06 |
| Mud Pack | — | 2.6 | near-identical | £12.36 | £2.06 |
| Sleeping Giant | — | 2.6 | near-identical | £12.36 | £2.06 |
| Stolen Rock | — | 3.0 | very close | £12.36 | £2.06 |
| Curlew | — | 3.4 | very close | £12.36 | £2.06 |