Elusive Dawn MQ2-36 is a orange paint color from Behr. It has a hex value of #D3BBA9, LRV 52 and a neutral undertone. Its closest cross-brand match is Classic Sand from Sherwin-Williams (nearly identical), with 49 more equivalents across other brands.
Ref. #D3BBA9 · MQ2-36
Elusive Dawn
52%LRV Value
NeutralUndertone
Elusive Dawn Technical Profile
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Elusive Dawn in Every Brand
The closest equivalent to Elusive Dawn in each major paint brand, ranked by how close the match reads. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
BehrElusive Dawn
Nearly identical
Sherwin-WilliamsClassic Sand
Classic Sand
Sherwin-Williams
Nearly identical
Cashmere Wrap
Benjamin Moore
Nearly identical
Milk Toast
Valspar
Nearly identical
Desert Sand
PPG
Nearly identical
Cheetah Tan
Kilz
Nearly identical
Homespun Charm
Dunn-Edwards
Very similar
Ball of Twine
Dutch Boy
Very similar
Cave Painting
Vista Paint
Very similar
Setting Plaster
Farrow & Ball
Very similar
Baguette
Hirshfield's
Very similar
Comparing these brands? Order peel-and-stick samples of your top matches — Samplize buy 8 peel-and-stick samples, get 2 free.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Elusive Dawn
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Elusive Dawn
#D3BBA9
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#ADAA85
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Elusive Dawn
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Elusive Dawn Room Palettes
Color schemes built around this color — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Warm & Inviting
Warm tones with cozy appeal — welcoming and comfortable
Cool & Calm
Cool hues with soft contrast — serene and restful
Bold Contrast
Complementary hues with punch — dynamic and striking
Similar Behr Colors
Other Behr colors close to Elusive Dawn.
More orange colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the orange family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Elusive Dawn — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Elusive Dawn have?
Elusive Dawn by Behr has a neutral undertone and sits in the orange color family. The undertone shifts with light — warmer under 2700K bulbs, cleaner and cooler under 4000K daylight — so sample Elusive Dawn in your own space before committing.
What colors match Elusive Dawn from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Elusive Dawn are Classic Sand by Sherwin-Williams (a near-identical match), Cashmere Wrap by Benjamin Moore (a near-identical match), Saint Martin Sand by Benjamin Moore (a near-identical match) — the best options for getting Elusive Dawn's look from a brand your local store carries. Confirm with a physical sample, since sheen and lighting shift the final result.
What is the LRV of Elusive Dawn?
Elusive Dawn has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 52.3, on a scale where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white — that makes it a mid-light color — bright enough for living areas yet soft enough for bedrooms, and adaptable across most lighting conditions.
Explore More with Elusive Dawn
Related Reading
How to Match Paint Colors Across Brands
The science behind Delta E and CIEDE2000 — find a Behr equivalent of any Sherwin-Williams shade, or a Benjamin Moore alternative when your store is out of stock.
Understanding Paint Color Undertones
Why Elusive Dawn's neutral undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.