Annatto Lake

Description

Annatto Lake is a natural botanical pigment made by extracting the soft orange-yellow dye from the seeds of Bixa orellana (Annatto) and precipitating it with alum and chalk. This botanical lake produces a warm, golden-orange tone with soft red undertones, offering a glowing, natural brilliance that cannot be replicated by synthetic pigments.

In watercolor, Annatto Lake provides a translucent wash with gentle luminosity and a soft, organic texture. In egg tempera and oil, it creates delicate glazes and warm accents perfect for botanical studies, manuscript illumination, and historical painting techniques. Its vivid yet soft character harmonizes beautifully with earth tones, mineral greens, and natural blues, making it a versatile addition to historical and natural palettes.

History

Annatto has been used for centuries by indigenous peoples of Central and South America for body paint, textiles, food coloring, and ritual purposes. The seeds of Bixa orellana yield a dye known as bixin, which was highly prized for its bright color and relative abundance. After European contact with the Americas, annatto quickly entered the global dye trade and was occasionally adapted for artistic use as a lake pigment.

Though primarily known as a textile and culinary dye, annatto lakes were used by artists and manuscript illuminators seeking bright, natural orange hues before the widespread adoption of synthetic colorants. Due to its organic nature, it was especially suited for protected works such as illuminated manuscripts, botanical illustrations, and devotional paintings.

Today, Annatto Lake remains valued among artists who seek vibrant plant-based pigments rooted in ancient traditions and natural color processes.

Pigment Information

Pigment Type: Natural botanical lake pigment from Bixa orellana (annatto) on mineral substrate

Suitable Mediums: Watercolor, Egg Tempera, Oil (glazing), Acrylic

Lightfastness: Low to Moderate (best used in protected works)

Opacity: Transparent to Semi-transparent

Other Names: Annatto Orange, Bixin Lake, Achiote Lake

Color Index Code: NO4