Cochineal Carmine

Description

Cochineal Carmine is our exquisitely hand-crafted oil paint made with an extremely concentrated, high-quality single source pigment. Every tube is meticulously hand mulled, filled, and labeled using only pure cold-pressed walnut oil (linseed oil available upon request) and the maximum amount of hand-ground and richly textured pigment.

Cochineal Lake is a brilliant, rosy red watercolor made from the cochineal insect (Dactylopius coccus), a traditional dye source cultivated on prickly pear cacti in Central and South America. First used by Indigenous peoples of the Andes and later prized by European artists, royals, and textile dyers, cochineal became one of the most valuable and widespread red dyes in history.

Our Cochineal Lake is crafted from ethically sourced cochineal insects and laked with alum, following historical methods to preserve the vibrancy and warmth of this botanical-animal hybrid pigment. The result is a glowing crimson-pink with soft transparency and luminous undertones. Ideal for botanical illustration, portraiture, glazes, and historical work, this pigment offers an organic alternative to synthetic reds with deep cultural and artistic roots.

Key Features

Single Source Pigment: Each product features one pure pigment, chosen for its exceptional quality.

Handmade Artisanal Process: Crafted in small batches, our oil paints are hand mulled on a marble slab and hand filled in aluminum tubes to preserve the integrity of the pigment.

Maximum Pigment Load: Designed to provide maximum color saturation, our formula contains no artificial additives or fillers

Recommended Use: Best used with oil mediums to achieve optimal fluidity.

Pigment Information

Pigment Type: Natural organic lake pigment (insect-derived)

Source: Cochineal insects (Dactylopius coccus), laked with alum

Origin: Handmade in-house using traditional dyeing methods; cochineal sourced from Peru

Lightfastness: Moderate (best kept in archival or protected conditions)

Opacity: Transparent

Other Names: Carmine Lake, Carminic Lake, Natural Crimson, Grana Cochinilla, Mexican Carmine

Color Index Code: NR4 (Natural Red 4)

Production Process

Our oil paints are created with passion and precision. The pigment is carefully hand mulled and then mixed with pure cold-pressed walnut oil, ensuring an exceptionally concentrated and vibrant product. The entire process is carried out by hand—from mixing and mulling to filling and labeling—so you can be confident in the artisanal quality of every tube.

Usage & Care

Please store in a secure area away from children and pets, and dispose of any waste in an environmentally friendly manner in accordance with all local, state, and national regulations.

If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to contact us.