Cochineal Carmine Lake

Description
Cochineal Lake is our exquisitely hand-crafted watercolor paint made with an extremely concentrated and high quality single source pigment mixed only with pure honey. Every pan is meticulously hand mulled, hand packed, filled, and labeled — ensuring maximum pigment concentration without any binders, fillers, or extenders. Our unique formula uses only one pigment and pure local honey, delivering a maximally concentrated watercolor paint.

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 watercolors are hand mulled on a glass slab and hand packed 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 a gum arabic medium to achieve optimal reactivation and 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 with soft glow and minimal granulation
Other Names: Carmine Lake, Carminic Lake, Natural Crimson, Grana Cochinilla, Mexican Carmine
Color Index Code: NR4 (Natural Red 4)

Production Process
Our watercolors are created with passion and precision. The pigment is carefully hand mulled and then mixed with pure local honey, 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 pan.

Usage & Care
For professional and consistent results, we recommend using a gum arabic medium. 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.