• Close-up image of a half pan of Cochineal Lake handmade watercolor paint, featuring a vibrant crimson-pink hue with a glowing, translucent finish. The pan rests on a neutral background, highlighting the pigment‚Äôs insect-derived origin and traditional craftsmanship. Ideal for artists seeking a historically accurate, warm red with deep cultural roots and natural brilliance.
  • Cochineal Carmine watercolor half pan resting on whole dried cochineal insects, the natural source of this vibrant crimson pigment. Handcrafted using traditional methods, this artist-grade watercolor delivers rich, lightfast reds with a luminous pink undertone prized in historical art and textiles. Ideal for botanical illustration, manuscript recreation, and natural dye enthusiasts. For cochineal carmine watercolor, insect-based pigments, and handmade natural artist supplies.
  • a close up of a Watercolor painting in vivid crimson Cochineal Lake, a natural dye pigment made from insects of the Dactylopius coccus species. Used since pre-Columbian times and popular in European art for centuries. Handcrafted with honey and gum arabic. Bright, transparent, and historically significant, ideal for glazes, manuscripts, and botanical red tones.
  • four small white cards with different watercolor paint swatches on a wooden surface.
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Cochineal Lake Pink Watercolor Paint

Cochineal Lake Pink Watercolor Paint

$18.00
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Description

Cochineal Lake is our exquisitely hand-crafted watercolor paint made with an extremely concentrated, high-quality single source pigment. Every pan is meticulously hand mulled, filled, and labeled, using only pure local honey and all natural gum arabic to achieve an exceptionally concentrated and richly textured pigment. Every paint is single pigment with maximum concentration and no binders, fillers, or extenders.


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


Optional Use: Optionally used with a gum arabic / ink 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.