• Handmade Gambir Lake natural watercolor paint half pan displayed on a textured watercolor painting. Made from pure single-pigment gambir plant extract, this warm, earthy brown offers rich, organic tones with soft granulation, perfect for botanical art, historical painting, and fine art illustration. A beautiful eco-friendly gift for watercolor artists, nature lovers, and collectors seeking small-batch, archival-quality, all-natural handmade pigments.
  • Watercolor painting in soft, warm brown Gambir Lake, a natural dye pigment extracted from the leaves and twigs of the Uncaria gambir plant. Historically used in Southeast Asia for tanning, medicine, and dyes. Handcrafted with pure pigment, honey, and gum arabic for archival, professional quality. Transparent, softly staining, and ideal for botanical studies, warm-toned glazing, and historically inspired natural palettes.
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Gambir Lake

Gambir Lake

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Description

Gambir 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 a small amount of all natural, pure gum arabic to achieve an exceptionally concentrated and richly textured pigment.


Gambir Lake is a warm, earthy brown made from the concentrated tannins of the Uncaria gambir plant. Used for centuries throughout Southeast Asia in traditional dyeing and botanical applications, this pigment produces a warm, natural tone with excellent transparency and fluid handling. Its soft granulation and subtle warmth make it ideal for organic shadow work, botanical studies, and layered washes. Gambir Lake offers a grounded, plant-based brown with deep historical roots and natural complexity.


This historic pigment is ideal for botanical work, illuminated manuscripts, florals, and light-infused layering. It mixes beautifully with other natural dyes and mineral colors, offering a pure, cool yellow with greenish undertones and excellent glaze potential. Lightfastness is moderate—best for protected works, portfolios, and collectors who value historical authenticity.


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: Organic lake pigment (gambir extract)

Source: Extraction from Uncaria gambir

Origin: Southeast Asia (natural)

Lightfastness: Moderate

Opacity: Transparent with soft granulation

Other Names: Catechu, Natural Gambir Lake

Color Index Code: NBr3


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.