Geranium Lake Oil Paint

Description

Geranium Lake 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 pure cold pressed walnut oil (linseed oil available upon request), less than 1% fumed silica as a stabilizer, and food grade lecithin as a natural wetting agent. Every paint is single pigment with maximum concentration and no fillers or extenders.

Geranium Lake is a handmade lake pigment prepared from a brilliant red dye precipitated onto a mineral substrate. It produces a vivid, floral pink red, bright and warm. In light washes it reads as a glowing rose or hot pink; in masstone it deepens into a saturated, almost neon scarlet rose. Compared to mineral reds and earths, Geranium Lake is far more luminous and transparent; compared to modern quinacridones, it feels softer, more "old fashioned," and a touch less blue clean, with a characteristic cosmetic warmth.

In use, Geranium Lake gives a brilliant, transparent to semi-transparent red ideal for florals, textiles, decorative motifs, illustration, sketchbooks, and historical color studies where its vintage character is desired. It has moderate tinting strength and builds beautifully in layers, shifting from delicate pink veils to strong, candy like reds. It mixes beautifully with yellows for coral and watermelon tones, with earths for elegant rose browns and skin tints, and with blues and violets for lively mauves and fashion inspired purples. As a dye based lake, however, it is not highly lightfast and is best used in work kept out of direct sunlight, stored closed in manuscripts, or digitized for long term preservation rather than displayed permanently.

Key Features

Single Source Pigment: Each product features one pure pigment.

Handmade Artisanal Process: Crafted in small batches, our oil paints are hand mulled on a stone 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 fillers or extenders.

Recommended Use: Use straight from the tube or thin with oil mediums, solvents, waxes, or oils for different textures, levels of fluidity, finishes, and handling properties.

Pigment Information

Pigment Type: Synthetic (Organic) Eosin Y dye based lake pigment on mineral substrate
Source: Synthetic red dye precipitated onto an inorganic base
Origin: Germany (late 19th century)
Lightfastness: Poor
Opacity: Transparent
Other Names: Geranium Lake, Geranium Red Lake, Synthetic Rose Lake
Color Index Code: PR90:1
Image: 'Irises' by Vincent van Gogh from The Getty

Production Process

Our oil paints are carefully hand mulled and 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 through our historic processes.

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.

Health and Safety

• For art use only. Not for cosmetic, food or children's use.
• Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not eat, drink or smoke while working.
• Avoid skin contact and wash hands after use. Wipe brushes and palettes clean before rinsing, and never pour paint waste down drains. Do not spray apply, sand dried paint or burn.
• If swallowed or if you feel unwell, contact a poison control center (U.S. 1-800-222-1222) or a doctor.
• Safety Data Sheet available on request.