• Watercolor painting with a handmade archival watercolor pan with elegant and vibrant label in watercolor paper in Kermes Lake, a rich crimson pigment made from the Kermes insect (Kermes vermilio), one of the earliest known sources of red dye in the Mediterranean and Middle East. Handcrafted with honey and gum arabic. Transparent and historically lightfast, ideal for manuscript illumination, medieval European palettes, and deep crimson glazes.
  • The image is a collage of three different watercolor paintings, each depicting a different state of wetness: an opacity, a dry state, and a wet state.
  • Watercolor swatch in Kermes Lake, a deep crimson historic pigment derived from the Kermes insect (Kermes vermilio), one of the earliest natural red dyes used in the Mediterranean and Middle East. This rich, handmade watercolor is crafted with honey and gum arabic, offering a transparent, lightfast red ideal for medieval manuscript painting, historical palettes, and traditional botanical illustration.
  • five different shades of red paint, each with a label indicating the name of the color.
  • five watercolor paintings with different shades of orange, arranged on a wooden surface.
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Kermes Lake Intense Red Watercolor Paint

Kermes Lake Intense Red Watercolor Paint

$120.00
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Description

Kermes Lake Intense 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.


Kermes Lake Intense is a bold, captivating, pure red created from the genuine dye extracted from real kermes insects (Kermes vermilio) a time-honored source used in historic art. This vivid color, is one of the rich reds found in ancient manuscripts and Renaissance masterpieces and delivers a saturated, radiant red with a naturally organic character. Its transparency and subtle granulating properties make it ideal for glazing, layering, and crafting emotionally charged, dramatic compositions. Perfect for artists who value historical authenticity and expressive depth, Kermes Lake Intense brings a truly natural and vibrant touch to your work.


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 (real kermes dye)

Source: Extraction from kermes insects (Kermes vermilio)

Origin: Turkey (natural)

Lightfastness: Good

Opacity: Transparent with subtle granulation

Other Names: Kermes Carmine, Kermes Red, Natural Kermes, Crimson Lake

Color Index Code: NR3


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.