Monascus Lake Intense Pigment

Description

Monascus Intense Red is a rare natural pigment produced from real Monascus purpureus yeast, an ancient fermentation organism cultivated for its vivid red, purple, and orange pigments. Carefully processed and purified from natural fermentation, Monascus Intense Red yields a brilliant, slightly bluish red color with extraordinary saturation and organic vibrancy, offering a unique botanical alternative to mineral and synthetic reds.

In watercolor, Monascus Intense Red produces luminous, transparent to semi-transparent washes with subtle granulation and a natural radiance. In egg tempera and oil, it offers rich, glowing glazes that are perfect for botanical painting, manuscript illumination, and traditional palettes seeking vivid, organic color sources. It blends beautifully with yellows and earth tones to produce lively oranges and muted rose tones.

History

Monascus purpureus has been cultivated in China and Southeast Asia for over a thousand years, traditionally used to color foods, medicines, and ceremonial items. Its use in creating bright red and purple hues predates many synthetic dyes and reflects a deep historical knowledge of fermentation and biological dye production.

While primarily used as a food dye, historical evidence suggests that Monascus derived pigments were occasionally adapted into traditional art forms, especially for textile dyeing and illuminated manuscripts where vibrant natural reds were highly prized. With the advent of synthetic dyes in the 19th century, the use of Monascus in art largely disappeared, but modern natural pigment revival movements have brought it back into fine art applications.

Today, Monascus Intense Red offers artists a brilliant, historically significant, and botanically derived color with a luminous quality unmatched by mineral or chemical reds.

Pigment Information

Pigment Type: Natural biological pigment from Monascus purpureus fermentation
Source: Cultivation of Monascus purpureus on rice
Origin: East Asia (natural)
Suitable Mediums: Watercolor, Egg Tempera, Oil (glazing), Acrylic
Lightfastness: Moderate (best for protected works)
Opacity: Transparent to Semi-transparent
Other Names: Red Fermentation Pigment, Monascus Red, Natural Yeast Red
Color Index Code: NR2

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 creating or breathing dust. Work in a ventilated area and wear a NIOSH approved dust respirator (P100 or better) when handling dry pigment.
• Wear gloves and eye protection. Wash hands and work surfaces after use, and never rinse pigment into drains.
• Do not spray apply, sand 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.