True Sap Green

Description
Natural Sap Green is our exquisitely hand-crafted watercolor paint made with an extremely concentrated and high quality single source pigment mixed only with pure honey. Every pan is meticulously hand mulled, hand packed, filled, and labeled — ensuring maximum pigment concentration without any binders, fillers, or extenders. Our unique formula uses only one pigment and pure local honey, delivering a maximally concentrated watercolor paint.

Natural Sap Green (Buckthorn Lake) is a rare, historically significant watercolor made from the ripe berries of the buckthorn plant (Rhamnus cathartica), carefully extracted and precipitated onto a natural alum lake. Once a favorite of medieval manuscript illuminators and Baroque-era painters, this unique organic pigment produces a soft, olive-green hue with golden undertones and natural translucency. Our version stays true to its roots—crafted in small batches using traditional techniques to preserve its delicate, botanical character. This color is ideal for glazing, botanical illustration, portrait undertones, and atmospheric layering. Its natural variability and subtle warmth make it a prized addition for artists seeking authentic, plant-based pigments with timeless beauty.

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: Natural organic lake pigment (botanical)
Source: Ripe buckthorn berries (Rhamnus cathartica) precipitated with alum
Origin: Wisconsin, USA
Lightfastness: Low to Moderate (best used in protected works or sketchbooks)
Opacity: Transparent to semi-transparent with delicate texture
Other Names: Buckthorn Lake, Sap Green Lake, Green Lake
Color Index Code: NG2

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.