Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor No.68 BLUE GRAY DEEP

Blue Gray Deep No. 68 is one of the most characterful colours in Kuretake's Gansai Tambi range: a deep, restful blue-grey with a dark, almost steely quality that corresponds to the traditional Japanese colour tone Tetsu-kon (鉄紺). The colour is based on a pigment combination of Prussian blue, lamp black and a red undertone that lends subtle warmth to the depth of the shade. Supplied as a single full-pan block, it can be inserted directly into a Gansai Tambi palette or used independently.

Features

• Creamy-soft consistency: The colour dissolves evenly with minimal water – no scraping, no clumping. This makes it ready to use straight from the pan, even with a dry brush.
• Dual opacity character: With little water, Blue Gray Deep behaves opaquely and opacifying like gouache; heavily diluted, the tone becomes transparent and glazing – both within the same pan, depending on water content.
• Subtle lustre finish when dry: The dried colour retains a fine shimmer that works equally well on white and dark paper.
• Lightfast and non-toxic: The water-based pigment formula is suitable for long-lasting artwork and safe to handle.
• Single full-pan block: Fits all standard Gansai Tambi palettes as a replacement or supplement. The pan size is generously proportioned and allows broad brush strokes without constant reloading.
• Pigment composition (PR48:3, PB27, PBk7): Prussian blue (PB27) gives the tone its cool, intense depth; lamp black (PBk7) draws it into darkness; the red undertone (PR48:3) prevents it from tipping into coldness.

Use & Tips

• Sumi-e and ink drawing: Blue Gray Deep works as a colour accent in monochrome ink work – the dark value replaces pure black in many compositions, but reads more lively.
• Calligraphy and brush lettering: Using a fine watercolour brush or a broad calligraphy brush, the colour applies evenly. On smooth, ink-proof paper, the colour flows precisely and without feathering.
• Illustration and sketch: As a shading colour in blues and greys, Blue Gray Deep mixes perfectly with lighter blue tones such as Horizon Blue No. 69 or Cobalt Blue No. 60 – naturally available in the same range.
• Opaque on dark paper: With minimal water dilution, the colour covers even mid-dark paper surfaces – interesting for cards, collages or mixed-media work.
• Reactivatability: Dried Gansai Tambi colour can be fully reactivated with a damp brush – the pan only wears where pigment is actually lifted.

For Watercolour Enthusiasts

Blue Gray Deep No. 68 carries the traditional Japanese colour name Tetsu-kon – literally