Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor No.91 BLUISH GOLD

Bluish Gold (No. 91) is a single Gansai Tambi watercolour cake by Kuretake – a cool, bluish-shifted gold with metallic shimmer that shifts between delicate gold lustre and rich, opaque coverage depending on the amount of water used. The colour belongs to the traditional Japanese Gansai line, handcrafted in Japan, and differs noticeably from Western watercolours in both consistency and colour effect.

Features

• Metallic shimmer with cool gold tone: Bluish Gold sits colour-wise between classic gold and a bronzy brass tone – warmer than silver, cooler than regular Gold No. 90. On paper, the colour dries with rich, semi-matte to glossy shimmer effect.
• Variable opacity through water control: With plenty of water, you get a transparent, glazed gold layer; less water activates full opaque coverage – ideal for accents on dark paper or black backgrounds.
• Creamy, quick-dissolving consistency: The hand-pressed colour cake dissolves instantly with a damp brush, with no need for rubbing in. The water-based pigments respond immediately and flow smoothly.
• Large pan format: The pan measures 48 × 28 mm – wide enough for flat watercolour brushes and broad calligraphy brushes without catching the brush belly.
• AP-certified, non-toxic: The colour carries AP certification from the Art & Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) and meets international safety standards.
• Individual refill system: The pan can be removed individually from a Gansai Tambi palette and used as a refill.

Use & Tips

• Watercolour paper from 300 g/m²: On satin or cold-pressed watercolour paper from 300 g/m² upwards, the shimmer shows most evenly – the paper won't buckle and takes the metallic pigments cleanly.
• Black or dark paper: Since Bluish Gold can be applied opaquely, it stands out clearly on black watercolour paper or dark laid paper – perfect for effect work, lettering or illustration.
• Calligraphy and brush lettering: The creamy consistency flows well through brush nibs and broad calligraphy brushes. For classical Japanese calligraphy or Western brush lettering with gold accents, the colour works directly from the pan.
• Layering and accents: As a top layer over dried watercolour washes, Bluish Gold works as a glossy accent – for example, for golden light reflections, gold leaf effects or shimmering ornaments.
• Washi and rice paper: On traditional Japanese papers like washi, the colour soaks in deeper due to the open paper structure and appears more matte – for a more subdued, warm gold tone.
• Mixing: Bluish Gold can be mixed with other Gansai colours, but loses its shimmer in the process. For metallic effects, we recommend using the colour unmixed directly from the pan.

For Calligraphy and Illustration Enthusiasts

The Gansai Tambi line was originally developed for colouring ink drawings and sumi-e, and is therefore designed for direct, fluid working: the colour cake is not rubbed out on a palette first, but picked up directly from the pan with a damp brush. Bluish Gold (No. 91) carries the colour description "BRASS" in pigment databases – a brass-like yellow-gold tone with a bluish undertone that clearly differs from pure yellow gold (No. 90) and white gold (No. 906). Since Gansai colours develop a slight surface sheen with little water, they are particularly suitable for mixed-media work where a subtle metallic shimmer is desired without the addition of varnish or medium.

Technical Specifications