Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor No.651 OPAL GREEN

Opal Green No. 651 is a single watercolour from the Gansai Tambi line by Kuretake – a Japanese manufacturer with over 120 years of tradition in the production of inks and pigment colours. The colour body is based on mica pigment, which gives Opal Green its characteristic shimmer effect: a muted, cool green with a soft pearlescent lustre that glows differently depending on the viewing angle. The large pan dissolves creamily with just a little water and can be used transparently as a glaze or opaquely as a solid wash.

Features

• Mica pigment for pearlescent effect: The mica pigment creates a shimmering, slightly iridescent colour surface – ideal for illustrations where depth and light reflection matter.
• Transparent to opaque control: With plenty of water, you get a delicate, shimmering glaze; with little water, a dense opaque colour comparable to gouache – both from the same pan.
• Large pan (approx. 48 × 28 mm): The oversized format allows the use of wide flat brushes and large watercolour brushes without constantly reloading.
• Creamy consistency, quick to dissolve: The colour dissolves with just a few brush strokes – no lengthy soaking required, supporting spontaneous work in sketchbooks or on the go.
• Compatible with other Gansai Tambi colours: Can be mixed directly whilst wet with other shades in the range without losing the characteristic shimmer pigment.
• Made in Japan: Handcrafted with careful quality control for uniform pigment distribution and colour consistency.

Use & Tips

• Watercolour illustration and lettering: Opal Green is particularly vibrant when glazed over dried colour areas – the shimmer stands out more strongly on dark grounds than on white paper.
• Botanical subjects and landscapes: The cool, shimmering green is perfect for leaves, moss and water with subtle light reflection, without appearing obtrusively metallic.
• Mixed media and cards: On black or coloured paper or cardboard, the pearlescent effect reaches its full potential – the colour stands out luminous and shimmering.
• Layering: Applied over a dried base layer of matting watercolours, Opal Green creates targeted glossy accents without softening the colour beneath.
• Paper recommendation: On cold or hot-pressed watercolour paper with a smooth surface, the shimmer remains most clearly visible; on rough paper, the mica effect spreads somewhat more diffusely.

For Watercolour Enthusiasts

The pigment CI 77019 (Mica) is a plate-shaped layer mineral that reflects and refracts light rather than absorbing it. This means Opal Green behaves differently from classical watercolour pigments: opacity increases with lower water dilution not only through higher pigment concentration, but also through the altered orientation of the mica platelets on the paper surface. On highly absorbent papers, the platelets are drawn deep into the fibre structure and the gloss effect weakens – an effect that can be deliberately reduced or enhanced with a brief pre-wetting or the addition of gum arabic. The colour is pigment-based and water-soluble on the basis of water-insoluble resin; after complete drying, it is water-resistant enough to apply further layers on top.

Technical Specifications