Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor No.740 PEARL LEMON YELLOW

The Kuretake Gansai Tambi No.740 Pearl Lemon Yellow is a single watercolor pan from the traditional Japanese Gansai Tambi line. The color features mica pigment (MICA) in combination with yellow pigment PY13 – creating a soft, pearlescent-shimmering lemon yellow that shifts between transparent shimmer and silky opacity depending on water content. The large-format pan works equally well with broad brushes and fine detail brushes.

Special Features

• Pearlescent shimmer through MICA pigment: The mica pigment reflects light differently depending on viewing angle – on dark paper the shimmering character of the color is particularly pronounced, on white watercolor paper it creates a soft, pearly-golden glow.
• Creamy, easily mixable consistency: The color dissolves smoothly and evenly with minimal water. It can be mixed directly with other Gansai Tambi color tones without muddying or graying.
• Variable opacity: With little water, Pearl Lemon Yellow works semi-opaque and saturated; with more water the glaze becomes thin and golden-transparent – both without loss of color quality.
• Large-format pan (approx. 4.8 × 2.8 cm): The generous format makes broad-area work pleasant – a wash over larger surfaces can be applied without interruption without constantly reloading the brush.
• Suitable for dark paper: Thanks to the opacity of the pearl pigment, the color appears as luminous yellow, shimmering light even on black or deep blue tinted papers.
• Handmade in Japan: Each pan is hand-pressed in Japan. Minor surface irregularities are production-related and do not affect color quality.

Application & Tips

• Illustration & Manga: Pearl Lemon Yellow is ideal for light reflections on hair, metal surfaces, or water surfaces – the shimmer creates natural depth without appearing artificial.
• Calligraphy & Brush Lettering: With a well-loaded, soft brush, the color can be applied directly as lettering color. On dark paper, luminous pearlescent letters emerge.
• Sumi-e & Sketches: The pan moistens quickly and is immediately ready – ideal for spontaneous sketching and monochromatic compositions with light-shadow interplay through water dilution.
• Layering: When applied as a first or second layer over dried colors, Pearl Lemon Yellow gives neutral tones (gray, white, beige) a warm, golden shimmer.
• Combination with other Pearl tones: No.740 works particularly harmoniously in combination with Pearl May Green (No.751) or Pearl Cobalt Blue (No.762) – the MICA base of all Pearl colors ensures coherent luminescence in color transitions.
• Brush selection: A soft hair brush (e.g., nylon watercolor brush) transports the creamy consistency best; synthetic brushes with some body are well-suited for detail work.

For Watercolor Enthusiasts

The pigment PY13 (Arylid Yellow) is a classic, lightfast organic yellow pigment with a warm, slightly greenish undertone – in combination with the MICA carrier, it creates a color tone that neither leans neon nor pastel, but maintains a balanced, pearly lemon yellow. MICA-based watercolor paints show more shine on finely finished, smooth paper (e.g., calendered, 300 g/m²) than on rough coldpress paper – those wanting to maximize the shimmer effect should use satin or lightly coated watercolor paper. The color is not archival.

Technical Data