Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor No.831 GEM PINK

Gem Pink No. 831 is a single watercolour pan from Kuretake's Gansai Tambi Gem Colors series – a pigment-based watercolour with a mica (shimmer) base that glows with a deep, gemstone-like pink tone on paper. The large pan measuring 48 × 28 mm dissolves quickly with minimal water and can be used both opaquely like gouache and as a transparent wash, depending on water content. Made in Japan at Kuretake's production facility in Nara.

Features

• Mica pigment (shimmer): The Gem Pink pigment is based on mica particles that scatter and reflect light – the colour doesn't appear flat, but shimmering and vibrant, like a faceted gemstone. This effect is particularly striking on dark paper.
• High opacity on light and dark grounds: Thanks to dense pigmentation and mica content, Gem Pink shows through clearly on black or coloured paper – without fading or appearing grey.
• Seamlessly opaque to transparent: With minimal water, the colour works almost like gouache; more water creates delicate, shimmering washes. Both consistencies retain the metallic sheen.
• Large pan, 48 × 28 mm: The size allows for broad brushstrokes with a flat watercolour brush as well as fine detail work with a round brush – without the brush snagging on the pan's edge.
• Ready to use instantly: The pressed watercolour dissolves within seconds with a damp brush, dries quickly, and can be reactivated after drying.
• Lightfast (pigment-based): Gansai Tambi are pigment colours; lightfastness is assured as long as the colour is not heavily diluted with water. Very diluted washes may lose stability proportionally.
• Not archival: As a water-soluble watercolour, Gem Pink is not waterproof and not archival – ideal for artistic work, not for documents requiring permanence.

Use & Tips

• Brush lettering and calligraphy: With a soft hair brush or water tank brush, Gem Pink can be used for luminous, metallically shimmering lettering work on black watercolour paper or black card – the mica effect is visible from a distance.
• Illustration and mixed media: Used as an accent colour in ink illustrations or layered over dried watercolour grounds, Gem Pink creates a subtle rose-gold shimmer that enlivens highlights and reflected light.
• Cards and correspondence: A single pan is enough for many greetings cards, envelopes and handwritten invitations – simply apply with a fine round brush; particularly striking on dark paper.
• Layering: Gem Pink can be layered after drying (over or under other Gansai Tambi colours) without softening – thanks to its quick drying time, rapid multilayered work is possible.
• Water content controls the effect: A dry, barely dampened brush produces a dense, nearly opaque layer with strong shimmer; a very wet brush creates a gossamer-thin, shimmering wash – ideal for experimenting on white and dark watercolour paper alike.

For Watercolour Enthusiasts

Gem Pink No. 831 contains exclusively mica as its pigment base – no organic colourant beneath it. This means: the colour is not created by light absorption, but by interference and scattering at the mica platelets. On white paper, the pink appears cool and bright; on a black ground it appears deeper and more saturated, because the dark surface acts as an absorption backdrop and makes the shimmer more pronounced. The 48 × 28 mm pan size is considerably larger than a standard half pan (approx. 37 × 19 mm) – this makes it easier to mix larger quantities and to work with broad flat brushes. Kuretake's over 100 years of experience in ink processing flows into the binder formulation and ensures even distribution of mica particles throughout the pan.

Technical Specifications