Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor No.903 YELLOW GOLD

Yellow Gold (No. 903) is a single colour from the Kuretake Gansai Tambi series – handcrafted Japanese watercolours based on pigments, drawing on over 100 years of Sumi ink tradition. The warm, rich gold tone is based on mica pigment and displays a shimmering, metallic-luminous appearance depending on water dilution. The large plastic pan measures approximately 48 × 28 mm and can be inserted individually into existing Gansai Tambi palettes or used as a refill.

Features

• Mica pigment: Yellow Gold No. 903 contains mica pigment, which gives the applied gold tone a characteristic metallic shimmer – depending on the light, the colour shifts between matt warm gold and luminous metallic.
• Variable opacity through water dilution: Applied with little water, the colour appears dense and opaque like gouache; heavily diluted, it creates a transparent, nacre-like shimmering glaze tone. The pigment concentration remains stable in both application methods.
• Creamy consistency: The colour dissolves completely with just a little water, applies evenly and can be spread without lumps or grainy patches.
• Large pan: The pan, measuring approximately 48 × 28 mm, accommodates wide and flat brushes without difficulty – large-scale working without frequent reloading is possible.
• Compatible with Gansai Tambi palette system: The pan can be removed from its plastic case and inserted into empty or existing Gansai Tambi boxes.
• Light fastness: As a pigment-based colour, Yellow Gold is light fast when moderately diluted with water; heavily diluted applications may fade over time. Pigment codes are not provided by Kuretake.

Use & Tips

• Calligraphy accents: Applied with a brush or brush pen, Yellow Gold is ideal for golden lettering, initials and decorative lines on both light and dark paper – on black or deep blue paper, the metallic shimmer is particularly striking.
• Illustration and Sumi-e: As an accent colour in ink drawings or traditional Sumi-e work, Yellow Gold creates focal points of brilliance without overwhelming the overall image.
• Lettering and hand lettering: For generous letterforms with a wide brush, the large pan is ideal – the creamy consistency ensures even line flow without breaking.
• Mixed media and card making: On ink-friendly watercolour paper or smooth, calendered paper, fine gold details can be applied as easily as expansive metallic backgrounds.
• Layering: Dried layers can be painted over; multiple transparent layers on top of each other enhance the shimmer effect.
• Brush cleaning: The water-based pigment binder can be thoroughly rinsed from the brush with water.

For Calligraphy Enthusiasts

Mica-based gold colours behave differently on the brush than purely transparent watercolours: the flat mica flakes settle on the paper surface as they dry and reflect light rather than absorbing it like classical pigments. On textured watercolour paper, the mica settles into the paper's recesses, creating a matt base tone with shiny highlights. On smooth, satin paper, the metallic effect remains more even and intense. For calligraphy with a brush pen, a medium water content is recommended – too dry and the colour applies unevenly, too wet and the mica loses its lustre in application.

Technical Specifications