Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor No.904 CHAMPAGNE GOLD

Champagne Gold (No. 904) is one of six metallic "Starry Colors" from Kuretake's Gansai Tambi line – a warm, champagne-toned gold with fine shimmer, based on the pigment mica. As a single pan, the colour delivers the same creamy-soft consistency as the entire Gansai Tambi palette: dissolves directly in water, builds quickly, and is uncompromising in its lustre. The pan fits into all standard Gansai Tambi palettes and serves as a replacement or supplement to existing sets.

Features

• Mica pigment with metallic shimmer: Champagne Gold contains mica pigment, which produces a silky metallic sheen on paper – not opaque-matt like classical gold, but with a cool, champagne-toned play of light.
• Variable opacity: With little water, the colour behaves as opaquely as gouache; diluted further, it creates a transparent, shimmering wash. The shimmer effect is retained in both consistencies.
• Suitable for dark and light paper: Thanks to the opacity of the mica pigment, Champagne Gold covers completely even on black or dark paper – the tone glows without a white base layer.
• Large pan format: The pan measures approximately 47.9 × 28.3 mm – wider than standard watercolour pans – and dissolves easily with a large flat brush or wide round brush without constant repositioning.
• Creamy consistency, quick to dissolve: The water-based pigment formula dissolves rapidly without rubbing, forms no lumps, and dries back into the pan for rehydration.
• Handmade in Japan: Gansai Tambi colours are handcrafted in Japan; small surface textures in the pan caused by tiny air bubbles are production-related and do not affect the colour properties.

Use & Tips

• Lettering and calligraphy: Champagne Gold suits broad brushes, brush pens and stub nibs. On black or deep blue paper, the champagne tone reveals its shimmer most strongly – ideal for greetings cards, invitations or hand-lettering projects.
• Highlights and accents in illustrations: As a wash over dried watercolour layers, Champagne Gold sits as a glittering shimmer without completely obscuring the underlying tone – excellent for light reflections on hair, fabrics or sky areas.
• Mixing with other Gansai Tambi colours: Champagne Gold can be mixed directly on the palette with other shades from the Starry Colors range – for example White Gold (906) for cooler nuances or Yellow Gold (903) for warmer tones.
• Paper choice: On smooth, calendered paper, the mica particles distribute evenly and create a uniform metallic layer. On rough watercolour paper, the particles settle in the paper's valleys, creating a grainier, more textured effect.
• Reuse: A dried pan can be completely reactivated with a drop of water and a short soaking time – no colour is lost.

For Watercolour Enthusiasts

Champagne Gold (No. 904) is the most neutral gold in the Starry Colors range: compared to Yellow Gold (903), it lacks the warm yellow cast; against Light Gold (905) and White Gold (906), the tone remains richer and less silvery. The mica pigment creates interference shimmer through light refraction on the plate-like particles – the colour tone visibly shifts slightly depending on the viewing angle. If you work with fountain pen ink or brush pens: the colour is not suitable for fountain pen cartridges and is used exclusively as a pan colour with brush and water.

Technical Specifications