Kuretake Watercolor Paints Gansai Tambi Graphite Colors

The Gansai Tambi Graphite Colors from Kuretake are a 6-piece watercolour set with graphite-based tones — muted neutral colours that create a matte, serene depth on paper. Each pan contains a handcrafted, creamy-soft water-based colour in which graphite pigment (PBk10) is combined in a balanced ratio with additional colour pigments. What makes this series special is the interplay between a matte dry texture and the metallic shimmer that emerges when the dried surface is polished. Manufactured in Japan, the set stands in the tradition of Kuretake's over one hundred years of experience in pigment and ink production.

Features

• Graphite matte effect: The colours dry exceptionally matte — even with thick application. No unwanted gloss from binder build-up, as can occur with other Gansai colours.
• Polishable metallic shimmer: When the dried colour surface is rubbed with a soft object, a subtle, graphite-typical metallic sheen appears — an effect that can be applied deliberately and precisely where needed.
• Oversized pans (approx. 48 × 28 mm): The large-format pans allow the use of broad brushes and area-based work — ideal for backgrounds, generous washes and calligraphy.
• Creamy-soft consistency: The colour dissolves instantly with a slightly damp brush and displays a smooth, easily controllable flow.
• High opacity: The graphite-heavy pigmentation yields a rich, opaque colour layer even in a single coat. For transparent glazes, vigorous dilution with water is necessary.
• Easy reactivation: Already dried pans can be easily reactivated — no soaking, no pre-wetting required.
• AP-certified: The set carries the AP Certification (Approved Product) from the ACMI and is approved for use by adults.
• Manufactured in Japan

Use & Tips

• Night and twilight scenes: The 6 muted graphite tones are particularly suited to atmospheric subjects such as night skies, misty landscapes or abstract works in restrained colour palettes.
• Calligraphy and brush lettering: The large pans provide ample space for broad brushes and calligraphy brushes. The creamy consistency applies evenly and gives lettering a velvety matte appearance.
• Polishing technique: After a colour area has dried completely, you can rub the surface with a soft cloth, a bone folder or your fingernail — the graphite polishes to a delicate metallic shimmer that sets accents and highlights.
• Mixed media: The highly opaque graphite tones combine well with transparent watercolour washes — first the transparent underpainting, then the graphite accents on top (heavily diluted for glazes, undiluted for accents).
• Paper recommendation: The slight granulation of the colour shows most beautifully on smooth, waterproof watercolour paper or laid paper with medium grain. Highly absorbent surfaces can diminish the polishing effect.
• Strongly anchoring colours: Unlike classical Gansai colours, the graphite mixtures adhere more firmly to the paper surface — complete lifting is barely possible. Make corrections before the colour dries.

For Watercolour Enthusiasts

The Graphite Colors differ from the other Gansai Tambi series in one essential way: whilst classical Gansai colours are known to develop a glossy masstone when applied thickly due to their binder, the graphite mixtures show a consistently matte surface even when undiluted. This is due to the high proportion of graphite pigment PBk10, which overlays the gloss development of the binder. Additionally, the staining effect — the penetration of pigments into the paper fibres — is much more pronounced than with other Gansai colours, which affects the formation of blooms when working wet-in-wet. The binder of the Gansai Tambi series is based on a mixture of gum, sugars, dextrin and glycerine — a formula that differs from the pure gum arabic of European watercolours and is responsible for the typically creamy uptake.

Technical Specifications