Lac Lake
NR25
Alternate Names
Indian Lake
Lac Dye
Coccus Lacta
Pigment Description
A natural dye that was historically made into paints. Lac Lake is made from Coccus lacca insects (distinct from Kermes and Cochineal). Lac Dye is said to be lightfast, but we would take that rather contextually in the conversation about natural reds which are not as lightfast on the whole as one would wish. Kremer mentions its use in watercolor and oil. An excellent discussion of the history of this pigment can be found at Kremer Pigments here
Resources
NR25 pigment data from David G. Myers, The Color of Art Pigment Database, Artiscreation.com
Kremer Pigmente (n.d., accessed June 2025). Lac Dye Indian Lake https://shop.kremerpigments.com/us/shop/dyes-vegetable-color-paints/36020-lac-dye.html. Kremer Pigments.
Stats
Lightfastness
Good, but in general Natural Lakes are not as lightfast as one would wish
Transparency
Transparent
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