15g
Nakagawa Gofun's mineral pigments are divided into natural mineral pigments, new mineral pigments, and Kyojo mineral pigments.
There are natural mineral pigments made from natural raw stones, new mineral pigments made by mixing and firing metal oxides, and the newly developed Kyojo mineral pigments.
All of them are crushed into powder, sorted into 1137 levels according to particle size, and divided into standard numbers.
Generally, the finer the particle size, the whitish the color.
[Product Appeal & Recommended Points]
●Natural Mineral-Based Iwa Paints
This product is made from carefully selected naturally occurring minerals and gemstones. These materials are crushed, refined through water settling, and then graded by particle size to create natural iwa paints. The texture preserves the “mineral-like” quality, giving the painting surface a depth and richness that is highly appealing.
●Color and Grade: Indigo Ink 12 (762-12)
“Indigo Ink” is a deep tone with a slight indigo tint, making it highly compatible with ink-based or indigo-themed expressions such as Japanese painting. The 12th grade corresponds to a “fine” particle size, offering ease of handling suitable for smooth lines and detailed work.
●Particle Uniformity & Quality Control Technology
Nakagawa Gofun Paints combines decades of experience with modern technology to standardize the average particle size of each batch. This ensures minimal variation in quality between lots of the same grade, providing consistent expression.
●Versatile Expression (Shades & Layering)
By sorting particles from coarse to fine, iwa paints allow a wide range of expression—from using the color thickly for intensity to diluting it for a lighter wash. Indigo Ink can be adjusted from a strong, deep ink tone to a subtle indigo-gray.
●Traditional & Trusted Brand
Nakagawa Gofun, the maker of the “Houou” series, is a long-established brand in Japanese painting and iwa paints. It is highly respected by artists and enthusiasts, offering a wide variety of colors (around 1,400 shades).
●Convenient Packaging & Usable Quantity
This product is typically supplied in 15g packs (fine 12 grade), an ideal size for trials or everyday use—enough to use without waste.
[Usage Tips & Practical Advice]
●Careful Adjustment with Glue (Nikuwa)
When using iwa paints, gradually mix in small amounts of glue solution to coat the pigment, then dilute with water to adjust the shades. Properly incorporating the pigment into the glue is key.
●Consider Compatibility with Paper and Ground
The appearance and adherence of iwa paints vary depending on the substrate (washi, silk, hemp paper, etc.). Applying a smooth base layer with mineral pigments or underpainting improves color development and adhesion when layering Indigo Ink.
●Expand Expression with Thin & Layered Applications
To fully utilize Indigo Ink, start with a lightly diluted first layer and then overlay darker layers to create depth and shading. This technique enhances tonal range and makes the negative space and composition visually striking.
●Color Extension & Combination
Indigo Ink pairs well with black, indigo, and ink-based colors. It can also be blended with gray, white, or vermilion to create nuanced shades. Using it alongside other natural iwa paints in the series is also recommended.
[Summary]
Nakagawa Gofun’s “Houou Iwa Paints Natural Indigo Ink 12 (762-12)” is a single-color paint for Japanese painting that combines the natural hues of minerals with a manageable fine particle size (12 grade). It allows a wide range of expression, from deep indigo tones to subtle washes, and careful adjustment of glue and water gives paintings rich depth. The brand’s strict particle control and long-standing reputation add reliability.
This Indigo Ink is an essential color for works emphasizing ink tones or indigo compositions. It can be used alone or in combination with other iwa paints and pigments, adding subtle shading and a sense of luxury to your artwork.
