DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine Watercolour Lunar Black 15ml — Transparent Granulating Black, High Lightfastness

DANIEL SMITH Lunar Black is an exclusive, extra-fine transparent black watercolour tube that produces dramatic granulation and a marbled, moonlike texture for rich washes and expressive mixes.

Made by DANIEL SMITH in Seattle, Lunar Black (15ml) is a specialty inorganic neutral black (PBk 11) formulated for artists seeking a versatile, granulating black that behaves differently from ordinary blacks. The paint delivers strong transparency, excellent lightfastness, and low staining, giving you a wide tonal range from pale glazes to deep, textured darks. It’s part of the brand’s Extra Fine Watercolours line, which is known for high pigment load, pure gum arabic binder, and meticulous quality control.

How does Lunar Black perform in washes and layered glazing?

Lunar Black excels as a wash colour: thin applications yield subtle, luminous greys, while heavier applications create intense, mottled blacks. The granulating particles separate during drying to form a stony, marbled surface that reads as texture without adding grit to the paper. It also glazes cleanly over other colours to produce nuanced darkening without deadening the underlying hues.

• Transparent black with expansive tonal range from pale grey to deep black
• Distinctive granulation creates natural-looking texture in washes
• Glazes without muddiness—preserves underlying colour vibrancy
• Low staining so lifting and adjustments are easier

What makes Lunar Black different from other black pigments?

Lunar Black is an exclusive DANIEL SMITH formulation with pigment behavior that resembles tiny magnetic particles—separating and clustering as it dries to form dramatic reticulation. Unlike carbon blacks or lamp blacks that are often uniform and flat, this pigment emphasizes surface variation and optical depth, making it especially useful for atmospheric and geological effects.

• PBk 11 inorganic neutral black with unique particle behavior
• Creates a marbled, moonscape appearance when dry
• Manufactured to DANIEL SMITH’s strict lightfastness and purity standards
• Works well mixed with other DANIEL SMITH pigments for granulating-dark mixtures

How should I use Lunar Black for best results in painting techniques?

Use Lunar Black both straight from the tube and in mixes. For textured skies, wet paper evenly, drop Lunar Black into damp areas, and allow the granulation to form naturally; for controlled marks, work wet-into-wet or paint into damp layers. It lifts moderately well so you can soften edges or create highlights after drying.

• Apply diluted for soft tonal transitions; heavier for textured darks
• Drop into wet or damp areas for maximum granulation and reticulation
• Mix sparingly with other pigments to add granulating black without overpowering
• Lift with clean damp brush to create subtle corrections or highlights

Is Lunar Black durable and safe for archival work?

Lunar Black conforms to ASTM D4236 and is formulated for lasting colour performance. DANIEL SMITH selects pigments and binder proportions to maximize permanence and lightfastness, and every batch is tested to meet the company’s high standards. For archival-quality pieces, pair the paint with acid-free paper and proper UV-protective framing.

• Conforms to ASTM D4236 and produced under DANIEL SMITH quality controls
• Excellent lightfastness suitable for professional work
• Pure gum arabic binder, no fillers—high pigment load
• Best results on quality watercolour paper and with archival display methods

Who is this for? Lunar Black is ideal for watercolourists who want a dramatic, granulating black that adds textural depth to landscapes, skies, architectural shadows, and abstract work. Professional and serious hobbyist painters will appreciate its unique behavior, strong pigment load, and archival quality. If you want a black that behaves like a design element—offering both tone and texture—this exclusive DANIEL SMITH 15ml tube is made for you.