DANIEL SMITH Extra-Fine Watercolour Permanent Alizarin Crimson 15ml — Transparent, Lightfast

DANIEL SMITH Permanent Alizarin Crimson is an extra-fine, lightfast watercolour in a 15ml tube that reproduces classic Alizarin tones with improved permanence and mixing strength.

Engineered by DANIEL SMITH in Seattle, this 15ml tube delivers a transparent, medium-staining red designed to behave like traditional Alizarin Crimson but with enhanced permanence. Formulated from a blend of pigments chosen for durability and colour purity, this paint is milled with pure gum arabic and no fillers, ensuring consistent flow, excellent tint strength, and archival performance. It’s one colour among DANIEL SMITH’s expansive palette of more than 240 watercolours, which includes unique PrimaTek and Luminescent lines.

What makes Permanent Alizarin Crimson different from traditional Alizarin?

DANIEL SMITH’s Permanent Alizarin Crimson reproduces the familiar deep, transparent crimson but replaces fugitive components with pigments selected for lightfastness. The result keeps the beloved chroma and mixing behavior while resisting fading over time.

• Blended pigments for permanence without losing Alizarin character
• Transparent, medium-staining behavior for glazes and washes
• Consistent manufacturing and ASTM D4236 conformity

How does this tube perform in mixing and glazing?

This crimson is formulated to mix cleanly into violets, warm greys, and rich oranges without muddying. Its transparency makes it ideal for layered glazing, subtle colour transitions, and luminous washes where underlying strokes remain visible.

• High tinting strength for vivid mixtures
• Non-granulating, so layers stay smooth and even
• Works well with both PrimaTek and traditional pigments

Which technical properties should I expect when using this 15ml tube?

The paint is extra-fine and milled to balance pigment load with vehicle for optimal application. It dries to a stable, transparent film and meets industry testing standards for artist materials.

• Lightfastness: excellent compared to classic Alizarin formulas
• Transparency: clear and glassy for luminous layers
• Staining level: medium—holds edges yet lifts selectively
• Pigment identifiers: PR 177, PV 19, PR 149

How should I store and use the tube to get best results?

Keep the screw-cap closed and store in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight to preserve binder integrity. Use a wet palette or squeeze a small amount into a mixing tray; a little goes a long way because of the concentrated pigment load.

• Store upright with cap sealed to prevent skinning
• Use diluted washes for glazing or stronger mixes for intense colour
• Compatible with standard watercolour papers and DANIEL SMITH grounds

Who is this for: Artists seeking the familiar look of Alizarin Crimson without its traditional lightfast limitations will appreciate this 15ml tube. It suits professional painters who demand archival performance, illustrators needing reliable transparent reds for layers and mixes, and students wishing to work with premium, consistent pigments. If you want a versatile, non-granulating crimson with strong mixing power and proven manufacturing quality from a brand known for an expansive colour range, Permanent Alizarin Crimson in the 15ml tube is a practical, long-lasting choice.