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Michael Harding
Rose Madder - Michael Harding
WatercolourNR9
NR9

Rose Madder

W501 · Series 5
WATERCOLOUR
Series 5
Rose Madder No. W501

Pigment HistoryMadder Lake (Natural Red 9). Madder root lake. Prized since antiquity; the traditional transparent red lake, fugitive.

Technical Summary

Rose Madder is a single-pigment Michael Harding watercolour made with NR9.

It is transparent, low lightfastness, granulating, low staining power, tinting strength 2.

Code
W501
Series
Series 5
Pigment Index
NR9
Contents
15ml tube
Lightfastness
Low
Tint Power
2
Granulation
YES
Staining Power
Low
Safety Data Sheets →
NR9 · Pigment History →
Colour Science

Measured colour data

Pigment composition, masstone measurements, and tinting paths - independently measured and provided by Artist Pigments.

Pigment Composition
NR9
Madder Lake, Natural Red 9 (Dye)
· CI 75420, 75330 · CAS 71538-26-6
OrganicNatural
Masstone
Measured masstone swatch
X-Rite i1Pro 3 · D50 · Obs 2
CIELab
L 52.52 · a 44.4 · b 28.73
Chroma / Hue
C 52.88 · h 32.9°
Munsell
6.87R 5.1/10.2
ISCC-NBS
moderate red
Transparency
T
Lightfastness
Fugitive
Info Card
Rose Madder info card
Position on Colour Plane
CIELAB colour plane
CIELAB plane - interactive SVG available
Tinting Path - dilution with water
Path plotted on CIELAB plane
Tinting path on CIELAB colour plane
StepLabelCIELabMunsell
0masstoneL 52.52 · a 44.35 · b 28.746.89R 5.1/10.17
1dilution_1L 57.73 · a 41.62 · b 27.797.13R 5.62/9.65
2dilution_2L 63.12 · a 37.9 · b 25.917.29R 6.17/9.02
3dilution_3L 67.44 · a 34.34 · b 23.857.41R 6.61/8.17
4dilution_4L 71.49 · a 30.61 · b 21.547.51R 7.03/7.35
5dilution_5L 75.33 · a 26.76 · b 19.077.6R 7.43/6.44
6dilution_6L 79.52 · a 22.26 · b 16.147.74R 7.87/5.39
7dilution_7L 83.07 · a 18.24 · b 13.527.92R 8.24/4.42
8dilution_8L 86.52 · a 14.13 · b 10.98.3R 8.6/3.5
9dilution_9L 89.86 · a 9.91 · b 8.339.14R 8.95/2.68
10dilution_10L 93.54 · a 4.84 · b 5.642.16YR 9.34/2.1
11dilution_11L 96.51 · a -0.04 · b 3.964.12Y 9.64/1.19
Pigment Behaviour

Tint · Tone · Shade · Glaze

Preview how Rose Madder behaves when mixed, toned, shaded and glazed. Each swatch is computed from the masstone using a perceptual subtractive model - an approximation for guidance, not a formulation guarantee.

Masstone swatch
Masstone
L 52.52 · a 44.4 · b 28.73
6.87R 5.1/10.2

Rose Madder straight from the tube.

Undertone
#f8e5e2

A thin wash over white.

Tint
#e1998f

Mixed with Titanium White.

Tone
#a87067

Mixed with a mid neutral grey.

Shade
#7d443e

Darkened with a chromatic black.

Glaze
#f3d0cc

A thin transparent film over white.

Compare Rose Madder

Compare with nearby colours

See Rose Madder side-by-side with its closest neighbours in the range — chemistry, opacity and lightfastness at a glance.

Scarlet Lake LightW205Cadmium Red LightW406Rich ScarletW212
Mix with Rose Madder

Popular combinations

Open Rose Madder in the Virtual Mixing Studio to preview how it combines with these partners before you reach for the palette.

Ultramarine Violet→ contrast rangeCadmium Yellow Lemon→ warm rangeBurnt Umber→ earth range
Open Rose Madder in Mixing Studio
Palettes featuring Rose Madder

Featured in 1 palette

Iss Mueller
10 colours · MH Watercolour Ambassador Dot Set (10 colours)
Find a Stockist
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Where to buy

Rose Madder

Available from 114 verified stockists worldwide

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Rose Madder: Questions & Answers

What pigment is used in Rose Madder?

Rose Madder is made with NR9.

Is Rose Madder a single-pigment colour?

Yes. Rose Madder uses a single pigment (NR9), so its behaviour stays consistent and predictable on the palette.

Is Rose Madder transparent or opaque?

Rose Madder is transparent.

Is Rose Madder lightfast?

Rose Madder has low lightfastness.

Does Rose Madder granulate?

In watercolour, Rose Madder is granulating.

Does Rose Madder stain the paper?

Rose Madder has low staining power.

Is Rose Madder vegan?

Yes. Rose Madder contains no animal-derived ingredients and is suitable for vegan artists.

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Colour Disclaimer: Colours shown on screen or in print may vary from the actual product. For the most accurate representation of colour, texture and finish, we recommend viewing a physical sample or swatch in person before making your final selection.

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Product Information & Disclaimer

The information provided on this website is based on research and testing conducted by Michael Harding Art Formulas Ltd and is intended as general guidance on the characteristics and potential uses of our products in established painting practices.

While we take care to provide accurate and reliable information, individual materials, techniques, working conditions and applications can vary. Michael Harding Art Formulas Ltd cannot guarantee that any product will be suitable for every individual purpose or application. Users should carefully read all product labels, instructions and safety information and carry out appropriate testing before use, particularly when developing individual techniques or combining materials.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Michael Harding Art Formulas Ltd makes no express or implied warranties as to merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose and accepts no liability for any loss or damage, including indirect or consequential loss, arising from the use or application of its products.

Colour Representation

Colours displayed on this website and in printed materials are for guidance only. Their appearance may vary depending on screen settings, device, lighting conditions, printing processes and other factors, and may therefore differ from the appearance of the physical product.

For the most accurate representation of colour, texture and finish, we strongly recommend viewing a physical product sample or swatch in person before making a final selection or purchase. Where colour accuracy is important, please do not rely solely on digital or printed representations.

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