Permanent Carmine

Carmine was introduced in the early Renaissance, a deeper stronger crimson than Madder, but fugitive in nature. It was used as a food colouring for the best part of the 20th century, being known as Cochineal, the name of the beetles from which it is made. The beetles are raised on cacti, with females producing the greatest quantity of carminic acid, the colourant used in producing one of the most storied colours in history. Spain controlled the Cochineal trade out of Mexico until the 19th century, with other countries pursuing whatever means necessary – from purchase to piracy – to obtain the colorant. When first outfitting the British Army in coats of red (to appear invincible and to hide wounds), only the officers were given coats dyed with genuine Carmine. As a result, the officers were easier targets until the British developed their own cochineal sources and could afford to provide genuine Carmine for soldiers and officers, alike. Permanent Carmine is both made with different shade quinacridones and has been available from Winsor & Newton since 1996 to match the original, less lightfast pigments extremely well. Permanent Carmine is actually cheaper than the insect colour!

Quinacridone pyrrolidone A – Permanent Series 3 Transparent Staining