Kratom is dried, finely ground leaf powder from the tree species Mitragyna speciosa. In our Leaf Archive, it is offered exclusively as a dry material for creative and craft experiments in the studio. It is not a ready-to-use paint and not a food product.
Its visible range is predominantly between sage, olive, khaki and warm earth tones. Green, Red, White and Gold structure the range for creative purposes; they promise neither a red, white or gold powder colour nor a fixed shade. A real material sample therefore reveals more than a material group name or a screen image.
Preparing the workspace and sample
For an initial study, a light work surface, artist paper, a mixing dish, a spatula, a brush and clean water are sufficient. Use containers and tools exclusively in the studio and not for food. Handle the dry material with as little dust as possible: open the packaging briefly, do not stir up the powder, and then clean surfaces with a damp cloth.
Mark three fields on the paper. Alongside, note the product name and code, for example Leaf Archive 02 · Green Borneo · SGMD, as well as the material group, paper, brush, date and working method.
Putting a water sample into context
A small amount of leaf powder can be moistened with water, worked into a paste and spread on paper. Water helps disperse the fine particles. However, it does not fully dissolve the leaf powder or permanently bind it to the surface after evaporation.
The water sample is therefore for observing tone, grain, distribution and brush marks. It is not a promise of a rub-resistant or permanently adhering paint. There is no universally applicable mixing ratio: begin with a few drops, add only gradually, and document every change.
If adhesion is also to be examined, a suitable artist medium may be tested on a separate field according to the manufacturer's instructions. Binders and artist media are not included in our Studio Sets; these contain dry leaf powder as well as the paper and brush products specified for each set.
Comparing three applications
A thin field leaves the surface visible. A medium application shows distribution, while a textured application shows grain and tool marks. Create all fields with the same brush wherever possible and allow them to dry fully while lying flat.
Only then assess them under consistent lighting. Useful notes include: sage, olive, khaki or warm earth tone; fine or granular; even or mark-led; edge formation or sedimentation. Botanical material can vary naturally, so every sample documents one specific delivery and working situation.
Those who repeat the paper format, fields and recorded details build a personal material journal. This makes it possible to compare Green Bali SG, Red Bali RMD, White Borneo WMD and Gold Borneo GOMD objectively. Product names serve to identify materials within their respective material group and are not a promise of colour, origin or quality.
Note: Kratom leaf powder is not a food product and is not intended for human consumption. Follow product, packaging and manufacturer instructions; store dry, protected from light and out of the reach of children.
