You would not think that something as obvious as white paint could evoke any sort of confusion. But every once in a while, it's a
good idea to review the various white paints that are available and
how to use them.
titanium white is most opaque. and not toxic.
First developed around 1916, titanium white is by
far the most popular of whites. Made from titanium dioxide (which
in its pure form reflects 97.2% of incident light), it is also the most
brilliant and most opaque white. Titanium white is non-toxic and seen
as a replacement for lead white.
zinc white is least opaque and very
slow drying.
and creamy.
Zinc white, made from zinc oxide, has long
been used in place of lead white. Zinc white is the least opaque white
-- thus, most transparent -- creamy in texture, cool in tone, and slightly
blue in cast. It's ideal for glazing and scumbling. Zinc
white is also the slowest drying white, which is an advantage to the
painter who likes to work wet-into-wet.
lead white (flake white) is the oldest.
and most toxic.
Lead white (flake white) is the oldest of the
artist's white paint, believed to have been discovered by the Egyptians.
Its strengths include its great opacity and its buttery, "ropy" consistency.
It is warmer in tone than titanium white. It is generally known as flake
white or Cremnitz white.
Because of its lead content, flake white is toxic, which has
led manufacturers to develop white paint similar in its positive attributes
to lead white, but without its toxicity. Gamblin Oil Colors, for instance, has created flake white replacement, which has
moderate tinting strength and maintains the working properties of flake
white.
Essentially, when you see the words "flake white"
or "Cremnitz white" on a tube, you should be aware
of the health risks involved and to take reasonable care when working
with it.
mixes
In the search to isolate positive properties of each
type of white paint and combine them into a single paint, different
combinations have resulted. For instance, a certain formula blending
titanium and zinc whites may bring together the brilliance of titanium
with the creaminess of zinc. Other mixes may result in faster-drying
whites, or different levels of coolness or warmth.
it isn't you!
So in case you're wondering, it isn't you: white
paint can be fairly complicated. If you have questions about the different
whites, don't hesitate to write, call or come down to Wet Paint and
ask!
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· Established 1976 · Creative Supplies for Creative People 
