Titanium, zinc, transparent… Why are there so many types of white paint, and what is each one used for?
To answer this question, we will examine the type of paint that offers the full range of white shades, namely oil-based paint.
Titanium white paint is the most common type of white paint and is usually one of the first paints a beginner purchases. The pigment used to make it— titanium dioxide, is known for its sparkling whiteness and opacity, which are ideal for achieving striking contrasts. This is due to its ability to reflect about 97% of light. When mixed with another color, titanium white usually dominates the resulting shade, creating a pastel tone. With its characteristic medium viscosity, it can be used to achieve a pronounced texture.
Lead White
Lead white is the traditional white that artists have used for centuries. Nowadays, access to it is limited due to the toxicity of lead. Its non-toxic alternative, called Flake White, is the most widely used. Flake White is a modified version of titanium white and, as a result, has a slightly cooler tone than the warm hue of the lead pigment.
Lead white thickens the consistency of paints while preserving their brightness, thanks to its partial transparency. It allows for the creation of many midtones and is an excellent choice for the impasto technique. It dries quickly. Traditional lead white paint is characterized by its durability and flexibility after hardening. The absence of cracking in old paintings—unlike with dark colors—as well as the absence of discoloration, clearly demonstrates its advantages.
Transparent zinc white preserves the brightness of colors and is suitable for velatur techniques or so-called “glazing.” It has a soft consistency and a cool undertone that appears neutral compared to titanium white. It is often used for wet-on-wet painting , alla prima, because it dries more slowly, as well as to enhance the texture of titanium white. When layered, however, it becomes quite brittle after hardening and has a tendency to crack. Therefore, it should be applied thinly and never in the first layers of the painting. It is best used on a solid support such as a wooden or mounted panel, rather than on a stretched canvas. On the other hand, it does not yellow.
This white mixing paint is formulated in a ratio that aims to combine the light-reflecting properties of titanium white with the lightness and cool tone of zinc white. The result is a white with a neutral undertone, partial transparency, and a very soft consistency that dries relatively quickly and does not yellow over time. It lightens tones, though not dramatically, making it easier to achieve a wider range of saturation levels.
Transparent white is the palest, non-staining white paint, ideal for the most delicate glazing. It has a neutral tone and does not discolor after drying. It is made with titanium dioxide.
We can use the semi-translucent pearl white when we want to add a subtle pearlescent sheen to the colors. Thanks to the finely ground mica pigment particles (a type of natural mineral) in its formula, the colors take on a delicate metallic sheen.
Subtypes Based on Composition
The white paints we listed are divided into subcategories based on the oil added to their composition. It can be flaxseed,poppy seed, safflower, or walnut oil, each of which affects the color and properties of the paints in a different way.
The brightest yellow and thickest of them all is linen. It is the most affordable and is produced in a wide variety of forms to meet the artist’s various needs. It dries relatively quickly, forming hard, durable layers, allowing for layering. Its drawback is its tendency to yellow over over time, which is particularly important for white and pale pastel tones.
Safflower oil can be used for working with light shades, also known as safflower oil. It is a good addition for people who have only used flaxseed oil until now. With its thin consistency, it reduces the density of the colors, making them easier to spread. Safflower oil does not yellow like linseed oil, but it dries the slowest among painting oils. It is important to use it sparingly and only in the final stages of the painting, since If applied too thickly, it can cause the paint to crack and even peel. On the other hand, it prevents the paint from wrinkling.
The chemical composition of poppy seed oil is almost identical to that of safflower oil. It is very pale and dries much more slowly than linseed oil. Similarly, it can prevent the paint from adhering if too much is added and it is used in the base layers of the painting. Therefore, it is suitable for the top layer. It has the property of increasing the brightness of pigments.
Walnut Oil It combines some of the best qualities of the oils mentioned above. It is pale, It hardly turns yellow, dries faster than poppy seed and safflower oil, and forms a layer that is more durable and flexible than those oils. However, as a nut oil, it is prone to spoilage if stored at room temperature.
By understanding the basic properties of pigments and oils added to the paints, the artist can freely combine them and easily determine which ones to use, when, and in what quantities, with a clear understanding of the final result. It should be noted, however, that the qualities of different types of white paints also vary depending on the formulas used by different manufacturers.
Author: Martina Petrova
