Oil Paint Question

[cmalidore]

So, I was one of the many folks who was raised digitally before traditionally in the painting world. The last year or so I've been doing a lot of oil work to try and train my hand for a brush and tighten up on my knowledge of how colors interact. However with limited funds I've only now been able to really expand my line of paints.

With this in mind, I find myself really curious on the various whites out there before I go update my supply. I've never found any really defined knowledge on the pluses and minuses of the various whites out there... in particular I find myself curious on what separates something like Zinc white from Titanium white?

I don't suppose anybody is willing to impart knowledge upon me? :)

[Flake]

Zinc is cooler, more transparent than titanium.

Never used lead white as the EU doesn't trust me not to eat it.

[cmalidore]

Fascinating, so I imagine it would make for good glazes or washes?

So they trust you with solvents and other paints instead? ...also fascinating!

[Elwell]

Zinc white: Introduced in the late 19th century. Coolest in mixtures, most transparent, slowest drying. Some concern over long term brittleness.
Titanium white: The standard white pigment from the mid-20th century onward. Most opaque, highest tinting power, "whitest" white.
Lead white: The dominant white pigment from antiquity to the 20th century. Warmest in mixtures, fastest drying, less opaque than titanium (and becomes more transparent with age). Most flexible when dry and aged. Poisonous.

Most commercial flake (lead) and titanium whites have small amounts of zinc added. "Mixing whites" like Permalba have a larger percentage.

[Flake]

Fascinating, so I imagine it would make for good glazes or washes?
I'd imagine so but I tend to paint quite directly so I'll leave that for someone else.
So they trust you with solvents and other paints instead? ...also fascinating!
Oh yeah, all kinds of toxic, flammable badness is no problem but "lead" is one of those "Health & Safety Freakout" words..

Also, forgot to mention Zinc dries slower.

[cmalidore]

Zinc white: Introduced in the late 19th century. Coolest in mixtures, most transparent, slowest drying. Some concern over long term brittleness.
Titanium white: The standard white pigment from the mid-20th century onward. Most opaque, highest tinting power, "whitest" white.
Lead white: The dominant white pigment from antiquity to the 20th century. Warmest in mixtures, fastest drying, less opaque than titanium (and becomes more transparent with age). Most flexible when dry and aged. Poisonous.

Most commercial flake (lead) and titanium whites have small amounts of zinc added. "Mixing whites" like Permalba have a larger percentage.

You're an encyclopedia of awesome, good sir. Thanks :)



Oh yeah, all kinds of toxic, flammable badness is no problem but "lead" is one of those "Health & Safety Freakout" words..

Also, forgot to mention Zinc dries slower.

Those Health and Safety folks take the fun out of everything. So much for licking the paints while working.