Whites

[shirleya]

What is the difference between the various whites that are available-eg Titanium white, Zinc white etc...?
When would one use Unbleached Titanium?

[Gigalot]

Titanium is more opaque and chemically stable then others. Zinc White is transparent, cool white but also can react with atmospheric moisture and carbon dioxide forms Zinc Carbonate and because of this can make a brittle film when painted thickly.
Therefore Zinc-Titanium white composition is often better.

[Einion]

Hi, welcome to the forum. A good general tip, it's usually worth trying a search where there might be existing threads on the same subject (as we ask in the starting tips thread ) as this can net you answers immediately, without having to wait for replies.

In this case there are a number of prior threads on whites, at least eight, here in Colour Theory, as well as a number in the forums specific to the medium you're using - I presume since you're asking about white that you're using oils and/or acrylics?

In relation to Unbleached Titanium, that would be used in various ways by different people but it can be used in place of white as a general lightener, yielding more subdued, slightly greyer mixes.

Einion

[llawrence]

Originally Posted by shirleya

When would one use Unbleached Titanium?

Unbleached titanium can actually be pretty useful for skin tones, I found some time back. I haven't used it for a while, having become completely enamored of lead white; but I plan to at some point reintroduce it to my palette.

[sidbledsoe]

Gamblin has a good page of info on whites for a start.

[timelady]

Unbleached Titanium, that would be used in various ways by different people but it can be used in place of white as a general lightener, yielding more subdued, slightly greyer mixes.

I have a friend who uses Unbleached titanium for precisely this reason. Her work is all soft tones with a vintage look and for "white" in the settings she uses unbleached titanium so it seems aged.

Tina.

[shirleya]

thank you-going to look at the color theory thread.

[Mythrill]

Originally Posted by Einion

In this case there are a number of prior threads on whites, at least eight, here in Colour Theory, as well as a number in the forums specific to the medium you're using - I presume since you're asking about white that you're using oils and/or acrylics?

Einion, I believe zinc white isn't compatible with acrylics. So far, I haven't seen any brand that sells it. The closest I've seen to a transparent white in acrylics is Winsor & Newton's "Mixing white", which only has Titanium.

Originally Posted by Einion

In relation to Unbleached Titanium, that would be used in various ways by different people but it can be used in place of white as a general lightener, yielding more subdued, slightly greyer mixes.
Einion

Tell me about it! Phtalo blue (green shade) + Buff titanium = a beatiful, somewhat opaque turquoise. I get some nice "pastel" colors from it, too. I'd rather get a mix though (it can be achieved using raw umber light + titanium white), because "unbleached" is actually heated up Titanium white that reverts back to its white color over time.

[llawrence]

Originally Posted by Mythrill

because "unbleached" is actually heated up Titanium white that reverts back to its white color over time.

There are unbleached titanium whites that are simply less-processed than the bright white pigment, and still contain a portion of natural iron oxide, dulling the color. Other brands actually mix in a little iron oxide into the bright white pigment to get a similar color.

I've read about the heating thing here and there, but I don't know anything about it. I'm not sure why anyone would take the trouble to do that when they could just mix in a little iron oxide and be done with it.

[Einion]

Originally Posted by Mythrill

Einion, I believe zinc white isn't compatible with acrylics. So far, I haven't seen any brand that sells it.

Fairly widely available in acrylics today - Golden, Liquitex, D-R, Blick's house brand, Tri-Art.

Originally Posted by Mythrill

The closest I've seen to a transparent white in acrylics is Winsor & Newton's "Mixing white", which only has Titanium.

Their Mixing Whites in acrylic used to be made from Zinc White.

Einion

[Mythrill]

Originally Posted by Einion

Fairly widely available in acrylics today - Golden, Liquitex, D-R, Blick's house brand, Tri-Art.


Their Mixing Whites in acrylic used to be made from Zinc White.

Einion

Oh, true! We can buy Zinc White in acrylics! I haven't noticed this before. Do they have the same delamination problems they do in oils?

About Winsor & Newton, I didn't know about that. All I know is that I have a tube from the old brand, and it doesn't list Zinc White. Their new Artists' Acrylics line doesn't list it, either.

[maleaco]

Why isent Zinc white compatible with acrylics?

[Einion]

Originally Posted by maleaco

Why isent Zinc white compatible with acrylics?

See post #10

Einion