The zinc oxide is the problem. I use Rust-Oleum spray paint and one of the warnings, printed very small I might add, was to not use it on galvanized metal which is zinc coated. Upon exposure to air, zinc oxide forms immediately. I researched the reason why and found out that the oil in the paint saponifies slightly when it contacts the zinc oxide. Basically it forms a slight soap film. If you spray paint a galvanized surface, it will look fine for a good while but after time it will start to flake off. I believe this is what causes oil paints with zinc white to flake off or to crack. It loses it's ability to adhere to itself.
Thanks Michael - yes the lead white is an entirely different experience. The more I work with it the more the texture differences also come into play too. Not sure if many artists will take to it because of these differences, but worth a try.
Many professional formulations of Titanium contain small amounts of zinc to improve flow. I have paintings I have kept for years painted with Permalba (containing Zinc White) with no cracking or delamination at all.
Correct, although thicker layers of paint are prone to delaminate under stress. I will never send a rolled up canvas to a client for this reason. The older lead white paintings are very different to our modern paintings.
You seriously have great content been watching your videos for about a year now and helped me tremendously! I do have several sets of good oil paints (some passed down) and never even tried any white other than titanium. But during this quarantine, i've been painting more with oils & I am realising how it strips away my skin tones that I mix from their vibrancy. Always steered away from zinc white but tbh I might consider trying it out MINIMALLY with my portraiture work because of it tinting strength. THANK U LUV YOUR VIDS!!!
You could try Schmincke's Norma Transparent White with ultra finely grinded titanium particles, it's a good substitute. Or, glaze on top of your "dulled" skin tones to resurrect it, like you'd do to a grisaille :D That's how I personally like to do it
Do you think using an amber medium from Blockx will keep the zinc from degrading? I was just wondering, as the amber encapsulates the paint. I never worked with amber because of its price. I was just curious.
I need some other white than titanium . i need help with another type white. Titanium shows up dull violet under UV light. I need a more true white under uv and not an off blu glow like a t shirt either. Can someone help me?
l have found flake white to be the best! Exposed to U.V sunlight it gets whiter with age ! Outlawed in many places, because of it's " toxicities" , mostly all. bullshit! much safer then the cadiums or the cobalts. Working with oils is quite safe! as long as you DON'T eat it or smear it all over your self! Titanium white when exposed to light , turns a yellow ocher over time, irregardless of some mediums! Because of the restrictions , lead white prices have gone through the roof !! Zinc white is good if used in thin layers, such as glazing. But in thick layers.. exspecially on canvas , it is prone to crack! I like Parmolda White the best!
the better companies are tending to removing zinc, or only using a very very low amount in the titanium. there are other options besides zinc or lead, to make titanium more friendly. there is hysteria around the subject of lead white paint- based on the history of house paint, and lead pipes, which doesnt apply to artist colors.
titanium white is good enough It's resistant to yellowing and extremely flexible to form a film. Using lead white requires caution both in applying without sulfer pigment and nontoxic practice, which is not so friendly.
Yes titanium white is the standard for white paint. The main issue is how much zinc white is being added? Yes, lead white is a problem and is so different in workability from titanium white that most artists would not know how to use it effectively.
I feel like this video is a bit unfair to the standard titanium zinc mix which has been 'in use for at least 50 years because you point out the fact that "titanium white" also contains zinc like they are up to sneaky tricks while not mentioning the barium (which im pretty sure is quite toxic) in the other titanium white, and you don't wear gloves with it, but do with the lead which gives a false sense of security about the barium/titanium white. Youre also comparing apples to oranges in the sense that the cracked abstraction you showed was 1: probably not oil and 2: not the kind of technique most of your audience is probably doing. I'm pretty sure you'll never find pure titanium white, probably because it would be way too chalky which is probably part of the reason why the fancy handmade paint is cut with barium.
Lead White prohibited in most countries. Permalba White, the best white ever, consist of Blank Fixe 70%, Titanium White and Zinc White. Zinc and Blank Fixe makes oil paint whiter and non-yellowish than pure Titanium White.
The zinc oxide is the problem. I use Rust-Oleum spray paint and one of the warnings, printed very small I might add, was to not use it on galvanized metal which is zinc coated. Upon exposure to air, zinc oxide forms immediately. I researched the reason why and found out that the oil in the paint saponifies slightly when it contacts the zinc oxide. Basically it forms a slight soap film. If you spray paint a galvanized surface, it will look fine for a good while but after time it will start to flake off. I believe this is what causes oil paints with zinc white to flake off or to crack. It loses it's ability to adhere to itself.
Thanks for the info. It confirms the issues can be quite severe.
I'm related to you Malcolm, through the family line which traces itself back to Cambridge, England. My grand-father was Victor Dewey.
Interesting, we must compare notes. I can find info back to 19th century but not further.
The warmness of the lead white does come across. Good tutorial.
Thanks Michael - yes the lead white is an entirely different experience. The more I work with it the more the texture differences also come into play too. Not sure if many artists will take to it because of these differences, but worth a try.
Many professional formulations of Titanium contain small amounts of zinc to improve flow. I have paintings I have kept for years painted with Permalba (containing Zinc White) with no cracking or delamination at all.
Correct, although thicker layers of paint are prone to delaminate under stress. I will never send a rolled up canvas to a client for this reason. The older lead white paintings are very different to our modern paintings.
You seriously have great content been watching your videos for about a year now and helped me tremendously! I do have several sets of good oil paints (some passed down) and never even tried any white other than titanium. But during this quarantine, i've been painting more with oils & I am realising how it strips away my skin tones that I mix from their vibrancy. Always steered away from zinc white but tbh I might consider trying it out MINIMALLY with my portraiture work because of it tinting strength. THANK U LUV YOUR VIDS!!!
Thank you and for your thoughts on white paint for portraits. Enjoy trying this out.
You could try Schmincke's Norma Transparent White with ultra finely grinded titanium particles, it's a good substitute. Or, glaze on top of your "dulled" skin tones to resurrect it, like you'd do to a grisaille :D That's how I personally like to do it
Thank you. Now I will definitely avoid zinc white.
Do you think using an amber medium from Blockx will keep the zinc from degrading? I was just wondering, as the amber encapsulates the paint. I never worked with amber because of its price. I was just curious.
I have not tried that either.
I need some other white than titanium . i need help with another type white. Titanium shows up dull violet under UV light. I need a more true white under uv and not an off blu glow like a t shirt either. Can someone help me?
Im acrylic though
l have found flake white to be the best! Exposed to U.V sunlight it gets whiter with age ! Outlawed in many places, because of it's " toxicities" , mostly all. bullshit! much safer then the cadiums or the cobalts. Working with oils is quite safe! as long as you DON'T eat it or smear it all over your self! Titanium white when exposed to light , turns a yellow ocher over time, irregardless of some mediums! Because of the restrictions , lead white prices have gone through the roof !! Zinc white is good if used in thin layers, such as glazing. But in thick layers.. exspecially on canvas , it is prone to crack! I like Parmolda White the best!
Love your tutorials!
Thanks so much Christine!
Would zinc white pose much of an issue in gouache or watercolour?
Good question. Gouache, if thick, is always a risk. Watercolor rarely needs white so unlikely.
zinc in oil is the problem, other uses not.
the better companies are tending to removing zinc, or only using a very very low amount in the titanium. there are other options besides zinc or lead, to make titanium more friendly.
there is hysteria around the subject of lead white paint- based on the history of house paint, and lead pipes, which doesnt apply to artist colors.
I have used pure titanium white and it looks just fine. No need to add zinc. Lead white is so different though. Something to get used to indeed.
titanium white is good enough
It's resistant to yellowing and extremely flexible to form a film. Using lead white requires caution both in applying without sulfer pigment and nontoxic practice, which is not so friendly.
Yes titanium white is the standard for white paint. The main issue is how much zinc white is being added? Yes, lead white is a problem and is so different in workability from titanium white that most artists would not know how to use it effectively.
Zinc white should be outlawed!
Much more pinkish with the non-lead white (flake).
I feel like this video is a bit unfair to the standard titanium zinc mix which has been 'in use for at least 50 years because you point out the fact that "titanium white" also contains zinc like they are up to sneaky tricks while not mentioning the barium (which im pretty sure is quite toxic) in the other titanium white, and you don't wear gloves with it, but do with the lead which gives a false sense of security about the barium/titanium white. Youre also comparing apples to oranges in the sense that the cracked abstraction you showed was 1: probably not oil and 2: not the kind of technique most of your audience is probably doing. I'm pretty sure you'll never find pure titanium white, probably because it would be way too chalky which is probably part of the reason why the fancy handmade paint is cut with barium.
several makers produce pure titanium white
Lead White prohibited in most countries. Permalba White, the best white ever, consist of Blank Fixe 70%, Titanium White and Zinc White. Zinc and Blank Fixe makes oil paint whiter and non-yellowish than pure Titanium White.