Several authors have recommended using a combination of Zinc White and Titanium White for use in landscape paintings especially for imagery of clouds; ratios of varying amounts including one part Titanium to 3 parts Zinc White. Book sources ranged from 1974 up to the present and written by established painters.
I have personally used one product that offers a premade mixture of the two whites. However, I would greatly like to learn of using various ratios of Zinc White combined with Titanium White to achieve sky and tinting effects in landscape paintings along with the potential risk of Zinc White having a possible long term change.
Your ideas and suggestions are appreciated.
Patrick McGuire
Tucson, AZ
Hi Sarah and George,
Thank you for the great links related to Zinc White question. I have read them all and have dutifully placed my Zinc White into a hiatus.
I do have two quick follow up questions relating to Sarah’s mention of using Lead White.
First, is there any major difference in using some of the newer synthetic Lead White oils versus the more expensively made Lead Whites? Flake White?
Also, do you have several direct links that provide information on mixing Titanium White with Lead White and the benefits of using just Lead White?
An advance Thank You!
Patrick McGuire
This is not a direct answer to your question, but it is important for you to consider the issues regarding the use of zinc oxide (zinc white) in oil painting. Here are some articles explainging the issues:
Zinc White: Problems in Oil Paint
Zinc Oxide – Reviewing the Research
Zinc Oxide: Warnings, Cautions, and Best Practices
Zinc Oxide: FAQ
We would echo George O’Hanlon’s comments and add that currently there is no established and verified safe level of zinc. In controlled tests, even a 3% level created very brittle films that were prone to cracking and delamination. Whether even lower levels, in the 1-2% range, will prove safer is an open question. However, at all of these lower levels, you are not going to see much impact on the transparency of the titanium white, or its color, which are often the properties being sought. At best you might have less yellowing. Ultimately the best white to use in painting, in terms of durability and permanency, remains lead white for a host of reasons that you can read about elsewhere.
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