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Question: Traditional Oil Painters: titanium white or zinc white!?
Yes, flake white is the best according to all my sources!.!.!. but lead is just not an option for me!.Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Titanium white is very, very opaque and on the warm side!. When mixing with colors, it tends to make the colors appear chalky!. If you mix a red with titanium white, you get pink!.

Zinc white is more transparent and on the cool side!. When mixing with colors it tends to simply lighten the color without making it chalky!. So if you mix a red with zinc white, you get a lighter red!. Zinc white is more brittle than titanium!.

I suggest you include both whites in your palette and use whichever white suits what you need it to do at the moment!. Do some swatch and mixing tests to learn what makes each white unique!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

zinc white most closely matches flake white's translucency!. However, it is a bad white for underpainting as it takes long to dry!.

Titanium white is no better, and it is very chalky!. It will not bring out the best in the colors with which you mix it!.

Go for zinc white!. Or!.!.!.!!!

Use Robert Gamblin's Flake White Replacement!. You can buy it on line!. Be forewarned, however, it is EXTREMELY thick and stubborn to work with!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Zinc white is brighter (which sometimes translates to blue in certain paintings), but also more transparent than Titanium!. I usually get frustrated with Zinc because, personally, I can't do much with it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

zinc white is very bright!. i normally use titanium white, its great for blending!. hope this helps a little!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Just about every paint set i've seen comes with titanium white and there's probably a reason for this!. I am a trditional painter and always use titanium white!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I was trained to use Ti white!. All whites will tend to make your paintings murky!.!.!.and should only be used sparingly in the final touches of your painting!.!.!.!.if glazing, etc!. That's just my opinion!.!.!.I can't stand zinc white!.Www@QuestionHome@Com