What is the Difference Between Zinc White and Titanium White?

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The main difference between zinc white and titanium white lies in their opacity and tinting strength:

  • Zinc White: This is a transparent white with a cooler and sometimes more neutral appearance than titanium-based whites. It is useful for scumbling and creating subtle shifts in tone, but it has a low tinting strength, making it suitable for clear, clean pastel mixing. However, zinc white is known to form brittle films when used thickly, which can lead to cracking over time. It also dries faster than titanium white.
  • Titanium White: This is an opaque white with strong opacity and tinting strength. It is more brilliant and has excellent lightfastness, making it a better choice for creating vibrant solid blocks of color and shift

Comparative Table: Zinc White vs Titanium White

Here is a table comparing the differences between Zinc White and Titanium White:

Property Zinc White Titanium White
Opacity Transparent Opaque
Tinting Strength Weaker Stronger
Drying Time Faster Slower
Texture Soft Varies
Mixing No hue variation Can cause hue variation
Use Mixing, subtle shades, and glazing Pure white, high contrast, and pastel tones

Zinc White is a more transparent white with a soft texture, while Titanium White is opaque and has strong tinting strength. Titanium White dries slower than Zinc White. Zinc White imparts no hue variation when mixing, making it suitable for subtle shades and glazing. On the other hand, Titanium White is ideal for creating pure white, high contrast, and pastel tones. The choice between Zinc White and Titanium White depends on the desired effect and the specific requirements of your painting project.