Description
Zinc White is characterized by its brilliant, cool-toned whiteness, with a hint of bluish overtone that sets it apart from other whites. Its transparency and low tinting strength—roughly one-tenth of Titanium White—make it particularly suited to subtle layering and delicate tonal shifts. Its colder and cleaner hue offers a striking contrast to the warmer, denser Titanium White, making Zinc White a preferred choice for artists seeking precision and clarity in their work.
Initially adopted into the watercolour tradition in 1834, where it became popularly known as Chinese White, Zinc White’s integration into oil painting came later, as advancements in the formula were needed to resolve its challenges in this medium. Whether used for creating fine highlights or for its understated blending properties, Zinc White has earned its place as a versatile tool on any artist’s palette, valued for its ability to achieve soft, refined effects. It is particularly useful in portraiture, detailing the subtle shifts in flesh tones with sensitivity and precision.
