Color Swatch created using heavy application/medium application/50% tint and was applied on acrylic primed canvas (7 oz) material.
This color contains the following pigments:
PW1—Lead White
Pigment Type
n/a
Chemical Name
basic lead(II)-carbonate
Chemical Formula
2PbCO3Pb(OH)2 or 4PbCO32Pb(OH)2PbO
Properties
Lead White is a fast drying, heavy consistency, flexible, opaque white with a very subtle reddish-yellow undertone and excellent covering capacity. Most artists stopped using this pigment over the last century because of its toxicity, but its working properties are positive enough to keep some artists using it. It is the most structurally sound white for underpainting. Lead White is quick drying, and it will help accelerate the drying time of any color it is mixed with.
Permanence
Lead White has excellent permanence and lightfastness. However, it may become discolored over long periods of time.
Toxicity
Lead White is highly toxic by both inhalation and ingestion
History
Lead White has historically been the most important of all white pigments. The use of this pigment dates back to the days of the ancient Greeks and Egyptians. It was the only white used in European easel painting until the 19th century, and it is one of the oldest synthetically produced pigments. It has been mostly replaced by Titanium White and Zinc White, depending on the opacity the artist desires.
Alternate Names
Biacca, Ceruse, Cremnitz White, Dutch White, Flake White, Flemish White, French White, Krems White, London White, Nottingham White, Roman White, Silver White, Slate White, White Lead.
PW4—Zinc White
Pigment Type
inorganic
Chemical Name
zinc(II)-oxide
Chemical Formula
ZnO
Properties
Zinc White is the coolest white, and it has a cold, clean masstone and a slightly bluish tint. It has less hiding power and is more transparent than other whites. It dries slowly and is good for painting wet into wet and for glazing and scumbling. Zinc White is neither as opaque nor as heavy as Lead White, its covering power is not as good, and it takes much longer to dry. However, it does not blacken when exposed to sulfur in the air as Lead White does. It is very valuable for making tints with other colors. Unmixed Zinc White dries to a brittle and dry paint film that may crack over the years, so it is not good for frescoing. It is more transparent in acrylic form than Titanium White and is the most commonly used white with gouache. Chinese White is a version of Zinc White appropriate for opaque watercolor techniques.
Permanence
Zinc White has great permanence and lightfastness.
Toxicity
Zinc White is moderately toxic if ingested and slightly toxic if inhaled.
History
Though historians are divided on who first isolated the element zinc, they agree that it was first suggested as a white pigment in 1782. Zinc White was accepted as a watercolor in 1834 and was called Chinese White due to the popularity of oriental porcelain in Europe at the time. Ten years later, a suitable oil form was produced. By the early 20th century, it had improved to the point where it was an acceptable alternative to Flake White.
Alternate Names
Chinese White, French White, Permanent White, Silver White, Snow White, Zinc Oxide.
PBr24—Chrome Antimony Titanate
Pigment Type
inorganic
Chemical Name
chrome antimony titanate
Chemical Formula
n/a
Properties
Chrome Antimony Titanate is a staining, opaque yellowish brown pigment. It is often used to replace the original Naples Yellow or Chrome Yellow, both of which are highly toxic pigments.
Permanence
Chrome Antimony Titanate has excellent lightfastness and weatherfastness.
Toxicity
Chrome Antimony Titanate has negligible acute toxicity. In testing with rabbits, it was shown to be minimally irritating to the skin and eyes. Since it has the hexavalent structure of a chromium yellow, whether Chrome Antimony Titanate is a potential carcinogen has been a subject of controversy. At this time, regulations in the USA do not require it to be labeled in any way.
History
Chrome Antimony Titanate is used in ceramics, plastics, and industrial coatings.
Alternate Names
Chrome Antimony Titanium Buff Rutile, Chrome Titanate, Chrome Titanate Brown
