Painting Dilemma: Titanium White or Zinc White Paint?

There are several types of white paint, depending on the pigment used. The best-known are probably titanium white and zinc white. While titanium white is more common in studios, zinc white has specific uses that painters who work with glazes especially appreciate.

Titanium white is the most opaque and has the strongest brightening power. Zinc white is the most transparent and has the weakest brightening power.

If you’re not sure how these differences will show up on your canvas, try a simple test: mix the same amount of colored pigment with each type of white. You’ll see that the resulting shades will be completely different. Titanium white brightens the color immediately. The color mixed with titanium white will be much lighter.

They also differ in

- Drying speed
- Risk of paint cracking in thicker layers
- Risk of the paint yellowing on the painting over time

So which one should you choose? Ideally, both, since each serves a completely different purpose in painting.

Want to completely cover the color underneath? Need a very light shade?
If you need the paint to dry quickly, choose titanium white.

Are you creating a painting with transparent layers? Do you use white paint in thick layers?
Do you prefer paint that dries more slowly?