I am sure you have a Titanium white and maybe a Zinc white in your art supplies. But do you know the difference? I made a small tutorial for you, showing the different effects of layering with Titanium White, Zinc White and Transparent White.

The different whites:

Titanium White: Titanium white is the most commonly used white pigment in oil painting and it is very opaque! When used for glazing, titanium white can create opaque and vibrant layers. It is ideal for adding highlights, increasing opacity, and covering underlying colors.

Zinc White: Zinc white is a translucent white pigment with less opacity compared to titanium white. When used for glazing, zinc white creates delicate, transparent layers that allow underlying colors to show through. It is perfect for subtle adjustments in value and creating soft, luminous effects.
Transparent White: Transparent white is a mixture of white pigment and a transparent medium, such as linseed oil or alkyd resin. It is specifically made for creating transparent glazes without altering the color or saturation of underlying layers. Transparent white is excellent for glazing over textured surfaces, as it allows for subtle color changes.

Watch my video below and you will see why Titanium white is still my favourite, although I am going to use Transparent white a bit more now too!

As always, don’t hesitate to ask me questions, I would love to connect with you!💙

If you are an acrylic painter and would love to create beautiful textured and layered paintings, check out my FREE class: Kickstart mini-class for cold wax and acrylics!

If you are an oil painter and would love to create beautiful textured and layered paintings, check out my FREE class: Abstract flowers in cold wax & Oils

PS. If you want to learn more about painting with me, here’s things you can checkout now: