Dear Marten: Titanium White vs. Mixing White

Dear Marten,

I love your Rembrandt oil paints. What is the difference between your Titanium White and Mixing White? When would I use Mixing White? Is the consistency different between the Titanium White (Linseed) and Titanium White (Safflower)? I currently use the Titanium White (Linseed) and sometimes want a softer white without using medium.

Thank you,

Sherri

Dear Sherri,

Thank you for your question and for your interest in Rembrandt Oils. Below I hope I have answered your questions.

What is the difference between your titanium white and mixing white?
The primary difference between Titanium white and Mixing white is opacity and tinting strength.
Titanium being more opaque and having stronger tinting strength.

Both include PW6 (pigment white titanium) and PW4 (pigment white zinc).

Titanium White 105 (with Safflower Oil) and 118 (with Linseed Oil) contain a majority of the PW6 pigment with only a small amount of PW4.

Mixing White 103 (with Safflower Oil) has a fairly event amount of both making it slightly more transparent and ideal for mixing colors.

When would I use mixing white?
Mixing white is softer and best used when you want to create more subtle color mixes and to lighten a color without the white overpowering the mixture.

Is the consistency different between the titanium white (linseed) and titanium white (safflower)?
Linseed oil is denser than safflower oil and as a result paints made with safflower oil can be softer. *Linseed oil creates a harder and more permanent paint film, but can yellow over time. Safflower oil is non-yellowing, but doesn't create a paint film as durable as linseed oil. Safflower oils are often used in whites and with lighter pigments where the yellowing effect of linseed oil is most noticeable. Both are time tested and proven as very good binders for oils.

I hope you find these answers helpful.

Met vriendelijke groet, With kind regards,

Marten Talens

Marten Talens founded Royal Talens, the Dutch Factory for Paints, Lacquers and Inks, in Apeldoorn (the Netherlands) in 1899.