PW4 Zinc White

Zinc oxide.

156 tubes from 22 of 24 paint lines contain PW4. 22 are made from PW4 alone, which is the closest match when you're switching brands.

Toxicity: No toxic metal Not one of the toxic-metal pigments. As with any paint, keep it out of your mouth and don't sand or spray it.
Drying: Slow
Opacity: Single-pigment tubes are mostly semi-opaque.

About PW4

History

Zinc oxide came into use as a white in the 19th century, first in watercolor and later in oil, as a non-toxic alternative to lead white.

In mixes

A cool, transparent white that keeps tints clean and is good for glazes and scumbles. Conservators have linked zinc-rich films to brittleness and cracking over time, so many painters avoid it in lower layers.

Drying speed is typical for linseed oil; tubes ground in safflower or poppy oil, or with driers added, will differ. These are general notes on the pigment, not on any one brand.

Purest PW4, by brand

The best single-pigment PW4 tube from each line, ranked: artists' grade first, then lightfastness, then how firmly the pigment listing is confirmed. Ties are listed alphabetically.

Art Spectrum Zinc WhiteSeries 1 · LF I · Semi-transparent
Blockx Zinc WhiteSeries 1 · LF I
Gamblin Zinc WhiteLF I
Grumbacher Zinc WhiteSeries 1 · LF I
Langridge Zinc WhiteSeries 1 · LF I · Semi-opaque
M. Graham Zinc WhiteSeries 1 · LF I · Semi-opaque
Michael Harding Zinc WhiteSeries 1 · LF I · Semi-transparent
Old Holland Zinc WhiteSeries A · LF I
Rembrandt Zinc White (Safflower Oil)Series 1 · LF I · Semi-opaque
Schmincke Mussini Zinc WhiteLF I · Semi-opaque
W&N Artists' Zinc WhiteSeries 1 · LF I · Opaque
Williamsburg Zinc WhiteSeries 1 · LF I · Semi-opaque
Lukas 1862 Zinc WhiteSeries 1 · LF I
Da Vinci Zinc WhiteLF not rated · Semi-opaque
Maimeri Puro Zinc WhiteLF not rated
Vasari Zinc WhiteLF not rated · Semi-transparent
Art Creation Zinc White (Safflower Oil)LF I · Semi-opaque · student grade
Van Gogh Zinc White (Safflower Oil)Series 1 · LF I · Semi-opaque · student grade
W&N Winton Zinc WhiteSeries 1 · LF I · Opaque · student grade
Georgian Zinc WhiteLF not rated · student grade

Not sold here by: Holbein, W&N Griffin.

Made from PW4 alone

Zinc WhiteArt SpectrumPW4Series 1LF I Titanium WhiteBlockx 212086PW4Series 1LF I Zinc WhiteBlockx 216084PW4Series 1LF I Zinc WhiteDa VinciPW4–Zinc WhiteGamblinPW4LF I Zinc WhiteGeorgian D111014001PW4–Zinc WhiteGrumbacher P248PW4Series 1LF I Zinc WhiteLangridgePW4Series 1LF I Zinc WhiteLukas 1862 0004PW4Series 1LF I Zinc WhiteM. Graham 205PW4Series 1LF I Zinc WhiteMichael Harding 103PW4Series 1LF I Zinc WhiteMaimeri Puro 020PW4–Zinc WhiteSchmincke Mussini 10102PW4LF I Zinc WhiteOld Holland A2PW4Series ALF I Zinc White (Linseed Oil)Rembrandt 117PW4Series 1LF I Zinc White (Safflower Oil)Rembrandt 104PW4Series 1LF I Zinc White (Safflower Oil)Art Creation 104PW4LF I Zinc WhiteVasariPW4–Zinc White (Safflower Oil)Van Gogh 104PW4Series 1LF I Zinc WhiteWilliamsburg 6000141PW4Series 1LF I Zinc WhiteW&N Winton 748PW4Series 1LF I Zinc WhiteW&N Artists' 748PW4Series 1LF I

Mixtures that contain PW4

CoralArt SpectrumPW4PW6PR168PY83Series 3LF I Manganese Blue HueArt SpectrumPW4PB15:3PBk7Series 1HueLF I Spectrum CeruleanArt SpectrumPW4PB15:3Series 1HueLF I Spectrum VioletArt SpectrumPW4PR122PV23Series 1LF I Titanium White No. 2Art SpectrumPW6PW4Series 2LF I Underpainting WhiteArt SpectrumPW6PW4Series 1LF I Brilliant Yellow DeepBlockx 212215PW4PY35PO20Series 4LF I Brilliant Yellow LightBlockx 212213PW4PY37Series 3LF I Brownish GreyBlockx 212273PW4PBk11PY42Series 2LF I Manganese BlueBlockx 212550PW4PB15Series 4HueLF I Mixed Green LightBlockx 212463PW4PY35PG18Series 6LF I Naples YellowBlockx 212411PW4PY35PY42Series 3HueLF I Naples Yellow ReddishBlockx 212412PW4PY35PY42PO20Series 3HueLF I Thaline BlueBlockx 212451PW4PB15Series 2LF I Thaline GreenBlockx 212462PW4PG7Series 4LF I Veronese GreenBlockx 212464PW4PG36Series 4LF I Zinc-Titanium WhiteBlockx 216087PW4PW6Series 1LF I Titanium WhiteCobra 105PW6PW4LF I Zinc WhiteCobra 104PW7PW4LF I Cerulean Blue HueGamblinPW4PB15:2HueLF I Cool WhiteGamblinPW6PB15:2PW4LF I Naples Yellow HueGamblinPY43PY37PW6PW4HueLF I Portland Grey DeepGamblinPW6PW4PBr7PBk11LF I Portland Grey LightGamblinPW6PW4PBr7PBk11LF I Portland Grey MediumGamblinPW6PW4PBr7PBk11LF I Titanium Zinc WhiteGamblinPW6PW4LF I Warm WhiteGamblinPW6PY75PO62PW4LF I Mixing WhiteGeorgian D111014007PW6PW4–Titanium WhiteGeorgian D111014009PW6PW4–Underpainting WhiteGeorgian D111014003PW6PW4–Arctic BlueGrumbacher P313PW4PW6PB29Series 2LF I Cerulean Blue HueGrumbacher P039PW4PB15:3PBk9Series 2HueLF I Naples YellowGrumbacher P146PW4PY35PR108PBr7Series 2HueLF I Pale PinkGrumbacher P071PW4PY42PR101Series 2LF I Permanent Bright GreenGrumbacher P093PW4PY3PG7Series 2LF II Superba WhiteGrumbacher P200PW4PW6Series 1LF I Thalo Yellow GreenGrumbacher P210PW4PY3PG7Series 2LF II Titanium WhiteGrumbacher P212PW6PW4Series 1LF I Titanium White SoftGrumbacher P250PW6PW4Series 1LF I Unbleached Titanium WhiteGrumbacher P218PW6PW4Series 1LF I ViridianGrumbacher P232PW6PW4PB15:3PG18Series 5LF I BeigeLukas 1862 0009PW6PW4PY35Series 1LF II Brilliant YellowLukas 1862 0012PW4PY35Series 1LF I Cerulean Blue (Hue)Lukas 1862 0124PW4PB15:1PB16Series 1HueLF I Cyan Blue (Primary)Lukas 1862 0120PW4PB15:3Series 1LF I Permanent Yellow LightLukas 1862 0045PW4PY1Series 1LF II Manganese Blue HueM. Graham 114PB15:3PW4Series 2HueLF I Titanium WhiteM. Graham 180PW6PW4Series 1LF I Titanium White (Fast Dry)M. Graham 185PW6PW4Series 1LF I Warm White (Unbleached Titanium)M. Graham 198PW6:1PW4Series 1LF I Brilliant PinkMichael Harding 207PR209PW4PW6Series 2LF I Emerald GreenMichael Harding 216PG7PW6PW4PY3Series 2HueLF I Kings Blue DeepMichael Harding 212PB29PW6PW4Series 2LF I Kings Blue LightMichael Harding 211PB29PW6PW4Series 2LF I Neutral GreyMichael Harding 136PW4PW6PBk6PBr6Series 1LF I Permanent Green LightMichael Harding 215PG36PW6PW4PY3Series 2LF I Phthalocyanine Blue & Zinc WhiteMichael Harding 114PB15:3PW4Series 1LF I Phthalocyanine TurquoiseMichael Harding 210PB15:3PG7PW6PW4Series 2LF I Titanium White No.1 (Safflower Oil)Michael Harding 101PW6PW4Series 1LF I Titanium White No.2 (Linseed Oil)Michael Harding 102PW6PW4Series 1LF I Titanium White No.3 (Linseed Oil)Michael Harding 130PW6PW4Series 1LF I Brilliant Yellow LightSchmincke Mussini 10224PW4PY53PBr24LF I Burnt Ochre LightSchmincke Mussini 10206PW4PY42PR101LF I Byzantine BlueSchmincke Mussini 10495PW4PB60PBk11LF I Flake White SubstituteSchmincke Mussini 10101PW4PW6HueLF I Manganese Cerulean BlueSchmincke Mussini 10487PW4PB15:3PB16HueLF II Medieval YellowSchmincke Mussini 10207PW4PW6PY53LF I Royal Blue DeepSchmincke Mussini 10486PW4PW6PB15:3PB29LF II Royal Blue LightSchmincke Mussini 10485PW4PW6PB36LF II Sapphire BlueSchmincke Mussini 10479PW4PB29PB15:6LF II Titanium Opaque WhiteSchmincke Mussini 10103PW4PW6LF I Transparent WhiteSchmincke Mussini 10105PW4PW6LF I ViridianSchmincke Mussini 10529PW4PY184PG18LF I Brilliant PinkOld Holland B175PR112PR122PW4Series BLF I Brilliant YellowOld Holland B106PW4PW6PY53PO73Series BLF I Brilliant Yellow LightOld Holland B103PW4PW6PY83PO73Series BLF I Brilliant Yellow-ReddishOld Holland B109PW4PW6PY53PO73Series BLF I Cadmium Green LightOld Holland D44PY35PG18PW4PW6Series DLF I Cinnabar Green Deep ExtraOld Holland C51PG18PW4PBr7Series CLF I Davy's GreyOld Holland A358PG23PW4PBr7Series ALF I Emerald GreenOld Holland B274PG36PY74PW4Series BHueLF I Flake White No.1Old Holland 4PW1PW4LF I King's Blue DeepOld Holland B253PB29PW4PW6Series BLF I King's Blue LightOld Holland B256PB29PW4PW6Series BLF I Mixed White No.2Old Holland A5PW4PW6Series ALF I Naples Yellow ExtraOld Holland A313PY42PW6PW4Series AHueLF I Naples Yellow-Reddish ExtraOld Holland B112PW4PW6PY53PO34Series BHueLF I Old Holland Blue GreyOld Holland B259PB29PW4PW6PV23Series BLF I Old Holland Cold GreyOld Holland A364PW4PW6PB29PBk7Series ALF I Old Holland Cyan BlueOld Holland C247PB29PB15PW4PW6Series CLF I Old Holland Pink MediumOld Holland B115PW4PW6PY119PR214Series BLF I Old Holland Violet-GreyOld Holland B208PW4PW6PV23PB29PG18Series BLF I Old Holland Warm Grey LightOld Holland A361PW4PW6PBr7PBk7Series ALF I Old Holland Yellow DeepOld Holland B8PW4PY43PY74PW6Series BLF I Old Holland Yellow LightOld Holland A6PW4PY6PY43Series AVerifyLF I Old Holland Yellow MediumOld Holland B7PW4PY6PY43Series BVerifyLF I Old Holland Yellow-GreenOld Holland B283PY53PY3PG36PW4Series BLF I Permanent GreenOld Holland B289PY74PB15PW4Series BLF I Permanent Green DeepOld Holland B271PG7PY3PB29PW4Series BLF I Permanent Green LightOld Holland B277PG36PY3PW4PW6Series BLF I Scheveningen Blue LightOld Holland B40PW4PW6PB15Series BLF I Scheveningen Warm GreyOld Holland A73PW6PBr7PBk9PW4Series ALF I Turquoise Blue DeepOld Holland B265PB15PG7PW4PW6Series BLF I Mixed WhiteRembrandt 103PW6PW4Series 1LF I Titanium White (Linseed Oil)Rembrandt 118PW6PW4Series 1LF I Titanium White (Safflower Oil)Rembrandt 105PW6PW4Series 1LF I Transparent WhiteRembrandt 119PW6PW4Series 1LF I Titanium White (Safflower Oil)Art Creation 105PW6PW4LF I Titanium-Zinc WhiteVasariPW6PW4–Titanium White (Linseed Oil)Van Gogh 118PW6PW4Series 1LF I Titanium White (Safflower Oil)Van Gogh 105PW6PW4Series 1LF I Provence Violet BluishWilliamsburg 6000754PV23PW4PW6Series 4–Titanium - Zinc WhiteWilliamsburg 6000121PW6PW4Series 1LF I Cerulean Blue HueW&N Winton 138PW4PB15PG7Series 1HueLF I Cobalt Blue HueW&N Winton 179PB15PW4PB29Series 1HueLF I Flake WhiteW&N Winton 245PW1PW4Series 1LF I Flake White HueW&N Winton 242PW6PW4Series 1HueLF I Flesh TintW&N Winton 257PY42PW6PW4PV19Series 1LF I Soft Mixing WhiteW&N Winton 415PW6PW4Series 1LF I Titanium WhiteW&N Winton 644PW4PW6Series 1LF I Vermilion HueW&N Winton 682PR170PW4PO36Series 1HueLF I Flake White HueW&N Artists' 242PW6PW4Series 1HueLF I Flake White No.1W&N Artists' 246PW4PW1Series 1LF I Flesh TintW&N Artists' 257PW4PV19PY42Series 2LF I Foundation WhiteW&N Artists' 261PW1PW4Series 1LF I Naples YellowW&N Artists' 422PW4PBr24Series 1HueLF I Titanium WhiteW&N Artists' 644PW6PW4Series 1LF I Transparent WhiteW&N Artists' 655PW6PW4Series 1LF I Underpainting WhiteW&N Artists' 674PW6PW4Series 1LF I Winsor EmeraldW&N Artists' 708PG36PW4Series 2LF I Cerulean Blue HueW&N Artisan 138PB36PW4Series 1HueLF I Naples Yellow HueW&N Artisan 422PY42PR101PW4Series 1HueLF I Titanium WhiteW&N Artisan 644PW6PW4Series 1LF I Zinc White (Mixing White)W&N Artisan 748PW4PW6Series 1LF I

Brands: Art Spectrum, Blockx, Cobra, Da Vinci, Gamblin, Georgian, Grumbacher, Langridge, Lukas 1862, M. Graham, Michael Harding, Maimeri Puro, Schmincke Mussini, Old Holland, Rembrandt, Art Creation, Vasari, Van Gogh, Williamsburg, W&N Winton, W&N Artists', W&N Artisan.