Quick Tip 363 - When To Mix White

Should you use white in your paint mixture? What about making the paint chalky? Artist/art teacher Dianne Mize demonstrates some techniques about when and when not to use white.
www.diannemize.com
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[@marshellelazaro4095]

Diane, girl you’re the best ever I have heard this far. Thank YOU JESUS for blessing us with her knowledge. I’m so glad I’m subscribed to your Channel. GOD Bless you Diane and Roger. 👩🏽‍🎨🙏🏾😘💕

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks, Marshelle.

[@carmenbootArt]

Thank you very very much. Iwas having trouble to ligth red……….didnt like the pink rosé i got when mixing the red with white. Your tips are really valuable. 🥰😍🙂

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Have fun with it, Carmen.

[@christinaosterberg5108]

No one can explain how colors works as you!!!! Thank you for sharing it ❤️

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thank you so much! It's a pleasure to share these.

[@brandonprince1350]

This has been a missing piece in my learning! Adding a little bit of warmth to offset the 'coolness' from white is so valuable! I've already seen an improement in my mixing. Thank you Diane :)

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

My pleasure.

[@disenfranchisedrealist4433]

"Those are two questions, eventually I'd like to hear answers." This gave me a good chuckle. You don't get to see Dianne call someone out every day with that laid-back, "live and let live" nature she has. It's perhaps a bit off topic but this reminds me of some of the artists that I have been watching of late who seem to have thrown all color theory out the window. They will typically have 3 base colors on their palette, perhaps a red/blue/yellow or maybe a red/blue/green depending on the subject. They might mix yellow with red to brighten it or get an orange, or red with blue to get a violet, or yellow with blue to brighten it or get a green. What you won't ever see them do is mix a color with it's compliment to desaturate it. They descend into this madness of adding black and then white and then more black and then maybe more of the base color and back and forth until they finally arrive at their destination looking a bit like someone who lost their way. Then as stunning as the realism of their paintings may be, they have this hard, sterile, flat, industrial feeling to them. They lack the beautiful color harmonies that you get using compliments to desaturate or with a mother color. I find it hard to even watch people who work like this and I'm constantly wondering how much better their results would be if they added using complimentary colors to their arsenal of painting skills.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks for all that you said, Disenfrancised Realist. I, too, have often wondered why more painters don't use the ability of color work its magic just by using it like any other tool--one hue added to another changes the one being added into. The change is either in hue itself, in the hue's saturation, in the hue's value or some combination of those three kinds of changes. That's all there is to mixing color.

[@atsu8344]

Thank you so much you are a great teacher

[@coltwarren]

Thank you Dianne ! Do I need to say that I love colour mixing :D . You probably know that by now. Always wonderful tips

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks, Christer--from one color mixing lover to another!

[@GnaReffotsirk]

You saved my life. Binging all your videos now.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Enjoy the journey.

[@monliher]

A very useful lesson, many thanks to you for your work and that you share your experience!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

My pleasure. Enjoy the journey!

[@graceful6894]

Thank you very much, it answered my questions and even questions. I didn’t know to ask

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Fantastic! Thanks for watching!

[@michelemaliano7860]

Great explanation! Instead of just telling us to add yellow; the demonstration brings it home.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Play with this and enjoy!

[@ATINKERER]

This was probably the most valuable video I've ever seen! You explained everything so well and solved a problem I've been having for years. Thank you so much!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

my pleasure. Thanks so much for watching.

[@paulashford4155]

To someone at my lower level, she deserves a star on Hollywood Blvd - one of the best ever color lessons.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Well, thank you very much, Paul!

[@bodeaalex1142]

Thank you. Old masters might have compensated for the white using this method but they also used a different white- lead white. It behaves so much different, it is more transparent and already warm. The titanium white of today is the most opaque and cool white ever. Another solution is to use the more transparent zinc white,, but with caution as in oils, if applied too thickly, leads to cracks. Every mix with zinc white should be applied thinly. In waterbased techniques zinc white does not have this problem. Otherwise one cand add some zinc white to titanium white and make an intermediate white. You can also make a color, if not lighter, instead more transparent by adding chalk (calciun carbonate). This is well documented in old masters techniques. You take calcium carbonate and add enough drops of oil to it (cold pressed linseed oil) so it has to consistency of tube colors. You can add that to your titanium white or any other color and see how different it behaves. I know it sounds weird to use chalk to eliminate the chalky look, but chalk stays transparent when mixed with oil- as opposed when mixed with waterbased binders. And finally, one last method to really not use white at all it's to paint indirectly. Make a monochromatic underpainting (here you use white as white,) and then glaze with pure color. You control the intensity by glazing with a lot of pure color or just a whisper.

[@mrsnrub9780]

I use OH's titanium x zinc. I like zinc. I have no qualms about using it full time on my main pallette to be honest . I might even do that. The cracking is a non-issue in my eyes. You're mixing it with other colours which will strengthen the film anyway.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Lead is toxic. It is true that the physical composition of the paint influence results, but the best way to control color results is with managing how color influences color. The old masters knew this, too.

[@Marysart]

The timing of this tip is really serendipitous. Just this morning I was struggling with exactly this problem trying to lighten a blue green/turqouise colour and here's you handing me a solution just like that. Thank you! 🙂🙃😀

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Wonderful, Maryse! Have fun with it.

[@Marysart]

@@bourbon_sketcher You're on to me ...🙃😄

[@Marysart]

@@IntheStudioArtInstruction I will 🙂

[@bonnienorris2691]

Another ah ha moment! Warm the white to lighten a colour. Your videos are so valuable. Thank you.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Wonderful! It's a pleasure doing these.

[@MrJohnd1951]

If only I could click ten times or more for this video clip! What an expert rendition of colour mixing, I am amazed!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Have fun with it!

[@elainepettit2292]

A great question and such a clear and useful answer. Something I have never heard before, beautifully demonstrated. Thank you Dianne

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

My pleasure. Have fun with it.

[@alicefly3198]

Thanks for posting!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You're welcome

[@carolinw.7351]

This was so helpful, thank you!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

My pleasure! Thanks for being a subscriber.

[@cherylbutler446]

Excellent!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks, and Thanks for watching!

[@AbiNomac]

Such valuable info. Thank you

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You're so welcome!

[@kevinmichael7026]

Thank you! This is tremendously helpful!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You're so welcome!

[@ninaphatak1987]

Thanks a ton for this video.. very informative 🙏

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Give it a try.

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

Thanks a lot Dianne...God bless you 🙏

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You are so welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@Cope393]

Wow! What a difference! Thanks 😄

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Have fun with it!

[@johnmelis8916]

Amazing tip. Thank you!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You bet! Thanks for watching!

[@patriciathomas9685]

Invaluable - thank you!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Very welcome!

[@user-uv6ns8ui8c]

Thank you thank you!!!!!

[@maggietattersfield2859]

Thank you! 🥰

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

My pleasure.

[@yshcordaro5254]

Thank you Dianne, this helps me a lot!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You are so welcome!

[@simonapalosan3208]

Eye opener, so useful thank you Dianne!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

My pleasure.

[@1798davis]

Thank you so much

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching!

[@MaryDuprie]

Beautifully explained. Thank you I needed this!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

So glad! Have fun with it.

[@williammatthews4491]

thank you. very informative Diane.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks for watching!

[@bster007]

Every video has something new to me. Thx so much!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@neelumahendra4695]

amazingly bright - easy when u know how - thank u definitly 💕

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Practice, and you will know how. Thanks for watching.

[@Bhodisatvas]

Fantastic tip for portraits and landscapes!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Right!

[@joycesumara416]

Dianne. This is such an important tip. Thank you so much.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You bet! Thanks for watching!

[@JP-dv7rf]

Thank you Dianne, your efforts and videos are always appreciated!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Always a pleasure. Thanks for watching!

[@noturbo]

Thanks good video!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Have fun with this!

[@maryperrystone]

perfect... what a wonderful explanation

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thank you! 😃

[@monicastella9149]

I love how well you clarify your explanations.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thank you.

[@janicecoomes]

Wow, I had no idea! This makes an amazing difference. Thank you Dianne 😊

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Have fun with it!

[@chantalrochon3566]

Great information, thank you for sharing ❤😊😊😊😊

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching.

[@Mail2elr]

This is very handy information! Thank you for sharing. 😙

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

My pleasure.

[@friedastewart1105]

You always do an amazingly thorough job of explaining things!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks, Frieda!

[@markiesjezoe]

Thank you so much, this video will help to improve my paintings

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Enjoy the journey!

[@lizleigh123]

Thanks, Dianne. This was so so helpful. I will look for one of your courses on color.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Great! When we get our academy launched in a few weeks, we will have a number of color courses available.

[@harishreddy4034]

One of your best lessons. Cleared a lot of questions. Thanks.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Great! Thanks for watching!

[@lisaharrison1031]

Thank you so much Dianne. These color mixing tips are so helpful. I always learn so much from your quick tips.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Great! Give these exercises a good workout.

[@martimajor4766]

Thank you for your clear and concise teaching.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Always a pleasure. Thanks for watching!

[@sabihahasan2560]

Loves the way you explain everything. I got good teacher after a long time.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching.

[@yabadabadoo-world]

Very useful tips that do not seem to be obvious. Thank you!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks for watching!

[@margaretbutters6181]

Gosh that is great did not know this wondered why my sky was not so great thankyou

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching.

[@debbiekey5255]

Excellent explanations and guidance in lightening the value of hues! As always, your videos are so helpful! Many thanks!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Always a pleasure.

[@mariecaroniaplotkin5268]

These tips are wonderful Dianne! Saves us a lot of time and paint in figuring all this out ourselves!❤️

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks! It's the best way to make the principle work for you.

[@alkasarin1073]

Dianne you are the best teacher ever....and so good in your teachings... thanks.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks, Alka!

[@chammikaiser7740]

This was a fascinating and very helpful Tip Dianne. I enjoy you so much.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You are so welcome! Thanks for being a subscriber!

[@sandramacadaeg1516]

Wow what a great lesson, have wanted to know that or 50 years, thank you so much,you are awesome. sandy

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Have fun with it.

[@alicianaive2620]

Hi I'm your new subscriber... This information is so helpful and to the point!... Thank you Dianne!!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Welcome aboard! Enjoy the journey with us.

[@dennismetzger959]

Great , great video.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thank you!

[@dianneloftstaylor]

Thank you I really enjoyed your demonstration - you made this concept really easy to understand. Dianne 🙏👏🌸

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

I'm so glad! Thanks for watching.

[@catherinemcgraw9039]

Thank you Dianne. Excellent information regarding warming white and yes I will certainly practice and see what happens. Many thanks.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Enjoy the journey, Catherine.

[@pruefurse-roberts5489]

Thank you so much for this Dianne. I found it very enlightening and so well explained and looking forward to putting it all into practice!🙏

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Have fun with it!

[@meghanworkman6449]

Dianne, I just wanted to say how much I appreciate all the hard work you put into making these videos. I'm very much a novice painter, and I've learned so much from your channel! Every time I have a question, I've found an answer here. I'm in the planning stages of a painting that's very important to me - a memorial for my daughter who passed away last year - and all of your advice and tips have been invaluable in helping me work through roadblocks and problems. You are a wonderful teacher and a joy to watch!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks, Meghan. May you continue to find joy in your painting.

[@derekfernandez7701]

This is such an amazing lesson Dianne - it has made me think in terms of light temperature when adjusting to lighter values, and it is so helpful to me! Adding green to ultramarine as it lightened never occurred to me! (as you say, it has yellow in it!) I'm so grateful to you! 💙

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Have fun with it! Thanks for watching!

[@jaimehernandelgadoquintero4539]

Gracias, desee bogota Colombia

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks, Jaime!

[@Alanadevi]

brilliant!!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks.

[@sofiagish]

This concept is essential! I also have the same problem with the colors looking chalky. Thank you so much for this class, Dianne!!!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

My pleasure! Thanks for being a subscriber!

[@patriciaholmes1579]

Thank you..Had a hard time with lightening greens.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Greens are tricky. They require not only the amount of yellow and white added to them, but also keeping an eye on how their saturation changes.

[@margaretbutters6181]

that was another great tip thankyou

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching.

[@Nanamo0n]

I loved this video. It helped me understand color lightening much better. I went to your website and found your library of wonderful downloads and purchased 7 of them! I’m excited to start watching them. Looking forward to learning .

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Enjoy the journey!

[@sketchartist1964]

An excellent tutorial! I struggled with chalky color for a long time until I developed a keener sense of color temperature, but only after years of painting.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

After all, it is the experience where we get the real knowledge and understanding.

[@adib396]

Having completed a year long painting programme myself under the Tuition of someone who studied at the academies in Italy I have to say Diane you explained this very well indeed. To any beginner painters out there this is invaluable knowledge to improve the look of your oil paintings.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks for that.

[@lorrainepragnell6056]

Thank you ,

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Welcome 😊

[@paulaofarrell774]

Thank you so much for this. Really helpful. I guess I knew intuitively that white has to be used to lighten but to do it smartly. As you presented, the secret is in not adding white directly but to warm it before mixing into the base color. I especially liked your tip for painting sky color with FUB and a premixed Viridian and white mix. You're the best.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks, Paula. Have fun with this.

[@oficinamaolivre]

Thank you. Like

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

My pleasure.

[@snehar6779]

Dianne, I saw your paintings in your website, they are divine! I see your KZbin channel focuses more on tips and instructions for artists. But I hope and wish that you create many more beautiful paintings as you did before, for us your fans and also for your pleasure of creating :)

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Oh thank you!

[@earlymorningladyfarts]

I like the way you say "yellow"!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

It's the influence of having grown up in the south.

[@ANAHATAJADE]

I also noticed the chalky appearances in my paintings while using white alone in my paint to lighten in some instances. Thank you for this lesson. It is a great point in using with yellow and other colors with white to transition to a lighter value.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Have fun with it.

[@sanmeetmathur2405]

You are excellent and I just love your videos. Do you make on sketching too, would like to see that too.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Yes I do! Take a look at Quick Tips 41,42,43,44,77,78,79,80,81

[@dongough5489]

Extremely interesting, thanks! Rembrandt have a transparent white - how and when would you use it ...or wouldn't you? Don, Cape Town, South Africa.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Rembrandt's transparent white is no substitute for our regular whites, but does serve well for when you might need misty, transparent glazes or need a white that will raise the value a bit while allowing you to see through one shape into another. I wouldn't keep it on the palette, but have it handy in case you need it. It's always a good idea to play with new tube colors to see what they can do before using them during your painting process.

[@sophiereinecke1081]

Wonderful Dianne! I worked with a teacher who just abhorred using white but never taught us what to do in any other way to lighten paint. Your quick tip will mean a lot to my struggling! Thanks a lot!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

My pleasure.

[@rivellehaidar1293]

"light might not work this way or inks dont work this way, but paint works this way" wow that is amazing

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks for watching.

[@sandralogue1774]

The blue seems to go into almost a pastel.Seeing you pull out and blend the white alone and then adding green clicked,makes complete sense. Nature doesn't throw white into something to lighten it. Thank you!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

No, nature throws light into it to lighten it. Thanks for watching!

[@mona2242]

O goodness Diane, I have been struggling with this for much too long. You just made my day. Thank you for a game changer for me. Do you have a video(S) I can buy which cover gradation / lightening all the colours on the colour wheel. How can we lighten yellow, orange or red ? Thank you

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Mona2242, go to our website diannemize.com and browse the series and lesson titles, as well as the courses. I have made a number of video tutorials dealing with the concepts you list.

[@mrsnrub9780]

If my value presentation commands the use of white, then I use white! But I absolutely do NOT take my brush and put it anywhere near my canvas until my colours are mixed correctly on the palette (this is all colours, not just lights). I''ll usually overshoot the colour on purpose, knowing that I can add small touches of Transparent Oxide Brown, Ivory Black or plain Ochre to the mix, to bring substance back to the colour. I have no valves, no tube colours "off limits", no fear. Because my source material is communicating to me exactly what it wants. A lot of this "fear of milk" comes from certain pockets of the internet and militant communities who "know the right way" - i.e. have a formula . Should you be applying white with common sense? Yes. But not to the extent that you're developing a phobia of it. Because let me tell you, many of the London plein air painters I know use a lot of milky colours, but the results that they yield will be among the best paintings you will ever see. Sometimes, it's exactly what's required for the impression to work. Colour mixing is a game of intuition. You WILL know instinctively if something is off or isn't working. Don't let a painting succumb to it while you still have time to fix it.

[@chayita7]

I've been watching the Landscape Painters of the Year series --en plein air mostly-English painters. What I don't understand is their highly expressed admiration for the "CHALKY" look to a painting. Would you happen to know if there is a different meaning to the word in the U.K. vis- a- vis the meaning of the word in the U.S.? Nor do I understand their utter abhorrence of realism and their preference for that which is "beautifully ugly." I'd be thankful for your clarification. Carol.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

One thing to add, Mr Snrub--intuition requires knowledge to work its potential.

[@hodahoteit6952]

Great video!!! I’m new to your channel and I must say it’s the most clear and helpful one out there. Thank you for being very generous 😊 I have a question, this yellow white mix can be used with all colours to get a lighter value?

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks Hoda. We use this process only when the white subtracts out the warmth.

[@ratunkuuu]

Thank you, esoecially for the blue tricks ;-)

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You bet!

[@dorryrice6797]

Wow! That’s great info. I can’t stand chalkiness and now Zi know how to avoid it!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gerrychauveau2925]

Thanks Dianne. Will you please show us how to obtain tropical water in a painting. 😊 Gerry

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

There are many ways and many types of tropical waters. Just use your ability to observe and paint what you see.

[@dennismetzger959]

Having no formal instruction, I have plodded along a few years thinking that there must be some way to darken and lighten without white and black. Very obvious when watching the video. It just never clicked. Thanks again.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Enjoy the process, Dennis!

[@lindafrankslowe]

So glad I found your channel. 'Real' Tips!!! Thank you!! Are you painting in oils or acrylics?

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Linda, I use oils for these Quick Tips.

[@heidil7092]

Sometimes I will paint using a lightly tinted white-green or yellow etc, but then at the end if I want a certain area to pop white I will use a little of my Holbein Foundation White. This is lead paint and is as white as white can be. Recently finished off some chickens this way and they have survived and been given more dimension.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks for this, Heidi, but I don't advocate using lead paint because it its toxicity. We can make any white pop when we use the simultaneous contrast principle.

[@suezq9155]

How do you store paint? How long will it store for? What colors and brands for those colors do you prefer? Does your palette dry out? Can you Mx water soluble oil paint with regular? Thank you for all your lessons.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Susan, please see Quick Tip 115. No, water soluble oil should not be mixed with regular oil. The paint will crack because oil and water don't mix.

[@stanTrX]

Very nice. Thanks. Does it also apply to watercolor, as water inseitead of white paint

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Yes it does, but when painting with watercolor the water is always our white.

[@GogoGreece]

It was a very interesting lesson that solved my color blue problems. What is an alternative for Hansa Yellow? The paints I can find in Greece are Talens and W&N.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Cadmium yellow light and other highly saturated yellow work well.

[@gloriaschurman1145]

Wow - this was really new to me -- can I assume that we can do this to all colors on the wheel? I think I need a chart for this...do you have one ? I am going to try this out today with various colors. thanks again for all your tips

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Try it with all the colors and you will see how each color responds to it.

[@peterangel6463]

I recall reading that the old masters would use a pale yellow ochre - that has no added white - to lighten their colors. This would be a yellow ochre light. Apparently by adding a little yellow ochre light to most colors it unifies the whole painting and adds to that "museum yellow" look you see in almost all old master paintings.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Peter, the pale yellow ochre was only one of many methods the masters employed. The "museum yellow" is sometimes caused by the aging of the oil in their paint.

[@noturbo]

when in doubt get the white out 🤗

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

😊