Underpainting White Paint Explained (Plus Lead White)

Why use underpainting white for your painting canvas? I demonstrate how I use underpainting white to create a fine painting surface. We also take a look at what is lead white and whether there is a difference compared to titanium white (beside the lead of course).
Look for Part 1 of this series where I chat about other white paints available: • Artist's White Paint: ...
If you want to see more about lead white then check out this video where I go into the topic in more detail: • Artist's White Paint: ...

[@oliverhill113]

I bought some 'underpainting white' from a domestic garage sale but had no idea what or how it is used. You have explained perfectly. Many thanks for your video.

[@MalcolmDewey]

It's a pleasure Oliver

[@amitchkrabarty05]

Hi Malcolm, Many thanks for this informative video. I just tried Lead White (Cremitz White) for the first time and this my personal favorite. I love the warmth of this white. I completely agree with the fact that Lead White has certain characteristics which is unlike any other white pigment. It has a stringy character which is great for producing certain textures especially while painting portraits. It's great for flesh tones as well. Flake white is also really useful in mixing where you need to retain saturation as Titanium white eats the color (like mixing a vibrant pink is best with Lead white as compared to Titanium white).

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thanks for sharing your experience Amit. I agree it is great for portraits to avoid that sickly cold look to skin tones that titanium is guilty of.

[@sarahmariakuipers3967]

Thank you for the lesson I have learned a lot

[@MalcolmDewey]

Glad it was helpful! thanks

[@LyubomirIko]

Drying time of this thing is honestly bad compared to Talens Underpainting Whites. It takes 3 days compared to the Talens one - 1 day. (if applied equally thickly) Also I think this is not the same as an Oil Ground. Daler Rowney Underpainting Whites contains Zinc - which is a tell-tell sign that there is something wrong here if you want to use it as Oil Ground. (the Talens Underpainting Whites hides what pigment is in btw. My guess is that it too contains Zinc... See Zinc speeds the drying time so they are using this property here) Also the actual packing of both products. A tube! See - normal Oil Ground or Gesso usually comes in some sorts of a bucket - bigger packages, usually starting at 500ml/1000ml. The Talens Underpainting Whites is even less - 150ml. I mean... probably you could also use it for oil ground. But I am unconvinced because of the Zinc. My guess for this stuff? The hint is in the name - Underpainting White. Not an Oil Ground. Meaning? Take a look at many Monet paintings. He was extensively painting in many sessions. Putting first the dark, than later few days on a dry surface -adding second/third layer with his broken color technique. But if you simply follow this - you will hit the chalky wall. He didn't (most of the times). Why? Because in the later layers he was putting pure white brushstrokes and than letting this white layers dry. And on top of those white layers he was painting transparent luminous colors. So this is my guess what is this thing or at least how to be used - not as an oil ground, but.... literally... Underpainting White over already existing layers. This Zinc and the extra transparency if applied thinly makes more sense now - It could be used to create color effects.

[@soulrider64]

Thanks for taking the time, to make this Video. Can you tell how long the underpainting white took to dry? Thanks again for sharing your skills.

[@MalcolmDewey]

About a week

[@soulrider64]

Thanks

[@abdullateef2482]

Hi that's great video I just want to ask something after painting with white paint (toned ground)does it gets dirts and gets prints ? Or should we have to use dark paints?

[@MalcolmDewey]

No it should be fine.

[@angeliqueroux3017]

Have you ever tried Joe Joubert’s genuine flake white? Or do you prefer to avoid lead white personally?

[@MalcolmDewey]

Yes I have tried several of his paints and lead white (wrote about it on my blog actually) I find titanium white is what I want and I don't get the tinting strength with lead white. But lead white has a totally different effect on colour harmony and paint texture. Fun to use but given the choice it's titanium first.

[@angeliqueroux3017]

@@MalcolmDewey I'm so curious & excited to try it. *scoots over to your blog*

[@MalcolmDewey]

@@angeliqueroux3017 www.malcolmdeweyfineart.com/blog/surprise-research-and-why-artists-should-worry-about-white-paint