The Lead white situation. – under EU and UK law, it is not now allowed for artists to buy lead white paint. Manufacturers are only allowed to supply it to bona fide professional conservation/restoration businesses/institutions with documentation, in specific cases approved by English Heritage, with an approval process that can take 3 weeks (yes, I know this is absurd, but its the law).
Lead white has advantages both for handling and for paint-film longevity, but cannot now be supplied for fine art use in the UK/EU.
Consequently, we are looking at alternative materials which may mimic some of the handling properties of lead white – specifically ropey handling, density, and lower opacity than titanium white.
I am currently offering two white paints:
“Fake White” – a no-lead flake white substitute.
This is a no-lead flake white substitute, which has been formulated to have similar density and stringy, ropey handling to good quality real lead white, and to have a similar degree of opacity. Barium Sulphate and Calcium Carbonate plus a small amount of Titanium White, hand-mulled into washed cold-pressed Linseed oil + 10% Stand oil and 0.5% Beeswax.
Tube, 50ml (please select UK or International Shipping)
I would be very grateful if people could ensure that they choose International shipping if they are outside the UK. Also, please note that if you place orders for multiple items, I will issue a partial refund for any excess shipping you have paid.
This is pure Titanium White, no zinc, hand-mulled into into washed cold-pressed Linseed oil + 10% Stand oil. It is dense, stringy, but slumpy and somewhat levelling, with a very high pigment load. Not your usual titanium white! (Note, please – this paint contains some driers – zirconium, calcium – but is slow-drying, which is characteristic of the pigment)
Tube, 50ml (please select UK or International Shipping)
I would be very grateful if people could ensure that they choose International shipping if they are outside the UK. Also, please note that if you place orders for multiple items, I will issue a partial refund for any excess shipping you have paid.
I am also currently researching other possible white pigments which I will add here once I am satisfied they offer useful behaviour.
Barite
I now also offer Barite – Barium sulphate – which is a pale buff near-white pigment with low oil absorption, great density, and very low opacity. Hand-mulled into washed cold-pressed Linseed oil + 10% Stand oil and 0.5% Beeswax.
Tube, 50ml (please select UK or International Shipping)
I would be very grateful if people could ensure that they choose International shipping if they are outside the UK. Also, please note that if you place orders for multiple items, I will issue a partial refund for any excess shipping you have paid.