Titanium White
This is an interesting take on creating a non-lead alternative for lead white. The temperature is similar to Gamblin’s regular Titanium white and perhaps a little warmer, however the tinting strength is different as well a the consistency. When we first tested this paint it felt loose, however that is not how we would describe it when it’s well incorporated. The texture differs from many other Gamblin colors and can tend to be stringy when pulled up by a palette knife. Gamblin mentions opalescence, and it was not as opalescent as the genuine lead whites we compared it with. We don’t know what is in this color or how Gamblin makes it since the other additives are not disclosed. However, there is some difference in the binder as there is mention of stand oil in the Gamblin literature. The linseed oil accounts for some of the warmth. We added the word “Hue” for clarity when people are searching for genuine lead whites since this color is made of Titanium White. We have heard anecdotal reports of this color darkening and yellowing. Also please be advised this is not lead white and will not have any of the helpful properties of genuine lead white from an archival standpoint. However, since there are many areas in the world where lead white is not available, it is interesting to see that they were able to modify titanium to behave more like some of the working properties (not the archival/chemical properties) of lead white.
A previous description reads, "Flake White Replacement is the leanest of the whites and is a terrific underpainting white. Its beautiful opalescent quality is of special interest to portrait painters.“ -Gamblin Oils. Gamblin describes this color as among their stiffest white paints, however please note this a very smooth paint. It certainly behaves differently from their other white paints. They note “more pull, or drag, on the brush.” More information about Gamblin’s white colors can be found at: https://gamblincolors.com/getting-the-white-right-by-robert-gamblin/