Stack Process Lead (Special Pigment Behavior)

Stack Process Lead White PW1

Alternate Names

Dutch Process Lead White

Cremnitz White

Flake White

Pigment Description

This has become the oil painter's holy grail: toxic, hard-to-find, expensive, and has special properties. Ensconced in art history as the older way to make lead white, as well as the actual lead white of the masters, Dutch Process or Stack Process Lead White is super-lead-white which is even harder to get than normal lead white.

With an appeal like this, who could resist? Besides, it has totally different handling. Normal lead white pigment is mass-manufactured and has a different particle shape and size. Stack Process lead white is made in a wild way involving sheets of metal, vinegar, closed sheds, months of wait time-- and wait for it-- manure, at least in some cases.

(In regard to lead white, Much more can be found on the entry for PW1).

Resources

Stack Process Lead White PW1 pigment data from David G. Myers, The Color of Art Pigment Database, [Artiscreation.com](https://artiscreation.com/white.html#Stack Process Lead White PW1)

CAMEO Materials Database: Conservation & Art Materials Encyclopedia Online, Museum of Fine Arts Boston. (Accessed June 2025). Lead White https://cameo.mfa.org/wiki/Lead_white. Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

Stats

Lightfastness

Insofar as it is similar to lead white PW1, the lightfastness would be excellent, however lead white will yellow and is also reactive to certain gasses that may be present in the air.

See Golden's research (linked on PW1) for more about how lead white may react with certain colors. Some pigments may show more or less lightfastness when lead white is the mixing white used.

Toxicity

Toxic

Lead is toxic. There are extremely serious hazards for pigments containing lead as well as paints. We are not toxicologists so we suggest consulting third party research as well as manufacturer MSDS. Also see Monona Rossol's research available upon request here for more information on pigments with lead. Artiscreation assigns this pigment a "C", meaning "\Hazardous, use appropriate precautions for handling toxic substances, especially if working with the dry powder; Do not ingest; Avoid dust & spray." IMPORTANT: The proper precautions for working with lead white go beyond what we can cover here, but please be advised that the toxicity is very serious and lead can be even absorbed through the skin. Do not breathe it, do not eat it, and do not let it sit on your skin. Special decontamination is also needed. Please consult the relevant health and safety authorities.

Dry Pigments listing Stack Process Lead White PW1

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