Zinc White Watercolor Paint | Rublev Colours

Zinc oxide, known in the art world as zinc white or Chinese white, is one of the three principal white pigments used in painting. Although the compound was known to ancient civilizations and employed in ointments and brass production, it did not gain popularity as an artist’s pigment until the mid‑19th century. Modern zinc white is manufactured by either the “indirect” or French process (from metallic zinc) or the “direct” or American process (from ore), producing fine nodular or acicular particles. Rublev Colours selects high‑purity zinc oxide, grinding it to a very fine powder and dispersing it in gum arabic with traditional humectants to create a watercolor that retains brightness and resists yellowing.

The pigment is classified as Pigment White 4 (CI 77947) with the chemical formula ZnO. Physically, it has a specific gravity around 5.6 g/cm³, a Mohs hardness of 4, and refractive indices of approximately 2.00–2.02, giving it moderate hiding power. In watercolor, zinc white disperses smoothly and produces a non‑granulating, non‑staining wash. Its semi‑transparent nature makes it ideal for lightening other hues, creating soft glazes, and adding highlights without clouding underlying layers. Compared to titanium white, zinc white has less opacity and a cooler, slightly bluish cast, making it the preferred mixing white in watercolor. The pigment is lightfast (ASTM I) and remains white over time, though it may accelerate the fading of some organic colors in mixtures.

Composition & Permanence

Notes: Zinc White watercolor is composed of pure zinc oxide pigment dispersed in gum arabic with traditional humectants, without fillers, dispersants, brighteners or other modern additives. As with all Rublev Colours watercolors, minor variations in hue and texture may occur from batch to batch. Although zinc oxide is not considered hazardous, artists should avoid creating or inhaling dry pigment dust. Drawdown swatches show the color full strength on the left and mixed 1:1 with white on the right. Because of differences in monitor and printer calibration, the colors you see on screen may not match the actual paint on paper.

Color Names