With Winter knocking at our door here in Maine snow is sure to walk in once the door is open. So I thought I would post about one of my recent white tests. in the first image from left to right is Gamblin brand, Artist Grade White, new Fast Matte white, and finally Sketching grade white. I placed as equal (as i was interested in making it equal) parts ultramarine blue and each white. the results are interesting because the Fast Matte. is sold in same exact price range as Artist Grade.. Hhmph. that is strange as the pigment load is equal to the Sketching grade oil, almost identical.
So to describe texture difference I will say the Fast Fatte is stiffest, then Artist followed by Sketching. Artist and Sketching are pliable and creamy. The Fast Matte is almost too stiff to be useful without medium and its lower pigment load takes most medium use off the table.. Hope someone finds this info useful.
9 comments:
I find this interesting. I use Gamblin paints, but I've never tried their white. I've used some pamalba which is really creamy. Almost too creamy for my liking. I prefer Winton titanium. It's very thick. I haven't done much experimenting with white, but after seeing your experiment, I'd say it's probably a low pigment white.
Sometimes it all comes down to what you're used to, doesn't it?
So far in Maine, no snow. I'm not complaining. I'm in Poland Spring, where are you?
Interesting comparison, Dan! Thanks for the experiment.
Hey Dan,
Thanks for the info - although I use some Gamblin colors I've never used their white - I really like Lefranc & Bourgeois is a huge tube - any comparisons?
Color charts have always been on the list - maybe this winter.
Happy paintin'
Chris
Hi Susan, that's funny that you say your Winton paint is thicker and most people call it loose. I also have known Winton to be thick, only a couple colors have been more pliable. One thing I can say about Student VS Artist Grade is in most cases the artist grade seems to be less slimy when thinned. This seems to really help when the sun is moving and your trying to get a pieces finished. The Gamblin one doesn't seem to do that.
Thanks for commenting!
Hey MCJ, thank you for thanking!
Hey Chris, I'm not sure on Lefranc. I've never tried it. I have tried a ton of different paints but that brand has eluded me. If you are looking for a great deal a large quantity of paint. Use a the 40%off coupon at Utrecht and get the 32oz titanium white for about $38. Can't beat it.
Happy painting!
Hi Dan, Just found your blog and look forward to reading your past posts. I'm a painter in Colorado and use lots of Gamblin product. Gamblin has a nice variety of whites and I have them all. I enjoy being able to pick a white that complements the particular style or effect I'm after.
I wonder if the reduced tint strength of the Fastmatte TW is due to the larger pigment size in that line and, or the alkyd medium they add to speed drying. Gamblin published a nice write-up comparing their whites. You can find it here:
http://www.gamblincolors.com/newsletters/getting-the-white-right.html
Cheers.
Hi Scott, I'm not sure if pigment size is that much bigger that it would cause weaker tinting strength. Another paint brand I love is Williamsburg and they use some larger (much larger than fastmatte) grinds and have extreme covering/tinting power.
Also the inclusion of alkyd medium for the faster drying should just be replacing linseed oil not just added to the paint recipe they are using. If I was a Gamblin gambling man I would bet their Quick Dry White has more covering power. I will get to the bottom of this. Thank you for the link! And comment!
thanks Dan, I'll check out Utrecht - try the Lefranc titanium if you get a chance - its like Butttah.
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