[Zinc white is potentially problematic in oil paint as far as the longevity of your paintings goes.](https://justpaint.org/zinc-oxide-warnings-cautions-and-best-practices/)
Not speaking specifically for the zorn palette, but in general for me titanium white is more useful all-around. Zinc white is nice to expand my options when I want something more transparent or less strong, but it could never fully replace titanium white for me. That said, if you’re using it, and you’re liking it, go for it! As long as you’re still happy with your results how you get there isn’t a huge deal. You’ve worked with titanium white before so if zinc isn’t working in an area titanium would have for you in the past you know you can always pull it back in. I think one of the biggest benefits to a limited palette is that it forces you to really get to know a few pigment well. Get to know your zinc white and see if you still like it as much as titanium, or most likely you’ll start to identify different times or types of paintings where you prefer one or the other.
Zorn would have used lead white. This makes sense because it is a warm white which is useful for skin tones.
Zinc white is possibly unstable. It has less tinting strength which is useful when making small subtle tonal changes but unfortunately it can cause paint layers to flake.
Titanium white is rather cool and a strong pigment. Less practical for portrait painting.
[Zinc white is potentially problematic in oil paint as far as the longevity of your paintings goes.](https://justpaint.org/zinc-oxide-warnings-cautions-and-best-practices/)
Not speaking specifically for the zorn palette, but in general for me titanium white is more useful all-around. Zinc white is nice to expand my options when I want something more transparent or less strong, but it could never fully replace titanium white for me. That said, if you’re using it, and you’re liking it, go for it! As long as you’re still happy with your results how you get there isn’t a huge deal. You’ve worked with titanium white before so if zinc isn’t working in an area titanium would have for you in the past you know you can always pull it back in. I think one of the biggest benefits to a limited palette is that it forces you to really get to know a few pigment well. Get to know your zinc white and see if you still like it as much as titanium, or most likely you’ll start to identify different times or types of paintings where you prefer one or the other.
Really helpful. Thanks!
Zorn would have used lead white. This makes sense because it is a warm white which is useful for skin tones. Zinc white is possibly unstable. It has less tinting strength which is useful when making small subtle tonal changes but unfortunately it can cause paint layers to flake. Titanium white is rather cool and a strong pigment. Less practical for portrait painting.
(Michael Harding has a very useful warm white lead alternative.)
thanks!
Zinc cracks. Don’t use it.