Zinc Oxide is used as a
pigment in all mediums of artists'
paints. Usually called
Zinc White, it has a
soft white hue which is not as cool as
Titanium White or as warm and rich as
Flake White (
Lead based). Zinc White is the most transparent of the main white pigments, and has the lowest
tinting strength. Because it is inexpensive and
non-toxic, Zinc Oxide is also a part of most mixed whites, usually sold under brands such as
Permalba.
The
ATSM abbreviation for the pigment Zinc Oxide is
PW 4
First known use as a pigment was in
France in the late 1700s. The pigment was introduced to the USA before 1825.
--Sources include The Artist's Handbook of Materials and Techniques by Ralph Mayer