Chinese white

pigment

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Last updated

June 24, 2026

Quick Summary

Chinese white is another name for zinc white, a pigment first used in 1826.

A pigment is a compound that is intensely colored and used to color other materials. Pigments are insoluble and are applied as finely ground solid particles mixed with a liquid. They can be organic or inorganic. Inorganic pigments, such as titanium dioxide, are often brighter and more durable than organic ones. White inorganic pigments are used to provide opacity and lighten other colors. Extender pigments, like calcium carbonate and calcium sulfate, are added to paints to reduce cost or improve properties. Black pigments are typically made from carbon particles, while iron oxides yield earth tones like ochres and umbers.12

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drawing
Inks
Chinese white is easier to apply with a pointed brush because of its thickness; other pigments, among them indigo and green copper sulfate, are rarely found in drawings. For them, too, the brush is a better tool than the pen. The systematically produced watercolors of…
Read More
Chinese white is easier to apply with a pointed brush because of its thickness; other pigments, among them indigo and green copper sulfate, are rarely found in drawings. For them, too, the brush is a better tool than the pen. The systematically produced watercolors of…
Read More