Cadmium free and loving it.

[Mike McCarty]

Am I to understand that Michael Harding's Flake White #2 is a substitute for his Flake White?

If you only purchase one which would you choose?

[Marvin Mattelson]

Rob,

I dunno, having two kids hasn't changed me one bit. I'm just as stubborn as always. I am, however, always on the lookout for bigger truths. If I see evidence of a better way I would change what I do in a heartbeat. My allegiance is to the quality of the work I do, not to any doctrine or theology. I'm glad you've tried the cadmium alternative and it works for you.

Mike,

Flake white #2 is softer than #1 so it depends on the results you desire. If chunky paint is your goal go with #1 or if you desire more relative fluidity (or a better spread for your crackers Rob) #2 is the Flake for you. I prefer #2.

Michael Harding began making #2 after Winsor and Newton stopped. Both still make #1.

Again, Flake is comprised of lead which is toxic if ingested or if dust is inhaled. Wash hands before eating and don't sand it down without a wearing a mask. It cannot be absorbed through unbroken skin nor does it give off toxic fumes.

[Allan Rahbek]

Marvin Mattelson]Flake white, ivory black and raw umber are my ingredients for neutral gray.

Marvin.

From my days as a House decorator painter I remember using always the same two colors for graying down a white. It made a pleasant Pearly Gray.

Allan

[Ken Smith]

I've been away from the computer for the past week, and just now got a chance to read through the neutral gray posts.

Marvin, thanks a bunch for sharing all this information; this forum has really become a great resource for me personally over the last couple of months, and I really appreciate all of you taking the time to answer all these questions in such a thoughtful and complete way.

Much obliged (as we say in Tennessee)

Ken

[Richard Budig]

Please . . . Marvin . . . Sombody!!!

Tell me what is Light Red???

I've seen it mentioned several times, including (correct me if I'm wrong) on the list of paints on Paxton's palette. But what is it?

The names of some paints are so odd, but at least they give us a tag about which to ask the clerk in the store. But light red? Yikes. They look at you as if to say, "Yeah . . . which red is that?" which, of course, is my question also.

Anyone know?

[Allan Rahbek]

Originally Posted by Richard Budig

Please . . . Marvin . . . Sombody!!!

Tell me what is Light Red???

I've seen it mentioned several times, including (correct me if I'm wrong) on the list of paints on Paxton's palette. But what is it?

The names of some paints are so odd, but at least they give us a tag about which to ask the clerk in the store. But light red? Yikes. They look at you as if to say, "Yeah . . . which red is that?" which, of course, is my question also.

Anyone know?

Hi,

Light Red is a Red Ochre.

Allan

[Richard Budig]

Allan:

Thanks. That's more than I knew a while ago. Can you tell me a little more about red ocher? Is is close to Venetian Red? I use Venetian Red, but if it is considerably different, I'll get some RO.

Seems to me, RO ought to be in the same ball park as VR -- both are on the yellowish side, aren't they?

[Allan Rahbek]

Richard,

The Red Ocher I showed you became practically the same color as Venetian Red when I mixed it with oil.
Venetian Red, Light Red, Red ocher or English Red, as my color is labeled, has the same origin by being Earth color.
Different brands come up with different colors, even it is the same name.

Thomas Girtin, English watercolorist, used only 5 colors and his Red was Light Red.

[Garth Herrick]

Richard,

Light Red is a red oxide. Typically it is a scarlet range of red oxide somewhat closer to the warmth of Venetian Red than the much bluer Indian Red. English Red is another name for Light Red.

Hope this helps!

Garth

[Marvin Mattelson]

Many manufacturers use the same name for colors that appear different when compared. Yellow Ochre would be a good example of this. Then there is the confusion caused by different companies giving the same color different names. I use W&N's Terra Rosa or Michael Harding's Venetian Red in place of the Light Red on Paxton's palette.

The bottom line is that the color is secondary to how you use it.