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Michael Harding
Foundation White - Michael Harding
Oil ColourPW6, PW1
PW6, PW1

Foundation White

No. 225 · Series 2 · 40ml · 60ml · 225ml, 1L, 2.5L, 5L

A NOTE FOR EU AND UK ARTISTS: We have received revised guidelines from The Environment Agency stating that applications for restoring or maintaining Works of Art created after 1992 cannot be approved under the REACH Regulations. Compliance with these rules is essential as the Environment Agency conducts regular audits. For information on sourcing lead paint for historic buildings, please visit Historic England's website. Thank you for your understanding. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Sincerely, MH Inorganic - Many years ago, a well-known British artist asked me to create a lean but robust, fast-drying white that didn’t rely on extenders and siccatives for its qualities. Hence, I made this 50/50 blend of Titanium and Lead Whites, ground with linseed oil and combining the virtues of each. This white can be applied to either acrylic or glue-sized canvasses. Under normal conditions, the artist can paint on Foundation White in 4 to 5 days. If you find Foundation White too dense to brush on, thin it with a slight amount of turpentine.

Technical Summary

Foundation White is a multi-pigment Michael Harding oil colour made with PW6, PW1 (Inorganic).

It is opaque, excellent lightfastness, slow drying time, high tinting strength.

It is ground in linseed oil with very low oil content.

Code
No. 225
Series
Series 2
Pigment Index
PW6, PW1
Pigment Type
Inorganic
Oil / Vehicle
Linseed Oil
Sizes
40ml · 60ml · 225ml, 1L, 2.5L, 5L
Lightfastness
Excellent
Opacity
Opaque
Drying
Slow
Oil Content
Very Low
Tint Power
High
Toxicity
Toxic
Colour Science

Measured colour data

Loading measured pigment data…

Pigment Behaviour

Tint · Tone · Shade · Glaze

Preview how Foundation White behaves when mixed, toned, shaded and glazed. Each swatch is computed from the masstone using a perceptual subtractive model - an approximation for guidance, not a formulation guarantee.

Masstone swatch
Masstone
L 95.43 · a -0.69 · b 8.5
5.81Y 9.5/1.9

Foundation White straight from the tube.

Undertone
#fefefc

A thin wash over white.

Tint
#f9f7ee

Mixed with Titanium White.

Tone
#bab7ae

Mixed with a mid neutral grey.

Shade
#93918a

Darkened with a chromatic black.

Glaze
#fdfcf9

A thin transparent film over white.

Compare Foundation White

Compare with nearby colours

See Foundation White side-by-side with its closest neighbours in the range — chemistry, opacity and lightfastness at a glance.

Mix with Foundation White

Popular combinations

Open Foundation White in the Virtual Mixing Studio to preview how it combines with these partners before you reach for the palette.

Open Foundation White in Mixing Studio
Where to buy

Foundation White

Available from 112 verified stockists worldwide

Store locator
How Michael Harding uses this colour
From the Michael Harding studio

Mixing and use

Compliance with these rules is essential as the Environment Agency conducts regular audits.

Under normal conditions, the artist can paint on Foundation White in 4 to 5 days.

If you find Foundation White too dense to brush on, thin it with a slight amount of turpentine.

Making and formulation

Hence, I made this 50/50 blend of Titanium and Lead Whites, ground with linseed oil and combining the virtues of each.

Making notes

Source: Michael Harding Art Formulas Ltd

Foundation White: Questions & Answers

What pigment is used in Foundation White?

Foundation White is made with PW6, PW1.

Is Foundation White a single-pigment colour?

No. Foundation White is a blend of 2 pigments (PW6, PW1), formulated to give a specific hue.

Is Foundation White transparent or opaque?

Foundation White is opaque.

Is Foundation White lightfast?

Foundation White has excellent lightfastness.

Is Foundation White vegan?

Yes. Foundation White contains no animal-derived ingredients and is suitable for vegan artists.

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Colour Disclaimer: Colours shown on screen or in print may vary from the actual product. For the most accurate representation of colour, texture and finish, we recommend viewing a physical sample or swatch in person before making your final selection.

Product Information & Disclaimer

The information provided on this website is based on research and testing conducted by Michael Harding Art Formulas Ltd and is intended as general guidance on the characteristics and potential uses of our products in established painting practices.

While we take care to provide accurate and reliable information, individual materials, techniques, working conditions and applications can vary. Michael Harding Art Formulas Ltd cannot guarantee that any product will be suitable for every individual purpose or application. Users should carefully read all product labels, instructions and safety information and carry out appropriate testing before use, particularly when developing individual techniques or combining materials.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Michael Harding Art Formulas Ltd makes no express or implied warranties as to merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose and accepts no liability for any loss or damage, including indirect or consequential loss, arising from the use or application of its products.

Colour Representation

Colours displayed on this website and in printed materials are for guidance only. Their appearance may vary depending on screen settings, device, lighting conditions, printing processes and other factors, and may therefore differ from the appearance of the physical product.

For the most accurate representation of colour, texture and finish, we strongly recommend viewing a physical product sample or swatch in person before making a final selection or purchase. Where colour accuracy is important, please do not rely solely on digital or printed representations.

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