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Michael Harding
Chinese White - Michael Harding
WatercolourPW4, PW6
PW4, PW6

Chinese White

W103 · Series 1
WATERCOLOUR
Series 1
Chinese White No. W103

Pigment HistorySynthetic mineral - zinc oxide, introduced as a painter’s white c.1780. A late arrival, zinc white was taken up by the Impressionists for clean, non-toxic tints and by 19th-century watercolourists; Turner was among the early adopters. Valued for transparency, slow drying and a lack of yellowing - the white of choice for pale tints and delicate glazes.

Technical Summary

Chinese White is a multi-pigment Michael Harding watercolour made with PW4, PW6.

It is semi-opaque, excellent lightfastness, non-granulating, non staining staining power, tinting strength 1.

Code
W103
Series
Series 1
Pigment Index
PW4, PW6
Contents
15ml tube
Lightfastness
Excellent
Tint Power
1
Granulation
NO
Staining Power
Non Staining
Safety Data Sheets →
PW4 · Pigment History →PW6 · Pigment History →
Colour Science

Measured colour data

Pigment composition, masstone measurements, and tinting paths - independently measured and provided by Artist Pigments.

Pigment Composition
PW6
Titanium White
Titanium Dioxide · CI 77891 · CAS 13463-67-7 · EC 236-675-5
InorganicSynthetic
PW4
Zinc Oxide White
Zinc Oxide · CI 77947 · CAS 1314-13-2, 91315-44-5 · EC 618-729-3
InorganicSynthetic
Masstone
Measured masstone swatch
X-Rite i1Pro 3 · D50 · Obs 2
CIELab
L 93.81 · a 0.68 · b 9.72
Chroma / Hue
C 9.75 · h 86.0°
Munsell
2.52Y 9.4/1.8
ISCC-NBS
yellowish white
Transparency
SO
Lightfastness
E
Info Card
Chinese White info card
Position on Colour Plane
CIELAB colour plane
CIELAB plane - interactive SVG available
Pigment Behaviour

Tint · Tone · Shade · Glaze

Preview how Chinese 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 93.81 · a 0.68 · b 9.72
2.52Y 9.4/1.8

Chinese White straight from the tube.

Undertone
#fefdfb

A thin wash over white.

Tint
#f9f4ea

Mixed with Titanium White.

Tone
#bab5ab

Mixed with a mid neutral grey.

Shade
#938e87

Darkened with a chromatic black.

Glaze
#fdfbf7

A thin transparent film over white.

Compare Chinese White

Compare with nearby colours

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

Titanium WhiteW101Warm WhiteW102
Mix with Chinese White

Popular combinations

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

Ultramarine Violet→ contrast rangeCadmium Yellow Lemon→ warm rangeBurnt Umber→ earth range
Open Chinese White in Mixing Studio
Palettes featuring Chinese White

Featured in 9 palettes

Giotto
6 colours · Italian Proto-Renaissance
Caravaggio
6 colours · Italian Baroque
Rembrandt
6 colours · Dutch Golden Age
Vermeer
6 colours · Dutch Golden Age
Claude Monet
7 colours · French Impressionism
Titian
7 colours · Venetian High Renaissance
Camille Corot
7 colours · French Barbizon School
Anders Zorn
5 colours · Swedish Naturalism
John Singer Sargent
7 colours · Anglo-American Realism
Find a Stockist
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Where to buy

Chinese White

Available from 114 verified stockists worldwide

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Chinese White: Questions & Answers

What pigment is used in Chinese White?

Chinese White is made with PW4, PW6.

Is Chinese White a single-pigment colour?

No. Chinese White is a blend of 2 pigments (PW4, PW6), formulated to give a specific hue.

Is Chinese White transparent or opaque?

Chinese White is semi-opaque.

Is Chinese White lightfast?

Chinese White has excellent lightfastness.

Does Chinese White granulate?

In watercolour, Chinese White is non-granulating.

Does Chinese White stain the paper?

Chinese White has non staining staining power.

Artist Reviews

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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.

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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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