Transparent oxides in oil paint

How to use transparent oxides

Transparency

The most remarkable property of these oxide shades is their transparency. To keep this property when mixing transparent oxides into lighter colours, always use a white that is not fully opaque. This helps to somewhat preserve the properties of these shades. An opaque white overshadows the transparent pigment, giving it a different effect.

Darken different shades

In your colour palette, these transparent oxides can also be used to darken different shades. The shade Transparent Oxide Brown, for instance, mixed with a bright red becomes a shade that offers depth and a soft, deep veil. The brightness of the red will tone down beautifully. Transparent oxides are often used to darken transparent shades without losing their depth or transparency.

Glazing techniques

Besides toning down colours, these shades are perfect to apply glazing techniques with; thin, transparent layers of paint built up to add depth and dimension to your painting.

Create more vibrant and colourful blacks

Lastly, they can be mixed to create more vibrant and colourful blacks. For example, Transparent Oxide Brown mixed with Phthalo Blue Greenish (576) becomes a deep, dark, yet lively tone. This allows you to add colour to your paintings instead of flat black pigments. Shades like these are experienced by the viewer as deeper and more vibrant.