Unbleached Titanium | Matisse Acrylic Paint

Dispelling the Myth

 

Contrary to a prevalent myth suggesting that Unbleached Titanium represents Titanium White before the removal of brownish impurities, the actual genesis of this colour is a fascinating story. In an incident during the 1960s, Bocour, a prominent paint manufacturer in New York, inadvertently contaminated a batch of Titanium White with umber or ochre. The resulting colour, reaching the shelves and prompting complaints, became the starting point for the unique shade known as Unbleached Titanium.

 

Happy Accidents in Art

 

While some artists sought a pure white, others embraced the "unbleached" Titanium, appreciating its distinctiveness akin to Naples Yellow but cooler. Today, pigment manufacturers employ ingenious methods to introduce impurities and use heat for creating various shades of brown and yellow pigments based on Titanium. However, many artists' colour manufacturers opt for an in-house blend of white and ochre, reminiscent of Bocour's original accidental colour.

 

Embracing the Sandy Elegance

 

Artists find the sandy light brown of Unbleached Titanium appealing. Similar to Naples Yellow, it proves highly versatile as a mixing colour, often serving as a "softer" alternative to pure Titanium White. This is particularly useful for lightening earthy tones in landscapes and human skin colours. Boasting high opacity and unwavering permanence, Unbleached Titanium stands as a reliable choice for artists seeking a nuanced and enduring palette.

Safety Data Sheet for Matisse Unbleached Titanium (SDS)

To view or download a copy of Unbleached Titanium SDS, please  CLICK HERE * (271kb)  
*The above link will open an external Dropbox window