Substitute for Yellow Ochre

[frtheodore]

I apologize if this post smells of heresy :-? .

I've tried working with yellow ochre for over 5 years. In the kind of painting I do, it's one of the main colors for building flesh forms.

After these 5 years I'm still frustrated with the pigments lack of opacity (I've tried grinding it very fine). I just don't have the time to continue layering on the yellow ochre. I fortunately or unfortunately have a large amount of commissions that are getting their deadlines pushed back farther and farther. I need a more opaque version of this wonderful color.

Does anyone have a recipe or substitute for a medium to light yellow ochre that would be more opaque?

Thank you,
FT

[Alexandra van Cruyningen]

Hello Ft, don't know if this helps, but I use Ocra Calda D'italia, a pigment that I get from Zecchi's in Florence. With white added to it I get the opacity I want, but it is not as light as yellow ocre. I paint a lot of commisioned portraits and also use a lovely pigment from Zecchi's called Cinabrese, using this pigment helps me skip the yellow ocre and vermillion to mix my fleshtones.
Alex.

[Salamander]

Try mars yellow or mars yellow light

[Dennis H]

As Salamander wrote, Mars Yellow is a good substitute. It's the same pigment -- iron oxide -- but manufactured in the lab. You'll find the color to be much more potent that the earth color variety.
D

[Alessandra Kelley]

Oh, yeah. Mars Yellow is totally opaque. I love the Ochres, but when I crave opacity I go with the Mars colors.

[frtheodore]

Thanks everyone for the immediate response--Didn't expect that :)

I'll order some of the Mars Yellow after the holidays.

Alexandra, is it possible to order from Zecchi's online? If not, is there a US distributor for their pigments?

How does Mars yellow compare to Yellow Oxide (from Kremers)? Is it the same thing? I have a fair amount of yellow oxide. I find it to be too cold for my tastes.

Thanks,
FT

[Alexandra van Cruyningen]

Yes FT, you can order from Zecchi's online: www.zecchi.com
Alex.

[turlogh]

Which yellow ochres did you try? There are lots of them, some more transparent or opaque than others.