July's Best Destinations

Copenhagen, Denmark Bikes & Hygge July is the perfect time to experience Copenhagen like a local. Rent a bicycle and explore the city's charming neighborhoods, waterfronts and colorful streets before relaxing at an outdoor café or enjoying the long Scandinavian summer evenings.

Anchorage, Alaska Under the Midnight Sun With nearly endless daylight, July is an unforgettable time to visit Anchorage. The midnight sun means more hours for hiking, wildlife viewing and exploring Alaska's breathtaking mountains, glaciers and rugged coastline.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming Mountain Majesty Nestled between Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, Jackson Hole is at its summer best in July. Wildflowers blanket the valleys, wildlife is abundant and the dramatic mountain scenery makes every drive, hike and overlook feel postcard-worthy.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin Lakeside Summer Summer transforms Milwaukee into one of the Midwest's most vibrant cities. Lakefront festivals, outdoor concerts, bustling patios and miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan create an energetic atmosphere that's perfect for exploring.

Summer Whites

Unlike white pants, which we're told can only be worn from Memorial Day to Labor Day, you'll need your white paint all year long. And I'm not talking Off-White, Titan Buff or Parchment. I'm talking the whites: Titanium White and Zinc White.

And who doesn't love a classic white? Think Wimbledon. (The finals are today and tomorrow, btw!) Wimbledon is wonderfully traditional. Players are required to wear all white on the courts. I love that. And I love a good tennis match, but I digress...

Back to our whites...I actually keep both Titanium White and Zinc White on my palette because they each have a different job. Titanium White is definitely the workhorse. It's bright, opaque and has tremendous tinting strength, making it my go-to whenever I want to lighten a color or create strong highlights. Just remember: a little goes a long way.

But sometimes I don't want all that covering power. Sometimes I want to preserve the beautiful transparency of a color while just nudging it a little lighter. That's where Zinc White comes in. Unlike Titanium White, Zinc White is more transparent.

Think of Titanium White as shouting and Zinc White as whispering.

Zinc gently lightens a color without making it feel heavy or chalky, making it perfect for glazes, atmospheric skies, distant mountains or soft transitions.

Neither white is "better." They simply do different jobs. I reach for Titanium White when I need strength and Zinc White when I want subtlety. Keeping both on your palette gives you one more way to control how your paintings look and feel.

A couple quick notes: This is true regardless of whether you prefer heavy body or fluid acrylics. And remember, white isn't the only way to lighten a color, but that's a lesson for another day.

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