Watercolor Half-Pan Standardization

Watercolour pans come in two rectangular sizes: a full pan and a half pan. Although the sizes of pans are nearly the same standard size across brands, there are slight differences. This is why many watercolour boxes have bendable compartments that allow for slight adjustments to hold the pans. Travel watercolour boxes that do not have adjustable compartments will not work with all brands of pans.

Plastic, metal, and shell half pans are available

Watercolour pans are available in a variety of materials, including plastic, metal, and natural seashells. Each type of pan has its own unique characteristics and benefits.

Plastic half pans are made of durable and recyclable polystyrene. They are compatible with most travel watercolour tins, cases, and boxes on the market. Many plastic half pans come with a small magnet fixed to the underside, which helps hold them in place in your travel palette. This allows for easy customisation of your palette.

Metal half pans, on the other hand, are a more contemporary addition to the watercolour pan lineup. They are made of steel and are much flatter than plastic pans, providing more surface area for your brush to manoeuvre. Metal pans are often used in travel palettes as they are tiny, light, and portable.

Natural seashell pans are the original paint holders, dating back to prehistoric cave paintings. They hold roughly the same amount of paint as an eighth pan and are a more time-consuming and expensive option. Shell pans are also compatible with travel tins and can add a fun and unique touch to your palette.

The choice between plastic, metal, and shell half pans depends on your personal preferences, the level of customisation you desire, and your budget. Each type of pan offers a different experience and can enhance your watercolour painting journey in its own way.

Half pans are around half the volume of full pans

Watercolour pans are available in two rectangular sizes: a full pan and a half pan. A half pan is around half the volume of a full pan. Full pans are a little rectangle of around 2.9 x 1.9 cm (1.18 x 0.75 inches) and have a capacity of around 5ml. Half pans are about 1.9 x 1.6 cm (0.75 x 0.63 inches) and have a capacity of about 2ml.

The exact measurements can vary by a millimetre or two between ranges. For example, the Schmincke Horadam Aquarelle half pan measures 19mm x 16mm at the top and 19mm x 16mm at the bottom, with a height of 8mm. Whereas the Winsor and Newton Artists half pan measures 19mm x 15mm at the top and 17mm x 14mm at the bottom, with a height of 8mm.

When it comes to buying a set of paints pre-assembled, half pan sets are the most common. However, full pans are a far more economical way to buy compressed watercolour paint, as you will usually pay only 20% more for full pans than for half pans. If you are using a very wide range of colours, the larger pan size may not be ideal as you would need a very big paint tin to keep them in.

Half pans are more convenient for painting outdoors as they are small and lightweight, and hence the box that carries them is smaller and more portable. They are also great for well-used travel sets and for those who paint with small to medium-sized brushes.

Half pans are more suitable for well-used travel sets

Half pans are ideal for travel sets that will be used often. They are small and lightweight, but they hold a decent amount of paint. This makes them perfect for travel watercolour sets, as they are portable and convenient. They are also compatible with most travel watercolour tins, cases, and boxes on the market.

Half pans are also suitable for those who paint with small to medium-sized brushes. They are a good default size, balancing space and the quantity of paint. They are also a good option for sketchbooks and smaller-scale paintings.

However, it is worth noting that there is some variation in the size of half pans across different brands. While the difference may be minor, it means that they don't always fit snugly in different palettes. Some adjustment, such as adding double-sided tape or a magnet, may be required to make them fit.

Full pans are ideal for large brushes and large-scale paintings

Watercolour pans come in a variety of sizes, including full pans, half pans, quarter pans, and eighth pans. Full pans are ideal for large brushes and large-scale paintings. They are perfect for artists who want to work with a variety of colours and need easy access to a large amount of paint.

Full pans are larger than half pans, which are half the volume of full pans, as the name suggests. They are also larger than quarter pans and eighth pans, which are one-fourth and one-eighth the volume of full pans, respectively. This makes full pans ideal for artists who want to cover large areas with paint and need a greater capacity for their chosen colours.

In addition, full pans are a good option for studio sets that will not be transported, as well as for favourite colours that will be taken on the go. They are also a good choice for travel sets that only contain a few colours and for colours that are used up quickly, such as whites, greys, earth greens, and yellows.

Full pans are also more cost-effective than smaller pans, as they offer a better value per volume of paint. They are a good investment for artists who want to maximise their paint supply while minimising costs.

When selecting a watercolour pan, it is important to consider the size of the brushes that will be used and the scale of the paintings that will be created. Full pans are a great option for artists who prefer to work with large brushes and create large-scale paintings. They provide easy access to a generous amount of paint and can accommodate larger brushes that may not fit into smaller pans.

Full pans are a versatile and economical choice for artists who want to work on a large scale and have easy access to a wide range of colours. They offer a greater paint capacity and are suitable for both studio and travel sets, making them a convenient option for artists who want to create large-scale paintings with ease.

Some brands offer pans in sizes other than the standard full and half pans

While most brands offer half pans and full pans, some brands offer pans in sizes other than these two standard sizes. For example, Blockx offers a Giant Pan (3.5 by 2.5 inches), Gansai Tambi pans are much larger than standard, Coliro offers two sizes of round pans, and Daler-Rowney offers a miniature set of 1/4 pans.

In addition to these, some brands offer pans in sizes that are slightly different from the standard sizes. For example, the Schmincke Horadam Aquarelle half pan is 19mm x 16mm at the top and 19mm x 16mm at the bottom, while the Winsor and Newton Artists half pan is 19mm x 15mm at the top and 17mm x 14mm at the bottom.

The sizing differences between brands can be a problem for artists who want to mix and match pans from different brands or fit pans into travel watercolour boxes. Travel watercolour boxes that do not have adjustable compartments will not work with all brands of pans because even a small difference in size means that they won't fit in the slot.

Frequently asked questions