Ella Walter
Full pans and half pans are types of containers used for storing paint. Full pans are roughly equivalent in volume to a tube of watercolour paint, while half pans are half the volume of a full pan. The choice between using full pans and half pans depends on the scale of the painting, the size of the brushes, and portability. Full pans are better for large-scale paintings and large brushes, while half pans are better for small to medium-sized brushes and small-scale paintings. Half pans are also more portable due to their smaller size.
How big are full pans vs half pans?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Pans | Roughly equivalent to a tube of watercolor paint |
| Half Pans | Half the volume of a full pan |
| Full Pans | Compatible with large brushes |
| Half Pans | Compatible with small to medium-sized brushes |
| Full Pans | Can be used for studio sets |
| Half Pans | Can be used for well-used travel sets |
| Full Pans | Can be used for favorite colors that you travel with |
| Half Pans | Can be used for sketchbooks and smaller-scale paintings |
| Full Pans | Can be used for colors that you tend to go through quickly |
| Half Pans | Are small, lightweight, and hold a decent amount of color |
| Full Pans | Can be used with larger brushes, making it easier and quicker to paint on a larger area |
| Half Pans | Are cheaper if bought individually than full pans or tubes |
| Full Pans | Are better value for money |
| Half Pans | Are more portable |
| Full Pans | Can be filled with tube paint |
| Half Pans | Can be topped up from tubes |
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What You'll Learn
Portability: Half pans are smaller and more portable
Half pans are smaller and more portable than full pans. This makes them ideal for travel sets, especially if you want to travel light. The box that carries them is smaller, making it easier to carry around. They are also compatible with most travel watercolour tins, cases, and boxes on the market.
Half pans are also cheaper to buy individually than full pans and take up less space. They are a good option for those who paint with small to medium-sized brushes and for sketchbooks and smaller-scale paintings. They can also be used for larger brushes, but this may cause overspills.
Full pans are better if you want to use larger brushes, as it is easier to load paint onto bigger brushes from a larger pan. You can also fit more paint on a larger brush when using a full pan, which can speed up the painting process. Full pans are also more cost-effective, as they contain more paint.
Some artists prefer to use tubes of paint and a palette instead of pans, as it can be more cost-effective and convenient. However, pans are generally more portable and easier to use on the go.
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Brush size: Full pans are better for large brushes
When it comes to painting, the size of your brush is a key consideration when choosing between full and half pans. Full pans are better suited for artists who prefer to work with large brushes.
Full pans offer a larger surface area, allowing artists to load their brushes from the side, protecting the tip of the brush. This means that brushes will last longer, as the paint can be loaded onto the side of the bristles rather than the tip. Additionally, with a larger pan, artists can fit the whole bristle of the brush into the pan, picking up more paint and mixing colours faster.
Half pans, on the other hand, can be awkward to use with larger brushes. While they are great for small to medium-sized brushes, half pans may cause overspill with larger brushes and can result in more wear and tear.
For artists who prefer to work with a variety of brush sizes, a full pan provides the flexibility to work with both small and large brushes. This versatility is especially useful for artists who want to create a range of effects and textures in their work.
Ultimately, the decision between full and half pans depends on the artist's preferred tools and techniques. Full pans offer a practical solution for artists who favour large brushes, providing ease of use, faster mixing, and better brush longevity.
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Cost: Half pans are cheaper to buy individually
When it comes to cost, half pans are generally cheaper to buy individually than full pans. This is because two half pans can fit the same space as one full-size pan. However, it is important to note that the price difference between the two pan sizes in some artist-quality brands may not be very significant.
For example, a standard half pan has a capacity of around 2ml, while a full pan has double the volume. With a 5ml tube of paint, you can fill a half pan 2.5 times, and a full pan once. Similarly, with a 15ml tube, you can fill a half pan 7.5 times and a full pan three times. Therefore, half pans may be more cost-effective if you are looking to buy individual pans and want to maximise the number of colours you can fit into your palette.
However, some artists suggest that using tube paints and refilling empty pans is the most cost-effective method, regardless of whether you use half or full pans. Tube paints can save a lot of money compared to buying pan refills, and they also give you the flexibility to mix and match colours in your palette. Additionally, some artists prefer to use a combination of half and full pans in their palette, depending on their specific needs.
It is worth noting that the cost consideration between half and full pans may also depend on the type of brushes you use. Half pans may be more suitable for small to medium-sized brushes (sizes 2-8), while full pans offer more flexibility for larger brushes. If you primarily work with larger brushes, a full pan might be a more cost-effective option, as you can load your brush with more paint and mix colours faster.
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Paint volume: Half pans hold less paint
Paint volume is a key difference between half pans and full pans. Half pans hold less paint, with a capacity of around 2ml. This means that with a 5ml tube of paint, you can fill a half pan two and a half times, and with a 15ml tube, you can fill it seven and a half times.
The smaller volume of half pans makes them ideal for travel and painting on the go. They are small and lightweight, making them more portable than full pans. Half pans are also suitable for sketchbooks and smaller-scale paintings, as well as for painting with small to medium-sized brushes (sizes 2-8).
However, the larger volume of full pans offers some advantages. They are better suited for larger brushes, allowing you to pick up more paint and mix colours faster. Full pans also give you the option to load your brushes from the side, protecting the tip of the brush.
Some artists prefer to use tubes of paint on a palette instead of pans, as it gives them more flexibility in terms of paint volume and brush size. Others prefer to use a combination of half and full pans to suit different painting needs.
Ultimately, the decision between half pans and full pans depends on the specific requirements of the artist, including the desired brush size, the scale of the painting, and the need for portability.
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Customisation: Full pans are customisable with tube paints
Watercolour pans are available in standard half pans and full pans, as well as a few larger sizes. Full pans are roughly equivalent to a tube of watercolour paint but in portable form. Half pans are half the volume of a full pan.
Full pans are customisable with tube paints. One of the main reasons artists use half pans is because they are small, and the box that carries them is smaller and more portable. However, some artists prefer to use full pans. With full pans, you can use larger brushes, and it is easier and quicker to paint on a larger area. When you can fit the whole bristle into the pan, you can pick up more paint, and you can mix paint faster as well. With larger pans, you also have the option to load your brushes from the side, thereby protecting the tip of the brush. When you load paint this way, you can also load more paint, and your brushes will last longer.
Tube paints are available in various sizes from small to large. Tube paints offer more flexibility in terms of the amount of paint used, as you can squeeze out just the right amount needed for your project. Tube paints are packaged in small containers with a twist-off cap that contains wet paint. They offer freshly squeezed paint that is easier to mix, and they are gentler on your brushes since you can squeeze out the wet pigment and pick it up easily with your brush.
With full pans, you can fill them with tube paints of your choice. Tube paints go a long way and save a lot of money compared to buying pan refills. You can also buy tubes of your most-used colours in the largest size. However, tubes can be difficult to open if paint has dried around the rim. Tube paints can also be wasteful, as it is easy to use a lot of paint from a tube.
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Frequently asked questions
Full pans and half pans are types of watercolour pans used by artists. They are compatible with most travel watercolour tins, cases, and boxes.
Full pans are roughly equivalent in volume to a tube of watercolour paint. Half pans are half the volume of full pans. A half pan has a capacity of around 2ml.
Full pans are ideal for those who enjoy using large brushes and painting on a large scale. They are also suitable for studio sets, travel sets with a few colours, and colours that you tend to go through quickly.
Half pans are more suitable for well-used travel sets, painting with small to medium-sized brushes, sketchbooks, and smaller-scale paintings. They are small, lightweight, and easy to carry around.
Yes, some boxes are designed in a way that allows you to mix full pans and half pans.
