
Half pans are a popular choice for watercolour artists as they are small and lightweight, yet hold a decent amount of paint. They are half the volume of a full pan and are typically made of durable and recyclable polystyrene. Half pans are also compatible with most travel watercolour tins, cases and boxes on the market, making them a convenient option for artists on the go. However, it's worth noting that not all half pans are the same size and some brands may have slightly different dimensions, so it's important to check the measurements before purchasing to ensure they fit your palette.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Size | Half the volume of a full pan |
| Compatibility | Compatible with most travel watercolour tins, cases, and boxes |
| Brush size | Suited for small to medium-sized brushes (sizes 2-8) |
| Use case | Well-used travel sets, sketchbooks, and smaller-scale paintings |
| Dimensions | 15mm x 19mm x 10mm deep |
| Capacity | 1.5ml (up to 1.75-2ml when overfilled) |
| Equivalent volume | 5ml tube of liquid watercolour |
| Brands | Winsor and Newton, Schmincke, Van Gogh, Lukas, Schminke, White Nights |
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What You'll Learn

Half pans are half the volume of full pans
Watercolour pans come in various sizes, including full pans, half pans, quarter pans, and eighth pans. The focus here is on half pans and how they compare in volume to full pans.
While the volume of paint in half pans is less than in full pans, it's important to note that the paint in half pans is compressed. This compression results in a higher concentration of paint, and a half pan of compressed paint can be equivalent to a 5ml tube of liquid watercolour. This compression technology ensures that despite the smaller volume, half pans can provide a significant quantity of paint.
The compatibility of half pans with various travel watercolour tins, cases, and boxes is another advantage. They fit well in metal enamel bijoux boxes and Windsor & Newton plastic and metal palettes. Additionally, some half pans come with small magnets attached to their underside, allowing for secure placement in travel palettes and easy rearrangement of colours.
In conclusion, half pans offer a balance of portability and paint capacity, making them a versatile option for artists, especially those who enjoy painting on the go. Their compatibility with different cases and the availability of magnets for secure placement further enhance their convenience.
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Half pans are ideal for small to medium-sized brushes
The compact size of half pans is advantageous for those who want to carry a variety of colours without adding too much bulk to their art kit. They are also a cost-effective option, as the amount of paint in a half pan is equivalent to a 5ml tube of liquid watercolour. This means you get the same quantity of paint at the same price, but in a more portable form.
When it comes to durability, half pans made of polystyrene offer a good balance. This material is not only durable but also recyclable, ensuring the longevity of your paint supply. Additionally, many half pans come with a small magnet attached to their underside, making it easy to secure them in your travel palette and rearrange colours as needed.
While half pans are a versatile option, it's important to note that not all pans are created equal. Some brands, like Winsor & Newton, offer slightly smaller half pans, so their containers may require special pans to fit securely. Additionally, certain brands like Schmincke have unique pan sizes that may not fit perfectly into palettes from other manufacturers.
In conclusion, half pans are indeed ideal for artists who work with small to medium-sized brushes. Their portability, compatibility with various cases, and generous paint capacity make them a favourite among those who enjoy painting on the go. However, it's always a good idea to double-check the dimensions of your palette and pans to ensure a perfect fit.
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Half pans are portable and lightweight
Half pans are a popular choice for watercolour enthusiasts who want to create art on the go. Their compact size and lightweight design make them ideal for travel, fitting neatly into most tins, cases, and boxes on the market. They are also compatible with metal enamel bijoux boxes, which have metal inserts with brackets that securely hold the half pans in place. This compatibility offers artists convenience and flexibility when it comes to choosing their preferred painting setup.
The standard dimensions of a half pan are approximately 15mm in length, 19mm in width, and 10mm in depth, with some variation across brands. This small size makes them highly portable, allowing artists to easily carry a range of colours in their pocket or bag without adding excessive weight. The lightweight nature of half pans is especially advantageous for those who enjoy painting outdoors, such as en plein air painters or urban sketchers who need to travel light.
In terms of paint capacity, half pans typically hold 1.5ml of watercolour paint, which is equivalent to the amount in a 5ml tube of liquid watercolour. This equivalence in paint quantity ensures that artists are getting good value for their money, as the price of a half pan is often comparable to the cost of a 5ml tube. Additionally, the compressed nature of the paint in half pans means that a small amount goes a long way, providing artists with an economical and long-lasting option for their watercolour needs.
The portability and lightweight characteristics of half pans make them a versatile choice for artists. They are well-suited for use with small to medium-sized brushes (sizes 2-8), sketchbooks, and smaller-scale paintings. For artists who want to travel with their watercolour sets, half pans are an excellent option as they balance space and weight constraints while still providing a decent amount of paint. This makes them a recommended choice for those seeking a portable and practical painting setup without compromising on colour selection.
Overall, half pans offer a convenient and lightweight solution for artists who want to paint on the move. Their compatibility with various travel cases, generous paint capacity, and compact size make them a popular choice for creating art while on the go, especially for those who enjoy painting outdoors or need to travel light. By choosing half pans, artists can benefit from a portable, practical, and economical approach to their watercolour painting endeavours.
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Half pans are compatible with most travel watercolour tins
Half pans are a popular choice for watercolour artists due to their compact size and lightweight nature, making them ideal for travel. They are half the volume of a full pan, typically measuring 15mm x 19mm with a depth of 10mm and a capacity of 1.5ml. This makes them highly compatible with most travel watercolour tins, cases and boxes on the market. Their small size means they can easily fit into metal or plastic travel palettes, making them a versatile option for artists on the go.
Standard plastic half-pans are typically made of polystyrene, a durable and recyclable white plastic. Many travel watercolour tins are designed with metal inserts or brackets that securely hold these plastic half-pans in place. Some half-pans also come with a small magnet attached to their underside, allowing them to be easily arranged and rearranged within a travel palette. This feature enhances the customisation options for artists, providing flexibility in their colour configurations.
The compatibility of half pans with travel watercolour tins is further enhanced by the availability of empty tins designed specifically for half-pan sizes. These tins often feature a designated space for a brush and an integral palette for mixing colours, making them a convenient choice for artists. Additionally, some tins have a hinged flap that serves as a mixing and tinting surface, as well as a thumb ring in the base for added convenience during painting.
While most half pans are standardised in size, it is worth noting that some brands may have slight variations. For example, Winsor and Newton are known for creating smaller half pans that require special pans to fit into their containers. Schmincke half pans have also been noted to have a slightly thicker plastic edge, which may require adjustments to fit into certain tins. However, these variations are not the norm, and artists can generally expect a high level of compatibility when using half pans with travel watercolour tins.
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Half pans from different brands may vary in size
Some brands are known for having slightly different-sized pans that may not fit into cases from other brands. For example, Schmincke and Van Gogh pans are reported to fit into the same tin, while Winsor and Newton Cotman half pans are noted to be smaller and may require special pans for their containers. Similarly, a user reported that the Schmincke half pan was too large for their old tin palette, requiring adjustments for a snug fit.
The volume of half pans also varies across brands. While the standard volume of a half pan is commonly accepted as 1.5ml, some sources suggest it can hold up to 2ml when overfilled. Winsor and Newton state that their half pans contain the equivalent of a 5ml tube of liquid watercolor, offering more paint due to compression.
When choosing half pans, it is important to consider the size and compatibility with your chosen case or palette. While most half pans will fit into standard travel watercolor tins, certain brands may have unique sizing that requires adjustments or special pans. Additionally, the volume of the half pan will impact the quantity of paint it can hold, which is an essential consideration for artists.
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Frequently asked questions
A half pan watercolour measures 15mm x 19mm and is 10mm deep. This is the most common size available in watercolour pan sets.
A half pan watercolour typically holds 1.5ml of paint, which is equivalent to around 5ml of liquid watercolour from a tube.
No, not all brands of half pans are the same size and some may be too big or too small for certain cases. For example, Schmincke half pans are known to be slightly larger and may not fit in some cases, such as Winsor and Newton.










































