
Watercolour pans come in a variety of sizes, including full pans, half pans, quarter pans, and eighth pans. The amount of paint that a half pan can hold is a subject of debate. Some sources claim that a half pan can hold around 2ml of paint, while others claim that it can hold up to 6ml. The discrepancy may be due to the fact that some companies overflow their pans, while others fill them just below the top. Additionally, the type of paint and the presence of additives can affect the volume of paint in a half pan. Ultimately, the decision to use half pans or full pans depends on the artist's preferences and the specific requirements of their project.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 2ml-2.5ml |
| Common use | Well-used travel sets, small to medium-sized brushes, sketchbooks, smaller-scale paintings |
| Compatibility | Most travel watercolor tins, cases and boxes |
| Material | Plastic (polystyrene) or metal |
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What You'll Learn
- Half pans are small and lightweight, balancing space and paint quantity
- A 5ml tube of paint can fill a 2ml half pan 2.5 times
- Half pans are compatible with most travel watercolour cases and boxes
- Metal pans are more durable than plastic pans
- A standard 12 half pan box provides a good number of colours for mixing

Half pans are small and lightweight, balancing space and paint quantity
Half pans are a great option for artists who want to balance space and paint quantity. Their small and lightweight design makes them ideal for travel sets, sketchbooks, and smaller-scale paintings. They are perfect for artists who use small to medium-sized brushes and want a compact and portable option without compromising on paint capacity.
The compact size of half pans allows for greater portability and convenience. They are designed to hold approximately 2.0 to 2.5 milliliters of paint, which is about half the capacity of a full pan. This makes them a more space-efficient option, especially when compared to larger pans. The smaller size of half pans also contributes to the lightweight nature of the product, making it easier to carry and transport your paints.
While half pans offer a reduced amount of paint compared to full pans, they still provide a decent amount of color. The quantity of paint in a half pan is sufficient for a wide range of applications and can be used effectively with brushes ranging from size 2 to 8. This makes them a versatile option for artists who want to work on a variety of projects without sacrificing portability.
The space-saving design of half pans also allows for more colors to be included in a single box. A standard 12-half pan box, for example, can provide a diverse range of colors for mixing, including primary colors, earth tones, and greens. This variety of colors in a compact box offers artists greater flexibility and convenience when working on projects that require a range of hues.
Overall, half pans offer a perfect balance between space and paint quantity. Their small and lightweight design makes them ideal for artists who want a portable and versatile option without compromising on color options. With their compact size and decent paint capacity, half pans are a popular choice for artists working on the go or those who prefer a more streamlined setup.
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A 5ml tube of paint can fill a 2ml half pan 2.5 times
Watercolour pans come in various sizes, including full pans, half pans, quarter pans, and eighth pans. The size of the pan determines how much paint it can hold, and different materials are used to make these pans, such as plastic, metal, and natural seashells.
Half pans are a popular choice for artists due to their portability and capacity to hold a decent amount of paint. They are small, lightweight, and ideal for sketchbooks and smaller-scale paintings. A standard half pan has a capacity of approximately 2ml.
Now, let's talk about the 5ml tube of paint. When it comes to filling half pans, a 5ml tube of paint is a cost-effective option. On average, a 5ml tube of paint can fill a 2ml half pan two and a half times. This means that with one 5ml tube, you can fill two half pans completely and still have some paint left over.
Some pigments might yield slightly different results, with one tube filling two half pans with a small amount of paint left in the tube. However, this leftover paint is usually enough to fill another half pan halfway or a bit more. The exact fill depends on the pigment and the brand of paint, as some paints have different formulas for tubes and pans.
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Half pans are compatible with most travel watercolour cases and boxes
Half pans are a great option for artists who want to travel with their watercolours. They are small and lightweight but hold a good amount of paint. They are also compatible with most travel watercolour cases and boxes on the market, making them a versatile choice.
Standard plastic full pans and half-pans are made of durable and recyclable polystyrene. These pans are compatible with most travel watercolour tins, cases, and boxes. Specifically, they fit into metal enamel bijoux boxes with metal inserts that have brackets for the pans. You can also use them with vintage tins or enamel bijoux boxes without the inserts to save space and weight.
Metal quarter-pans and eighth-pans, on the other hand, are made of steel and are manufactured specifically for use with watercolour paints. These pans are compatible with Art Toolkit's Pocket Palette and Demi Palette (also known as a Micro Palette). These palettes are thin and compact, making them ideal for travel.
When choosing half-pans for travel, consider the size of your brushes and the scale of your paintings. Half-pans work well with small to medium-sized brushes (sizes 2-8) and are perfect for sketchbooks and smaller-scale paintings. They are also a good choice for well-used travel sets, as they balance space and paint quantity effectively.
There are many travel watercolour sets available on the market that utilise half-pans. For example, the Expeditionary Art set, Blue Rooster Artist Watercolor Metal Box Small, and the DANIEL SMITH Metal Watercolor Pocket Palette all accommodate half-pans. You can also create your own travel set by using poster putty or adhesive magnets to secure the half-pans in a variety of containers, such as an Altoids tin or a cigar box.
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Metal pans are more durable than plastic pans
Half pans are a common size for watercolours, balancing space and the quantity of paint. They are small and lightweight, but hold a decent amount of colour. They are compatible with most travel watercolour tins, cases, and boxes.
Metal pans are a contemporary addition to the watercolour palette. They are made of steel and are compatible with Art Toolkit's Pocket Palette and Demi Palette. Metal pans are much flatter than plastic pans and therefore have more surface area for their volume, allowing the artist's brush to manoeuvre while saving space and weight in the palette. They are also extremely durable and can last 10-20+ years. However, they are quite heavy to hold with one hand and are not meant to be used outside your studio or home. Metal palettes also stain more than plastic ones, which can be an issue when trying to judge shades.
Standard plastic half pans are made of polystyrene, a durable and recyclable white plastic. They are compatible with most travel watercolour tins, cases, and boxes on the market. They are also lightweight and easy to clean. However, plastic palettes are preferred for beginners due to the ease of colour mixing and availability.
Overall, while both metal and plastic half pans are viable options for watercolour artists, metal pans are more durable than plastic pans. Metal pans last longer, offer more surface area, and are compatible with popular travel watercolour cases. However, they are heavier and more prone to staining than plastic pans.
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A standard 12 half pan box provides a good number of colours for mixing
Watercolour pans come in various sizes, including full pans, half pans, quarter pans, and eighth pans. The most common types are whole pans and half pans. Half pans are a popular choice for artists due to their portability and convenience. They are small and lightweight, making them ideal for travel sets, sketchbooks, and smaller-scale paintings.
A standard 12 half pan box is a popular option for artists as it provides a good range of colours for mixing. With 12 half pans, artists can have a variety of primary colours, earth tones, and greens, allowing for a wide array of colour combinations. This variety of colours in a compact and portable box makes it a versatile choice for artists who work both in the studio and outdoors.
The number of colours in a half pan box is important because it determines the mixing options available to the artist. While some artists prefer to use full pans for their larger capacity, half pans offer the advantage of being able to fit more colours into a single box. This is especially beneficial when working with a limited palette or when specific colours are required for a particular project.
Half pans typically hold around 2ml to 2.5ml of paint, which is approximately half the capacity of a full pan. This smaller size makes half pans ideal for artists who want to carry a variety of colours without adding too much bulk or weight to their art supplies. Additionally, the compact size of half pans allows for more surface area for brushes to manoeuvre, making them a practical choice for artists who work with small to medium-sized brushes.
Overall, a standard 12 half pan box is a versatile and practical choice for artists who want a good selection of colours for mixing while maintaining a compact and portable setup. The variety of colours and the convenience of half pans make them a popular option for artists working in various settings and with different artistic styles.
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Frequently asked questions
A half pan of watercolor can hold approximately 2ml to 2.5ml of paint.
A quarter pan holds a quarter of the volume of paint of a full pan, and an eighth pan holds an eighth of the volume of paint of a full pan.
Half pans are small and lightweight, making them ideal for travel sets and sketchbooks. They also provide a good balance between space and the quantity of paint.










































