Half-Pan Watercolors: Filling Expectations

When it comes to filling half pans for watercolors, the amount of paint you'll need depends on the size and depth of the pan. Typically, half pans are small and don't require a lot of paint to fill. They are designed to hold a small amount of paint, just enough for a few uses. While some artists might fill the half pans to the brim, others might only partially fill them, depending on their preferences and the consistency of their paints. Ultimately, the amount of paint you use will depend on your personal needs and the specific dimensions of your half pans.

Watercolour half-pan capacity

Watercolour half-pans are small containers that hold dry watercolour paint. They are typically made of metal or plastic and have a rectangular or circular shape. The capacity of a watercolour half-pan can vary depending on its size and shape, but it generally ranges from 2 to 5 ml.

A half-pan of watercolour paint can be filled with dry paint multiple times, as the paint is rewettable and can be activated with water to create a vibrant, creamy paint consistency. The amount of paint that can be loaded into a half-pan also depends on the paint's formulation and pigment load. Some paints may have a higher pigment concentration, resulting in a smaller amount of paint filling the half-pan.

It's important to note that overfilling a half-pan is not recommended as it can lead to waste and difficulty in accessing the paint. The ideal fill level is such that there is still space in the pan after loading it with paint, allowing for easy access and mixing of colours. Additionally, the paint should be allowed to dry completely before closing the pan to avoid mould or paint degradation.

To fill a watercolour half-pan, artists typically use a putty knife or a similar tool to scoop out a small amount of paint from the tube and carefully place it into the pan. The paint is then spread evenly across the pan, ensuring that it adheres to the surface and does not crumble or crack when dry. Once filled, the paint can be reactivated with water and used directly from the pan, providing a convenient and portable option for artists.

Refilling half-pans

Before you start filling pans, half pans or palettes, you will have decided which colours you are using. Before you roll up your sleeves and start squeezing paint from your tubes of watercolour, it can be useful to take a moment and consider the type of paint you are using to make your pans.

• Select your colours. If you want advice on the best colours to get started with, take a look at my recommended colour palette.
• Grab an empty pan and a tube of paint. You’ll also need a small stick for stirring (the wrong end of an old brush or a toothpick is what most people use).
• Label your pans. For future reference, it’s a good idea to write the paint name, brand and pigment number on each pan. Use a sharpie marker or a waterproof pen.
• Be careful when opening your tubes. Sometimes if your tubes have been untouched for a while, the pigments can become separated from the liquid vehicle, so it’s a good idea to massage or shake the tube before opening so all the ingredients mix together. Sometimes paint gushes out of the tube – be ready to catch it in a pan in case this happens.
• Begin by squeezing paint into the corners of the pan. Don’t fill the pan completely – no more than half full is good. Stir the paint with your stick. You want to avoid any air bubbles from forming and get the paint to adhere to the inside of the pan as it dries. You can also tap the pans on your tabletop a few times to chase bubbles to the surface.
• Leave the pan to dry for at least 24 to 48 hours, then check the results. Drying time varies depending on temperature and humidity and can take a few days. Just let it dry naturally. Don’t try to speed up the process by heating.
• Fill the pans a second time but don’t fill them right to the top. Part of using watercolour pans is getting your paint to the right consistency before you start painting. You do this by adding a few drops of clear water at the beginning of each painting session to pre-wet the paint. When you make pans, if you fill them right to the top, there is no room to hold any water. You want to leave a small reservoir at the top of the cake, which makes it easy to form a pool of water and activate your watercolours.
• Make sure all your pans are completely dry before putting them in a palette box.

Some additional tips:

• Each half pan has a capacity of 2ml so a 5ml tube can fill it 2 times.
• If you get the Mission Gold small tubes, those are 7ml.
• The big 15ml tubes can last you for quite a long time.
• If you are using Cotman student colours, you will definitely need to add some glycerine or they will crack and fall out of the pan.
• Da Vinci don't need any additives - they are incredibly creamy and consistent and dry beautifully.
• Daniel Smith mostly dry beautifully, though some of the primary colours could do with a little glycerine.
• Some of the colours are more liquid from the tube so be careful when squeezing them. If they are more liquid, they are more likely to crack as they dry so perhaps pour just a third of a pan at a time.
• If you are filling palettes directly, you can do it all at once but make sure you squeeze the paint into the corners, not just a squirt in the middle.

Half-pan sizes

Watercolour pans come in two rectangular sizes: a full pan and a half pan. A full pan is sometimes referred to as a whole pan. The full pan is twice the size of a half pan.

The exact measurements of the pans differ slightly between brands. For example, the full pan by Winsor & Newton is 18mm x 28mm x 10mm, whereas the half pan is 15mm x 19mm x 10mm. The full pan has a capacity of 3ml, and the half pan has a capacity of 1.5ml.

When filling your pans with paint, it is recommended to fill the pan in several layers, allowing each layer to dry before adding the next. This will reduce the amount of shrinkage that occurs as the paint dries.

Water-to-paint ratio

Before you start painting, you can get an idea of the intensity of your mixture by observing the paint on your palette. The more water in the mixture, the bigger the puddle will be. As you add more paint, it becomes harder for the water to gather into a puddle, and you will be left with some water streaks instead.

When you are happy with your mixture, paint a small area first as a test. If it is too dry, add some clean water to loosen the paint. If it is too wet, grab a paper towel to get rid of the excess watery paint.

The right water-to-paint ratio depends on the effect you want to achieve. A watery, light mixture is great for a clean, big first wash and for glazing. A medium mixture, which will give you a slightly darker and more intense colour, is ideal for the majority of the painting. An intense mixture, with very little to no water, will be mostly opaque and strong and is often used for detail work.

It is important to note that the size of the puddle and wet streaks will also depend on the size of your brush. A big mop brush will create a much bigger water puddle since it holds a lot more water.

While it can be challenging to get the right water-to-paint ratio at first, it will eventually become second nature with enough practice and observation.

Cost-effectiveness of half-pans

Watercolour half-pans are a cost-effective option for beginners and professionals alike. They are more affordable than full pans, which are about 20% more expensive. If you are using a wide range of colours, half-pans are ideal as they take up less space. You can also buy empty tins and customise your palette with your choice of colours.

Half-pans are also more cost-effective than tubes. A 5ml tube of liquid watercolour costs more than a full pan of the same capacity. However, the pigment in a pan is more concentrated, so you would need one and a half to two 5ml tubes to fill a full pan. Buying paint in tubes is more economical if you opt for larger tubes—a 14ml tube typically costs twice as much as a 5ml tube, giving you a third extra for your money. Larger tubes offer even better value.

Half-pans are also lightweight and portable, making them ideal for painting outdoors. They are easy to transport and convenient to use—simply moisten the pan and you're ready to paint. Half-pans are also less wasteful than tubes as you can easily control the amount of paint you use. With tubes, it's easy to squeeze out more than you need, and any leftover paint on your palette will likely dry out.

When it comes to refilling your half-pans, you can save money by buying larger tubes of watercolour paint and filling the pans yourself. This way, you get the benefits of both tubes and pans. You can also create your own custom colours by mixing different shades and filling the pans.

Overall, half-pans offer a cost-effective and convenient option for watercolour artists, whether beginners or professionals. They are affordable, portable, and customisable, making them a popular choice for those who want to create their own unique palette.

Frequently asked questions