Cody Casey
Artist-grade half pans are a great option for those looking to paint outdoors or in a studio. They are lightweight, portable, and compatible with most travel watercolour kits. Artist-grade half pans are also safe and non-toxic, with superior saturation and rich pigments. While they can be pricier than buying a set of colours, they are more cost-effective if you know which colours you use the most and only need to replace individual colours. You can also refill your half pans with tube paint, which is more economical in the long run. Making your own palette is another way to save money, as you can choose the exact colours you want and avoid wasting paint.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Practicality | More practical than tubes, less waste, easy to carry |
| Affordability | Buying individual pans can be more expensive than buying a set of colours |
| Longevity | Lasts longer than tubes, can be refilled with tube paint |
| Customisability | Customisable through different types and styles of pans, compatible with travel watercolour tins, cases, and boxes |
| Size | Half pans are half the size of full pans, ideal for small to medium-sized brushes |
| Weight | Lightweight, ideal for outdoor painting |
| Permanence and Lightfastness | Rated between 5-8, with 8 being the maximum, can remain bright and avoid fading for 15-100 years |
| Safety | Non-toxic, superior saturation, rich in pigments |
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What You'll Learn
Refill half pans with tube paint
Refilling half pans with tube paint is a cost-effective way to create a watercolour palette tailored to your needs. It is also a more sustainable option, as you can reuse the pan and avoid the waste that comes with buying a new set.
When refilling half pans, it is important to consider the type of paint you are using, as different manufacturers use slightly different recipes. Tubes of watercolour are made up of coloured pigments and a liquid that holds the pigments in suspension. This liquid often includes a "plasticizer", usually glycerin, which makes the paint less brittle and reduces cracking when it dries.
There are a few different methods for filling half pans with tube paint. One method is to fill the pan a third of the way full, let it dry for a couple of days, then add another third layer and repeat the drying process. Once the second layer is dry, fill the final third of the pan and let it dry before using it. This method helps to reduce cracking and ensures good adhesion.
Another method is to half-fill the pan, stir the paint with a toothpick or blunt needle, and allow it to dry. Once dry, fill the rest of the pan, leaving a small space at the top, and stir again. Allow this layer to dry as well, preferably in a well-ventilated area like a windowsill.
Some artists also recommend adding a drop or two of glycerine and/or distilled water to the paint before filling the pan, especially if the paint has cracked in the past.
It is important to note that the drying time for the paint will vary depending on the environmental conditions and the thickness of the paint layer. In low humidity, a full half pan may dry in a couple of days, while high humidity may increase the drying time to a week or more.
By refilling half pans with tube paint, artists can create a customised palette, reduce waste, and save money in the long run.
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Compare prices of sets and individual pans
When comparing the prices of sets and individual pans, it's important to consider the different types and sizes of watercolour pans available. Pans come in various sizes, including full pans, half pans, quarter pans, and eighth pans. The price of a pan can vary depending on its size and the brand.
For example, a single half pan can range from $3 to $10, while a set of 12 half pans can cost around $20. In this case, it is more economical to purchase the set, even if it means wasting some extra plastic palettes. However, as your skills evolve, you may find that specific colours are more useful and favoured, and you may consider refilling individual pans with tube paint, which can offer better value in the long run.
It's worth noting that some brands sell their watercolour paints only in pan form, and certain colours may be available exclusively as half pans. Additionally, some artists prefer full pans as they are easier to dip the full brush into. When purchasing pans, it's essential to consider your personal preferences, the frequency of use, and the specific colours you require.
Overall, the decision to buy sets or individual pans depends on various factors, including cost, convenience, and personal taste. By comparing prices and considering your specific needs, you can make an informed choice that suits your artistic requirements and budget.
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Choose half pans for travel sets
Half pans are a great option for travel sets due to their compact size and portability. They are lightweight and take up minimal space, making them ideal for painting outdoors or on the go. Additionally, half pans are more affordable than full pans, allowing you to build a diverse colour collection without breaking the bank.
When choosing half pans for your travel set, consider the following:
- Colour selection: Opt for a set with a good range of colours, including your favourites and those you frequently use. This will ensure you have the colours you need without carrying unnecessary shades.
- Quality: Look for artist-grade or professional-quality half pans that offer rich pigmentation, smooth application, and lightfastness to ensure your paintings remain vibrant and fade-resistant over time.
- Practicality: Choose a travel set with a reusable metal tin or palette, allowing you to create a customised palette by rearranging the half pans or adding new colours. Some sets also offer empty half pans that you can fill with tube paint to create your desired colours.
- Brush compatibility: Consider the type of brushes you intend to use. If you prefer using flat brushes, ensure the travel set's brushes are compatible, or opt for sets that include water brushes for added convenience when painting on the go.
- Value for money: Compare prices and consider the cost per half pan to determine the best value. Some sets may offer a more extensive colour range or higher-quality pigments at a slightly higher price point, providing better long-term value.
By considering these factors, you can choose half pans that suit your artistic needs and financial preferences, allowing you to create beautiful watercolour paintings wherever your travels take you.
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Buy from affordable online art stores
There are several online art stores that offer affordable watercolour half pans. Art Whale, for instance, offers a 48-colour half-pan watercolour paint set that is lightweight, practical, and safe for children. The paint is also highly pigmented, dries quickly, and is resistant to fading.
Amazon also offers a 48-colour half-pan watercolour paint set for beginners, students, and professional artists. This set includes a metal carrying case, making it ideal for travel. The lid functions as a palette for mixing colours, and the set also includes a water brush.
Additionally, BLICK Art Materials provides various watercolour paint options, including sets for beginners and students, such as the Crayola Educational Watercolor Pan Sets. They also offer artist-grade watercolours at affordable prices, such as the Utrecht Artists' Watercolors.
Another option is to purchase individual pans from online stores. For example, Blick offers Windsor and Newton Cotman pans in the range of $5-6, and artist-grade pans for $8-10. This can be a more cost-effective option, as you only buy the colours you need and avoid wasting unused colours from a set.
When purchasing watercolour half pans online, it is important to read reviews and compare prices to ensure you are getting a good-quality product at a reasonable price.
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Make your own palette
Making your own palette is a great way to get the exact colours you want and save money. Here's a guide on how to do it:
First, you need to choose a suitable case for your palette. Consider how many colours you want to include and find a case with enough space. A tin palette paint case is a good option as it's roomy and can hold up to 52 half pans of individual colours. You can also use the tin palettes that come with most watercolours, or get creative and use a metal baking tray or candy tin. If you want something more decorative, try a porcelain serving platter or a ceramic plate.
Next, select the colours you want to include in your palette. It's a good idea to limit your colours, especially if you're a beginner, as it's easier to learn colour mixing with a limited range. Choose strongly saturated colours and single-pigment paints to increase your mixing possibilities. You can also include some convenience colours like browns, dark greys, purples, oranges, and greens.
Once you've chosen your colours, squeeze the paint from the tubes into the half pans. Be sure to consider how the paint dries and how the ingredients in the liquid may affect this. You can label the pans with numbers that correspond to a written key, making it easier to match the pans with the key.
Finally, arrange your colours in a way that works for you. You could try the split primary concept, which gives you a wider range of mixing possibilities. Or, put similar colours side by side so that if they mix, you get an analogous colour, and colour contamination is less of an issue.
By making your own palette, you can create a customised set of colours that suits your needs and style, and save money at the same time.
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Frequently asked questions
Half pans are small and lightweight, but hold a decent amount of colour. They are ideal for well-used travel sets, for those who paint with small to medium-sized brushes, for sketchbooks and smaller-scale paintings.
It is more economical to buy a set of half pans rather than individual pans. You can also refill your half pans with tube paint, which will give you 2-4 refills.
Half pans are not ideal if you want to travel very light. They also have less surface area for your brush to manoeuvre compared to quarter or eighth pans.
