Emilie Meyer
Watercolour pans are small plastic pots of dried paint, which are convenient and easy to transport. You can buy empty pans and fill them with paint, or buy pre-filled pans. The paint is activated with water, and the ratio of paint to water will alter the results of your painting. To avoid colours mixing, it is best to use a separate palette for mixing, and some artists prefer to use two cups of water to avoid contamination. You can use the lid of your paint palette, or a ceramic plate, but plastic is lighter and less likely to smash. To lighten a colour, add more water, and to darken it, add more paint.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pan size | Full pan or half pan |
| Pan material | Plastic or porcelain |
| Paint type | Watercolour |
| Paint consistency | Dry and hard |
| Paint behaviour | Some brands dry too hard and crack |
| Paint behaviour | Some brands dry just right and form a normal cake of paint |
| Paint behaviour | Some brands remain soft and don't dry |
| Paint preparation | Activate paint with water before painting |
| Paint preparation | Use a separate palette for mixing |
| Paint preparation | Mix colours from light to dark |
| Paint preparation | Use two cups of water to avoid contamination |
| Paint preparation | Pre-mix colours before painting |
| Paint preparation | Add more water for lighter colours |
| Paint preparation | Add more paint for darker colours |
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What You'll Learn
Water ratio and paint consistency
Watercolour pans are small plastic pots of dried paint. The paint needs to be activated with water before use. The ratio of paint pigment to water will alter the results of your painting. The more water you add, the lighter the colour will be. Conversely, adding less water creates a thicker mixture for a darker paint.
There are several ways to activate the paint in your pans. One method is to wet your brush and leave a drop of water on each pan for a few minutes, creating a layer of wet paint on the surface. Alternatively, you can use a spray bottle to spritz water onto the pans or your palette to activate the paint. When using a spray bottle, it is important to remember to spray each pan or colour separately to avoid colours mixing and creating a muddy brown grey.
Once you have activated your paint, it is recommended to use a mixing palette to achieve the desired colour and consistency. You can use the lid of your paint palette, a custom palette, or even a ceramic plate. It is important to mix your colours separately before applying them to your paper, as mixing new paints during the painting process can be challenging.
When mixing colours, it is best to start with the lighter, more transparent, and less staining colours first, followed by the darker colours, to avoid contaminating the lighter shades. Always ensure you have mixed enough paint to cover large areas, as colour matching later can be difficult.
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Using tube paints vs. pans
There are several factors to consider when deciding between using tube paints and pan paints for watercolour painting. The most suitable option depends on the type of painting, convenience, cost, and personal preference.
Tube paints are available in larger quantities and are often sold in sets or individually, offering a wide range of colour options. They contain more glycerin, resulting in a creamy soft consistency, and are generally moist. Tube paints are ideal for creating rich, saturated washes and covering large areas with colour. However, they may be less convenient for outdoor painting or travelling due to their bulkiness and the need for a separate palette. Tube paints can also be messier and lead to more waste, especially when squeezed directly from the tube onto a palette.
On the other hand, pan paints are lightweight and portable, making them convenient for painting outdoors or while travelling. They are available in standard half and full pan sizes, with some brands offering larger sizes as well. Pan paints are typically dry and hard, and they can be easily stored and transported in a palette box with a lid. This form of watercolour paint results in less waste as you can control the amount of paint used and easily rewet dried pans. Additionally, you can create your own pans by refilling empty pans with tube paints, which is more economical and allows for customisation of colours.
Some artists prefer tube paints for landscapes, loose watercolour, or still life paintings, where larger quantities of paint and richer colours may be desired. In contrast, pan paints are often favoured for botanical paintings or when working in small quantities, as they provide easy access to a range of colours without the hassle of tubes.
Ultimately, the choice between tube paints and pan paints depends on individual preferences and the specific requirements of each painting project. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, and many artists choose to use a combination of both, depending on the situation.
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Making your own pans
When making your own pans, it is important to consider the brand of paint you are using. Different brands dry differently depending on their ingredients. Some brands may dry too hard and crack, especially those that do not contain a large amount of glycerin. Adding a drop or two of glycerin to your paint before filling the pans can help prevent this issue. Alternatively, brands like Daniel Smith that are glycerin-based will dry to form a normal cake of paint that reactivates easily with water.
Another factor to consider is the consistency of the paint. Tube watercolours contain more glycerin to maintain their creamy soft consistency while sealed in the tube. When using tube paints to fill pans, you may need to add water to create a slurry-like consistency that dries well in the pans. You can also spritz the pans with water to help dissolve the paint and create a slurry.
It is also important to understand the ratio of paint pigment to water when mixing your own pans. Using too much water can result in a lack of saturation in your watercolour paintings. Additionally, some paints may not rewet well, so it is essential to choose a brand that offers good rewetting properties, especially if you plan to paint outdoors.
Finally, when creating your own pans, you have the flexibility to choose between full pans and half pans. Full pans are larger and easier to dip the full brush head into, while half pans are smaller and more compact for travel. You can purchase empty tins that hold a combination of full and half pans to create a custom palette that suits your needs.
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Transporting and storing pans
Watercolour pan paints are easy to transport and store. They usually come in a palette box with a lid, making them convenient for painting on the go. You can simply grab your brush and palette box, and you're ready to paint anywhere. The compact nature of pan paints also means they are easy to store and take up minimal space.
When transporting your pan paints, it is important to ensure they are secure and won't be damaged during travel. You can purchase dedicated carrying cases or pouches designed specifically for transporting art supplies. These cases often have compartments or dividers to keep your pans organised and protected. If you're looking for a more affordable option, you can use a small box or container to store your pans and prevent them from moving around during transport.
To maintain the longevity of your pan paints, it is recommended to keep them in a cool, dry place when not in use. Store them away from direct sunlight or extreme temperatures, as this can affect the consistency of the paint. If you live in a humid environment, consider using a sealed container or bag to prevent moisture from affecting your pans.
When storing your pan paints, organisation is key. Label your pans with the colour names or codes, so you can easily find the shades you need. You can also create a colour chart or swatch book to help you locate specific colours quickly. Additionally, consider investing in a palette with a lid or a storage container that has compartments to keep your pans tidy and protected.
For added convenience, you can create your own customised palette by purchasing empty pans and filling them with your choice of paint. This allows you to curate a unique selection of colours that suits your artistic needs. You can also refill these pans as needed, making them a cost-effective and sustainable option.
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Mixing colours
It's a good idea to activate all the colours you want to use before you start painting. This can be done by wetting your brush and leaving a drop of water on each pan for a few minutes, creating a layer of wet paint on the surface. Alternatively, you can use a small spray bottle to spritz water onto the pans or your palette to activate the paint.
When mixing colours, it's best to start with the lighter, more transparent and less staining colours first, and then move on to the darker shades. This will help to avoid contaminating the lighter colours. Always use a separate palette or mixing area for combining colours, rather than applying them directly from the pan to your paper. You can use the lid of your paint palette, a custom palette, or even a ceramic plate or porcelain palette for mixing.
If you plan to cover a large area with a mixed colour, be sure to mix enough paint, as it's challenging to colour match later if you run out. To practice colour mixing, choose two colours and mix them in varying levels, gradually adding more of one colour to see how the shade changes.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use your brush to pick up some water and swirl it around on the surface of the pan to activate the paint. Alternatively, you can use a small spray bottle to spritz water onto the pans and create a layer of wet paint.
You should always use a separate palette or mixing area to mix your colours. You can use the lid of your paint palette, a custom palette, or a ceramic plate. If you want to avoid contamination altogether, clean your brush before picking up pigment from a different pan.
To lighten the colour, add more water. To darken it, add more paint.
