Tiffany Haney
Watercolour pans are a convenient, portable, and economical option for artists. Filling your own pans can be a great way to save money and have more flexibility with your paint colours. Artists can create their own custom palettes by refilling pans with paint from tubes. This method is also around five times cheaper than buying new pre-filled pans. When refilling pans, it is recommended to use artist-quality watercolour paint. Some paints, such as those containing honey, may not dry completely, so it is important to consider the paint formula. Additionally, some artists suggest adding a drop of distilled water or glycerine to the pan before adding the paint to help it soften and adhere to the pan.
Characteristics and values of refilling a watercolor paint pan
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost | Refilling pans with paint from tubes is significantly cheaper than buying new pre-filled pans. |
| Ease of use | Refilling pans is easy and allows for custom colours and palettes. |
| Portability | Watercolour pans are compact and portable, making them ideal for painting outdoors or while travelling. |
| Paint quality | Artist-quality paint is recommended for refilling pans, and some brands may require the addition of glycerine or distilled water for optimal results. |
| Paint consistency | Some paints, such as those containing honey, may not dry completely in pan form. |
| Storage | Pans should be covered but not sealed during the drying process, which can take 2-3 days, to prevent mould and ensure proper ventilation. |
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What You'll Learn
Using artist-quality paint
Refilling your own watercolour pans with artist-quality paint is a cost-effective way to use high-quality paint. It is also a sustainable practice, as you can reuse the pans.
When refilling empty pans, it is important to note that different brands of paint have different formulations, and some paints may not rewet well. For example, Winsor & Newton does not recommend reweting dried tube colour on a palette or in a pan, as it will degrade the paint. However, some artists have refilled empty Cotman pans with W&N Artist watercolours and found that they rewet nicely.
To refill a pan, start by filling it only one-third of the way with paint. Then, stir the sides and corners with a needle to release air bubbles. Allow the paint to set for at least a day, and then repeat the process for the next third. This allows the paint to dry flat.
Some artists also recommend adding a drop of distilled water and a drop of glycerin to the pan before adding the paint to help it soften and adhere better. If you are using Cotman watercolour, add two drops of glycerin. For Art Spectrum, add two drops to pans that have cracked more. For W&N, one drop should be enough.
When refilling pans, it is also important to consider the amount of paint you are using. Leave some space in the pan for mixing and adding water. You can always add more paint if needed.
By refilling your own watercolour pans with artist-quality paint, you can save money and create a custom palette that suits your creative needs.
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Filling half pans for travel
Filling your own half pans is a great way to create a portable, personalised palette for your travels. It's also economical, as you can use your existing tubes of paint to refill your pans. This means you can take your favourite colours with you wherever you go.
When filling half pans, it's important to consider the drying time. If you fill the entire pan at once, it will take longer to dry, so it's recommended to build up multiple layers with drying time in between. This will speed up the process and ensure your paint is stable enough for travel.
To fill your half pans, squeeze the desired amount of paint from the tube into the pan. You can fill the pan in one go or add multiple layers, depending on your preference. If you want to speed up the drying process, leave the palette open, lower the humidity, and increase airflow. You can also tap the pan or use a toothpick to level the paint and push it into the corners.
Don't forget to label your half pans so you know what paint each one contains. It's also a good idea to let the paint air dry before placing it in a closed travel palette. This will ensure your paint is ready for use when you're on the move.
If you're using half pans with dried paint, you can add a drop or two of distilled water and glycerine to bring them back to life. This will help you get the most out of your paint and avoid waste.
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Waterproofing and labelling
Waterproofing
To prevent your paint from drying out, it is important to properly waterproof your pans. One effective method is to use glycerine. First, add a drop or two of distilled water to each pan, depending on the paint brand. For example, if you are using Cotman watercolour, add two drops of glycerine. Then, stir the mixture with a toothpick or a fine object like a blunt needle. If you are using Art Spectrum, add an extra drop of glycerine for pans that have cracked more. Allow the mixture to dry before refilling them.
Labelling
Labelling your watercolour paint pans is a helpful way to identify colours and prevent confusion. You can use a waterproof pen, such as a Staedtler pigment liner in size 0.2, to label the colours on a scrap piece of watercolour paper. Tape this chart inside the lid of your palette for easy reference. Additionally, you can swatch out the colours on a small sheet of watercolour paper and keep it separate as a colour reference guide. This will help you locate the colours in your palette accurately.
Some artists prefer to label the underside of the plastic tub to maximise mixing space on the palette. Alternatively, you can create a custom colour mixing palette by leaving some space in your pans or palette wells. This allows you to mix colours directly in the pans and easily identify them by their unique combinations.
By following these waterproofing and labelling techniques, you can effectively manage your watercolour paint pans and create a convenient and organised painting setup.
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Drying and cracking
Watercolour pans need to dry out after being refilled, but this can cause them to crack. To prevent this, you can add a few drops of distilled water and glycerin to the pan before adding the dried cake of paint. This will help to prevent the paint from drying out too much and becoming crumbly and brittle.
Glycerin is a "plasticizer", which makes the paint more flexible and less prone to cracking. It is often added to modern paint formulas to improve their handling characteristics. Humectants, such as sugar syrup or honey, are also commonly added to paint to help retain moisture and make the paint easier to dissolve.
If your paint has already dried and cracked, you can add a few drops of water or glycerin to the cracks to help fill them in. You can also add a little gum arabic to the paint before it dries to prevent it from becoming too crumbly.
Some brands of paint may be more prone to cracking than others. For example, Holbein gouache has been known to dry and crack quickly. The brand of paint you choose will affect the final results, so it may be worth experimenting with different brands to find one that suits your needs.
Additionally, fully drying each layer of paint before adding more can help prevent cracking. This allows the water to evaporate gradually, reducing the risk of the paint cracking as it dries.
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Cost-effectiveness
Refilling a watercolour paint pan is a cost-effective way to use high-quality artist paints. Buying tubes of paint and refilling pans is significantly cheaper than buying pre-filled pans. Artists can save money by buying a small number of tubes of paint and refilling pans as needed, rather than purchasing many pre-filled pans. This method also reduces waste, as artists can control the amount of paint they use and mix custom colours.
Watercolour paint in tube form is more economical than pre-filled pans, as a small tube can fill several pans. Artists can also create custom palettes by mixing colours in pans, reducing the need to buy a wide range of pre-filled pans. This is especially useful for those who use a limited colour palette when painting outdoors or travelling. Half pans are often used for this purpose, as they allow for a reasonable range of colours in a compact format.
Refillable pans also allow artists to try out new colours without committing to a large quantity of paint. When buying a new colour, it is recommended to purchase a pan to test it out. If the artist likes the colour, they can then buy a tube and refill the pan as needed. This reduces the risk of wasting money on unused tubes of paint.
Some artists may prefer to use certain paints straight from the tube, such as Graham paint, which is made with honey and does not dry completely. However, for paints that can be stored in pans, refilling is a cost-effective option. Artists can also create custom colours by mixing paints from tubes, further reducing the need to purchase a variety of pre-filled pans.
Overall, refilling watercolour paint pans is a budget-friendly option for artists, allowing them to use high-quality paints at a lower cost. By refilling pans, artists can save money, reduce waste, and create custom palettes to suit their needs.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a watercolour paint tube, a paint pan, a stirrer, and some distilled water. First, squeeze the paint from the tube into the pan. You can add a drop of distilled water to the paint to help it spread evenly across the pan. Use a stirrer to mix the paint and water together. Allow the paint to dry for 2-3 days.
It is recommended to use artist-quality watercolour paint. Some good brands for refilling paint pans include Old Holland, Maimeri Blu, Schmincke, and Daniel Smith. Avoid using paint that contains honey, such as Sennelier and Graham, as it will not dry completely.
To make your own custom colour, you will need a metal palette with a lid, a stir stick, a scrap piece of watercolour paper, a waterproof pen, tape, a clean rag, and watercolour paints in tubes. Start by mixing small amounts of different colours on the palette until you achieve your desired colour. Test the colour by painting a swatch on the scrap piece of paper. Once you are happy with the colour, mix a larger batch and fill the paint pan. Allow the paint to dry before using it.
