Watercolor Pans or Tubes-Which One is Right for You?

Are You Wondering Whether Tube or Pan Watercolors are your Best Choice?
Different sizes and containers may suit various creative needs, artistic styles, and painting scales.

When I work on smaller series pieces, I find that half pans are sufficient. Not to mention, you can fit more colors in a single palette, and they look so charming and delightful on the art store shelves—like candies you can’t resist collecting.

However, when I started painting landscapes, that size no longer met my needs. So, I’ve outlined the differences between tube and pan watercolors, along with some tips to help you decide which one might be better for your projects.

About Pan Watercolors

You can purchase pan watercolors individually, and many brands offer sets with palettes, such as 12-color, 24-color, or 48-color options. These sets are portable and ideal for beginners to use right away.

Packaging

Pans typically come in half-pan or full-pan sizes. Most brands place the paint in white polystyrene containers, a durable and recyclable plastic. Some artisanal paint makers use alternative containers, such as small shells, ceramic dishes, enamel tins, or flat metal boxes.

Usage

To use, wet a brush and dip it into the pan to “activate” the color. You can also spray water on the surface before use to soften the paint.

Choosing Half Pans or Full Pans?

Full Pans

If you frequently work on large-scale pieces or use large watercolor brushes, full pans are more convenient. Their larger surface area allows for quick and easy paint pickup, reducing the chance of contaminating nearby colors. You won’t have to struggle to load a large brush in a small pan, which can also help protect the hair from damage.

Half Pans

Half pans are ideal for those using medium to small brushes or painting in smaller sketchbooks, such as A5 size. They are generally sufficient for this purpose.

Travel palettes often feature half pans, making them perfect for artists who prioritize space and weight. Half pans allow you to fit more colors in a compact space, making them lightweight and convenient for painting on the go.

About Tube Watercolors

Packaging

Tube paints usually come in sizes such as 5ml, 15ml, and 21ml, depending on the brand. You’ll need a separate palette to use them effectively.

Usage

Tube paints offer fresh, wet paint that can be easily and quickly picked up in large quantities. They’re especially handy for creating large-scale works or when you need intense, concentrated color.

Filling Pans with Tube Paints

You can buy empty pans and fill them with tube paints, customizing your own portable pan set with your preferred color combinations.

Tips for Filling Pans:

• Labeling: Before squeezing paint into the pans, write the color name and number on the white plastic pan for easy reference later.
• Handling Tubes: Be cautious when opening tube paints, as some may flow or spurt out quickly. Prepare your pans beforehand.
• Smoothing the Paint: To create a smooth surface, use a small bamboo skewer or needle to gently stir the paint and release any trapped air, helping the paint settle evenly in the pan.

Should You Choose Tube or Pan Watercolors? Key Points to Consider

• Some brands do not produce pan watercolors, or the color selection in pan form is smaller compared to tube paints. For example, Holbein watercolor paints currently offer 108 colors in tubes on their official website, but only 48 colors in half pans.
  
• Many brands only offer half pans for their pan watercolors.
  
• In the long run, tube paints are more cost-effective. While the price difference between tubes and pans may not be huge, a 15ml tube of paint can refill a full pan at least 2-3 times.
  
• Some people prefer to squeeze fresh paint from a tube each time they paint, but this can lead to waste when cleaning the palette, especially if too much paint is squeezed out (if there’s a large amount left, I usually don’t clean it and instead leave it to use next time by simply adding water to revive it).
  
• Some paints, due to their composition, take longer to dry. If you plan to squeeze tube paint into a palette and take it with you, you should allow time for it to dry, or else it may stick to another side of the palette.

How I Create My Palette

I have both half-pan and full-pan sets, as well as many tube watercolors.

For colors I use frequently, I prefer to buy tube paints, squeezing them directly onto the palette or refilling the watercolor pans before use.
For colors I use less often or want to try new ones, I sometimes buy pan watercolors and arrange them on the palette.

To store pan watercolors, you can use masking tape or adhesive magnetic strips to secure them in a container, preferably one with a lid to prevent dust buildup.

If you do outdoor sketching, you can also divide your color sets into one for indoor painting and another for outdoor use.
Indoor palettes may have larger mixing areas and more colors, and are generally heavier, like ceramic palettes, which are not easy to use outdoors.

For outdoor sketching, lightweight and personal preference are key. I usually use pan watercolors or pre-squeeze the paint and let it dry.
You don’t need many colors—just choose the ones you use most often when painting outdoors.

Of course, you can also squeeze paint on-site for outdoor sketching, but you might need to consider factors like how much paint to use and how to carry it afterward.

Conclusion

I usually recommend beginners purchase a 12-color or larger pan watercolor set because it’s ready to use immediately.

Some people buy tube paints but don’t prepare a palette with separate sections for the paint and mixing areas. As a result, they often end up squeezing out paint only when mixing colors and can’t tell which color is which, leading to confusion and wasted time. This makes mixing colors and managing water techniques more difficult (I’ve seen this happen many times).

Therefore, a pan watercolor set with a built-in palette, divided into a paint area and a mixing area, is very convenient for immediate use.

However, if you have a separate palette that can distinguish between the paint area and mixing area, that’s perfectly fine!

As experience grows, tools are gradually upgraded or expanded, and the choice between pan or tube watercolors is adjusted based on personal preference.

I hope this article helps! You can refer to the content above to better understand your needs and make the right choice for you.

For more on other watercolor supplies, check out the following articles:
How To Read Watercolor Labels
How to Use Graphite Watercolor: ArtGraf’s Unique Medium
The Complete Guide to Watercolor Brushes

More tips:
How to Build a Daily Painting Habit: Unlock Your Creativity
How to Keep Watercolor Paper from Drying Too Fast: 5 Tips