What is the difference between watercolor pans tubes

One of the hardest parts of getting started with watercolors is knowing which paints to buy. There are so many choices! First you have to decide if you are going to test the waters so to speak with student-grade paints, or if you are going to fork out the extra money for artist-grade paints instead.

Next, you have to slog through about a million different brands of paint, comparing and contrasting each one so you can find the best brand. I think the choice really comes down to which type of paint will work best with your unique style of painting. So far I am really loving them. In the future I plan to pick up a tube each of red, yellow and blue paint to add to my collection.

That way I can use my pan set for everyday painting, and use the tube paint when I need to mix large quantities of paint for background washes. That way I can have the best of both worlds!

Please feel free to comment below if you have any questions or have anything to add. Thanks so much for reading! Thanks for taking time to post such a clear resume! Do you have advice on the best brush type or hair? I do generally prefer round brushes over some of the other styles, simply because they are so versatile. You can use them to make fine lines or wide, sweeping strokes, depending on how you hold them and how much pressure you use.

Being an oil painter I just can get the hang of the pans. I think notice I say I think mixing the color and then deciding to add water would be easier just given my background with oils.

I have no clue. Making the jump from oils to watercolors does seem like it would be challenging. I can see why using tubes would seem easier since it is more like the process used with oils.

The one thing that they both have in common is that it often takes a lot of layers to get the colors just right. Good luck with it and have fun! Really appreciate your taking the time to compare and contrast the differences of pans versus tube paints. Watercolor pans only require a little bit of water to be activated right in the pan. Then you can load up your brush with paint and either just immediately start painting using the paint on the brush or you can place the paint into a mixing palette to adjust the intensity or to mix the desired color.

Watercolors in tubes are ready to paint, but you need to set up a few colors first. Just squeeze the paint onto a mixing palette and depending on the intensity of the color you are going for, add water to the paint. Mixing palette are usually not included and you have to buy them separately. With liquid watercolors you can start painting immediately. Using a mixing palette you can adjust the intensity or mix any color you like while keeping the original bottle clean. You can also cut the ends off of tubes at the crimp to access dried paint and reconstitute it by adding a little bit of water.

Pans are easier to use because you have immediate access to the colors. You don't have to put your brush down, open a tube of paint, and squeeze a little color out.

They are often preferred by painters for field sketches, visual journals, and plein air painting because of their compactness and portability. You may want to have both pans and small tubes of watercolor or gouache opaque watercolor in your art travel pack.

Pans are less expensive than tubes, but are small and are better suited to small studies and paintings. They are only suitable for small brushes. Tubes give you flexibility as far as the quantity of paint you want to use, along with the size of the brush, area to be painted, and the size of the painting. Tubes are easier on your brushes than pans as you don't have the temptation to scrub with your brush to pick up a color.

Ultimately, each has its own advantages. Try both and see which you prefer. It may well be a mixture of the two. There is a huge difference in quality between student and professional watercolors. Rather buy a few quality paints than a large range of cheap colors. You will see the difference in coverage and color intensity once you compare the two different qualities of paint. There is also a difference in paints between manufacturers. Try different watercolors made by different manufacturers to see what you prefer.

When you replace a pan, remove any bits of an old pan before putting in the new one, otherwise, it won't fit snuggly.

Combine the old pan pieces with other old pan pieces of the same color in another pan. Another very convenient option for replacing paint in a pan is to simply fill the pan with paint from a tube and let it dry. Sennelier paints don't work well for this since they tend not to dry out. Start by filling the corners and work around the edges toward the middle. Shape it with a palette knife and let it dry. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data.