Pan Watercolor and Tube: Which Wins for Artists?

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Deciding whether to go with pan watercolors or tubes can feel like a real conundrum for artists. Trust us, we’ve wrestled with this decision too and understand it’s not always straightforward.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the pros and cons so you can choose confidently. Let’s embark on this colorful journey together!

The Difference Between Pan Watercolor and Tube

Watercolor pans are solid blocks of paint. They dry out and need water to use again. Watercolor tubes hold a smooth paste of paint. This paste is already wet and easy to apply straight from the tube.

Definition of pans and tubes

Watercolor pans are solid dry paint. We use them by adding water to rehydrate the colors. The paints come in small, portable containers. This makes it easy to take them anywhere.

On the other hand, watercolor tubes hold a smooth paste of liquid paint. This format allows us to squeeze out as much paint as we need right away. Tubes can create rich, saturated washes easily since they contain more pigment than filler elements.

Choosing between these two varies based on our needs and preferences in painting supplies and techniques. Next, let’s explore the pros and cons of each type of watercolor.

Packaging and consistency

Watercolor pans and tubes differ in packaging and consistency. Pans hold solid dry paint, while tubes contain a smooth paste of liquid paint. This means we can use watercolor from tubes straight away without needing extra steps.

In contrast, we need to rehydrate the pans before painting.

Pans are portable and easy to store. They take up less space and are great for travel. The dry paint lasts a long time when stored properly. Tubes allow us to mix colors easily but can take more room in our art supplies bag.

For beginners, pans offer better control as they provide consistent results when wetting them down for painting techniques.

Pros and Cons of Watercolor Pans

Watercolor pans are easy to carry and store. They offer quick access to colors, but some artists may find them harder to mix.

Advantages

Watercolor pans have several advantages. They contain solid dry paint that we can easily rehydrate with a bit of water. This makes them simple to use, especially for beginners. Pans are also portable and great for on-the-go painting.

They tend to be more cost-effective than buying individual tubes. A set of pans can last a long time, saving us money in the long run. We find that using pans offers better control over our watercolor application, allowing us to create beautiful washes without much hassle.

Disadvantages

Watercolor pans have some downsides. They can be hard to get vibrant colors compared to tube paint. The dry paint in pans needs water to rehydrate, which takes time. Once the pan is dry, it might not return to its original smoothness as easily.

Pans are also limited in pigment concentration; they don’t always offer the richness that tube paints provide.

Pans may not suit everyone’s style. Some of us prefer mixing colors directly from tubes for a quick and saturated wash. For artists who enjoy layering or blending, using pans might feel restrictive at times.

We need to consider these factors when deciding on our artistic choices between watercolor pans and tubes.

Pros and Cons of Watercolor Tubes

Watercolor tubes offer a smooth paste of paint. They can be very convenient for artists.

1. Rich, saturated washes are easy to achieve with tube watercolors. The creamy texture allows us to mix colors freely and create deep shades.
2. These paints can be used straight away without rehydrating. This saves time when we want to get right into painting.
3. Tubes have higher pigment content than pans, making them vibrant and bold. We love how intense the colors look on paper.
4. They provide more flexibility in mixing colors. Squeezing out a bit of paint allows us to blend easily and experiment with our artistic preferences.
5. Storage may require more space compared to pans. Finding a spot for multiple tubes can be tricky if we have a large collection.
6. Tubed paints can dry out quickly if not sealed properly after use. Ensuring the caps are secure is key to keeping our supplies fresh.
7. The cost of buying individual tubes can add up over time, unlike pans that offer better value in packs. We need to think about our budget when investing in these artist materials.
8. Some prefer the convenience of travel with pans due to their portability, while others find tubes easier for studio work at home or during workshops.
9. Cleanup takes longer since we often need brushes and palettes for mixing tubed color solutions, while pans are more straightforward in this aspect.
10. A few artists choose to put tube watercolors into empty pans for ease of use later on, creating their own custom sets that suit their style best.

With these pros and cons in mind, it’s clear that watercolor tubes have unique benefits and challenges for our art practice.

Comparing Watercolor Pans and Tubes

When comparing watercolor pans and tubes, we see some clear differences. Both can work well together, but they have unique features that can change our painting experience.

Can they be used simultaneously?

Watercolor pans and tubes can be used together. Using both helps us explore different styles. Tubes give us liquid paint that is easy to use right away. Pans, on the other hand, need water to rehydrate the paint before we start.

Some artists like to squeeze tube paints into empty pans for better control and convenience. This way, we get the best of both worlds: rich colors from tubes and portable options with pans.

Next, let’s talk about how to choose between these two formats based on our needs and preferences.

Interchangeability

Pans and tubes can be used together. Some artists like to take paint from tubes and fill their pans. This makes it easier to control colors while painting. Pans are great for travel because they are portable.

Tubes offer rich, saturated washes right out of the package.

We find that using both formats lets us enjoy the best of each one. The option to create our own pans adds flexibility in mixing colors too. Now, let’s look at factors that help us decide between watercolor pans and tubes.

Making the Decision: Choosing Between Pans and Tubes

Choosing between pans and tubes can be tricky. We need to think about what we like best in our art journey.

Factors to consider

We need to think about a few things before choosing between watercolor pans and tubes. Watercolor paints in tubes are ready to use right away. In contrast, pans need some water to rehydrate the paint first.

This can take time if we want to start painting quickly.

Cost is another factor. Pans tend to be more cost-effective than buying individual tubes of paint. Also, they last a long time with proper care. For artists who travel, watercolor pans are portable and easy to carry.

They fit well in bags and painting kits, making them great for on-the-go watercolor painting.

Personal preference

Personal preference plays a big role in choosing between watercolor pans and tubes. Some of us may enjoy the control that pans offer. They are easier for beginners to use. We can rehydrate them with water quickly and paint right away.

Others may like the richness of tube paints. Tubes give us smooth, liquid colors straight from the package.

Many artists chat online about their likes and dislikes regarding these options. Some prefer putting tube colors into pans for better access while painting. Each choice has its fans based on what we want in our art tools and how we enjoy painting techniques.

The option of creating your own pans from tube paint

We can create our own watercolor pans using tube paint. This option lets us customize our colors and control how much we use. Tubed paint comes as a smooth paste of liquid. We squeeze it into empty pans and let it dry.

Once dried, these paints turn solid like the regular pans.

Making our own pans can save money too. Buying tubes is often cheaper than buying many individual pans. These custom pans are easy to store and carry for on-the-go painting. Using them feels familiar since they behave like standard watercolor pans once dry.

Plus, we can mix colors easily while squeezing from tubes for richer washes before they set in the pan format.

Conclusion

Choosing between pans and tubes can be tricky. Each has its own upsides and downsides. Pans are great for travel and are easy to use for beginners. Tubes offer rich colors right away but may need more space for storage.

In the end, it comes down to personal choice and how we like to paint.

FAQs

What are the differences between pan watercolor and tube paint packaging?

Pan watercolor comes in a dry, solid form while tube paint is moist and soft.

Can you rehydrate pan watercolors like tube paints?

Yes, you can rehydrate both pan watercolors and tube paints with a wet brush to create your painting medium.

Are there specific techniques for using pan vs tube watercolors?

Both types of paints can be used for various watercolor techniques such as wet-on-wet or color mixing on your palette or directly on your watercolor paper.

Which type of paint is better for beginner painters: Pan or Tube?

Beginners might find pans easier due to their portability and ease of storage. However, tubes offer more vibrant colors which may appeal to some beginners too.

Do I need different accessories when using pan versus tube paints?

While the choice between pans or tubes mainly affects how you store your paint, it doesn’t significantly change the other painting accessories you’ll need like brushes or paper.