Are you wondering whether to use pan or tube watercolors?
I’ve been painting with both for years, and each has its strengths. Pans are convenient and portable, while tubes offer rich, easy-to-mix pigments.
In this article, I’ll break down the key differences, their best uses, and how to get the most out of both. Let’s dive in and find out which watercolor type suits you best!
Contents
Understanding the Basics: Pan vs. Tube Watercolors
Before we compare them in detail, let’s first understand what pan and tube watercolors are.
What Are Pan Watercolors?
Pan watercolors come in small, solid blocks of dried paint. They are available in two common sizes:
- Half pans (2 ml capacity) – great for compact sets.
- Full pans (4 ml capacity) – offer more paint and easier mixing.
To use pan watercolors, you need to activate them with water. This means either pre-wetting them or using a wet brush to pick up pigment.
What Are Tube Watercolors?
Tube watercolors are liquid paints stored in small tubes. The most common sizes are:
- 5-7 ml tubes – smaller, great for travel or trying out new colors.
- 15 ml tubes – standard size, ideal for larger projects.
Unlike pans, tube paints don’t need activation. You can squeeze them out and start mixing right away.
Key Differences Between Pan and Tube Watercolors
Now that we know the basics, let’s dive into the key differences.
Preparation and Activation
One of the first things you’ll notice is how differently these paints behave when you start using them.
With pans, you need to wet them before painting. I usually put a drop of water on the colors I plan to use and let them sit for a few seconds. This softens the paint and makes it easier to pick up.
With tubes, there’s no need for pre-wetting. You simply squeeze out what you need and start mixing. This makes tubes a faster option, especially for big paintings.
Mixing and Pigment Concentration
Mixing colors is an essential part of watercolor painting, and each format has its own strengths.
With pans, mixing takes more effort. You need to go back and forth with your brush to get enough pigment.
If you’re using a half pan, it’s even trickier because the surface area is small. With a full pan, mixing is much easier since you can use the side of your brush to pick up more paint.
Tubes, on the other hand, give you instant access to rich color. You can squeeze out more pigment and mix larger quantities quickly.
This is great if you need strong color intensity in your work.
Color Saturation and Chroma
Surprisingly, the color quality between the two formats is almost identical—as long as you use artist-grade paints.
I’ve compared both, and there’s no real difference in saturation or vibrancy.
The most significant difference is how you apply the paint.
With tubes, you can easily create bold washes. With pans, getting the same effect takes more time because you need to build up the color gradually.
Portability and Convenience
If you love painting on the go, pans are the clear winner. They come in compact sets, are easy to carry, and don’t require extra mixing palettes. Once you’re done, they dry up, and you can pack them away instantly.
Tubes, however, require more setup. You need a palette; if you squeeze out too much paint, it might go to waste. However, if you use a sealed palette, you can save leftover paint for your next session.
Waste and Paint Conservation
One downside of tubes is that measuring the exact amount of paint you need is hard. If you squeeze out too much, it can dry up and go to waste. You can reactivate dried tube paint with water, but it’s not as convenient as using a pan.
Pans, on the other hand, dry naturally and are always ready for reuse. Once your painting session ends, let them dry and close your set. No wasted paint!
Best Practices for Using Pan and Tube Watercolors
To get the most out of your watercolors, it helps to use the proper techniques for each format.
How to Use Pan Watercolors Effectively
- Pre-wet the pans before painting to activate the pigment.
- Use full pans if you want easier mixing with larger brushes.
- Avoid contaminating colors by cleaning your brush before switching shades.
How to Use Tube Watercolors Efficiently
- Squeeze only the amount of paint you need to avoid waste.
- Mix colors directly on a palette for quick and even blending.
- Store unused squeezed-out paint in an airtight palette to keep it fresh.
Combining the Best of Both Worlds
Did you know you can use tube paints like pans?
I often squeeze my favorite tube colors into empty pans and let them dry. This way, I get the convenience of pans while still benefiting from the easy dissolution of tube paint. Full pans work best for this, as they provide more surface area for mixing.
I also find that rewetting dried tube paint is more straightforward than activating traditional pans. Since tube paint retains more softness when dried, it dissolves faster when reactivated with water.
Choosing the Right Watercolor Format for Your Needs
Still unsure which format to choose? Here’s a breakdown of when each one works best.
When to Use Pan Watercolors
- Perfect for travel and plein air painting.
- Ideal for small sketches and controlled color mixing.
- Requires minimal setup—open the palette and start painting.
When to Use Tube Watercolors
- Great for large paintings and bold, saturated washes.
- Faster mixing and more effortless color blending.
- Best for studio work where space isn’t an issue.
Making the Best Choice for Your Workflow
Ultimately, the choice depends on your painting style and needs.
If you value convenience and portability, go with pans. Tubes are the way to go if you need high pigment concentration and easy mixing.
Or, like me, you can use both!
Closing Words
So, which one should you choose: pan or tube watercolors? It all depends on your needs.
If you want portability and convenience, go with pans. Tubes are the better choice if you need fast mixing and rich pigments.
Or, try both and see what works best for your style!
Do you use pan or tube watercolors?
Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts!