Watercolor: Pans vs. Tubes

[HERRERA, PAUL]

I have been considering working more seriously in watercolor. Previously
I have only worked with the cheap sets of watercolors that come in semi
moist cakes. I want to start working with better materials, but I wonder
whether to continue with colors in the cake form or to start using tubes.
I feel more comfortable using the cakes as I can quickly pack them up and
go on a moment's notice. However I never seem to find the replacement pans
to replenish the sets. Tubes seem to work well as you can add colors by
purchasing new tubes as needed. However they seem more expensive (I have
no way of judging how much paint there is in a half-pan versus a tube).
I just have no experience with the tubes and would like some input from
the watercolorist working out there which form of paint they prefer.

Paul Herrera
p-he...@tamu.edu

[Charles Eicher]

In article <19JUN199...@vms1.tamu.edu>, p0h...@vms1.tamu.edu
(HERRERA, PAUL) wrote:

I prefer using the tubes, but probably because that's what I used when I
was learning (unless you count those cheap 8-pan Prang watercolor sets I
used in elementary school!) I just like the wide range of available colors,
the local stores don't seem to carry as many types of pan colors. I also
like to mix up the media, by using tube gouache with tube watercolors. I
don't think they even make pan gouache..

| Charles Eicher |
| -=- |
| cei...@inav.net |

[Ian Abbott]

It's mostly a matter of personal preference. When you break it down,
the cost is pretty similar.
Tubes work better if you like to squeeze out the paint and water it for
larger areas, pans are definately better if you work "ou plein air", or
carry them about a lot.
I use tubes, but squeeze them into the compartments on a large palet,
then let them dry and use water to lift them when I need them. This
way, I can control the quantity and if I mix a personal colour, it's
easier from the tubes. Unfortunately, they don't travel well. If I'm
going out, I take the tubes and a small aluminum palet and only squeeze
what I need.
Regardless of which you use, always buy "Artists" colours, never bother
with student grade, they're garbage. Same goes for brushes, once you
use sable, you'll never want to pick up a synthetic again.
I always use Lukas paints from Europe (I like the strength and range of
colours) and I have never seen pans of their colour in our area, so I
guess the decision is made for me.

Regards
Ian

[Jiri Borsky]

HERRERA, PAUL wrote:
(edited)

> I want to start working with better materials, but I wonder
> whether to continue with colors in the cake form or to start using tubes.

>Tubes seem to work well as you can add colors by
> purchasing new tubes as needed. However they seem more expensive.

In serious watercolour the major expense is with acquiring a stock of
decent paper and a set of top-notch sable brushes. The pigments pale in
comparison (not literally, one hopes!)
The "proper" (ie artist quality) watercolours will do things the cheap
grades never can, such as granulation.

But to you original q.
I see little difference between top quality pans and tubes. Personally I
have started with individual half-pans, which I have glued to a piece of
plastic. When these half-pans have half run out, I bought tubes and
simply replenish the pans as needed.
The paint goes hard in time, but is quickly restored by wetting the
whole palette with a squirt of water-spray (available cheaply at garden
centres). This works even after a several months of neglect.

Hope this helps,
Jiri

http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/borsky/

[Jeffery Measamer]

HERRERA, PAUL wrote:

> I have been considering working more seriously in watercolor.
> Previously
> I have only worked with the cheap sets of watercolors that come in
> semi

> moist cakes. I want to start working with better materials, but I

> wonder
> whether to continue with colors in the cake form or to start using
> tubes.

> I feel more comfortable using the cakes as I can quickly pack them up
> and
> go on a moment's notice. However I never seem to find the replacement
> pans

> to replenish the sets. Tubes seem to work well as you can add colors
> by

> purchasing new tubes as needed. However they seem more expensive (I
> have
> no way of judging how much paint there is in a half-pan versus a
> tube).
> I just have no experience with the tubes and would like some input
> from
> the watercolorist working out there which form of paint they prefer.
>

> Paul Herrera
> p-he...@tamu.edu

While I am not an artist my spousal unit does a lot of painting in
watercolors. She only uses tubes (Winsor and Newton I believe).
Jeff

[LARSPAINTR]

Tubes of course.
QUALITY and selection far exceeds pans.
And if U really get serious, try to work on a 22 x 30" sheet of paper
using pans?
Or use a 1" or larger brush with pans?
Most WColorists will buy a large divided plastic pallette with the center
open for mixing. One often sprays or mists the dried color ( from tubes
originally) around the edge to prep it for mxing colors in the center of
the pan.
Enough of this. Paint painter paint!

Lars