Whether you are a pro or an amateur in watercolor painting, the dilemma remains the same: should I choose tube paints or pans (dried tablets)?
Both options have their own advantages and limitations, depending on your working style, conditions, and the desired results. Below, you'll find a detailed comparison based on artists' experiences and the products available at scrapsnpieces.gr — where you can find top brands like Holbein, Daniel Smith, and White Nights.
TUBES – Feel the power of pigments in your hands
Tubes offer maximum intensity, clarity, and control. They contain thick, viscous color, allowing you to work with larger quantities and create rich, vibrant hues.
Advantages:
- Strong color payoff: More "vivid" and intense than pans because they contain more pigment per amount.
Ideal for larger surfaces: Great when working on large sheets of paper or when you want deep, bold areas.
- Full control over mixing: You can precisely manage the amount of water and paint, creating highly accurate shades
Can be converted into pans: You can squeeze out some paint into your own container and let it dry to use as a pan later
Disadvantages:
You will also need a palette to work with.
Must be securely closed otherwise they If not sealed properly, they may dry out inside the tube.
At SnP you will find:
Holbein Artist Watercolors (Tubes) – Japanese quality, highly transparent and pure.
Daniel Smith Extra Fine (Tubes) – Favorites among professionals, with special lines like PrimaTek and Luminescent PrimaTek και Luminescent.
PANS – Convenience and Instant Inspiration
Pans are dry color tablets activated with water. They're perfect for artists who draw in sketchbooks, travel, or prefer something more on-the-go and ready to use.
Advantages:
Direct use: No need for palettes or preparations. Just wet the pan and paint
- Clean and organized: Less mess and fewer color "accidents."
Great for travel and plein air: Small, lightweight, portable.
Economical and efficient: A single pan lasts a long time, and you can buy only the shades you need, avoiding unnecessary expenses.
Disadvantages:
A bit more 'scraping' with the brush is necessary to pick up a sufficient amount of paint.
Some pans may not deliver the same intensity as the tubes, particularly during quick or spontaneous applications.
Less precision in controlling the amount of pigment applied with each brushstroke.
At SnP you will find:
Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor Pans – με την ίδια κορυφαία ποιότητα του σωληναρίου, τώρα και σε pans.
White Nights Full Pans – έντονη χρωματική απόδοση, ιδανικά για αρχάριους και προχωρημένους.
Tubes or Pans: Which option is the Right for You?
To help you decide, let's check some crafters' profiles:
Choose Tubes if you:
want total control in color mixing.
work on big projects or crafts of high color intensity.
love working at your crafting studio and having your own supplies.
Choose Pans if you:
want something flexible and portable for daily sketching or while travelling.
are not fond of preparing your supplies in advance.
just love those small minimal palettes and sketchbooks.
Tubes or Pans: Which option is the Right for You?
To help you decide, let's check some crafters' profiles:
Choose Tubes if you:
want total control in color mixing.
work on big projects or crafts of high color intensity.
love working at your crafting studio and having your own supplies.
Choose Pans if you:
want something flexible and portable for daily sketching or while travelling.
are not fond of preparing your supplies in advance.
just love those small minimal palettes and sketchbooks.
Why not using both?
Many artists combine pans and tubes: they use pans for the lighter, initial layers, and tubes for the more intense, final touches. Also, if you have a favorite color in tube form, you can convert it into a pan by placing it into a half or full pan and letting it dry.
If you have any questions about materials or need guidance, don’t hesitate to contact us.
We’re here to help you by providing the right tools.
See you again next week!
Until next time,
Artistic kisses!
