Using watercolour paint pans is a simple process that involves a few key steps. Here’s how to get started:
Getting Started with Watercolour Pans
To effectively use watercolour pans, you need to prepare your materials and understand the basic techniques. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Wet Your Brush
- First, wet your watercolour brush with clean water. This is essential for picking up the pigment from the pans.
Step 2: Activate the Paint
- Next, dip the wet brush into the watercolour paint pan. The water will activate the dry pigment, making it ready to use.
- You can also use a spray bottle of water to spritz the pans. This method helps to dilute the paint further, making it easier to pick up.
Step 3: Transfer Paint to a Palette
- To mix colors, pick up your first diluted color with a wet brush.
- Transfer this color to your palette for mixing with other colours.
Key Techniques:
- Water Control: Watercolour is all about water. The amount of water on your brush and in your paint dictates the intensity and flow of the colour. Start with less water for more intense color, and add water to dilute the paint for lighter washes.
- Layering: Watercolours are often layered to build up depth and colour intensity. Let each layer dry before adding the next to avoid muddying your colours.
- Mixing: You can mix colors directly on the palette or even on the paper, using a technique called wet-on-wet. Experiment to see which works best for your style.
Table: Watercolour Pan Usage
| Step | Action | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Wet Brush | Dip brush in clean water | Prepares the brush to pick up pigment |
| 2. Activate Paint | Dip wet brush into pan, or spray with water | Dissolves and dilutes the dry paint |
| 3. Transfer to Palette | Move diluted paint from pan to palette | Creates a mixing space and avoids cross-contamination of pans |
Conclusion
Using watercolour pans involves wetting your brush, activating the paint by dipping or spritzing with water, and transferring the diluted paint to a palette for mixing. These steps allow you to create beautiful washes and vibrant colours.
