Watercolor Paint is a great way to add dimension and texture to your artwork. The right watercolor paint can also be a fun and easy way to get your art on canvas or paper. But how do you know which color is the best? There are so many different versions of the same color that it can be hard to know which one is the healthiest and which one is the most toxic. In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about using watercolor paint in tubes. Watercolor painting has become a staple in all kinds of art mediums since its inception in the late 1700s. It’s an affordable and easy way to give your artwork dimension, add depth, or simply make it looks more 3D. But what exactly are watercolors? Is it only for painters? Or is it for everyone who wants an affordable and easy way to add depth and texture to their paintings? In this article, you’ll learn everything there is to know about using watercolor paint in tubes as an alternative painting medium. Read on for everything from what types of paints are available, examples of good & bad brands, pros & cons of using acrylic vs. watercolor paint in tubes as an alternative painting medium, & much more!
How To Use Watercolor Paint In Tubes?
Get to Know Your Pigments
There are a variety of different pigments available for watercolor painting, each with different properties and uses. Look up your chosen pigment in a journal or the internet to get a quick idea of what it is like to use it. If you’re writing a composition with multiple layers of pigments, you’ll need to know the longevity of each one to make sure you don’t overuse one or more. The availability of different pigments also affects how you mix them to create your watercolor paint. You can either use a paintbrush or a spoon to mix your pigments together. Make sure you are selecting a paintbrush that’s appropriate for the pigment you’re using. If you don’t know how your pigments react to each other, you could end up with a painting that looks like your house or something out of a horror movie!
Choose the Right Material for Your Painting
The main reason you’d want to use watercolor paints is that they are so versatile. You can use them to create abstract landscapes or tranquil still life compositions. However, you won’t be able to use the same paints you would for your abstract landscapes. You’ll need to choose a different brand for your watercolor painting. There are a variety of different materials you can use for your watercolor paintings, including but not limited to: Paint Brushes – If you’re only going to use watercolor paints for personal use, a paintbrush is a perfect tool for the job. They are particularly good at getting into the fine details of your work and are also easy to clean. However, if you are interested in showcasing your watercolor paintings in public, you will want to select a paintbrush with a softer tip to better blend with your watercolors. Paint Tubes – The availability of watercolor paint in paint tubes has made it more accessible to many painters, particularly those on a budget. However, there are a few things to consider when purchasing a watercolor paint tube. Tubing While most paint tubes are made out of vinyl, there are some that are made of thicker plastic, which can be more durable and impact resistant. Paint – While most paint tubes will work with any type of watercolor pigment, you will need to choose a brand that is specific to your watercolor paint.
Choose the Right Brush for your Technique
You’re essentially choosing between a brush and a paintbrush when you select a brush for your watercolor technique. Both types of brushes can do the job, but the difference is in which one is best for your technique. A watercolor brush can be described as having a soft, consistent tip that is good at picking up delicate detail. On the other hand, an oil paintbrush has a harder, snappier tip that is excellent for creating broad strokes. You’ll want to pick up on the techniques of other painters nearby to get a feel for which brush is best for your purposes.
Create a Mix of Colors
If you want to mix different colors together as part of your watercolor technique, you’ll want to pick out a brush with a soft tip. This will allow you to blend colors together effortlessly, without having to worry about having too much color in the tube. On the other hand, a hard brush is ideal for creating stark, monochromatic works. Look for brushes with a loop at the end to make them easier to hold. This will allow you to create more sophisticated strokes that are more painterly.
Benefits Of Using Watercolor Paint In Tubes
1. Watercolor Paint is Affordable
Watercolor paint can be purchased in a variety of sizes and quantities. You can buy small tubes of paint for as little as $1.00 and large tubes of watercolor paint for as little as $3.50. If you’re just painting for fun, it’s best to buy the smallest tubes possible. This way, you won’t be wasting any money on paint that you don’t use.
2. Watercolor Paint is Easy to Store
Small tubes of watercolor paint are easy to store and keep organized in your studio or art room when compared to larger containers of watercolors and other types of paints that are sold in bulk or in larger containers. Watercolors are also easier to store and organize if you choose a brand that comes with its own built-in storage container, such as the Grumbacher Academy Watercolors Set which comes with its own plastic case so you can easily store your paints while they dry between uses.
3. Watercolor Paint is Easy to Transport
Another benefit of using watercolor paint in tubes is that they’re easy to transport. You can take them with you on trips or when you’re going out with friends & family to paint. Since watercolors are made from pigments, unlike acrylic paints that are made from binders, it doesn’t matter if the caps of your paints come off or get loose while you’re transporting them; the only thing that will happen is that your paints will dry out slightly and may need to be re-wetted before you can use them again. If you have tubes of watercolors that come with their own built-in storage containers, such as the Grumbacher Academy Set, they also make it easy to transport all of your supplies in one organized case, so you don’t have to worry about losing anything while traveling.
Drawbacks Of Using Watercolor Paint In Tubes
1. Watercolor Paint Is Not As Durable As Acrylic Paint
While watercolor paint is easy to transport and store, it’s not as durable or long-lasting as acrylic paints. It will dry out quickly if you don’t keep it stored in a plastic container that has an air-tight seal, so you need to be careful not to let the paint dry out before you use it again. If your tube of watercolor paint does become dried out, you can simply wet the dried paint again before using it. It’s also important to keep in mind that since watercolors are made from pigments and binders instead of acrylic binders like acrylic paints, they will not withstand sunlight very well if exposed to direct sunlight for a long period of time.
2. Watercolor Paint Tubes Are Harder To Clean
Watercolor paint tubes are basically empty containers that hold only the pigments and binders used in creating your painting. However, unlike plastic containers that come with built-in brushes and other accessories, such as an easel or other tools needed for painting, these tubes do not come with any tools at all, so if you want to clean them properly or do some simple touch-ups after using them, you’ll have to use your own tools and supplies! To learn more about how to clean watercolor tubes properly & safely, check out our article on How To Clean Watercolor Tubes Safely & Effectively. You can also view videos on how to clean watercolor tubes, such as this video by ArtBin.
Wrapping Up
The best time to use watercolor paint in tubes is when you’re trying to create a more naturalistic, less bright-looking painting. This is because, while you can achieve some pretty amazing realistic-looking flowers and leaves with acrylic paint, the lack of lightness & darkness in the image will give your painting a more natural look & feel. So, the best time to use watercolor paint in tubes is when you’re trying to create a more realistic-looking painting. When using watercolor paint in tubes, you can create more detailed, 3D effects that are ideal for nature & landscape paintings, seascapes, seahorse and sea turtle studies, sports event paintings, & more. And don’t forget, you can always use watercolor paint in tubes to color in black & white drawings as well!
