How to Fill Watercolor Palette Pans with Tube Paint


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How to Fill Watercolor Palette Pans with Tube Paint Learn how easy it is to fill a watercolor palette with paint from a tube, the huge quality upgrade from those chalky or faint watercolor sets. I'll show you how to pick vibrant colors that are ready to paint anytime and any place!

How to Fill Watercolor Palette Pans with Tube Paint


Learn how easy it is to fill a watercolor palette with paint from a tube, the huge quality upgrade from those chalky or faint watercolor sets.


I'll show you how to pick vibrant colors that are ready to paint anytime and any place!


How to Fill Watercolor Palette Pans with Tube Paint Learn how easy it is to fill a watercolor palette with paint from a tube, the huge quality upgrade from those chalky or faint watercolor sets. I'll show you how to pick vibrant colors that are ready to paint anytime and any place!

One of my favorite ways to keep my watercolor paints organized and ready for creative play is by filling a portable watercolor palette with professional watercolor tubes. 

It takes a little patience, but once the paint has dried, you'll have a beautiful custom palette packed with your favorite colors and ready for happy painting whenever inspiration strikes!

Let's get started!


Nothing better than vibrant, colorful watercolor paints and a messy palette

Today I'm sharing exactly how I fill my ceramic watercolor pans inside a metal palette tin using MaimeriBlu watercolor tubes. 

This simple process creates a compact studio palette that travels well, lasts for months, and makes painting quick and convenient.

If you've ever wondered how artists turn watercolor tubes into pan watercolors, this tutorial is for you!


Today I'm sharing exactly how I fill my ceramic watercolor pans inside a metal palette tin using MaimeriBlu watercolor tubes. This simple process creates a compact studio palette that travels well, lasts for months, and makes painting quick and convenient. If you've ever wondered how artists turn watercolor tubes into pan watercolors, this tutorial is for you!

Supplies I am using:

affiliate links


MaimeriBlu Watercolor Tubes - Jeannie Dickson's Artist Set

Travel Watercolor Palette (Ceramic Insert in Tin)


Supplies I am using: affiliate links MaimeriBlu Watercolor Tubes - Jeannie Dickson's Artist Set Travel Watercolor Palette (Ceramic Insert in Tin)

Why Fill Your Own Watercolor Palette?


There are lots of wonderful watercolor sets available, from beginner plastic palette sets to professional watercolor pans from brands like QOR from Golden and Daniel Smith. 

I'm testing out this 6 tube set from MaimeriBlu, it's rated as a professional watercolor set, it's a great price and has super vibrant colors. 

Creating your own palette gives you complete control over the colors you use most.

Instead of purchasing pre-filled watercolor pans, you can select the exact colors of your choice and create a palette filled with your favorite colors. Whether you love bright tropical hues, earthy landscapes, floral painting, or bold abstract work, customizing your own colors helps streamline your painting process.


Why Fill Your Own Watercolor Palette? There are lots of wonderful watercolor sets available, from beginner plastic palette sets to professional watercolor pans from brands like QOR from Golden and Daniel Smith. I'm testing out this 6 tube set from MaimeriBlu, it's rated as a professional watercolor set, it's a great price and has super vibrant colors. Creating your own palette gives you complete control over the colors you use most. Instead of purchasing pre-filled watercolor pans, you can select the exact colors of your choice and create a palette filled with your favorite colors. Whether you love bright tropical hues, earthy landscapes, floral painting, or bold abstract work, customizing your own colors helps streamline your painting process.

Creating your own palette also means:

  • Choose custom colors that fit your painting style.
  • Replace individual colors as needed.
  • Save space by carrying only the paint color selections you actually use.
  • Build a palette that grows along your creative journey.
  • Easily experiment with a new color without purchasing a whole set.

Creating your own palette also means: Choose custom colors that fit your painting style. Replace individual colors as needed. Save space by carrying only the paint color selections you actually use. Build a palette that grows along your creative journey. Easily experiment with a new color without purchasing a whole set.

Supplies Needed for Filling Watercolor Palette:


Here's what I use to fill my watercolor pans:



You can use any professional watercolor tubes for this process. Popular brands include Qor by Golden, Daniel Smith, MaimeriBlu, and other artist-grade watercolor paints.

Some student-grade watercolor tubes will work well too, but they are made with more fillers and less pigments, so the color is never quite as vibrant as a professional color. In my opinion, it's worth the price for higher quality paint.

Supplies Needed for Filling Watercolor Palette: Here's what I use to fill my watercolor pans: Metal palette tin with removable half pans Ceramic watercolor pan insert MaimeriBlu watercolor tubes Toothpick Paper towels or baby wipes Water Small tray or work surface You can use any professional watercolor tubes for this process. Popular brands include Qor by Golden, Daniel Smith, MaimeriBlu, and other artist-grade watercolor paints. Some student-grade watercolor tubes will work well too, but they are made with more fillers and less pigments, so the color is never quite as vibrant as a professional color. In my opinion, it's worth the price for higher quality paint.

The Colors I Chose

For this palette, I selected the Jeannie Dickson Artist pack with six vibrant primary colors that mix beautifully together:

  • Yellow Vanadium
  • Orange Lake
  • Yellow Ochre
  • Primary Red Magenta
  • Turquoise Green
  • Quinacridone Violet Reddish


Starting with primary colors is one of the best ways to create an incredibly versatile palette. Using just six colors allows you to mix nearly every color wheel combination imaginable.

You could also add colors like Sap Green, Burnt Sienna, Hooker's green, or other favorite colors later if desired.

The Colors I Chose For this palette, I selected the Jeannie Dickson Artist pack with six vibrant primary colors that mix beautifully together: Yellow Vanadium Orange Lake Yellow Ochre Primary Red Magenta Turquoise Green Quinacridone Violet Reddish Starting with primary colors is one of the best ways to create an incredibly versatile palette. Using just six colors allows you to mix nearly every color wheel combination imaginable. You could also add colors like Sap Green, Burnt Sienna, Hooker's green, or other favorite colors later if desired.

Choosing a Palette

There are many types of watercolor palettes available.

The type of palette you pick is based on your personal preferences, lifestyle and where you will spend the bulk of your painting...traveling or at a dedicated desk.

Here's the types of palettes to choose from:


Metal Palette

A metal palette is wonderful because it is sturdy, portable, and often includes a built-in mixing area. Most metal palette tins fold open to reveal multiple mixing surfaces, making them ideal for travel and studio use.


Plastic Palette

A plastic palette is lightweight and inexpensive. It's airtight, to keep the paints from leaking or molding. Many first watercolor palettes are made from plastic and feature built-in watercolor wells and paint wells.


Ceramic Palette

Ceramic palettes offer smooth mixing surfaces that are easy to clean and don't stain as easily as plastic. I love using ceramic inserts inside my metal palette for the best of both worlds.

Choosing a Palette There are many types of watercolor palettes available. The type of palette you pick is based on your personal preferences, lifestyle and where you will spend the bulk of your painting...traveling or at a dedicated desk. Here's the types of palettes to choose from: Metal Palette A metal palette is wonderful because it is sturdy, portable, and often includes a built-in mixing area. Most metal palette tins fold open to reveal multiple mixing surfaces, making them ideal for travel and studio use. Plastic Palette A plastic palette is lightweight and inexpensive. It's airtight, to keep the paints from leaking or molding. Many first watercolor palettes are made from plastic and feature built-in watercolor wells and paint wells. Ceramic Palette Ceramic palettes offer smooth mixing surfaces that are easy to clean and don't stain as easily as plastic. I love using ceramic inserts inside my metal palette for the best of both worlds.

Half Pans vs Full Pans

When shopping for watercolor pans, you'll usually encounter two common sizes.


Half Pans

Half pans are compact and fit more colors into a smaller space. They're perfect for travel kits and portable painting setups.

Full Pans

Full pans hold significantly more paint and are great for artists who frequently use large brushes or paint large pieces.


Half pans will give you a greater variety of colors for the space.

The great thing is that the filling process is exactly the same for both half pans and full pans.


Half Pans vs Full Pans When shopping for watercolor pans, you'll usually encounter two common sizes. Half Pans Half pans are compact and fit more colors into a smaller space. They're perfect for travel kits and portable painting setups. Full Pans Full pans hold significantly more paint and are great for artists who frequently use large brushes or paint large pieces. Half pans will give you a greater variety of colors for the space. The great thing is that the filling process is exactly the same for both half pans and full pans.

Step 1: Arrange Your Empty Pans (If Necessary)


Start by placing your empty watercolor pans into your metal palette.

I like to organize colors in a way that makes sense for mixing:

  • Yellows together
  • Reds together
  • Blues together

Keeping colors organized makes it easier to locate a specific color name while painting and helps you visualize color wheel relationships.

If you're creating your first studio palette, don't worry too much about perfect placement. If you are using pans that click into the palette, you can always rearrange pans later.

If you are using ceramic pans like me, you'll want to know where each color is going before starting, sketch it out if it helps!

Step 1: Arrange Your Empty Pans (If Necessary) Start by placing your empty watercolor pans into your metal palette. I like to organize colors in a way that makes sense for mixing: Yellows together Reds together Blues together Keeping colors organized makes it easier to locate a specific color name while painting and helps you visualize color wheel relationships. If you're creating your first studio palette, don't worry too much about perfect placement. If you are using pans that click into the palette, you can always rearrange pans later. If you are using ceramic pans like me, you'll want to know where each color is going before starting, sketch it out if it helps!


Step 2: Fill Each Pan with Tube Paint


Now comes the fun part!

Take your watercolor tubes and gently squeeze tube paint directly into each pan.

I like to fill each pan almost to the top. Watercolor paints shrink quite a bit as the water evaporates during drying.

Don't be surprised if a pan that looks completely full on day one settles noticeably after drying.

A tiny bit of extra paint now helps ensure a nicely filled pan later.

Try not to introduce air bubbles while squeezing the paint. Slow, steady pressure usually works best.

Fresh paint is soft and creamy, making it easy to distribute evenly.


Step 2: Fill Each Pan with Tube Paint Now comes the fun part! Take your watercolor tubes and gently squeeze tube paint directly into each pan. I like to fill each pan almost to the top. Watercolor paints shrink quite a bit as the water evaporates during drying. Don't be surprised if a pan that looks completely full on day one settles noticeably after drying. A tiny bit of extra paint now helps ensure a nicely filled pan later. Try not to introduce air bubbles while squeezing the paint. Slow, steady pressure usually works best. Fresh paint is soft and creamy, making it easy to distribute evenly.

Step 3: Smooth the Paint


After filling a pan, use a toothpick to gently stir the paint.

This step serves several purposes:

  • Removes trapped air pockets
  • Helps settle the paint
  • Creates a smooth surface
  • Distributes pigment evenly

I carefully move the toothpick through the paint and level the top so the paint fills the corners of the pan.

This simple step only takes a few seconds but makes a big difference in the final appearance of your watercolor wells.


Step 3: Smooth the Paint After filling a pan, use a toothpick to gently stir the paint. This step serves several purposes: Removes trapped air pockets Helps settle the paint Creates a smooth surface Distributes pigment evenly I carefully move the toothpick through the paint and level the top so the paint fills the corners of the pan. This simple step only takes a few seconds but makes a big difference in the final appearance of your watercolor wells.

Step 4: Let the Paint Dry


Once all of the pans are filled and smoothed, place the palette somewhere safe and allow the paint to dry completely.

This is the hardest part because it requires patience!

Depending on humidity, climate, and the specific paint color, drying can take anywhere from one to two weeks.

Some watercolor tubes contain different pigment numbers and formulations that dry faster or slower than others.

Avoid closing the lid tightly during the drying process. Good airflow helps moisture evaporate more efficiently.

You'll notice the paint gradually shrinking and firming up as it cures.


Step 4: Let the Paint Dry Once all of the pans are filled and smoothed, place the palette somewhere safe and allow the paint to dry completely. This is the hardest part because it requires patience! Depending on humidity, climate, and the specific paint color, drying can take anywhere from one to two weeks. Some watercolor tubes contain different pigment numbers and formulations that dry faster or slower than others. Avoid closing the lid tightly during the drying process. Good airflow helps moisture evaporate more efficiently. You'll notice the paint gradually shrinking and firming up as it cures.


Step 5: Activate the Paint with Water


Once the paint is fully dry, your palette is ready to use.

To activate the paint, simply touch a wet brush to the surface of the watercolor pan, spritz with a small spray bottle, squeeze out a little water with a dropper or syringe.

Within seconds, the paint softens and becomes ready for painting.

One of the things I love most about professional watercolor tubes is how easily they rewet after drying. Even after months in a palette, the colors activate beautifully.

The result is vivid, highly pigmented color that feels almost like working with fresh paint.


Step 5: Activate the Paint with Water Once the paint is fully dry, your palette is ready to use. To activate the paint, simply touch a wet brush to the surface of the watercolor pan, spritz with a small spray bottle, squeeze out a little water with a dropper or syringe. Within seconds, the paint softens and becomes ready for painting. One of the things I love most about professional watercolor tubes is how easily they rewet after drying. Even after months in a palette, the colors activate beautifully. The result is vivid, highly pigmented color that feels almost like working with fresh paint.


Mixing Colors in Your Palette


A good mixing area is one of the most important features of any watercolor palette.

The built-in mixing surface on my metal palette gives me plenty of room to experiment with color combinations.

Using only six carefully selected primary colors, I can create:

  • Vibrant oranges
  • Rich purples
  • Tropical greens
  • Neutral browns
  • Soft grays

Learning to mix your own colors rather than relying on dozens of premixed paints helps build confidence and a deeper understanding of color relationships.

It's amazing how many custom colors can be created from a small selection of paints.


Mixing Colors in Your Palette A good mixing area is one of the most important features of any watercolor palette. The built-in mixing surface on my metal palette gives me plenty of room to experiment with color combinations. Using only six carefully selected primary colors, I can create: Vibrant oranges Rich purples Tropical greens Neutral browns Soft grays Learning to mix your own colors rather than relying on dozens of premixed paints helps build confidence and a deeper understanding of color relationships. It's amazing how many custom colors can be created from a small selection of paints.


Tips for Success


Label Colors

If you're using several similar shades, write the color name and pigment numbers somewhere for future reference.


Fill Pans in Layers

If a pan shrinks dramatically after drying, simply add another layer of paint and allow it to dry again.


Keep Your Palette Clean

Wipe excess paint from the mixing surface after each painting session to keep colors fresh and bright.


Start Small

For your first time filling watercolor pans, begin with just a few colors rather than an enormous palette.


Use Quality Paint

Artist-grade watercolor paints generally reactivate more easily and provide stronger color than student-grade paints.


Tips for Success Label Colors If you're using several similar shades, write the color name and pigment numbers somewhere for future reference. Fill Pans in Layers If a pan shrinks dramatically after drying, simply add another layer of paint and allow it to dry again. Keep Your Palette Clean Wipe excess paint from the mixing surface after each painting session to keep colors fresh and bright. Start Small For your first time filling watercolor pans, begin with just a few colors rather than an enormous palette. Use Quality Paint Artist-grade watercolor paints generally reactivate more easily and provide stronger color than student-grade paints.

Frequently Asked Questions


Can watercolor tubes be used like pan watercolors?

Absolutely! In fact, many artists prefer filling watercolor pans with watercolor tubes because it allows complete customization.


Do watercolor tubes dry out?

Yes, and that's exactly what we want for this project. Once dry, the paint behaves just like traditional pan watercolors.


What colors should beginners choose?

A warm and cool version of each primary color is an excellent starting point. This setup offers maximum mixing flexibility.


Are watercolor sticks the same thing?

Not exactly. Watercolor sticks are solid watercolor products designed to be used directly or activated with water. They work differently than dried tube paint, though both can produce beautiful results.


Where can I find supplies?

Many art supplies retailers carry watercolor tubes of paint, empty watercolor pans, and palette tins. Some of the links on this site may be affiliate links, which help support future watercolor tutorials at no additional cost to you.


Frequently Asked Questions Can watercolor tubes be used like pan watercolors? Absolutely! In fact, many artists prefer filling watercolor pans with watercolor tubes because it allows complete customization. Do watercolor tubes dry out? Yes, and that's exactly what we want for this project. Once dry, the paint behaves just like traditional pan watercolors. What colors should beginners choose? A warm and cool version of each primary color is an excellent starting point. This setup offers maximum mixing flexibility. Are watercolor sticks the same thing? Not exactly. Watercolor sticks are solid watercolor products designed to be used directly or activated with water. They work differently than dried tube paint, though both can produce beautiful results. Where can I find supplies? Many art supplies retailers carry watercolor tubes of paint, empty watercolor pans, and palette tins. Some of the links on this site may be affiliate links, which help support future watercolor tutorials at no additional cost to you.

That's it!


Filling your own watercolor palette is one of those simple art projects that pays off every time you sit down to paint. With a few watercolor tubes, empty pans, and a little patience, you'll create a customized palette filled with colors you truly love.

Whether you're assembling one of your first watercolor palettes or upgrading to a professional studio palette, this process makes it easy to organize your favorite paints into a portable, efficient system.

Once your paint has fully dried, grab some watercolor papers, activate those beautiful colors with a wet brush, and enjoy the convenience of having vibrant, ready-to-use watercolors wherever your creativity takes you.


Happy painting!

Like, Pin and Save!


Filling your own watercolor palette is one of those simple art projects that pays off every time you sit down to paint. With a few watercolor tubes, empty pans, and a little patience, you'll create a customized palette filled with colors you truly love. Whether you're assembling one of your first watercolor palettes or upgrading to a professional studio palette, this process makes it easy to organize your favorite paints into a portable, efficient system. Once your paint has fully dried, grab some watercolor papers, activate those beautiful colors with a wet brush, and enjoy the convenience of having vibrant, ready-to-use watercolors wherever your creativity takes you.

CHECK OUT THIS TUTORIAL IF YOU WANT TO MAKE YOUR OWN COLOR SHIFT WATERCOLORS:


How to Make Color Shift Watercolors DIY Tutorial!


Learn how to make your own homemade color shift watercolors. Color shifting watercolors are amazing! They can be pricey and hard to acquire...I know, I've tried!


I decided the best way to get what I wanted was to make it myself. It's hard to find a great tutorial on homemade watercolors, so this tutorial is my gift to you!


This tutorial is all the tips and tricks, supplies and process needed for making your own handmade watercolor paint.

Learn how to make your own homemade color shift watercolors. Color shifting watercolors are amazing!






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