Why Are There Different Kinds Of Watercolours?…
Which do you choose, as there are two varieties? Well artists paints are good as the pigments are well saturated with colour. Students paints do not have the same quality of pigment.
If you have a limited budget, the student variety are cheaper as they are synthetics and are, in fact, mixed with pigments, so they will not last you as long. Artists however are very easy to use, serviceable and the pigments have been well drenched in colour.
Watercolors can be bought from art suppliers in what we call pans or tubes. The tube paint is a lot softer so you can use these for making a big wash. Whichever type you use, you need to remember to put the caps back on the tubes or close the pan boxes. Otherwise the paint is likely to dry up.
Pans are very easy to use and you can carry the box around with you. So now, what about mixing the paint? First off, I use a couple of small coffee jars and fill these with clean water. Jam jars or small glasses or even a cup will do just as well. You need one for mixing paint and the other for cleaning your brushes.
You will probably find that you need quite a few mixing dishes. It might be to your advantage to use pans the first time around. I find that I tend to use old saucers or plates to mix on. Dip the brush into the water and transfer this to the saucer. Then hit the brush slightly so that you drop the water.
Repeat the process a few times, then dip the brush in the water, tap it on the side of your vessel so that it is not to watery, then move your brush over and collect the paint.
All you need to do then, is take the brush to the dish, mix in the water so the paint is now transferred. If you keep doing this method you can get the colour shade you need, light or dark. More water will give you a lighter shade. It is quite simple really! You can always test the paint on a piece of paper first.
Whatever you do, just look after your brushes. If you do not care for them it can be expensive for you. They need cleaning well in water as soon as you have finished with them.
To bring them back to their original shape, give them a shake by flicking your wrist. I often just use my fingers. As for storage, they are best kept with the hair end up in some sort of pot. If you carry them with you, then roll them in material or paper and tie it with string or elastic band. If they are going in a box get them really dry first. Never have your brushes standing in water on the brush heads.
We all need to look after our choice of tools as well as we possibly can. This way they will certainly last for time to come. That is why it is better to buy the best you can possibly afford at the time and this should improve your results!

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