Watercolor, Gouache, or Watercolor Sticks—Custom Colors On the Go

Creating your own half pans is the ultimate way to build a personalized travel palette with your favorite DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine Watercolors, Sơn gouache, or Que màu nước. Whether you’re heading out for plein air painting, setting up a studio palette, or just want all your favorite colors in one place, it only takes a few minutes to fill a half pan.

What you’ll need:

• For Watercolor & Gouache: DANIEL SMITH tubes (Watercolor comes in 5ml or 15ml)

• For Sticks: A craft knife or blade and your favorite Watercolor Sticks

• Empty half pans (or full pans!)

• A toothpick or small tool for leveling the paint

• Fine tip permanent marker (for labeling color names on pans)
• Optional: A tube wringer or crimper is great for getting the most out of those nearly finished tubes!

Tip: Each 5ml tube of watercolor fills 2–3 half pans. Watercolor Sticks can be sliced into small sections and pressed into the pan—perfect for a portable version of your favorite colors.

• Watercolor & Gouache: Squeeze the paint into the half pan, filling halfway. Use a toothpick to spread it evenly and eliminate air bubbles.

• Watercolor Sticks: Cut a section of the stick that fits the pan, then press it in firmly with your fingers or the back of a spoon.

Why layer? Once the water evaporates, the paint will shrink down. Adding paint in several stages ensures a smoother surface and really packs in the pigments. (We fill our half pans in 3 layers to ensure maximum re-wettability.

Leave the filled pans uncovered to dry completely—usually 24–48 hours. Watercolor Sticks won’t need to cure; they’re ready to use immediately. Once the pans with tube paint are cured, top with a second layer and spread evenly. Allow to dry again before transporting, at least 24 hours.

Tip: Label your pans with the color name and pigment info so you can easily refill or reorder later.

Filling your own pans saves money, reduces waste, and allows you to create a completely custom palette—whether you want an earthy gouache set, a vibrant watercolor travel kit, or a hybrid set that includes both paints and Watercolor Sticks.

Choose your favorite DANIEL SMITH Watercolors, Watercolor Sticks or Gouache and turn them into a compact, refillable palette. Use one of our empty palettes such as:

• The Ultimate Mixing Half Pan Set

• Watercolor Half Pan Set of 24 in a Metal Box

Here are some palette ideas:

A portable studio in 12 tubes. DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine™ Gouache re-wets beautifully and offers rich, velvety matte colors.

Here are some Suggested Colors:

Watercolor Essentials 6 Tube Introductory Set

Jumpstart your creative journey and fill your palette with these versatile 5ml colors:

Additional Must-Have Colors

With 272 colors in our Watercolor range and 74 Gouache colors to choose from, the palette potential is exponential! What will you build?

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