DIY Compact Watercolor Kit

A very easy and inexpensive way to create a highly portable, compact, handy little watercolor kit. With just a small tin box, a few plastic half-pans, some watercolor paints and glue, I show how to make a little box you can take anywhere so you're always prepared for an artistic moment.
Credits:
Video production and content: Marty Owings
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[@suzalasuzala1135]

A dollar store eyeshadow kit, is even easier!, scrape out the eyeshadow ( many actually have tin pans in them) , wash and refill with paint. Glue a piece of white plastic to the inside of the cover and voila!

[@owingsart]

Hey that's a great tip. Thank you! ~marty

[@lechat8736]

@Suzala Suzala - That`s such a great idea. THANK YOU !!

[@amitydurran5996]

Suzala Suzala you are so smart

[@sooyaa311]

Suzala Suzala yes it is a great idea and don't thraw your scraped eye shadow you can put gum Arabic on it and it will become a watercolor

[@kymani6925]

I do that too

[@paulareeveslmt]

Marty, this is so stinking cool! Thank you for a great idea!!!

[@paulareeveslmt]

I love Daniel Smith watercolors, beautiful! 😊

[@JayH2003]

I don't know why, but your video reminded my of back when I was in grade 2-3(?) and this lady came to our school to teach us this FANCY art stuff about mixing primary colours to make flowers. Now I don't remember how old I was, but I was young! I had no clue what she was talking about to when we went to go paint out flowers I kinda just mixed whatever and hoped for the best. I remember her rude tone as she said some snarky remark on how I did terrible... I know this had nothing to do with the video, so sorry about that. Anyway, loved the video!

[@owingsart]

+JayTheBirdFlyZ Thanks for stopping by. Sorry to hear about your bad experience in school, I hope that didn't stop you from becoming an Artist? Take care. - Marty

[@mypandapaints5854]

The great thing about the starter set from Daniel Smith is that it is designed to be able to create a complete color wheel by giving you a warm and cool version of each primary. Two reds, two blues, and two yellows. The reason why this is important when color mixing is that a cool red and a warm blue will make a much better purple than another mix. Fastest way to muddy up your colors. Still waiting for my disability to be hopefully approved and if it goes through, that set will definitely be something I purchase! Can't wait for your review of the oh-so-popular DS paints!

[@owingsart]

My Panda Paints Thanks for those great tips. That'll get a mention in the DS video I'm going to do and I'll give you and Reese a shout out. Those are very good tips.

[@Shannonishere]

Great idea Marty! I was thinking about doing something like this for presents to my friends who really like art. Thanks for the video, can't wait to see the review of those Daniel Smith watercolor.

[@owingsart]

Shannon Sand Hey that's a great idea Shannon. I think our fellow Artist friends would love to have a small kit like this. I'm hoping to do the Daniel Smith review this week if I get some time. :-) Thanks for the comments as always!

[@43110s]

Love this! I cannot wait to I get a small tin mint box. And I have wanted Daniel Smith water colours for ages. Look so forward to I can make this little kit! : ) Thank you for making your videos!

[@owingsart]

Thank you for watching, I really appreciate it. ~Marty

[@fludrbywest3886]

Sweet! Might I suggest applying the stick on magnets to the bottoms of the half pans for easy clean up or Exchanges of colors! 👍🏻✨

[@Hitsuji_Suji]

A do yourself it! Love it!!! (you remind me of my husband. He calls it DYI too )

[@owingsart]

LOL, I know I mixed that up all the time.

[@pesto12601]

I just made an altoids tin and filled with mission gold.. can fit 14 colors in that little box! Also, instead of crazy glue.. I used magnets that come on a long roll and you cut them into squares... that way, I can remove the pans from the tin and change the colors around if I want. I do superglue the magnet to the pan because the self stick side doesn't stick well to the plastic. Just got this set of Daniel Smith and a few extra colors like Yellow Ochre and will be creating another set in a new tin.... so easy, fun and small to have multiple kits for different types of painting! Thx for sharing...

[@owingsart]

That's AWESOME!!! Way to go. Do it yourself, is really the best way to go. The magnets are great as well.

[@pesto12601]

Thx... makes switching out pans very easy... just made a 3rd set using the dragon ginger mints from Newmans.... nice looking tin to boot!

[@danakolpin1289]

Was very good advice on colors

[@danakolpin1289]

I am just starting to get my supplies to learn watercolor. i choose the MGraham Paints and I 4 colors so far that I have povked. I like the orange you picked so 2 will add thst one. Tell me thr sizes of brushes to start ? So fsr 9 have a one inch flat wash brudh e 8 round and a 1 inch liner by Silver Black Velvet. Are those brushes good to start with? Dana

[@Austin-uj4re]

Nice video presentation/tip. Could you do drawing demonstration on gouache? I hear once your done with an illustration you can put on white gouache for highlights, it's pretty cool. I think you should try the gouache out.

[@Lisapizza789]

Nice! Thank you.

[@paulage1art]

Great little travel kit! Looking forward to your review on the Daniel Smith - the people who use them won't use anything else! Paula in Florida

[@owingsart]

+paulage1art Hi Paula - Here's a review I did a while back on some different Daniel Smith watercolors: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKmpgH2DhrGhpLM

[@catherinehascake9173]

Thanks for sharing! I actually never thought of this before... too bad I'm over with my college "camping" days... I used to carry HEAVY books for my science major class, then my art supplies in another bag, because I decided that I need art in my life, and signed up few painting courses. Back in those days, every one thought I was gonna camp in school LOL I mean now I could have just done this in a tin pencil case that is so much more portable, and less messy.

[@owingsart]

Cathrine OAO Hi Cathrine - I have a mental picture of a small, happy person packing large bags full of wondrous objects. :-)

[@catherinehascake9173]

Owings Art yep don't mind me, just camping

[@owingsart]

Cathrine OAO LOL. Indeed.

[@lechat8736]

WONDERFUL IDEA! THANKS SO MUCH FOR SHARING :)) Josi

[@owingsart]

For sure.

[@thekeddi]

Thanks for the video, im going to try to make something similar ☺

[@owingsart]

Kerri Hickman Hi Kerri - Glad to hear it. You can even use elmers glue, which works well. You can also buy a very compact or collapsible brush. I use a water brush though. Good luck and let me know if it works okay for you!

[@jerryanctil8118]

Hi Marty, IAM a follower of Steve, im new subscriber to your channel! Looking forward to learning be your techniques!

[@owingsart]

Thank you Jerry and welcome to the channel. Drop me a note here whenever you want or if you have any questions. Thanks much! ~Marty

[@diablo2freakgirl]

Very helpful!!!! Thanks!!!:)

[@owingsart]

+diablo2freakgirl Thank you for watching! - Marty

[@MaryPrasadArt]

Hi Marty. I've been enjoying your videos. I make a lot of travel palettes (I'm working on a series right now) - I usually use either magnetics or wall tack (the sticky putty to hang posters on walls) to stick down the pans. This way I can change them out easily. I also use a toothpick to move the paint into the corners and flatten out. I don't like it to stick above the pans. I make my own little travel mixing palettes and swatch card with each set as well. If you are interested, I just posted about making a hybrid waterbrush (sable hair brush with waterbrush body) - it is so much better than the nylon/plastic waterbrushes! Thanks for sharing!

[@owingsart]

Hi Mary - Thanks fo the notes.I will check out your channel.

[@MaryPrasadArt]

You're welcome! Heh, I just noticed that spell check put "magnetics" instead of "magnets" but you probably figured it out :-)

[@jeffreyschwarz3699]

You can use small magnets or velcro which allows you to remove the pan.

[@owingsart]

Nice!

[@sharonolsen6579]

Love it!!! Ok.. now I know this is for portability.. convenience .. practicality... but ... let's be honest... the CUTE factor is off the scale!!!! thanks for sharing this.. OH.. another thought.. grand children.. gifts.. I think children should use good materials so they do not become discouraged early on.. Such a great Idea.... thanks again.. (am i just a wee bit too excited over this ?? LOL ) cheers :)

[@owingsart]

LOL, thank you for the kind note and your excitement. I appreciate them both. :-)

[@ilofc]

Huh. I was surprised to learn that watercolors came in pans several years ago. I'd always used paint from tubes and had only seen the cheapest Scholastic paints come in pans, which hadn't even registered to me as watercolors.

[@owingsart]

+JY H For sure and you can squeeze the tubes into the pans! :-) - Marty

[@owingsart]

+Austin Braque - I'm sorry, but your settings do not allow me to reply directly. I have Gouache on my short list. :-)

[@ashhh2529]

The fun part to watch in any video is the squeezzzzing of paints

[@owingsart]

:-) Squeeze Joy.

[@ashhh2529]

Owings Art :-D :-D

[@erins.5420]

Good idea! I did get the basics sets, rather I ordered the 15ml tubes of the colors featured in the basics set. I also got the complete 258 (?) color sample of all the colors they offer. Let me tell you it was the best $ spent! I have used it so much and still have plenty of pigment left!!!! So just an FYI the color sample chart is like 4 pages and dots of color is placed on watercolor paper with corresponding printed names, transparency/opaque, lightfast rating ect. You know all the necessary info. I love DS water colors and look forward to see your review and how you like them!

[@owingsart]

Erin S. Hi Erin - I'm working on the review as I type this reply (well I took a little break to be honest). Wow! How much was that sample? Thanks for the tip on the chart, I tend to move pretty quickly, but did notice the lightfastness. Everything I'm seeing with the DS's is great so far. Stay tuned and thanks for checking out the video, and leaving the note.

[@erins.5420]

$25!!! And $4.95 flat rate shipping! I am still using the sampler however I have found I love some more than others but the quinacridones ( more the blues and greens) last a longer time since a dab of it is super pigmented. I found that with most of the colors really but some color dots are bigger than others but in all still a very generous amount to try them all (actually there are 4 that I have found not on the chart (Quinn purple, quinophthalone yellow that I really am intrigued by its description saying this yellow can be lifted back to the white paper, anthraquinoid scarlett- limited color that beautiful and surprisingly neutral tint.

[@owingsart]

Erin S. Sounds AWESOME! I need to find that sampler.

[@kabluey5971]

+Owings Art Hi Marty. Thanks for posting, along with Steve @ TMoW, you and a few others are my favorite posters. This is FYI, Cheep Joes has the 238 dot sample set on sale with free shipping on all Daniel Smith products. I believe it is on sale for $23+, but hurry it's only till Midnight EST, 1/21/16.

[@owingsart]

KaBluey59 OMG - Thank you. I'm on it. I owe you one! - Marty

[@patriciabarbosa3656]

If you have to choose a palette, how many colors do you use and which ones?

[@flamminia]

I made myself a little portable set too, but I made it by taking an inexpensive eyeshadow set, emptying it out and filling the little wells with paint. it's flat and it's pocket size!

[@owingsart]

Great idea Francesca!!!

[@flamminia]

+Owings Art thanks!!

[@suewilkinson910]

Making these little tin pallets could become addictive!

[@owingsart]

It so is.... :-)

[@ColoringKaria]

Hello, I have a question, do you mind doing a video on what you so with the white? and how you us it?

[@owingsart]

Hi Karia - I should do that. I will add it to my list. :-)

[@Rapixxx]

Hello, I checked the video in my youtube recommendations because I have been pondering which six colors to choose. I'm interested in you choice to put white in the palette, because I personally never use it and I haven't seen any other youtube artists use it either. Can you suggest a video from your playlist where you use it in your drawing process? (I was not able to spot one in a glance)

[@owingsart]

Hi There - I don't really have a video that explains why and how I use whites. But here's a quick summary. I use white to knock down bright colors, especially in skin tones. Some Artists will just dilute the paint with water, but I prefer coloring or tinting the paint to make it the color or tone that matches what I'm painting. I may also paint with white on toned paper to create highlights, snow and so forth. That's about it. ~Marty

[@sylviacostello7177]

hi martty i wondered if you would do a review on gouache and give some tips.i like to learn different types of art.dont know thats right that i go through so many types of medium.just love to learn.otherwise i get bored quick one of my faults.

[@owingsart]

Hi Sylvia - I'm happy to add it to the list. It might be a while though. So in the meantime check out this video, which seems decent - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fV62qnycj95kqa8

[@euniceestrada-johnson5989]

So buy putting the watercolor tube paint in the little pallet will that harden up a bit and turn it into a cake?

[@owingsart]

Yes, basically that is correct. They will shrink some, so be aware of that. ~Marty

[@EveBolt]

White is a color people either like, or dislike, with few inbetween. I'm curious to know how you use it and why you consider it one of your "best 6", enough to include it instead of a red to complete your other primary triad (warm primary and cold primary). Just curious, and thank you for the neat video :)

[@owingsart]

I liven an area where it tends to be winter for a very long time. I use white, even white gouache from time to time. Sometimes I use masking fluid. At any rate I also use white to change colors or to tint them. :-)

[@Diana0802]

Hi, do we have to open the tin to let the paint dry first? Secondly, after a while will the paint kind of crack up? Thank you!

[@owingsart]

Hi Diana - It depends on the paint you use, but if you choose a reputable brand, like Daniel Smith, Schmickce or brands like that, you should be okay. Hope that helps. ~Marty

[@rogerauclair1670]

It would have been a good idea to spray paint the inside of the lid white to make a better mixing surface.

[@weirdchick216]

I wouldn't use glue. I bought magnets with an adhesive back to stick to the back of the pans. That way I can swap colors when I want to.

[@owingsart]

Great idea. :-)

[@hansendesigns]

The idea behind the daniel smith six colors is that there is a set of 3 warm primaries and a set of 3 cool primaries. Those six help mix nearly everything you need. Of course each person has their own take and i'm not saying theres a right or wrong way.

[@owingsart]

Well stated and that's exactly right in my opinion. Thank you!

[@gatosandwichera]

i usually buy watercolors already on the half pans. i've heard that it is cheaper to buy tubes and refill; but i dont use watercolors on a daily basis (more like once a month or so) and i was wondering if those tube paint would dry on the palette and become totally useless? i know that you can reawaken watwrcolors with water, i'm only asking because i thought the paint formula was different for the ones on tubes and the ones on pans!

[@owingsart]

Greetings and thank you for the question. Yes they will dry in the pan, but they will behave just like the cake pan watercolors. The formula can be slightly different, but most tube watercolors will just fine in a pan, even if they dry. All the best, Marty

[@gatosandwichera]

Thanks for the reply! Then I'll try out some tube paints soon hehe

[@mindofwatercolor]

This is great Marty, thanks! I'm actually planning to do a similar video with an Altoids tin that I just emptied and instead of pans, I'll use some gum blisters that are already connected. Slightly different approach. I saw it on a blog somewhere. What I'm curios about is the little half pans you glued in. Where did you find those?

[@owingsart]

The Mind of Watercolor Hey there Steve - Good to hear from you. I bought these half pans at my local art store wetpaintart.com but you can order them on Amazon, Blick, Cheap Joe's or just about any place. Some people buy full pans. It'll be fun to try in an Altoids tin. Say hi to Reese for me. Cheers!

[@AdvocatusDiaboli92]

The Mind of Watercolor I used the metal caps from miniature liquor bottles. I was able to fit 8! 2 larger caps for most used color and 6 mini caps.

[@owingsart]

Advocatus Diaboli Nice job repurposing the caps.

[@capbin146]

Hey Steve what happened to this one? Is it on the cutting room floor.

[@mindofwatercolor]

+Big C Nope, just lost interest. Once I bought a Sennelier pan set that was pretty close in size I saw no real benefit to making my own. Besides, Marty here and others on KZbin have done a good job showing how its done should someone be interested. :-)

[@muskndusk]

I've been having a disagreement in the comments of another vid about whether you need white with watercolour. I was always taught that as watercolour is a transparent medium you use the white of the paper. So I was intrigued to see you put white in your nifty little palette. I would be very interested in why you chose this and what you use it for. A video about it would be fascinating.

[@mindofwatercolor]

muskndusk If i may offer an opinion. Transparency in watercolor is a tradition and a preference, not a rule. Even so, watercolor white is actually pretty translucent and does not serve well as an opaque, highlight white. Artists that use it, usually do so to add a milky, chalky look to certain washes. I don't use it personally but again thats purely preference. I'm sure Marty can give more insight as to why he prefers using it. I've seen some beautiful wash work done using white.

[@owingsart]

muskndusk The Mind of Watercolor Hi Guys - Steve is absolutely right. I use it to tone down distant objects, as a chalky wash and since I live in Minnesota (which is nearer the Arctic than I care to admit) I do snow scenes and the like, which actually have a tremendous amount of color, dominated by white. :-) Oh and I learned oil painting before watercolor so it's a bit of a carry over. Hope that answers the question. :-)

[@ninjatops99]

just b/c white is meant to be seen on the paper itself, untouched, every now and i again i find myself needing white to make an odd color and its simply impossible to not have the Chinese white at my disposal! its ok to use white when you need it, dont get blindsided by traditional rules. you have to make your own way as an artist!

[@owingsart]

electrabot Exactly. Great advice and thank you for sharing it. - Marty

[@victoriamelisa301]

mmmm and if you use a metal sheet inside the tin and glue magnets to the pan is easy to change the colors

[@owingsart]

+Victoria Melisa Great tips Victoria and very much appreciated. Thanks for watching.

[@gilbey80]

+Victoria Melisa exactly what i was thinking. And, the lid you could put some Enamel paint inside so that you have a white mixing area.

[@victoriamelisa301]

+gilbey80 The enamel paint is a good idea

[@patriciabarbosa3656]

Can you do a video about colours how to mix them to produce some colours, I have just 12 colours: white, primary yellow, orange, primary red, primary blue, ultramarine blue, purple, burnt sienna, green and black, this is a schoolar kit but to do experiences before spend money in better one it is Ok I suppose. thanks

[@owingsart]

+Ana Patrícia Barbosa Hi Ana - Okay, I have just added it to my list and thank you for the great suggestion. I will try to get it done soon. Happy New Year - Marty

[@patriciabarbosa3656]

+Owings Art Thanks

[@kferguson620]

Will the paints dry in the pans? And if they so, do they still work as well after they're dried?

[@owingsart]

+K Ferguson - Thanks for the question. Yes, they will eventually dry, but they reactivate nicely when you add a little water. Happy New Year! - Marty

[@kferguson620]

Okay, thanks! Happy new year to you too.

[@varsilia]

How do I keep my paint from spilling all over my do yourself it can? Do I dry them before carrying them around?

[@owingsart]

Just use a paper towel to dab up any liquid.

[@varsilia]

Owings Art yea but I meant right after it comes out of the tube, as you said the yellow paint is quite runny.

[@owingsart]

You just have to let it air dry. :-) Takes a day usually.

[@varsilia]

Hey thanks friend :D

[@Ebtsamhful]

I did like this ,but when the watercolour dry ,it broke

[@cruztastrophe]

To make the pans interchangeable, you can glue magnets instead of gluing the pans directly to the tin. Craft magnet comes in strips that you can cut to size.

[@kashfiahare3190]

I like your suggestion! Where might i find craft magnet?

[@cruztastrophe]

+Kashfia Hare I've seen it at Walmart, so I bet you could find it almost anywhere, hardware stores for sure though.

[@owingsart]

+Blake the Black Guy For sure, I did that on version 2.0, great suggestion. - Marty

[@kashfiahare3190]

Thank you blake!

[@NoblesseObligedCP]

The insignia on those tubes reminds be of Sakura.

[@owingsart]

***** Now that you mention it, they do sort of look like that. Thanks for the note and for watching as always! Have a great day NoblesseObliged.

[@tablesidewithfirebride7927]

How long does it take for paint to dry?

[@owingsart]

Hi Lauren - If you mean in the pan itself, a couple days.

[@tablesidewithfirebride7927]

@@owingsart of thank you! Yes I ment in the pans. I should of been more clear lol

[@victoriamelisa301]

How many times you can fill a pan with one tube ??

[@owingsart]

+Victoria Melisa Hi Victoria - Thanks for the question. It depends on the size of the tube (watercolors come in a variety of tube sizes). But if its a standard size like a 5 ml you can get about 2 1/2 pans out of it roughly. So for a 15 ml tube you'd get about 7 1/2 pans worth of paint..roughly. Hope that helps. - Marty

[@marybirder5663]

If I may add, a small 5ml tube of paint will fill 1 full pan. The full pans are much easier on the pointed tip of your watercolor brushes. Buying the 15ml tubes is a much better deal in the long run, if you already know it's a color you use often. If you simply want to order a paint color because you think it's pretty and want to experiment, then go with the 5 ml size. Remember, there are no rules here.

[@ninjatops99]

where do you buy the pans at?

[@owingsart]

+electrabot Thanks for the question. You can buy them here: amzn.to/1MZDFaE

[@ninjatops99]

+Owings Art does michaels or hobby lobby have them?

[@owingsart]

electrabot I've never seen them at Michaels, but maybe Hobby Lobby. - Marty

[@taradhaness5259]

Does the paint harden?

[@owingsart]

+Tara Danes Hi Tara - Yes, but most paints rewet nicely. - Marty

[@butterflyproject8076]

What is the alternative for the plastic half pan?? Cz' I can't get those T__T

[@owingsart]

+Butterfly Project Hi Butterfly - You could try to use plastic bottle caps. I have seen those used successfully. Good luck!

[@tamarak3943]

I saw one tutorial where they used polymer clay and put the whole thing in the oven I found it on KZbin. But I don't remember who.

[@owingsart]

tamara stewar Good idea Tamara. Thanks for the assist.

[@AnnaElizabethD]

+tamara stewar it was +Klassy Jade

[@caminhodaverdade3066]

+Butterfly Project You can use ice cube trays

[@SebastianSeanCrow]

On the red: I've always heard it pronounced ROOJ with the J sound almost like a French J

[@owingsart]

Rooj sounds great! Thank you!

[@Tonyukuk1453]

Artists jevelry

[@mmaruchannn]

Hello, doesn't it spill?

[@owingsart]

+greysigrace Nope, the paint gets a little hard in the pans, but reactivates with water. :-)

[@nickburgos6104]

DO YOSELF IT WATERCOLOUR KIT

[@owingsart]

+Alecant Somers Exactly!

[@bee.bnt11]

Lol yeah he just said DYI

[@owingsart]

Bennie Bd Yeah, that's short for Do Yourself It. lol.

[@bee.bnt11]

Owings Art Its *DIY (Do It Yourself) ^_^ and your tips are helpful tho thank u.

[@owingsart]

Bennie Bd You're right, I was just trying to be funny. Thanks B.

[@bozmundarts2614]

White.... Well... Whatever... Also... I would rather a bijou box for a ultra portable palette...

[@marcusnielsen9718]

green is NOT a primary colour

[@owingsart]

+charlie lou - Of course you're absolutely correct. Thank you.

[@eternal8song]

it is when it comes to light

[@jhonaldduck8516]

It's diy

[@owingsart]

Yep. Thanks.

[@josieber8032]

magnets work better

[@lizettecorvera2780]

"just dab a little bit" 2016

[@owingsart]

+Lizette Carver :-)