Watercolor Paints

• Student-Grade Watercolors:
  • These are ideal for beginners, art students, and hobbyists.
  • They are more affordable and budget-friendly.
  • Student-grade watercolors often have a lower pigment concentration, which can result in slightly less vibrant colors.
  • They may contain fillers or additives to reduce costs.
  • While they’re great for practice and experimentation, they might not have the same lightfastness (color permanence) as artist-grade paints.
• Artist-Grade Watercolors:
  • These are professional-quality paints used by experienced artists.
  • They have a higher pigment concentration, resulting in intense and rich colors.
  • Artist-grade watercolors are made with high-quality pigments and minimal fillers.
  • They offer excellent lightfastness, ensuring your artwork remains vibrant over time.
  • These paints allow for more nuanced techniques, layering, and blending.
  • While they are pricier, their superior quality makes them worth the investment for serious artists.

Technically, watercolor paints themselves don’t expire in the traditional sense. They won’t spoil or become unsafe to use like food or some medications. However, their quality and performance can deteriorate over time, especially if not stored properly.

Other Suitable Surfaces:

• Canvas: Stretched canvas primed for acrylic paints can work well with watercolors, although the absorbency may differ from paper.
• Wood: Watercolor paints can be used on untreated or lightly varnished wood panels.
• Fabric: Natural fabrics like cotton or linen can be used with watercolors, creating unique painted fabrics.
• Other absorbent surfaces: You can try using watercolors on other absorbent surfaces like cardboard, plaster, or even terracotta.