The Archive
Reporting, comparisons, and field notes — newest first.
paints-and-pigments
Prima's Confections watercolor tins are everywhere on social media, but some sets deliver more than others. Here's an honest breakdown of which tin earns its
·10 min read
paints-and-pigments
Gansai Tambi and Prima Confections look similar on the shelf, but they behave very differently on paper. Here's how to choose the right pan set for the way you
·11 min read
paper-and-surfaces
Block, pad, or spiral sketchbook — the format of your watercolor paper matters as much as the weight. Here's how to match size and binding to the way you
·9 min read
paper-and-surfaces
Not every watercolor paper is built for gouache's rework-heavy workflow. Here's how the most popular surfaces actually perform — and which one to reach for
·10 min read
paints-and-pigments
Gansai Tambi paints behave differently from typical watercolors — and knowing whether to start with 24 or 48 pans can save you money and frustration. Here's
·11 min read
paper-and-surfaces
Not all watercolor sketchbooks survive a wet wash — this guide breaks down spiral, hardcover, and pocket formats so you can find the one that actually fits
·11 min read