If you dare to venture into the colorful world of watercolor painting, you've probably stumbled upon the term "Dot Cards" before.

But what´s it exactly about?

In this article, I'll explain everything you need to know about Dot Cards: from their meaning to their benefits, including practical tips for the case that your favorite paint manufacturer doesn't offer Dot Cards.

Why are they called Dot Cards?

The name "Dot Card" isn't arbitrary. Translated, it means "point card," which is quite fitting.

Dot Cards are cards where paint samples of watercolors from various manufacturers are applied in the form of dots.

Those Dot Cards are specific to the manufacturers, that´s why you won´t find a Dot Card with various brands in it.

What do I do with a Dot Card?

There's nothing more frustrating than buying watercolor paints only to find out they don't meet your needs.

This is where Dot Cards come in!

They offer you the opportunity to test the colors before purchasing, thus avoiding frustrating mistakes.

A Dot Card not only contains color samples of the entire range but also important information such as

• color code,

• contained pigments,

• opacity,

• lightfastness, and

• granulation.

This allows you to examine the colors closely and select the ones that are optimal for you.

Additionally a Dot Card is made of thicker watercolor paper, that´s why you can test the color properties straight on the Dot Card itself.

The Benefits:

• A comprehensive overview of the color range and its properties.

• The ability to test and compare colors before purchasing.

• A cost-effective alternative to try out various manufacturers.

EXTRA TIP: Simply stick your favorite dots in the back of your sketchbook and start getting creative anytime!

What if my favorite manufacturer doesn't offer Dot Cards?

Don't worry, even if your preferred paint manufacturer doesn't offer Dot Cards, there are alternatives.

Many manufacturers provide overview sheets of their color range, where you can find all the important information.

Even though you can't directly test the colors, you still gain a good insight into their properties and an image of the color gradient is included as well.

Conclusion

Dot Cards are an invaluable resource for watercolor artists, especially for beginners who are still searching for their perfect colors.

They not only offer a cost-effective way to test colors but also provide a comprehensive overview of the entire color range.

So, let´s go!

Have fun exploring your own Dot Card!

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