Best Acrylic Paint Sets for Artists In 2023

When looking for acrylic paint sets, no detail should be overlooked. Are you a beginner looking for a temporary, more affordable student-grade paint set? Or, you might be a professional browsing for the best paints and top acrylic paint sets. 

Either way, you should consider looking into heavy-body acrylic paints that resist fading and have a permanent color. While all of the acrylic paint sets below are non-toxic and include primary colors, there are many things that make them quite different from one another. 

Everyone’s painting style is different; therefore, every artist requires a specific paint set. If you’re ready to find the perfect water-resistant paint set, we recommend you look through the top acrylic paint sets for 2023!

List Of Top 10 Popular Acrylic Paint Sets To Buy Online

1) Mont Marte Acrylic Paint Set

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Whether you are a professional artist or not, chances are you’ve already heard of Mont Marte. Besides offering highly pigmented acrylic paints, Mont Marte’s mission is to encourage everyone to look deeper and explore their creativity. 

With this acrylic paint set, you get great coverage and creamy consistency for a very affordable price. The set comes with 24 vibrant colors that dry pretty fast, making layering paint that much quicker.  

Key Specifications

• Size: 24 count in 1 pack
• Finish type: Matte finish
• Volume: 36 milliliters 
• Surface recommendation: paper, wood, clay, fabric, canvas, leather, cardboard

What We Like

• Very pigmented
• Good value for the price
• Works well for both beginners and professional artists
• Great selection of colors

What We Didn’t Like

• Sometimes the paint dries way too quickly
• Heavy brush marks

2) Arteza Acrylic Paint Set

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Arteza has one motto: “Art is about the journey. We provide the tools – you steer the way”. Their mission is to make art supplies affordable for every creator, regardless of their budget. Furthermore, customer satisfaction is their number one priority and guarantee. 

With Arteza acrylic paint, you get rich and vivid pigments that create consistent shades and colors that will not fade over time. The set helps you keep all your acrylic paints organized, and each individual tube describes the shade’s lightfastness rating, opacity level, color, etc. 

Key Specifications

• Size: Available in several pack sizes, including 20, 60, and 100
• Finish type: Gloss, Metallic 
• Volume: available in several volumes from 12 to 120 milliliters
• Surface recommendation: wood

What We Like

• Colors blend nicely
• Oil paints effect 
• Good value for the price
• Great for artists or students that are just starting out
• A wide range of colors

What We Don’t Like

• Paint dries very quickly
• The paint caps can sometimes break

3) Fantastory Acrylic Paint Set

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If art is your passion, Fantastory can provide you with both professional-grade paint and student-grade paints. Here, you can find acrylic paints that are safe, certified, and non-toxic. Fantastory is very confident with their quality products, which is why they give customers a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. 

By purchasing this acrylic set, you will get 24 vibrant colors, plus 3 extra paint brushes for blending. Naturally, with professional acrylic paints, it is perfectly reasonable to expect high-quality pigments. With Fantastory’s professional-grade paints, you get a creamy consistency, great pigment load, and brilliant color mixing to help you create your next masterpiece!

Key Specifications

• Size: Set of 24 colors 
• Finish type: Matte finish
• Volume: 59 milliliters 
• Usage: Interior/Exterior
• Surface recommendation: Canvas, fabrics, plastic, ceramic, wall, stone, metal, blackboard, paper, plaster, styrofoam, wood, terracotta

What We Like

• Easy to paint with 
• The acrylic set comes with 3 free paint brushes
• Affordable
• The colors blend nicely
• Thicker consistency

What We Don’t Like

• Paint is hard to get out of the bottle 
• Leaves visible brushstrokes

4) Caliart Acrylic Paint Set

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Caliart produces high-quality supplies that are certified and non-toxic. Great for arts and crafts, their acrylic paints are water-resistant and absolutely safe for any age. Use their products on almost any surface, which opens up tons of opportunities for both professionals and beginners.

Caliart’s professional quality paints come in a sturdy box that helps you stay organized while you’re in the zone. The set contains 24 colors plus 12 paint brushes to get you started. The paints provided are certified safe with a non-toxic formula, and the quick drying of the paint helps you layer additional coats whenever you please.

Key Specifications

• Size: Pack of 24 colors
• Finish type: Matte 
• Volume: 59 milliliters 
• Usage: Interior/Exterior

What We Like

• Money-back guarantee
• Suitable for most surfaces
• Nice color range
• Good pigment load
• Smooth consistency
• Affordable

What We Don’t Like

• Thinner paint

5) Liquitex Basics Acrylic Paint Set

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Since inventing the first water-based acrylic paint, Liquitex has been innovating since 1955. Known and loved by many artists worldwide, Liquitex is the perfect blend of liquid and texture. Liquitex Basics appeared in 1993, and have been the best student-grade paints ever since.

Beginners and students everywhere will be happy to know that something as good as Liquitex Basics is available to them. Although student quality is not considered to be the best, Liquitex Basics provide the same highly pigmented colors as professional-grade paints.

Key Specifications

• Size: Available in several packs from 4 to 60 colors
• Finish type: Matte finish
• Volume: Available in several volumes, including 22 and 75 milliliters
• Usage: Interior
• Surface recommendation: Paper, wood, ceramic, stone, metal, fabric, styrofoam

What We Like

• Perfect for beginners
• Good for traditional painting
• Great coverage
• Vibrant colors
• Creamy texture

What We Don’t Like

• Not very affordable
• Small tubes 

6) Castle Art Supplies

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Castle Art is all about creating inspiring art. They have been around for quite a while and believe their customers deserve only the best. Providing you with high-quality products, Castle Art gives customers a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee on all their purchases. 

If you’re into acrylic painting, the Castle Art supplies are made to make it easy! The set comes with a sturdy box that includes 48 high-quality colors for you to enjoy. With Castle Art, you get rich and pure pigments to help you create your best work. Furthermore, the paints are of excellent quality and 100% non-toxic.

Key Specifications

• Size: 48-piece set
• Finish type: Semi-glossy finish
• Volume: 22 milliliters
• Surface recommendation: Paper, canvas, fabric, wood

What We Like

• Money-back guarantee
• Good for artists that are just starting out
• Easy to use
• Thicker consistency
• Great value for the money

What We Don’t Like

• The paint is a bit shiny

7) ColorByFelix Acrylic Paint Set

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ColorByFelix is known for encouraging aspiring artists to pursue their dreams. With ColorByFelix, you can definitely bring your skill to the next level. Here, you will find high-quality supplies that are also affordable, which is perfect if you’re a beginner. 

If you’re new to the art game, this acrylic paint brand will definitely help you become more confident in your work. By purchasing this acrylic set, you will receive 24 vibrant colors that are both easy to use and store. The acrylic paints are of premium quality and are great for paint mixing, blending, and layering. 

Key Specifications

• Size: Pack of 24 colors
• Finish type: Gloss finish
• Volume: 37 milliliters
• Surface recommendation: Paper, wood, fabric, ceramic

What We Like

• Comes with a free paint-mixing eBook
• All colors are individually tested, complying with ASTM D-4236 standards
• Acrylic paints take longer to dry out, which makes the painting a bit easier
• Great starter kit
• Super-pigmented 

What We Don’t Like

• A bit pricey

8) HissiCo Acrylic Paint Set

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HissiCo is a well-known manufacturer that has been selling artist-grade paint for over 20 years. Being a professional paint manufacturer, HissiCo knows exactly what highly-skilled artists need and desire. 

HissiCo guarantees the safety of its products, as they are completely non-toxic. With this 36-piece acrylic set, you’re also guaranteed rich pigment and easily blendable paints. Other than acrylic paints, the set also comes with a flip-lid box, 12 paint brushes, and 1 palette. Furthermore, the flip-top squeeze bottles help you control the flow of the paint.

Key Specifications

• Size: Available as 12 and 36-piece set
• Finish type: Matte finish
• Volume: 60 milliliters
• Usage: Interior/Exterior
• Surface recommendation: Glass, wood, canvas, plastic, ceramic, paper, foam, blackboard, tin

What We Like

• Good coverage
• Flip-top squeeze bottles
• The set comes with 12 paintbrushes and 1 palette
• Variety of colors
• High pigment load

What We Don’t Like

• Thin paint

9) Benicci Acrylic Paint Set

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Benicci is a small family-owned business that loves to innovate and improve. At Benicci,  customer satisfaction is a top priority. In fact, they are so sure of their products’ quality that they offer a 365-day 100% money-back guarantee on any potentially unsatisfying purchase. 

The 24 colors that come in the set are very pigmented, and customers can easily start mixing colors to get more shades. Usable on almost any surface, these colors are vibrant, long-lasting, and easy to blend. Just like some of the best acrylic paint sets, the Benicci acrylic paint set comes with 6 nylon paint brushes: No. 4, No. 8, and No. 10 round, and No. 4, No. 6, and No. 12 flat.

Key Specifications

• Size: 30-piece set
• Age Range: All Ages 
• Volume: 38 milliliters
• Surface recommendation: Wood, canvas, styrofoam, ceramic, clay, glass

What We Like

• Comes with 6 nylon paint brushes (flat and round)
• Good for beginners
• The paint comes in larger tubeGreat coverage, smooth, and pleasant to use

What We Don’t Like

• Thin paint 

10) NicPro Acrylic Paint Set

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Whether you’re a beginner, student, or professional artist, NicPro has got something for you. While creating high-quality products, NicPro also wants to be sure that every artist, no matter the skill, will have enough in his budget to be able to afford their products.

The 18 acrylic paints included in the set all come in large volumes, 250 milliliters each, to be exact. This helps customers save money and time, eliminating the need to frequently reorder new acrylic paints when running out. With this acrylic paint set, you will also get an art knife, palette knife, and a color wheel to help you be more organized.

Key Specifications

• Size: 18-color set
• Finish type: Matte
• Volume: 250 milliliters
• Surface recommendation: Wood, fabric, ceramic, glass, plastic, wood, paper

What We Like:

• Fast-drying paint 
• True and consistent shades
• Creamy texture
• The acrylic paint comes in very large tubes
• Highly pigmented colors

What We Don’t Like

• Colors look darker when dry

Things To Consider While Purchasing An Acrylic Paint Set

Acrylic paint, although a relatively newer medium, is incredibly popular within the art community. Used by both novel and experienced artists alike, it’s a diverse and easily accessible way to start your artistic journey!

However, the experience of buying acrylic paint, especially for a rookie painter, can be overwhelming. There is a serious variety of this type of paint on the market, and picking the right one that will work best for you can be a challenge.

This article is going to be your acrylic paint sets buying guide that will help you choose the best acrylic paint set for you. We’ll be looking at brands, colors, textures, permanence, and many other key acrylic paint aspects!

What is Acrylic Paint?

Before we dive into the specifics of the whys and the hows, we need to go over what acrylic paint is.

As a medium, acrylic paint was developed in the 20th century when a polymer emulsion and other acrylic binders were infused with pigments to create a waterproof paint that dries quickly. It was first used for industrial purposes in the 1930s but was promoted to an art medium in the 1950s. It’s flexible and can be applied to all kinds of surfaces including metal and rubber.

Three main components are used for making acrylic paint: pigment, binder, and carrier.

• Pigment. Pigments are finely-milled substances that give the paint its color. They can be natural or synthetic, and the quality of the pigments often dictates the quality of the paint itself.
• Binder. Binders are an integral part of any paint’s longevity, vivacity, and overall integrity. Without a binder, the paint won’t stay together after it dries, resulting in work that cracks and separates quickly and easily. What’s more, the paint won’t have an easy, smooth application. For this type of paint the binder is a synthetic material called an acrylic polymer. It creates an acrylic emulsion with the carrier, forming a film over the pigment after it dries.
• Carrier. The carrier in paint is the substance used to hold the binder and pigment together. In acrylic paint, this substance is water. The carrier’s main job is to activate the properties of the binder to keep the pigment protected once dried.

Difference Between Acrylic and Oil Paints?

Aside from watercolor, acrylic and oil paints are the two most popular paint types, and there’s always been much debate on which one is better. Although some may consider them similar, acrylic and oil paints have several fundamental differences.

Chemistry

Acrylic paint is made out of pigment, acrylic polymer as a binder, and water as carrier. This means that acrylic paint is water-based.

In the case of oil paint, however, things look a bit different as it is made of pigment, oil, and solvent. The oil is the base of the paint, classifying it as oil-based.

Versatility

While oil-based paint can be used exclusively on canvas, acrylic paint can handle a variety of different surfaces. From canvas and textiles to metal, wood, glass, and more, acrylic painting is possible on virtually any material.

Color

Acrylic paint has a feature called lightfastness. This means that, as time goes by, the pigment within the color won’t fade. It also means that the hue will generally be the same while the paint is wet and after it dries.

Oil-based paint doesn’t have this feature, which means that as time goes by, the color changes. This change is visible during the drying process but is much more noticeable with time. In short, the oil in the oil-based paint starts to yellow over time, affecting the color’s vivacity. That’s why so many museum paintings have to be restored and cleaned.

Drying

Thanks to its watery base, acrylic paint dries quickly. This can’t be said for oil-based paint, as its base causes it to take much longer to dry. Generally, a typical oil painting can take anywhere between 2 and 12 days to dry. For acrylic, the total curing time is about 3-4 days.

Essential Characteristics of Acrylic Paints

When looking through a beginner’s eyes, acrylic paint is an excellent choice. Its characteristics will make your first painting steps easier, faster, and more fun.

Waterproof

Once dry, acrylic paint becomes waterproof. This is because as the paint dries, the polymer layer traps the pigment particles and protects them.

Affordable

Affordable acrylic paints are easy to find. There is a variety of acrylic paint brands that offer products at different price points. You can find inexpensive acrylic and artist-grade paints in virtually every paint store.

Simple to Use

Acrylic paints don’t require any special additions to be used. Aside from water and a canvas, you won’t need anything else to achieve good paint consistency. Of course, there are different acrylic mediums that some painters use to enhance or change their paint, but as a beginner, you won’t need any of them.

Non-toxic & Odorless

Water-based acrylic paints have no harsh smells and won’t cause any harm if you get them on your skin. This is true for most acrylic paints, aside from some professional-grade paints that can contain cadmium, cobalt, or manganese. Avoiding these types and going for a completely non-toxic variant is always best.

Flexibility

If you add a thinning acrylic medium to your paint or a bit more water, you can end up with work that resembles watercolor. However, if you add more paint, your work can look like it was done with oil paint.

If you want your work to show off the beauty of the acrylic paint itself, you can use it as it was intended. Its versatility also allows you to work on techniques like acrylic gouache, body acrylic paint, and others.

Why Use Acrylic Paint Sets?

Finding the best cheap acrylic paint that suits your needs can be overwhelming. There are various colors on the market, countless paint brands, student grade paints, professional paints, heavy body acrylic paints, soft body acrylics, fluid paints, and so on.

Furthermore, you’ll find acrylic markers, acrylic ink, and many other products that are bound to become confusing. Not to mention the various canvases and their sizes and all the other accessories you’ll need to buy to be able to start.

Using an acrylic paint set will skip all these headaches while ensuring you get the real deal. Many professional acrylic painters started with an acrylic paint set, and some still use them.

An acrylic set doesn’t mean you’re getting low-quality paints. On the contrary, you’ll get a selection of complementary paint tubes. What’s more, you’ll also get a stretched canvas, brushes, a palette, and other art supplies, meaning you can start acrylic painting immediately!

Acrylic Paint Sets Buying Factors: What to Look For

Now that you know the advantages of using an acrylic paint set, here are the most important details you need to consider before choosing the best set.

Quality

Whether looking at student paints or a more professional acrylic paints set, you must always look for quality. You can recognize a quality set by the brand name, the number of items in the set, and the quality of the items. When starting out, it’s always best to stick to popular brand names within the artistic community.

Texture

Make sure the paint you’re getting is smooth and isn’t separating. Also, pay attention to the way it flows out of the tube. You’re looking for paint that has a creamy consistency, not runny or pasty, thick paint.

Size/Quantity

An acrylic paint set can come in packs of 6, 12, 18, 20, 24, or 32 colors. For beginners, we’d recommend starting with a smaller number.

Even though sets with multiple colors may seem attractive, you can learn more about color mixing and creating new shades by getting one that has fewer. Understanding color theory is a crucial part of any painting.

Smaller sets often offer more quantity in the tubes as well, which you can then use to create your own hues. They will also last longer.

Color

Color-wise, you’ll need to look into types of acrylic paint that have a balanced color-to-binder ratio. Many cheap acrylic paints can have more binder than pigment, resulting in transparent and weak paint. To avoid this, investing in a slightly higher-quality set that offers vibrant colors may be better.

Viscosity

When the viscosity is in question, good quality paint can be either heavy-body acrylic paint or fluid acrylic paint. Heavy body or thick acrylics are great for color mixing, blending, and tackling projects that demand high opacity. It’s also important to note the ability of heavy body acrylics to retain brush marks.

On the other hand, liquid acrylics are better for staining, detail work with a wet or dry brush, and for overall lighter, more sheer work. Think of liquid acrylics as a sort of watercolor paint.

Beginner artists sometimes start with a set of heavier body acrylic paints, as they can be thinned out if needed but will still deliver a rich and consistent color.

Drying Time

You can expect quick drying times as you’re already buying acrylic paints. However, you need to once again pay attention to the pigment-binder ratio. If your paint has more binder within, it will be bound to dry faster, which can make the painting process difficult.

Permanence

Make sure the set you’re looking at can offer excellent permanence and the color will stay put once dried. However, you need to consider that acrylics are most durable when painted on canvas. If you’re using any other material, expect changes in permanence.

Brand Reputation

Getting a paint set by a brand that’s recognized and has a good reputation is crucial. You may find many cheaper sets around, but if you’re unsure about the brand, you may jeopardize saturation, viscosity, permanence, and other key factors.

Some of the best acrylic paint brands are Arteza, Winsor Newton, and Liquitex Professional.

Standard Certifications

Make sure the set that you’re getting has colors that the ASTM and ACMI have approved for their toxicity levels and performance. The pigments used should be classified as excellent or very good and perform well for years.

Online Reviews and Ratings

Buying acrylic paints online is always a great option if you can’t visit an art store. Before purchasing, ensure the paint set you’re looking at has good reviews from reputable customers.

You can look for paint swatches, reviews about color consistency, how the acrylic paint dries, and so on. This rule stands for both professional acrylics and student-grade paints.

Affordability

Finally, make sure the set you’re considering is affordable, but don’t choose the cheapest option. A cheap acrylic paint set can be tempting but can have compromised paint integrity, weak canvases, and tools that won’t last. Instead of opting for the cheapest one, get a set that features an acceptable price with high-quality paints and accessories.

10 Effective Tips To Follow While Using Acrylic Paints

Once you get your paint colors, use these tips to make the most of your artist-grade paints!

Use Synthetic Brushes

Synthetic brushes are much better at administering acrylic paints than soft-bristled, natural brushes. Your set should already come with an assortment of these brushes. When painting, make sure your brush is loaded.

Practice Your Speed

As acrylics tend to dry pretty quickly, make sure you start with smaller, simpler pieces and gradually move on to more challenging work.

Mix Colors Freely

Don’t be afraid to experiment with colors, especially the primary ones! Half the fun of painting is in finding that exact shade you’ve envisioned.

Experiment With Textures

Use your palette knife, sponges, or different brushes to add texture to your pieces when you’re ready. Painting can be a three-dimensional art form when you step out of your comfort zone!

Don’t Let Your Palette Dry Out

Don’t overload your palette with paint you won’t use. Even the best acrylic paint will dry out when exposed to oxygen, which then compromises its performance.

Try Different Surfaces

Try painting on canvas, a wood panel, glass, metal, textile, and other surfaces to get the most out of your paint! You can also experiment with various mediums, like a gloss medium, a matte medium,

Use Reference Images

When starting out, you can follow a tutorial or choose a reference image. Starting from scratch can prove difficult for beginners. Having a guide lets you learn much more about proper painting and improve your skills.

Don’t Worry About Mistakes

As Bob Ross liked to say: We don’t make mistakes. We make happy little accidents!

Remember that everything can be fixed in painting, so don’t worry about mistakes. Instead, look at your mishaps as an opportunity to expand your painting and add details you may not have thought of before.

Allow Layers to Dry

Letting the layers dry after finishing the piece is crucial to its longevity. Even if your paint looks dry, it may not be, so always touch test before handling your painting.

On the same note, if you want your colors not to mix, leave the layers underneath to dry before adding more.

Practice Adding Details

Details are often the thing that makes a piece unique, so experiment with different types of brushes and brush strokes. This can also be a great lesson on using more fluid acrylics.

Best Acrylic Painting Sets: Conclusion

We hope this article helped you learn more about acrylic painting, the best acrylic paints and sets, and what you can expect from your fresh artistic journey.

Remember that painting should never be stressful but a fun, exciting experience, so don’t stress! Instead, let your creative juices flow and see what comes out!

FAQs

1) Which is the best acrylic brand to buy online?

Brands like Winsor Newton, Matisse and Arteza are great options for beginners and professional artists as they offer good quality paints.

2) What acrylic paint is best for beginners?

Soft body acrylic paint designed for students is best for anyone beginning their painting journey.

3) Does all acrylic paints have the same quality?

No. Cheaper acrylics may have more binder than pigment, resulting in paint that’s transparent and thin.

4) What acrylic paint do professionals use?

Professional artists use paints from renowned brands and opt for heavy body acrylics.

5) Is it worth investing in acrylic paint supplies?

Absolutely! Purchasing good supplies is crucial for having a good acrylic painting experience.