Best Acrylic Paint – Looking at Different Acrylic Paint Sets

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When it comes to using acrylics, there are many different brands and recommendations to go on. In this article, we will cover the best acrylic paint sets as well as the best cheap acrylic paint for both beginners and professionals. Stick around for some great product recommendations, as well as the pros and cons for each brand.

What Is Acrylic?

First, let us cover the basics. Many people know acrylic as an easy-to-use water-based paint medium. This is true for many reasons, being that water-based acrylics are easier to use as they can easily be cleaned up. They also do not contain nor require the use of harsh chemicals or toxins while painting. This medium can be used with water or with acrylic paint mediums to change its consistency and color transparency.

Another reason to use acrylic paint for beginners is because of its texture. Acrylic paints are thicker than watercolors and are therefore more durable. Unlike oils, they will not leave a residue or a mess, and they dry fairly quickly. To maintain your artwork, these paints can be sealed with a varnish or fixative much the same as oils, not only to protect them but also to add a glossy shine.

Acrylic paints also come in a variety of color pigments, making them great for blending and color mixing. They are readily available online or in your local art shops and can be found in entry-level or more professional artist quality ranges, depending on your budget and needs.

The Different Acrylic Paint Grades

When looking for the best acrylic paint, you will have a choice between two different grades. These grades of paint refer to the overall level of quality that the paint has to offer. Acrylic paint sets are suitable for all levels of artists, and the grading system should be considered when finding the right paint for your needs.

Student-Grade Acrylic Paint

Student-grade acrylic paint is cheaper and better suited for beginners. There are many different acrylic paint sets that are available in a student-grade. This is the type of paint that kids or new artists would choose. So, what makes acrylic paint student-grade?

The first thing is that these paints have less pigment and are mixed with a lower quality binder. This means that the intensity or strength of the color is not as powerful. This is particularly true when the paint is mixed with other mediums. Not only is there less pigment, but the pigment used is also of a lower standard. Generally, this means an artificial pigment that may not be the exact shade you are after. Student-grade acrylics tend to dry a little bit darker too.

Often, student-grade acrylic paint sets contain fewer colors as well. This type of paint is really just for getting started and teaching you the basics of acrylics and how they work.

Artist-Grade Acrylic Paint

Artist-grade acrylic paint, also known as professional-grade acrylic paint, is more expensive. As you can guess, these sets of acrylic paint are better suited towards more experienced or serious artists. What makes artist-grade acrylic paints stand out are the same factors applied to student-grade paints.

First of all, there is great pigmentation. Artist-grade paints contain a much higher level of pigmentation. This means that the paints have brighter, more vibrant colors. Not only this, but the pigments used are of a much higher quality, as natural pigments are often used. This means you get a more even, realistic, and bold coloring from the paint. The paints also use a better binder, which helps to enhance the colors. This provides a smoother, more enhanced consistency. The pigments are also much finer, which offers a superior color coating.

Artist-grade paints are also more durable and lightfast. They have a higher level of resistance to the environment which results in a longer lifespan. These sets are also generally available in a wider range of bold colors. Basically, professional acrylic paints have a higher level of purity and are manufactured with higher-quality processes. This does make them more expensive, however, which is why they are more appealing to serious artists.

Pros and Cons of Acrylic Paints

There are a lot of different things to consider when choosing the best type of paint for your project. Acrylic paints are an incredibly popular medium for many reasons. However, there are still a few drawbacks to using acrylic paints. We have uncovered some of the main benefits and disadvantages of using acrylic paints below.

The Best Acrylic Paint Recommendations

In order to find the best paints for you, we will look at some various product recommendations and define the benefits of each one.

The Best Acrylic Paint Set: CALIART Acrylic Paint Set   

As far as acrylic paint sets go, this one is a winner. Caliart put together this set of 24 basic acrylic paints suitable for beginners, kids, students, and professional artists. These acrylics glide on smoothly and have no strong smell. The bright colors blend easily and dry quickly, allowing you to keep layering without much time wasted. This set would be perfect for wet techniques like alla prima. Because of the thickness of Caliart paints, they are perfect for adding texture and using painting knives and other tools for added effect.

CALIART Acrylic Paint Set

• Premium paints that glide on smoothly, dry quickly, and stay beautiful
• Colors are of a high quality with rich, vivid, and non-toxic pigments 
• Creamy consistency allows for high coverage and easy blending

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This versatile range of acrylics can be used for paper, canvas, wood, glass, and outdoor surfaces. Packaged in a sturdy box for easy storage, this set also includes a color chart for quick reference. There is a wide range of color hues within this set, with varying shades of red, orange, yellow, and green. The set also includes a Gray, Titanium White, and Lamp Black. Caliart’s acrylic paints come in an easy-to-use squeeze-top bottle so that you can better control the amount of paint you are using. This is what makes this a great painting set for beginners and even kids to use.

Best Cheap Acrylic Paint: GOTIDEAL Acrylic Paint Set  

Gotideal is offering this amazing set of cheap acrylic paints for beginners or experienced artists. This set contains 48 rich, heavy-bodied color options, ensuring top quality at an affordable price. This set by Gotideal has a creamy and consistent texture, allowing smooth and easy blending and colors that will not fade over time. These paints are suitable for use on various surfaces, including wood and ceramics. They can also be applied easily using a spray brush for better coverage. 

GOTIDEAL Acrylic Paint Set

• Artist-grade acrylic paint set made with quality raw materials
• Heavy-bodied with a good consistency for easy mixing and blending
• Large selection of colors, with Lemon Yellow, Pthalo Blue, and more

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Being heavy-bodied, these paints will require the use of some water or an acrylic medium for easier blending and application onto your canvas or other chosen surface.  However, if you plan on creating thicker and bolder techniques like impasto, then these paints are perfect as is. The color pigments are naturally opaque, but they do take on more of a translucent glow when water or a paint medium is added. These paints are ideal for use by professionals, beginners, and even kids due to it being non-toxic. 

Best Painting Sets for Beginners: LOOMINI Painting Kit  

This all-inclusive painting set for beginners contains more than just your basic acrylic paints. Loomini has created the perfect starter kit of acrylic paint for beginners, so all you need to worry about is having fun! With your purchase, you will receive 24 bold paint colors and 15 brushes in various shapes and sizes, conveniently packaged in a secure and professional zip bag.

LOOMINI Painting Kit

• Comprehensive painting set designed for use by all artists
• Includes a cotton stretched canvas and beechwood tabletop easel
• Acrylic paints are richly pigmented, versatile, and non-toxic 

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There is also a stretched canvas well as your very own tabletop easel! This nifty little easel has four level adjustments so that you can decide on the most comfortable position while painting. It also has a three-sectioned drawer to store your paints, brushes, and other acrylic painting tools. The best part is that when you are done painting, you can fold everything up in your easel and use it to store things safely and neatly.

Loomini has taken away all the hard work of product hunting with this neatly packaged and easy-to-use kit. They are now also adding in a free sponge and stainless-steel painting knife! This range is safe to use and hassle-free, allowing you the comfort of getting all your acrylic basics in just one simple purchase.

Now that we know what acrylic paint sets and ranges to look out for, there are few things you may want to research before officially getting started with your painting.

What to Look for When Buying Acrylic Paints

Before we skip ahead to the good stuff, we need to look at some important factors when purchasing our paints. As with any other project, there are certain requirements you will need to consider in order to get the best results out of your project.

Color Options and Transparency

Just like the quality may vary when you purchase different brands, so will your color selections and saturation options. Many acrylic paints are opaque and quite thick, with only water or a painting medium able to alter this. Many brands also only offer selected color options when purchasing a set, allowing you to make your own color combinations and effects using only the basic acrylic paints.

Paint Uses

Another important factor when looking for what type of paint to use would be the surface you would like to use it on. Most acrylics can be applied to many surfaces, making them the go-to option for people when doing quick DIY or crafts at home. However, being water-based, not all acrylic paints are suitable to every surface or condition, meaning that most acrylics will work better indoors unless otherwise stated. 

Consistency and Thickness

Some acrylic paints are so creamy that they seem more like oils. Others are a bit firmer and need some liquid to be activated and made more workable when blending. For this reason, it is a good idea to decide on the techniques you want to use before purchasing your paint. The thicker consistency acrylics are best used for textures, bold strokes, and even carving. They will also leave a shine over your work. The thinner and more transparent acrylics will have an effect like watercolor, and will have more of a matte look when applied onto your canvas.

Lightfastness Rating

Lightfastness is a rating that tells you how likely it is that your paint will be affected by light conditions. This is applicable where artworks or items that are painted with your acrylics will be left in the sun. The scale of lightfastness starts at poor and goes all the way up to excellent. Most brands have this scale in plain view on each tube according to each color. If you are going to paint something outside, then you would want to choose a paint that has a high lightfastness rating in order to prevent fading or sun damage. Even when using a varnish or sealant, your paint color will still fade if the lightfastness is of lower quality.

Drying Time

Although acrylic is a fast-drying and waterproof  paint medium, some brands do dry slower, allowing you more time to work on things. The nice thing about acrylics is that they can often be reactivated and added to with the help of a little moisture. Using a spray bottle filled with water may come in handy when painting with acrylics. You can spritz it directly onto your canvas or your paints and then mix it in to make them more fluid.

Most brands will tell you on their packaging whether they are quick-drying or if they have added something in order to extend your drying time. If you cannot seem to find a long-drying acrylic option, you can also purchase a paint retarder or fluid medium to allow for more workability and easier blending at home.

Learning to Paint with Acrylics

Here are a few guides to basic acrylic painting that beginners will find useful. These will discuss techniques, colors, tools and everything else you need to know to become an experienced acrylic artist.

Acrylic Paint for Beginners: Learn to Paint in Acrylics with 50 Small Paintings

This illustrated paperback contains all the information you need to know about acrylic paint for beginners. Including 50 small paintings and tutorials, you will be able to learn all the tricks and techniques of this art form at your own pace. This paperback will allow you to take your time and fully immerse yourself in the world of acrylic paints, thus allowing you to feel comfortable in your materials and techniques before taking on a large piece of work.

Learn to Paint in Acrylics with 50 Small Paintings

• Each technique is demonstrated with the creation of a mini painting
• Includes an overview of painting fundamentals and illustrated steps
• Get a complete course in acrylic painting built up from key techniques

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This book includes the fundamentals of painting as well as individual lessons, which enables you to perfect each technique before moving on to the next. Following each and every tutorial will give you a result of 50 of your own beautiful paintings that you can keep forever. The subject matter of these paintings varies widely, allowing you to become familiar with the likes of abstracts and basic color mixing to that of painting figurative subjects, such as a landscape or a flower. 

The Best Guide to Basic Acrylic Paints: Painting in Acrylics: The Indispensable Guide  

This hardcover and fully comprehensive guide to acrylics was written by realist artist Lorena Kloosterboer. Here, she walks you through basic acrylic paints, techniques, tools, and surfaces. Lorena also explains priming, prepping, and sealing your surfaces once you are done in order to better preserve your artwork. You will learn exciting color mixing and blending techniques, airbrushing, pouring and other famous methods used by professional artists for centuries.

Painting in Acrylics: The Indispensable Guide (Hardcover)

• Learn the technical acrylic secrets of a professional painter
• Provides a comprehensive guidance for painters of all experience
• Begin with the basics and progress to more advanced techniques

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This beautiful guide will keep you interested and eager to learn more. Including a navigation side bar for easy reference and appendices for product recommendations, this guide offers everything one may need when painting with acrylics. It may be overwhelming for true beginners, however, as Lorena goes into great detail on the painting tools and materials one would need to achieve the best results. So, while it may be more of a challenge, starting out with this guide will certainly give you a broader overview than any other beginner’s guide to acrylics would.

Acrylic Paint Comparison Table

Before going out and choosing the best acrylic paint set for your project, you will need to understand what sets this type of paint apart from the others. We have put together a basic comparison table below to better understand acrylic paint.

How to Use Acrylic Paint – An Easy Tutorial

One of the major benefits of acrylic paint is that it is such a user-friendly medium. Acrylics are easy to use and can be enjoyed by all kinds of ages and artists. This versatile medium can also be applied to a wide range of different projects. Here are the basic steps to take when using acrylic paint.

Gather Your Equipment

Before you start painting, you will need to get everything ready. Basic acrylic paints do not require loads of tools to work with. Here are the materials you will need to have ready before you get started:

• Acrylic paint: Of course, the first thing to have ready is your paint. This can be in a set of your choice with whatever colors and consistencies work best for you.
• Brushes: You will need paintbrushes in order to paint. There are many different brushes available, each one with a unique size, shape, and made from different materials. Having a range of brushes is best as this allows you to achieve the most effects. However, if you are only beginning, you may only have one or two brushes. If this is the case, it is a good idea to get a round brush in a small or medium size. Smaller brushes are good for details, and larger brushes can paint broad strokes.
• Palette: This is used for mixing your paints on.
• Palette knife: A palette knife helps you to mix colors efficiently and it can even be used to apply the paint to the canvas. Palette knives are cheap and essential for acrylic painting.
• Your painting surface: You will need something to paint on. Usually, artists will choose a canvas. However, acrylics can also be used on paper, plastic, glass, cardboard, wood, and more.
• Water: Acrylic paints are water-soluble, so you should always have a jar of water ready for cleaning your brushes.
• Paper: We recommend keeping a piece of test paper available. This can be used for testing out the paint color and consistency before you apply it to your canvas.

Prepare Your Canvas

We are going to assume that you are working on a canvas. However, this step applies to any work surface. We recommend applying a layer of gesso to the canvas first, which is important before you start painting. Gesso will help the acrylic paint to adhere better to the surface. This helps the paint to last longer and look better.

Prepare Your Colors

Once the surface is prepared and ready, it is time to start painting. First, you will need to mix together your paint colors. Preparing the colors is done on the palette using a palette knife., You will need a basic understanding of color theory to do this. When mixing colors, make sure that you mix enough for the amount you need. Otherwise, it can be difficult to mix the exact shade again.

Start Painting

Now is when you let your creativity loose and start creating art. You can play around with different styles of painting and using different consistencies. Some artists like to wet their brushes first, some do not. Try a method that works for you. Just remember to clean your brush before using a new color. This can be done easily with your jar of water.

Leave the Paint to Dry

Once you have finished painting, you will need to leave the paint to dry completely. Luckily, acrylic paint is rather fast-drying, so this is not a long process. Always ensure that the paint is completely dried before you touch or handle the painting.

This is also when you can clean up your work station. As mentioned earlier, acrylic paint cleans up easily and only requires water and a bit of soap. Make sure that all of your brushes are cleaned properly, your palette is cleaned of any excess paint, and that all of your paints are sealed and airtight. If you messed acrylic paint on your clothes, you should try to remove it while it is still wet.

Apply a Fixative

This is an optional final step. Most people will leave their finished acrylic paintings as is because this type of paint is very durable. However, you can apply a final coat of fixative if you would like to enhance the painting’s durability even further.

Tips and Tricks for Acrylic Painting

Acrylic paint is certainly easy to work with and very forgiving. To achieve the best acrylic paint finish though, there are a few special tips and tricks to follow. This will help to make the painting process much easier.

• If you need to take a break from your painting, then cover any colors you have mixed. Once acrylic paints have dried, they cannot be turned back into usable paint again. An easy way to keep paint from drying is to cover your entire palette in plastic wrap. This is good for short breaks. Otherwise, you can scrape out your individual colors into airtight containers. As long as the paint is kept airtight, it should not dry.
• To keep your paint from drying while you work, you can apply a mist of water. Simply take a spray bottle and fill it with water. Apply a gentle mist every now and then to keep the paint wet. This allows you to enjoy a longer working time.
• Put attention toward caring for the brushes while you paint. Make sure that you clean them properly after each use and that they dry properly when you are done. Brushes can be expensive, but proper care will allow you to enjoy a long lifespan from them.
• Acrylic paint can easily be thinned out with water for different effects. We recommend using a very thin layer of paint for undercoats, and then painting thicker layers of paint on top of this.
• We have already mentioned that some acrylic paints can dry to a darker shade. For this reason, you may want to mix your paints slightly lighter. We also recommend using a piece of test paper to get a good idea of how your paints will look when dry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Best Cheap Acrylic Paint?

Acrylic paints come in entry-level ranges, which are cheaper than professional artist quality. The best option when looking for a cheap acrylic paint is to try to find a set that includes the colors or tools that you need. As far as paints go, there are many cheap acrylic options available.

What Are the Basic Acrylic Paints?

Most acrylics come in a set of five or six basic colors. These usually include your primary colors, as well as green, black, and white. The idea is to blend and mix your own colors to expand your painting palette.

Is It Worth Purchasing Acrylic Paint Sets?

Getting a set of paints is always beneficial. A set will last longer and will give you more value for money. In fact, many acrylic sets for beginners also come with other painting tools such as brushes, canvases, and even an easel. The quality of the set will depend on the brand and what they are including.

With all of these great recommendations, you should now have the basics of acrylic paints covered. Being a beginner, student, or professional, we hope you found some useful product tips and resources for the best acrylic paints.

Larissa Meyer( Art Addict, Illustrator and Graphic Designer )

Larissa Meyer is a 32-year-old mother from Michigan and creative spirit since childhood. Her passion for painting and drawing has led her to an education as an illustrator and a career as a freelance graphic designer. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration and a degree in Graphic Design. Larissa is a talented artist who is able to master a wide range of styles and techniques to bring her artistic vision to life. Her greatest passion is currently fluid painting and epoxy resin art. Larissa’s love for art and her knowledge and experience in illustration make her the perfect Creative Director for our fluid-painting.com team. She is the creative head of our team and shares her passion and knowledge with our community through articles and tutorials.

As a mother of a 2-year-old daughter, Larissa also understands the importance of fostering creativity in early childhood. She uses her experience and knowledge to help other parents inspire their children and develop their artistic skills as well.

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