Finding the best acrylic paint sets in 2026 is harder than it should be, because every brand claims professional quality while pricing and performing wildly differently. I spent three months testing a dozen popular sets on canvas, wood, rock, and paper, swatching every color, checking opacity over black, and pushing tinting strength with mix tests. This guide is the result.
Here is the short version before we get into the details. Mont Marte Signature 24 is the best all-around starter set, with a creamy consistency and full coverage across 24 colors. The Shuttle Art 36-color kit with brushes and a palette is the best complete-package value. And the Shuttle Art 30-tube set is the cheapest way to get artist-quality pigment in a wide color range.
One thing I learned from forum threads on r/acrylicpainting and r/ArtistLounge before I started: price per mL and pigment load matter more than the number of colors on the box. A 60-color set of thin paint can cover worse than a 12-color set of dense, buttery paint. So every review below covers viscosity, opacity, and layering behavior, not just color count.
I also looked at how each set behaves with water and mediums, how fast it dries, and whether the finish suits real projects. Whether you are a beginner, a craft painter, or an artist moving toward professional grades, there is a set here that fits your workflow.
Top 3 Picks for Best Acrylic Paint Sets (August 2026)
Mont Marte Signature 24-Color Set
- 24 vibrant colors including metallics
- Creamy consistency with great coverage
- Non-toxic and versatile on all surfaces
Shuttle Art 36-Color Set with Brushes
- 36 colors in 60ml bottles
- Includes 12 brushes and a palette
- Creamy and easy to blend
Shuttle Art 30-Tube Artist Set
- 30 artist-quality colors
- Thick rich pigments
- Includes 3 free brushes
These three cover the three situations most painters are in: starting out, gifting a full kit, or stocking a classroom cheaply. Below is the full comparison table of all 12 sets, followed by detailed reviews of each one.
Best Acrylic Paint Sets in 2026: Quick Overview
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Mont Marte Signature 24 Colors |
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 Caliart 36 Colors with Brushes |
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 ARTEZA 60 Colors High-Viscosity |
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| Shuttle Art 36 Colors Kit |
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| Shuttle Art 30 Tubes Artist Quality |
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 Shuttle Art 16 Tubes |
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 Shuttle Art 50 Colors |
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 HissiCo 55PC Complete Set |
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 Liquitex BASICS 12 Tubes |
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 Winsor and Newton Galeria 20 |
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 Artbreezing 48 Colors Professional |
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 MyArtscape 72 Heavy Body |
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1. Mont Marte Signature 24-Color Set: Best Overall for Beginners
Mont Marte Acrylic Colour Paint Set Signature 24pc x 1.21 US fl.oz (36ml), Acrylic Paint Kit Ideal for Canvas, Wood, Air Dried Clay, Cardboard and More, Great Beginner Acrylic Paint Set, Includes 24 Colors
24 colors in 36ml tubes
Metallic gold and silver
Semi-matte finish
Non-toxic
2 hour dry time
Pros
- 24 vibrant colors including metallic gold and silver
- Creamy consistency with great coverage
- Quality pigments with semi-matte finish
- Non-toxic formula
- Versatile for canvas wood fabric and paper
Cons
- Dries to semi-matte finish which may not suit everyone
This is the set I hand to anyone who asks how to start painting. The consistency is creamy right out of the tube, and it holds brush marks without fighting you. In my tests it covered a dark ground in two passes, which is better than most sets at this level.
The 36ml tubes are a real step up from the tiny 12ml tubes in most starter kits. You get enough paint to finish actual paintings instead of rationing color. The metallic gold and silver are genuinely usable, not the chalky afterthoughts I found in cheaper sets.
Technically, this is a soft, workable viscosity rather than a heavy body. It holds a slight peak when applied thickly but settles a bit as it dries. Layering works well because the paint stays flexible, and I had no cracking even on thicker impasto-style patches.
The dry time is around two hours, which gives you a workable window for blending before the surface locks up. The semi-matte finish is the one dividing feature: it photographs beautifully and suits muted work, but if you want a glossy pop you will need a varnish or gloss medium.
Who should buy this
Beginners and returning painters who want a no-fuss set with real coverage. It is also a strong pick for anyone teaching a class, since the non-toxic formula is listed as suitable for kids and the tubes survive rough handling.
Artists who paint on varied surfaces will like it too. It lists canvas, fabric, leather, paper, and wood, and I confirmed it grips all of them without a primer.
Who should skip this
If you need a glossy, punchy finish straight from the tube, look elsewhere or plan on varnishing. Painters who want heavy-body texture retention for expressive impasto work should also step up to the MyArtscape heavy body set later in this guide.
It is also not the cheapest entry point. If you just want to test whether painting sticks, the smaller Shuttle Art tube sets cost far less.
2. Caliart 36 Colors Acrylic Paint Set: Best Complete Craft Kit
Caliart 36 Colors Acrylic Paint Set with 12 Brushes
36 colors in 60ml bottles
12 brushes included
Fast-dry waterproof formula
ASTM-D4236 non-toxic
Matte and metallic finishes
Pros
- 36 vibrant colors including metallic gold and silver
- Includes 12 painting brushes
- Creamy consistency with great covering power
- Fast-dry formula
- Non-toxic and ASTM-D4236 conforming
Cons
- No palette included
- Some lighter colors may require additional layers for full opacity
This is the set I reach for when painting objects rather than canvases. Rock painting, ceramic pieces, wooden signs, even a pumpkin in the fall, the waterproof formula held up outdoors where student paints washed out. The 60ml bottles give you serious volume per color.
The 12 included brushes are better than I expected for a bundled kit. Two of them shed a little, but the flats and rounds cover the basic strokes. You will want to add a palette, since one is not included.
Consistency-wise this sits at a medium viscosity that flows nicely but still builds texture in two or three passes. Pigment load is strong in the saturated colors. The lighter shades, especially the pastels, needed a second coat over dark surfaces in my opacity test.
The fast-dry formula is a double-edged sword. Detail work dries to the touch quickly, which speeds up layering, but your palette will skin over fast. I kept a spray bottle handy to keep the paint open longer.
Who should buy this
Craft painters and families. The huge review base and non-toxic certification make it a safe pick for teens and adults doing mixed projects. If you paint rocks, planters, or outdoor decor, the waterproof rating is the killer feature.
It is also one of the best acrylic paint sets for gifting, because the box is genuinely complete apart from the palette. Everything works out of the package.
Who should skip this
Fine artists chasing archival quality should look at Liquitex BASICS or Winsor & Newton Galeria instead. The color mixing is good for craft work but not as clean as single-pigment professional paints.
If you hate glossy metallics mixing with your standard palette, note the metallics are integrated into the set rather than optional.
3. ARTEZA 60 Colors Acrylic Paint Set: Best for Color Range
ARTEZA Acrylic Paint Set, 60 Colors, 22 ml Tubes, High-Viscosity
60 colors in 22ml tubes
5 metallic shades
High-viscosity creamy texture
Tubes labeled with pigment and lightfastness
Dries in about 30 minutes
Pros
- 60 colors including 5 metallic shades
- High-viscosity creamy consistency
- Rich pigments with excellent coverage
- Tubes labeled with pigment info and lightfastness rating
- Organized trays for storage
Cons
- Glossy finish may not suit matte preferences
- Some peeling reported when layering
Sixty colors changes how you paint. Instead of mixing everything from primaries, you reach for a color that already exists, which saves paint and frustration. I found the range exceptionally well curated, with useful earth tones and skin-adjacent shades, not just a rainbow of saturated hues.
The high-viscosity formula is the closest to a heavy body in the budget category. It holds peaks and palette-knife marks, which makes it my pick for textured, expressive work. Coverage was excellent in my black-canvas test across most colors.
What impressed me most technically is the labeling. Each tube lists the pigment information, transparency level, and lightfastness rating, which is information normally reserved for professional lines. That makes it a genuine learning tool for understanding paint chemistry.
The catch is layering. Because the paint dries fast and glossy, very thick layers applied on top of each other can peel if you rush. I let each layer cure properly and had no issues, but impatient painters have reported lifting.
Who should buy this
Hobbyists and intermediate painters who want a full studio palette in one purchase. It suits mixed media and textured canvas work better than any other set at this tier, thanks to the viscosity.
It is also a smart buy for anyone learning color theory, because the labeled transparency and lightfastness data teaches you what the numbers actually mean.
Who should skip this
Matte-finish painters will fight the gloss. Plan on a matte varnish or pick a satin set like Liquitex BASICS. Very thick impasto artists should also test layering carefully before committing to large pieces.
If 22ml tubes feel small for your style, the larger bottle sets from Shuttle Art give you far more volume per color.
4. Shuttle Art 36 Colors Acrylic Paint Set: Best Value Kit
Shuttle Art Acrylic Paint, 36 Colors Acrylic Paint Set with Brushes & Palette, 2oz/60ml Bottles, Rich Pigments Non-toxic for Artists Kids & Adults, Painting on Canvas Rocks Ceramic Wood
36 colors in 60ml bottles
12 brushes and palette included
Gloss finish
Inner cap keeps bottles from drying out
#5 best seller in Art Paints
Pros
- 36 vibrant colors including metallic gold and silver
- Includes 12 brushes and 1 palette
- Creamy consistency with excellent blending
- Inner cap keeps bottles from drying out
- Fast-drying waterproof and fade-resistant
Cons
- Some colors may be slightly thin requiring multiple layers
- Glossy finish only
This is the best price-to-volume deal I tested, and its best-seller ranking backs that up. You get 36 colors in full 60ml bottles plus brushes and a palette, which is everything a new painter needs in one box. No hidden extras to buy.
The consistency is creamy and blends smoothly on canvas. In my mixing tests, gradients melted into each other with minimal streaking, which is often where cheap paints fall apart.
Some colors run slightly thin. The lighter yellows and a couple of the earth tones needed an extra layer for full opacity over dark grounds. The saturated blues and reds covered in one pass.
A small design detail I appreciate: the bottles have an inner seal cap that keeps paint from drying out at the neck. Anyone who has wrestled a crusted bottle of craft paint open will understand why this matters.
Who should buy this
Anyone buying their first real kit, and anyone shopping for a gift. The completeness means a beginner can start painting the day the box arrives. Classrooms and group activities also benefit from the sheer volume.
Budget-conscious hobbyists who paint on many surfaces will like it too, since the formula lists canvas, cardboard, ceramic, fabric, glass, plastic, and wood.
Who should skip this
If you only want matte or satin finishes, the gloss-only dry down will annoy you. Artists who need consistent single-coat opacity in every color should look at the Mont Marte set instead.
Serious students heading toward professional work will outgrow the pigment quality and should start with Liquitex BASICS.
5. Shuttle Art 30-Tube Artist Quality Set: Best Ultra-Budget Option
Shuttle Art Acrylic Paint Set, 30 x12ml Tubes Artist Quality Non Toxic Rich Pigments Colors Great for Kids Adults Professional Painting on Rocks Canvas Wood Clay Fabric Ceramic Crafts
30 colors in 12ml tubes
Artist quality thick pigments
3 free brushes included
Gloss finish
4 hour dry time with 24 hour cure
Pros
- 30 vibrant assorted colors
- Artist quality with thick rich pigments
- Includes 3 free paint brushes
- Quick drying and durable finish
- Non-toxic and acid-free
Cons
- Small 12ml tube size
- Glossy finish only
This is the cheapest credible entry into acrylic painting I found. Despite the small tube size, the paint itself is thick and richly pigmented, noticeably denser than typical craft-store paint. It swatches boldly and keeps most of its wet color after drying.
I used this set for a week of small studies and it never felt like a compromise. The three included brushes are basic but functional for the tube scale.
Viscosity sits in the medium-heavy range. It holds a little texture but is really built for flat and layered work rather than impasto. The full cure is listed at 24 hours, and I found pieces were safely handleable overnight.
The obvious limitation is the 12ml tube. You will run out of your favorite colors quickly if you paint beyond A4 size. Treat this as a trial set or a travel set, not your main supply.
Who should buy this
Absolute beginners and cautious buyers who want to test the hobby before spending more. It is also a great option for kids’ craft drawers, small art journals, and rock or card painting.
It works as a color-expansion add-on too. If you already own large bottles of your workhorse colors, this adds 30 niche hues cheaply.
Who should skip this
Anyone painting larger than small-study size will burn through the tubes fast. The gloss-only finish also limits it for matte-style work.
If your budget stretches a little further, the value jump to the 60ml bottle sets is significant in terms of paint volume.
6. Shuttle Art 16-Tube Set: Best Minimal Starter Set
Shuttle Art Acrylic Paint Set, 16 x12ml Tubes Artist Quality Non Toxic Rich Pigments Colors Great for Kids Adults Professional Painting on Canvas Wood Clay Fabric Ceramic Crafts
16 colors in 12ml tubes
Bonus 3 brushes
Waterproof and fade-proof
Non-toxic ASTM-D4236
Gloss finish
Pros
- Vibrant assorted colors with rich pigments
- Versatile for canvas ceramic wood fabric clay and nails
- Quick drying and durable
- Permanent waterproof and fade-proof
- Non-toxic and safe for kids
Cons
- Small tube size of 12ml each
- White paint may be thicker than other colors
Sixteen colors is the classic starter count, and this set executes it well. You get a sensible spread of primaries, secondaries, earths, black, and white, which is everything you need to learn mixing. In fact, starting with fewer colors teaches mixing faster than a 60-color rainbow.
The paint quality matches the 30-tube Shuttle Art set: thick, vivid, quick drying. It ranked highly in art painting kits for a reason.
One inconsistency showed up in testing: the white is noticeably thicker than the other colors. It actually works in your favor for coverage, but it mixes differently, so add it slowly when tinting.
The formula is waterproof and fade-proof once cured, and it grips an unusually wide surface list including fabric, clay, walls, and even nails. Cleanup while wet is simple soap and water.
Who should buy this
Kids and teens starting out, plus adults who want a low-commitment try at painting. The non-toxic certification and small tube format make it classroom-friendly and low-waste.
It is also a solid stocking-stuffer or party-activity set where 16 shared colors is plenty.
Who should skip this
Painters who already know they love the hobby should buy bigger tubes once and avoid repurchasing. Mixing-heavy artists may also find 16 colors limiting for skin tones and subtle landscapes.
Anyone needing matte finishes should pass, as this dries glossy like its siblings.
7. Shuttle Art 50 Colors Acrylic Paint Set: Best for Bold Color Play
Shuttle Art Acrylic Paint, 50 Colors Acrylic Paint Set, 2oz/60ml Bottles, Rich Pigments, Water Proof, Premium for Artists, Beginners and Kids on Canvas Rocks Wood Ceramic Fabric
50 colors in 60ml bottles
Includes fluorescent and metallic colors
Creamy easy-mixing texture
Waterproof and fade resistant
ASTM D-4236 and EN71-3 conforming
Pros
- 50 vibrant colors including fluorescent and metallic
- Creamy texture easy to mix and layer
- Great coverage with a little going a long way
- Quick drying and permanent on surfaces
- Non-toxic conforming to ASTM D-4236 and EN71-3
Cons
- Some metallic colors may be sheer
- White paint had occasional issues with cap seal
Fifty full-size bottles is a serious amount of paint, and this set leans into fun with fluorescent and metallic colors alongside the standard range. The fluorescents glow under daylight in a way my standard sets simply cannot match.
Coverage was a highlight: a little paint genuinely goes a long way. Even the notoriously difficult reds and yellows built solid color in one to two passes on primed canvas.
The texture is creamy and layers without dragging. I pushed it through wet-on-wet blending and dry brushing, and it performed both ways. Dry time is quick, so stacked layers build fast.
Two quibbles: some metallics dry sheer and need a base coat underneath, and I ran into a cap seal issue on a white bottle, a known complaint. Transferring to airtight containers solved it for me.
Who should buy this
Painters who love bold, saturated, playful color. Muralists, sign painters, and anyone doing vivid decorative work will get the most from the fluorescent range and the sheer volume.
Families and community art programs benefit too, since the set is safety-certified and the bottles last through many sessions.
Who should skip this
If your work is muted and naturalistic, half this palette may sit unused. A smaller set of well-chosen earth tones would serve you better.
Artists who need archival, lightfast certainty should treat the fluorescents as decorative only, since fluorescent pigments generally fade faster than earth and metal oxides.
8. HissiCo 55PC Acrylic Paint Set: Best Organized All-in-One
55PCS Acrylic Paint Set of 36 Colors 2fl oz 60ml Bottles 12 Brushes,Non Toxic 36 Colors Acrylic Paint No Fading Rich Pigment for Kids Adults Artists Canvas Crafts Wood Painting
36 colors in 60ml bottles
12 brushes and palette
Flip-top squeeze bottles
Sturdy storage box
Matte finish
Pros
- 36 vibrant colors with 12 brushes and palette included
- Rich pigment with creamy consistency
- Excellent color blending and layering
- Flip-top squeeze bottles for easy application
- Comes in sturdy storage box
Cons
- Matte finish may not suit all projects
- Some colors may require multiple coats for full coverage
What sets this kit apart is the packaging. Everything arrives in a sturdy flip-lid box that keeps the bottles organized and dust-free, which sounds minor until you have used a set that scattered across a shelf. The 55 pieces cover paint, brushes, and a palette.
The flip-top squeeze bottles give good control over paint flow, and I wasted noticeably less paint than with twist-cap bottles. For detail work, dispensing a pea-sized dot is easy.
Blending and layering were better than expected at this price. I painted a gradient sky and a layered portrait study, and both came out clean, with minimal muddying when colors met on canvas.
The finish dries matte, which suits modern, muted aesthetics but reads flatter than gloss. A few of the lighter colors need a second coat for full coverage over dark grounds, consistent with most sets in this range.
Who should buy this
Anyone who values an organized workspace, especially painters in shared or small spaces. The box makes it genuinely portable for classes and travel.
The listed surface compatibility is huge, including glass, foam, terracotta, and blackboard, so multi-surface crafters get a lot of use from one kit.
Who should skip this
Gloss lovers will find the matte finish dull without a finishing varnish. If you paint vibrant decorative pieces, the Shuttle Art or Caliart sets will suit you better.
Buyers who want to pick their own brushes may find 12 bundled brushes redundant if they already own good tools.
9. Liquitex BASICS 12-Tube Set: Best Student-Grade Paint
Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint Set, 12 x 22ml (0.74-oz) Tube Paint Set
12 x 22ml tubes
Medium viscosity satin finish
Same pigments as professional range
Range of opacities
Lightfast and flexible when dry
Pros
- High quality pigments from established art brand
- Range of opacities for versatility
- Smooth buttery consistency
- Excellent color development and brightness
- Adheres to almost any surface
Cons
- Small tube size of 22ml each
- Prices increasing over time
- Storage box not ideal for long-term storage
Liquitex BASICS is the set forum artists recommend more than any other, and after testing I understand why. It is true student-grade paint from a professional paint maker, using the same pigments as their professional line at a lower concentration. The color behavior is predictable and honest.
The buttery, medium-viscosity consistency is a pleasure to brush. It spreads evenly, holds edges when you want them, and softens into gradients with water. This is what paint is supposed to feel like.
The set deliberately includes a range of opacities, from opaque titanium white to transparent oxide shades. That teaches you real techniques like glazing, which uniform craft sets cannot. Each pigment dries to a consistent satin finish.
The downside is math: twelve 22ml tubes is not much paint for the money, and prices have crept up over the years. The included storage box is also flimsy. You are paying for pigment quality, not volume.
Who should buy this
Students and hobbyists who are serious about improving. If you want to learn glazing, layering, and color mixing with paint that behaves like professional paint, this is the entry point.
It is also the best bridge set for artists planning to move up to Liquitex Professional or Golden later, since the handling carries over directly.
Who should skip this
Volume buyers will be disappointed by the tube size relative to cost. For craft volume, the 60ml bottle sets deliver far more paint.
Impatient beginners who mainly want lots of colors to play with may find twelve tubes limiting at first.
10. Winsor & Newton Galeria 20-Tube Set: Best Bridge to Professional Paint
Winsor & Newton Galeria Acrylic Paint, 20 x 12ml (0.4–oz) Tube Paint Set
20 x 12ml tubes
Professional pigments
High tinting strength
Excellent lightfastness
Satin finish waterproof when dry
Pros
- Professional quality pigments at introductory price
- High tinting strength and color stability
- Many single pigment tones for cleaner mixing
- Excellent lightfastness and permanence
- Great for layering blending and bold brushwork
Cons
- Very small tube sizes of 12ml each
- Semi-transparent pigments not ideal for opaque coverage
- Limited to 20 colors in this set
Winsor & Newton built their reputation on professional paint, and Galeria carries that pedigree at an introductory level. The difference shows in the mixing: many colors are single-pigment, so mixes stay clean instead of turning muddy the way multi-pigment craft colors do.
Tinting strength is the standout. A small dab of Galeria color stretches a long way in white, which effectively multiplies the paint you have. In my tinting test with a standard white base, Galeria matched paints costing far more per mL.
The satin finish is consistent and gallery-friendly, and lightfastness ratings are excellent, so paintings should hold their color for years. When dry, the film is water and weather resistant.
The honest limitation is tube size. Twelve milliliters per color disappears fast, and a few of the semi-transparent pigments, beautiful for glazing, will not give you opaque one-coat coverage.
Who should buy this
Artists transitioning from craft paint toward professional grades, and anyone whose priority is mixing quality and permanence over volume. If you paint work you want to sell or gift long-term, the lightfastness matters.
It is also the set I would suggest to painters who love glazing and layered transparency techniques.
Who should skip this
Painters who work big or thick will exhaust these tubes quickly and should buy larger formats. If flat, opaque, poster-style coverage is your goal, the opaque craft sets serve better.
Budget maximizers should note there are far cheaper sets per mL, even if none mix quite this cleanly.
11. Artbreezing 48 Colors Professional Set: Best Gift Presentation
Artbreezing 48 Colors Professional Acrylic Paint Set, Artist Paint Supplies
48 colors in 22ml tubes
Lightfast and water-resistant
Fast-drying crack-free finish
Easy to blend
Gloss finish
Pros
- Vibrant rich colors with extensive palette
- Smooth easy-to-blend fast-drying formula
- Professional grade coverage with lightfast properties
- Versatile for canvas wood and paper
- Available in 24 36 and 48 color options
Cons
- Some users note the paint dries quickly
- Limited base colors according to one reviewer
This is the set I would hand someone as a gift, and the packaging and color presentation are clearly designed for exactly that. Forty-eight neat 22ml tubes in a broad, considered palette make a strong first impression on opening.
The paint itself is smooth and easy to blend, with a crack-free dry finish. In my swatch tests, color vibrancy held well from wet to dry, which cheaper sets often fail at.
It carries the technical markers of a higher-tier set: lightfastness claims, water resistance, and a fast-drying, flexible film. Layering worked cleanly for me as long as I let each layer set, since the quick dry time leaves a short blending window.
The brand is newer with a smaller review history than the established names here, which is why it sits mid-pack despite strong paint quality. I found no red flags in testing, but long-term track record is thinner.
Who should buy this
Gift buyers, first and foremost. It looks premium, works well, and the color count feels generous. Teen and adult beginners who want a large palette without a steep spend will be happy.
It also suits hobbyists who enjoy having unusual colors ready to hand rather than mixing them.
Who should skip this
Buyers who lean on verified long-term durability may prefer the decades of community trust behind Liquitex or Winsor & Newton. Fast dry time also frustrates painters who like long blending sessions.
One reviewer noted limited base colors for mixing fundamentals, so mixing-focused painters should check the palette list first.
12. MyArtscape 72-Color Heavy Body Set: Best Heavy Body Value
MyArtscape 72 x 21ml Heavy Body Acrylic Paint Set with 3 Brushes
72 colors in 21ml tubes
Heavy body formula
75 percent more paint than standard sets
ASTM D-4236 certified
Dries in 30 minutes
Pros
- 72 highly pigmented colors with excellent selection
- Large 21ml tubes offer 75 percent more paint than standard sets
- Heavy body formula ideal for expressive brushwork
- Non-toxic ASTM D4236 certified
- Includes 3 artist paint brushes
Cons
- One reviewer noted a cap broke but caps are interchangeable
- Dries fast so may need extender for longer working time
True heavy body paint at this tube count is rare, and this is the set that scratches the impasto itch. The stiff, buttery consistency holds knife marks and tall peaks, letting you paint with texture as a design element rather than an accident.
Seventy-two colors with specialty shades like Naples Yellow give you a near-complete studio palette. The 21ml tubes are about 75 percent larger than the 12ml standard, which matters when heavy body work consumes paint fast.
Technically, the paint performed well in my layering and texture tests, drying to the touch in around 30 minutes and curing flexible. Peaks held their shape with minimal slumping, comparable in feel to much pricier heavy body lines.
Two practical notes from testing and reviews: the fast dry time means you want an extender or spray bottle for long blends, and one buyer reported a broken cap, though the caps are interchangeable between tubes, so a spare fixes it.
Who should buy this
Intermediate painters moving into texture-heavy, expressive work, and artists who want heavy body handling without paying professional-line prices. The color range also makes it a one-stop studio setup.
It suits mixed-media artists too, with listed compatibility across canvas, wood, fabric, glass, metal, and ceramic.
Who should skip this
Detail painters and fluid-style artists will find the stiff consistency fights fine linework. A soft or fluid formula like Liquitex BASICS suits that work better.
Beginners who have never painted may also find heavy body paint less forgiving, since it holds every brushmark you make.
Buying Guide: How to Choose an Acrylic Paint Set
Choosing between acrylic paint brands comes down to five things: grade, viscosity, pigment load, lightfastness, and set format. Here is how I evaluate each one before buying.
Student grade versus artist grade versus craft paint
Artist-grade paint has the highest pigment concentration and the best permanence ratings, but costs the most per mL. Student-grade paint, like Liquitex BASICS, uses the same pigments at lower concentration, giving you professional handling at a friendlier cost.
Craft paint, the kind in 60ml bottles sold in bulk sets, is formulated for coverage and price rather than fine-art mixing. It is perfect for rocks, decor, and kids’ projects, but colors can be multi-pigment blends that muddy when mixed. Match the grade to what you actually paint.
Viscosity: heavy body, soft body, and fluid
Heavy body paint is thick and holds peaks, ideal for impasto and visible brushwork. Soft body and medium-viscosity paint, like BASICS or Galeria, flows smoothly and suits general painting and detail. Fluid paint runs like cream and suits pours, washes, and linework.
Beginners are usually happiest starting with a soft or medium viscosity, because it forgives mistakes and works with cheap brushes. Move to heavy body once you deliberately want texture.
Pigment load, opacity, and coverage
Pigment load determines how far color spreads and how well it covers. In my tests, dense paints like Mont Marte and the Shuttle Art bottle sets covered dark grounds in one to two coats, while thinner paints needed three or more.
Opacity varies within a single set, since transparent pigments exist by design. Sets that label transparency per color, like ARTEZA and Winsor & Newton, remove the guesswork.
Lightfastness and permanence
Lightfastness ratings tell you how well a color resists fading over time. If your work will hang on a wall or be sold, look for ASTM I or II ratings, which Galeria publishes clearly. Fluorescent and some bright pinks fade fastest, so treat them as decorative.
For craft pieces, kids’ work, and outdoor seasonal items, lightfastness matters far less, and cheaper sets are fine.
Set format: tubes versus bottles, and how many colors
Tubes squeeze out precise amounts and suit easel painting. Flip-top bottles dispense faster and suit high-volume craft work. Think about tube size too: 12ml tubes vanish quickly, while 21ml to 60ml formats last through real projects.
On color count, more is not automatically better. Beginners learn faster with 12 to 24 colors they actually mix, while experienced painters benefit from 48 to 72 ready-mixed hues. Buy the format that matches your patience for mixing.
Surface compatibility and finish
Check the listed surfaces before buying. Some sets are canvas-focused, while others cover wood, rock, fabric, glass, and ceramic. Also consider the finish: gloss sets look vivid, satin looks gallery-neutral, and matte suits muted, modern work.
You can always change the finish with a varnish, but starting with the finish you want saves a step.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best quality acrylic paint brands?
The best quality acrylic paint brands are Golden and Liquitex Professional for artist grade, Liquitex BASICS and Winsor u0026amp; Newton Galeria for student grade, and Mont Marte, ARTEZA, and Shuttle Art for value sets. Golden Heavy Body is the professional standard, while Liquitex BASICS is the most recommended student-grade option.
What are some good quality acrylic paint brands?
Good quality acrylic paint brands include Mont Marte, Caliart, ARTEZA, Shuttle Art, and HissiCo for budget-friendly sets, plus Liquitex and Winsor u0026amp; Newton for fine-art quality. All of these hold ratings of 4.5 stars or higher across thousands of buyer reviews.
What type of acrylic paint do professional artists use?
Professional artists typically use heavy body acrylics such as Golden Heavy Body and Liquitex Professional because of their high pigment load, lightfast ratings, and texture retention. For detail work, many prefer fluid acrylics like Golden Fluid, which flow through fine brushes while keeping professional pigment concentration.
Which brand of acrylic paint is better, Liquitex or Winsor u0026amp; Newton?
Liquitex BASICS offers more paint per tube, a buttery medium viscosity, and a wider range of opacities, making it the better value for practice and large studies. Winsor u0026amp; Newton Galeria has higher tinting strength and more single-pigment colors, so it mixes cleaner and suits finished work better. Both are excellent student-grade lines from historic manufacturers.
Conclusion
After three months of swatching, layering, and tinting tests across twelve sets, my recommendations for the best acrylic paint sets of 2026 are clear. Mont Marte Signature 24 is the top all-around pick for beginners, the Shuttle Art 36-color kit is the best complete package value, and the Shuttle Art 30-tube set is the cheapest credible way to start.
For fine-art development, Liquitex BASICS and Winsor & Newton Galeria behave like professional paint at student prices. The MyArtscape 72-color heavy body set is the standout for texture work, while ARTEZA 60 wins on color range and the Caliart kit on craft versatility.
Pick the set that matches how you actually paint, not the biggest box on the shelf. Any of these twelve will make good art in the right hands.