Ever stared at a wall of colorful tubes, feeling completely lost? Choosing the perfect acrylic paint can feel like navigating a maze. You want vibrant colors that last, but the labels—student grade, artist grade, heavy body, fluid—all sound like confusing jargon. It’s frustrating when your creative vision gets stuck before you even squeeze paint onto the palette.
Acrylics are amazing! They dry fast, mix easily, and stick to almost anything. But picking the wrong type can lead to dull colors or paint that cracks later. We see you, fellow artists, wanting to create stunning, lasting work without the guesswork. Stop wasting time and money on paints that don’t deliver.
This post cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what those labels mean, explain the differences between paint consistencies, and show you how to match the right acrylic to your next big project. Get ready to shop smart and paint brilliantly!
Top Acrylic Paint Recommendations
- CONVENIENT SIZE & FUN BRIGHT COLORS - This versatile acrylic paint set includes 16 - 2 oz bottles of colorful craft paint. The colors in this kit include: White, Black, Flag Red, Jack-o-Lantern, Bright Blue, Candy Pink, Nutmeg Brown, Bright Yellow, New Shamrock, Purple Iris, Too Blue, Fuchsia, Key West, Pewter Grey, Bright Magenta, and Parrot Blue
- MATTE FINISH - Each of these bold and bright colors dries to a brilliant matte finish - perfect for all your arts and crafts!
- EASY & SMOOTH APPLICATION - Use on a variety of surfaces including wood, Styrofoam, plaster, terra cotta, and more. This versatile acrylic paint can easily be brushed, stamped, stenciled or sponged to your projects
- SIMPLE CLEAN UP - Clean up is easy with Apple Barrel acrylic paint. Simply clean up while wet with soap and water. Great acrylic paint set for adults and kids!
- AMERICAN MADE - Apple Barrel is proudly made in the USA
- 18 COLORS BULK PAINT: Shuttle Art 18 colors acrylic paint set contains 18 commonly used colors acrylic paints in bottles, and each contains 250ml/8.45oz large volume paint, ideal for artists, beginners, kids and adults on painting and crafting.
- THICK & VIBRANT PAINT: Artist grade acrylic paints bring bright colors, thick and creamy texture, as well as incredible consistency to painters. They mix and blend well to come up with more colors, and have a great coverage with little paint.
- VERSATILE PURPOSES: Acrylic paints dry quickly and stay on surfaces extremely well, permanent, waterproof and fade-proof, suitable for most surfaces like glass, rocks, nails, walls, canvas, leather, ceramic, wood, clay, crafts and more, great for art enthusiasts, professional artists, students, etc.
- NON-TOXIC & CERTIFICATED: Conforms to U.S. ASTM D-4236 & EN71-3, non-toxic and acid-free, safe and suitable for all ages.
- SERVICE GUARANTEE: Your satisfaction is our top priority, please rest assured to purchase our products. If you are not satisfied with our products or have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time.
- Dual Tips for Lines & Brushstrokes：OHQOHQ 48 colors acrylic paint markers feature a fine tip for intricate details, outlines and calligraphy, and a flexible brush tip for smooth fills and expressive strokes—effortlessly switch between precise line work and bold sweeps.
- Rich, Opaque & Vibrant Color：Highly pigmented acrylic markers deliver strong, opaque coverage on dark paper, wood and black rocks. Colors stay vivid and bright, making your rock painting, canvas art and DIY crafts stand out with eye-catching brilliance.
- Smooth, Consistent Ink Flow：Precision tips and smooth-flowing acrylic ink help you achieve clean, even strokes without skipping or blotting. These paint pens keep your lines controlled and your artwork looking refined and professional.
- Quick-Drying & Fade-Resistant Finish：The quick-drying formula helps prevent smearing, while the dry paint forms a durable, fade-resistant layer. Your creations keep their color over time, whether on stone, glass, ceramic, metal, fabric, plastic or canvas.
- Versatile Art Supplies Gift Set：Ideal for rock painting, card making, holiday decorations and everyday DIY crafts, this acrylic paint marker set is a great gift choice for art lovers, crafters and anyone who enjoys creative projects at home or in the studio.
- 50 VIBRANT COLORS : Shuttle Art Acrylic Paint Set comes with 50 colors acrylic paint in 60 ml/2 oz bottles, providing the most commonly used colors and inspiring hot fluorescent and metallic colors to your art projects, ideal for painting and crafting
- PREMIUM QUALITY : These acrylic paints are water-based, have a creamy texture, and are easy to mix and layer. They have great coverage, and a little paint can go a long way on your surface
- MULTI-PURPOSE PAINT : Acrylic paints for art dry quickly and stay on surfaces extremely well, permanent, waterproof and fade resistant, suitable for most surfaces like glass, rocks, nails, walls, canvas, leather, ceramic, wood, clay, crafts and more, great for art beginners, enthusiasts, professional artists, students, etc
- NON-TOXIC & CERTIFICATED : Conforms to U.S. ASTM D-4236 & EN71-3, non-toxic and acid-free, safe and suitable for all ages
- SERVICE GUARANTEE : Your satisfaction is our top priority, please rest assured to purchase our products. If you are not satisfied with our products or have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time
- ALL INCLUSIVE PAINT SET: Unleash your creativity from beginner to professional level with this fun and educational acrylic paint. Open the box, and you're ready to draw and paint! It comes complete with 24 vibrant paints in 60ml bottles, providing ample colors for your artistic endeavors. Additionally, we've included 12 high-quality acrylic paint brushes, catering to both kids and adults.
- PREMIUM VIBRANT COLORS: Our paint delivers brilliance, gliding on smoothly and drying quickly, preserving their vibrant shades. Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the 24 colors in this set will fuel your creativity. Perfect for canvas art, these fade-resistant colors ensure your work lasts. Achieve consistent shades and let your creativity flourish with this exceptional paint kit.
- VIVID COLORS, SAFE & EASY CLEANUP: Immerse yourself in a world of rich, vibrant pigments worry-free with our acrylic paint set. It's non-toxic and adheres to ASTM D4236 safety standards. Experience seamless blending and quick drying. Our fast-drying formula enables immediate layering and creative exploration. When it's time to tidy up, a simple wash with soap and water effortlessly clears your workspace.
- VERSATILE GIFT FOR ALL: Our paint set is the perfect gift idea for creative artists, beginners, students, kids, teens, and adults alike. With their versatility, they can be used for canvas art, painting, scrapbooking, Christmas decorations, and more. These paints are suitable for a wide range of surfaces, including canvas, wood, rocks, glass, fabrics, metal, plastic, ceramics, and even decorative walls and Styrofoam.
- QUALITY GUARANTEE: We stand behind the quality of our acrylic paints. Our drawing kit comes with professional customer service. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us. We will reply to you within 24 hours and do our best to make things right.
- 36 VIBRANT COLORS : Shuttle Art 36 colors acrylic paint set contains 36 unique colors highly pigmented paints, including classic metallic gold and silver colors, also comes with 12 brushes and 1 palette, when you receive this art painting kit you can paint right way
- ARTIST QUALITY & STURDY PACKAGE: Creamy acrylic paints are easy to blend, mix and layer, providing great coverage and true, consistent shades for detailing, texturing and coloring. Art projects will stay as beautiful as the day they were painted. Strengthened cardboard package protects paints well and works as an organizer, safe and convenient.
- WIDE APPLICATION & EASY TO CLEAN: Dry fast, water-proof and fade-resistant, acrylic paint is suitable for most surfaces, such as wood, rock, canvas, ceramic, fabric, glass, clay, leather, plastic and more. Water-bases paint can be easily cleaned with soap and water before completely dry, perfect for kids, students, beginner art lovers and professional artists for painting and crafting.
- NON-TOXIC & ACIDE FREE: This paint set is conformed to ASTM-D4236, non-toxic and acid-free. Safe acrylic paint set for kids, teens and adults to do art projects with the water-based paints.
- SERVICE GUARANTEE: Your satisfaction is our top priority, please rest assured to purchase our products. If you are not satisfied with our products or have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time.
- 【Premium Acrylic Model Paint – Matte Black】Professional-grade matte black acrylic paint for model kits, miniatures, scale figures and dioramas. Provides smooth, even brush flow with strong adhesion on plastic, resin, wood and metal—ideal for black armor, weapons, wheels, tracks and shadow areas.
- 【High-Coverage 60 ml for Basecoats & Shading】Each 60 ml bottle offers plenty of Matte Black for large basecoats, black undercoats, pre-shading and color blocking. Made for miniature painters, modelers and wargame hobbyists who need a deep, opaque black that covers well without looking streaky or gray.
- 【Smooth Matte, Opaque & Durable Finish】Dries to a clean, non-gloss matte surface with high opacity, perfect for armor panels, interiors, terrain pieces and strong shadow areas. The durable, lightfast finish stands up to regular tabletop use and long-term display.
- 【Brush & Airbrush Friendly】Ready to brush straight from the bottle for everyday work. Can be thinned with acrylic thinner or water for smoother blends, glazes, edge shading or airbrush use—easy to control for both beginners and experienced painters.
- 【Versatile, Water-Based & Non-Toxic】Adheres well to plastic, resin, wood, metal and 3D prints on a clean, dry surface (primer recommended on very smooth materials). Water-based, low-odor and non-toxic, conforming to ASTM D-4236—suitable for home studios, classrooms and hobby benches with proper supervision for younger users.
- VIBRANT ACRYLIC PAINTS : Shuttle Art 15 Acrylic Paint Set consists of 15 vibrant assorted colors and with BONUS 3 FREE PAINT BRUSHES. Each tube is filled with 12 ml (0.4 oz) paints with rich pigments that are professional artist quality
- VERSATILE PAINTS : Paint lay down is creamy and vivid. Great for teens, beginners or artists for wide range of surfaces, such as canvas, ceramic, wood, fabric, clay, walls, nails, crafts and more. Children use acrylic paints in art class and leisure time to develop imagination skills and adults paint to relax and boost creativity, great for creating decorative art for your home
- DURABLE PAINTS : Acrylics dry very quickly. Paint stays on surface extremely well and is durable and long lasting. It’s permanent, waterproof and fade-proof
- HIGH QUALITY THICK PIGMENTS : When acrylic pigments are thin artwork will appear watery and difficult to achieve vibrancy. We have developed a thick and rich pigment that provides superior coverage and maintain smoothness while painting.Conforms to ASTM-D4236, non-toxic and safe for kids
- SERVICE GUARANTEE : Your satisfaction is our top priority, please rest assured to purchase our products. If you are not satisfied with our products or have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time
Choosing Your Perfect Acrylic Paints: A Comprehensive Buying Guide
Acrylic paint is a fantastic choice for artists of all levels. It dries fast and cleans up easily with water. This guide will help you pick the right paints for your next masterpiece.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for acrylics, a few features really matter. These tell you how good the paint will be to use.
- **Pigment Load:** This is how much actual color is in the paint. Higher pigment load means brighter, richer colors. Low-quality paints use more fillers.
- **Lightfastness:** This measures how well the color resists fading when exposed to light over time. Look for labels that say “Excellent” or have a high ASTM rating (I is best). If you plan to sell your art, lightfastness is very important.
- **Consistency/Body:** This describes how thick or thin the paint is. Heavy body paints are thick, like toothpaste. Fluid acrylics are thinner, like heavy cream. Your project often decides which body you need.
- **Binder Type:** Acrylic paints use an acrylic polymer emulsion as a binder. Good quality binders keep the paint flexible and durable once dry.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of acrylic paint changes based on what is mixed into it.
What Makes Paint Better?
High-quality paints use pure pigments. These pigments mix cleanly and offer vibrant color payoff. Professional grade paints usually have a higher concentration of these pure pigments. This means you need less paint to cover a large area.
What Makes Paint Cheaper (Lower Quality)?
Lower quality paints, often labeled “student grade,” use more fillers like chalk or clay. They also use synthetic dyes instead of pure pigments. These paints might look duller, cover less effectively, and fade faster. They are great for practicing, but not ideal for finished artwork.
Important Materials and Surfaces
Acrylic paint is versatile, but you need the right partners for it to work well.
Surfaces to Paint On
Acrylics stick well to many surfaces. Canvas is the most popular choice. You can also paint on wood, paper designed for acrylics, fabric, and even some plastics. Always make sure the surface is clean before you start.
Helpful Tools (Mediums)
You rarely use acrylic paint straight from the tube. Acrylic mediums change how the paint behaves. Gloss or matte mediums change the finish. Retarder mediums slow down the drying time. Flow improvers make the paint smoother for techniques like pouring or glazing. These mediums are essential additions to your paint set.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use acrylics depends on the type you buy and your artistic goals.
For Beginners and Practice
Student grade acrylics are perfect for learning brush control and color mixing. They are cheaper, so you do not feel bad about wasting paint while practicing techniques like layering or dry brushing. Clean-up is simple: just soap and water!
For Professionals and Detailed Work
Artists needing fine detail or large, saturated areas prefer heavy body or high-pigment fluid acrylics. Heavy body paints hold brush strokes well, creating texture. Fluid acrylics are better for smooth blending and detailed line work where thick paint would get in the way.
Remember, acrylics dry very fast. This is great for layering, but if you like to blend colors slowly on the canvas like oil paint, you must use a special acrylic retarder medium.
Acrylic Paint Buying Guide: 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the main difference between student grade and artist grade acrylics?
A: Artist grade paints have more pure pigment, making them brighter and more lightfast. Student grade paints have more fillers and cost less.
Q: Do I need a special primer for painting with acrylics?
A: Acrylics stick well to most surfaces. However, priming your surface (like canvas or wood) with gesso is recommended. Gesso creates a surface that grips the paint better and stops the surface from absorbing too much binder.
Q: How long does acrylic paint take to dry?
A: It dries very fast! Most layers dry to the touch within 10 to 30 minutes, depending on humidity and the thickness of the paint.
Q: Can I mix different brands of acrylic paint together?
A: Yes, you can mix most brands together easily. Since they all use the same basic acrylic polymer binder, they mix without problems.
Q: What is “heavy body” acrylic paint?
A: Heavy body paint is very thick. It keeps the texture of the brush strokes after it dries, similar to oil paint.
Q: How do I make my acrylic paint thinner?
A: You can add water to thin acrylic paint. However, adding too much water weakens the binder, making the paint brittle when dry. It is better to use a “fluid medium” instead of too much water.
Q: What is the best way to clean my brushes after using acrylics?
A: Clean brushes immediately after use with warm water and mild soap. Never let paint dry in the bristles, as dried acrylic is very hard to remove.
Q: Are acrylic paints waterproof once they dry?
A: Yes, once fully cured (usually within a day or two), acrylic paint creates a plastic-like film that is highly water-resistant.
Q: What does “lightfastness” mean for my artwork?
A: Lightfastness tells you how well the color will stay true over many years when exposed to sunlight. High lightfastness means your painting will not fade easily.
Q: Can I use acrylic paint outdoors on objects?
A: Yes, acrylics are often used outdoors because they are durable and water-resistant when dry. Make sure you use a varnish or sealant made for outdoor use for the best protection against weather.