What makes a tiny plastic soldier look like a real hero or a terrifying monster? Often, it comes down to the paint! Many miniature painters stare at a wall of colorful bottles, feeling overwhelmed. Choosing the perfect acrylic paint for your little armies should be fun, not frustrating.
The wrong paint can lead to thick coats that hide important details, or colors that just won’t blend right. You want smooth coverage and vibrant results, but the sheer number of brands and types—from thick craft paint to thin airbrush formulas—can make your head spin. We understand that pain point!
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down what truly matters when picking acrylics for miniatures. You will learn about pigment quality, thinning ratios, and which paints work best for basecoating versus fine details. Get ready to elevate your painting game!
Top Acrylic Paint For Miniatures Recommendations
No. 1
Nicpro 18 Colors Model Paint Set, 20ml Ready to Use Modeling Acrylic Paints, Brush & Airbrush Compatible, Miniature Paint Set for Beginners & Artists on Models, Figures, Crafts, Canvas, with 1 Thinner
- 【Premium Acrylic Model Paints】 Professional-quality acrylic miniature paints designed for model kits, plastic models, miniatures, scale figures, dioramas, and other hobby projects. Formulated for brush application with a smooth, even flow and excellent surface adhesion on plastic, resin, wood, and metal. Perfect for detailing or full coverage.
- 【Complete 19-Piece Set】 Includes 18 rich colors (16 standard shades plus metallic gold & silver) and 1 acrylic paint thinner to help with advanced techniques such as blending, layering, and airbrushing (Miniatures not included). Each 20 ml dropper bottle ensures precise control, reduces waste, and keeps paint fresh for longer.
- 【Matte, Durable & Lightfast Finish】 Dries to a professional-grade matte surface with strong color opacity and UV-resistant pigments. Ideal for long-lasting display on tabletop figures, scale vehicles, architectural models, or model car paint kits without fading or chipping.
- 【Easy to Use & Highly Versatile】 Pre-thinned for brush painting straight from the bottle—no extra mixing needed. Use the included thinner to adjust consistency for fine detail work, smooth gradients or airbrushing. Suitable for modelers, miniature painters, hobbyists, and craft enthusiasts of all skill levels.
- 【Guided Painting Support】 Comes with a printed instruction sheet and color wheel for easy color selection, mixing, and shading ideas—making it simple to achieve realistic effects on historical models, miniatures, scenery, and diorama bases. Great for both beginners learning techniques and experienced artists refining their craft.
No. 2
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
- 🎨Safety guarantee & High quality- Made of premium paint material, conforming to ASTM D-4236 and EN71 standards,HissiCo acrylic paint set is in rich pigment, creamy, non toxic and safe for adults, teens and kids’ creative art painting time
- 🖌Nice Color Blending- Acrylic paints can blend, layer and mix well to produce an array of unlimited shades for any craft projects. Each paint has a fantastic thick consistency for art paintings, which will keep brush or spatula marks well and give brilliant texture for your art masterpieces
- 🎨Easy to Use & Store- The acrylic paint set in flip-top squeeze bottles makes it easy to control the flow while applying the paint to arts painting. Comes in a sturdy nice flip-lid cardboard box, the paint set will be easy to store and safe keeping
- 🖌Multifunctional Acrylic Paint Set- HissiCo acrylic paints are versatile in canvas art, painting, scrap booking and even nail arts, suitable for most surfaces, including stretched canvas, wood, glass, card decorating, plastic, craft foam, ceramic, decorative wallpaper, terracotta, blackboard easel, paper and tin
- 🎨36 Vibrant Colors & Rich Pigment- The premium acrylic paint set with 36 unique eye-catching vibrant acrylic colors , 12 paint brushes and 1 palette will offer you vivid colors and better selections to bring your artwork to life. Those highly pigmented colors are great to produce true, consistent shades on painting art, ideal for professional artists, young aspiring artists, painting lovers and kids
No. 3
Vallejo - Game Color Introduction Set | Starter Set for Fantasy and Wargame Figures | 16 Bottles x 18 ml (0.60 fl.oz.)
- FAVORITE OF BEGINNERS & PROS: The Introduction model paints set is one of the most popular Game Color assortments of our brand. It contains a selection of 16 colors, 4 of them metallic, specially designed to introduce you to the exciting world of painting fantasy miniatures and wargames
- WIDE RANGE OF COLORS: The set consists of 16 bottles of 18 ml (0.60 fl.oz.) with eyedropper and contains the following colors: 72.001 Dead White - 72.034 Bone White - 72.006 Sun Yellow - 72.008 Orange Fire - 72.010 Bloody Red - 72.022 Ultramarine Blue - 72.030 Goblin Green - 72.028 Dark Green - 72.036 Bronze Brown - 72.040 Leather Brown - 72.043 Beasty Brown - 72.049 Stonewall Grey - 72.051 Black - 72.052 Silver - 72.054 Dark Gunmetal - 72.055 Polished Gold
- EASY APPLICATION & FLAWLESS FINISH: The colors have been formulated for brush application, but it can be used with an airbrush if properly diluted with Airbrush Thinner. Colors are easy to apply and blend, offer a matt finish and excellent self-leveling properties that prevent brush strokes from showing on the painted surface. Formulated with state-of-the-art resins, paints provide a high resistance to handling and rubbing
- INNOVATIVE MODELING FORMULA: The new Game Color formulation represents a new approach to painting figures. Developed by our experts together with professional modelers, the new range implies a further step in the evolution of miniature painting by offering an intuitive and easy-to-learn painting method to new generations. The paint spreads very smoothly, is more fluid, opaque and contains a high pigment saturation, chosen for their brightness, maximum stability and resistance to light
- Note: The brand Vallejo is currently in the process of rebranding, therefore, for a period of time, it is possible that you may receive the product with either the new packaging or the old packaging
No. 4
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
- VIBRANT ACRYLIC PAINTS : Shuttle Art 30 Acrylic Paint Set consists of 30 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 acid-free
- 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
No. 5
The Army Painter, GameMaster: Adventure Starter Role-playing Paint Set, 15 x 18ml Warpaints Fanatic Acrylic paints, incl. a Brush-On Primer, 5 FREE Miniatures & 1 Brush - For Warhammer & Dnd
- 👩🎨 GREAT FOR BEGINNERS 👨🎨 Designed for every RPG player, miniature painter, and beginner at tabletop gaming. With this set, you have everything you need to create your band of heroes and customise them to look how you want. Gone are the days of settling for pre-painted miniatures that don’t quite capture the essence of your envisioned hero.
- ⚔ Whether you’re new to RPGs, looking for an alternative to Dungeons & Dragons, or wanting to begin your own tabletop role-playing game, the GameMaster: Adventure Set comes with everything you need to bring your adventures to life.
- 🎨 The GameMaster: Adventure Starter Role-Playing Paint Set includes 15 paints, consisting of 10 vibrant colours, 2 Effect paints, 2 Metallics, and 1 versatile Wash. You also get a Painting Guide, an Adventure Starter Guide, a GameMaster Starter Brush, and 5 snap-fit miniatures – FREE!
- 🏆 In this updated GameMaster Adventure Starter Set, the paints are now Warpaints Fanatic, easy-to-use, high-quality acrylic paints with unsurpassed coverage and intense pigmentation. They are set in a premium resin base with proprietary stabilisers, making it possible to thin the paint down to extreme levels while retaining pigment dispersion.
- 🏹 You also get five detailed snap-fit miniatures that cater to various fantasy settings. What’s more, the miniatures are designed for easy assembly. The snap-fit design and no glue required makes it straightforward for beginners to jump right in. Simply cut them from the sprue and put them together.
No. 6
Anezus Tiny Detail Paint Brushes 30 Pcs Fine Paint Brushes Set with 3 Size #0#00#000 Liner Brush for Miniature 40k Model Crafts Watercolor Acrylics Oil
- 【VALUE PACK OF DETAIL PAINT BRUSHES 】Anezus small acrylic paint brush set comes with 30 thin paint brushes of 3 different sizes, #0,#00, and #000. Ideal for the beginner or artist who needs a lot of miniature paintbrushes for acrylic painting
- 【ASSORTED SIZE LINER BRUSHES】The #0 tiny paint brush measures approx. 0.23” hair length, #00 miniature brushes with 0.5” hair, #000 liner paint brushes measure approx. 0.6” in hair length, thin and detail tips work well on a fine painting
- 【PREMIUM PAINT BRUSHES FOR MINIATURE】Made with durable anti-shedding synthetic hair, anti-rust nickel ferrules, and sturdy wooden handles, you can use the brushes with confidence on painting
- 【VERSATILE SMALL PAINT BRUSHES】The multi-purposed detail brushes are ideal for watercolor, oil, gouache, acrylic painting, nail liner brush, face painting, miniature, model, craft art painting and more
- 【EASILY CLEAN FINE TIP BRUSHES】The model paint brushes will withstand a long time of daily usage and easily clean up with soap and water and reshaped with your fingers
No. 7
The Army Painter Warpaints Fanatic: Starter Set, 11 x 18 ml Acrylic Paints, incl. Metallics, Wash, Brush-On Primer, 1 Miniature & 1 Brush - Miniature paint set for D&D & Warhammer Figures
- 🚀 THE PERFECT STARTER SET - The Warpaints Fanatic Starter Paint Set Comes with Everything You Need to Get Started with Painting Any Wargaming System. It’s Ideal for Beginners as It Includes the Basic Items You Need in Your Hobby Painting Kit.
- 🖌️ FREE BRUSH AND MINIATURE INCLUDED - The Warpaints Fanatic Starter Paint Set Comes with Both a Starter Brush and Miniature Figure For FREE. This Means That with This Set You Have Everything You Need to Get Started - All in ONE box.
- 🔥 TAKE YOUR MINIATURE PAINTING TO THE NEXT LEVEL – Warpaints Fanatic Is Easy to Use, High-Quality Acrylic Paint with Unsurpassed Coverage and Intense Pigmentation. Easy Enough for A Beginner to Use, Fast Enough for A Gamer, Yet Capable Enough for The Best Painters in The World.
- 🎨 EASY-TO-USE FLEXIBLE COLOUR TRIAD SYSTEM - Each Paint Is Part of a Flexible Colour Triad System: A Segment, Or Family, Of Paint Colours That Are Made Using the Same Root Colour. Inside Each Flexible Colour Triad Are Six Colours That Range from Dark to Light with A Consistent Hue. With This System, You Can Easily Select Paints That Create a Natural Colour Progression on Your Miniatures.
- ✔ CUSTOMER SATISFACTION - We Are Confident That You Will Love Our Warpaints Fanatic Starter Paint Set. If You Encounter Any Issues, Our Dedicated Team Is Always Ready to Provide Prompt and Friendly Assistance to Ensure Your Complete Satisfaction.
No. 8
X ARTY HUB Model Paint Set - 20 Colors with 3 Brushes, Miniature Paints (Base/Skin Tones/Shadows/Metallics) for Airbrushing & Hand Painting, Acrylic Paint for Models, Miniatures & Wargaming Props
- Beginner-Friendly: Developed with professional miniature artists. Featuring pre-mixed, precision-matched standard colors, this system enables even beginners to achieve realistic lighting effects
- Exceptional Coverage: Precision-ground pigments deliver superior opacity while preserving fine details. Achieves smooth, even coverage in 1-2 coats, preventing loss of detail from over-application
- Model-Specific Formula: Engineered exclusively for common model materials like plastic, resin, and metal, our proprietary formula bonds securely to smooth surfaces. For extended preservation, finish with an acrylic varnish (sold separately)
- Ready to Spray: Model paint comes pre-thinned to an optimal viscosity, making it ideal for atomized application with an airbrush. This creates an exceptionally smooth, even finish that's difficult to achieve by hand, and dries in about 10 minutes
- Packing List: This model paint set includes 20 bottles model paint (0.67 fl oz each) and 3 paint brushes (2 fine and 1 coarse). The dropper bottle design prevents drying and allows for precise, controlled application with less waste
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Choosing the Best Acrylic Paints for Your Miniatures
Painting miniatures brings your tabletop armies and role-playing characters to life. Choosing the right acrylic paint makes a huge difference. This guide helps you pick the perfect colors for your next project.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for miniature paints, a few things matter most. Think about these features before you buy a new set.
Pigment Load and Coverage
- High Pigment Load: Good paints use lots of color powder (pigment). More pigment means the paint looks brighter. It also means you need fewer coats to cover the plastic or metal underneath.
- Opacity (Coverage): Some colors, like white or yellow, naturally cover less well. Look for paints specifically labeled as having high opacity for these tricky shades.
Viscosity (Thickness)
- Paint Consistency: The paint should not be too thick or too thin. Thick paint hides fine details on the miniature. Very thin paint runs off the brush too quickly and needs many layers. The ideal consistency lets the paint flow smoothly off the brush tip.
Durability and Finish
- Durability: Once dry, the paint should stick firmly to the model. Good paints resist chipping when you handle the miniatures during games.
- Finish Type: Most miniature paints dry to a matte (flat) finish. This is best because it looks realistic. Some specialized paints offer satin or gloss finishes for things like slime or armor shine.
Important Materials and Components
Acrylic paints use a few basic parts. Understanding these helps you judge quality.
The Binder
The binder is the “glue” that holds the pigment onto the model. Most miniature acrylics use an acrylic polymer binder. A high-quality binder ensures the paint sticks well and dries tough.
The Pigment
This is the actual color. Professional-grade paints use artist-quality pigments. Cheaper paints might use less expensive fillers instead of pure color. Always check reviews to see how vibrant the colors are in real-world use.
Additives
Manufacturers add small amounts of other things. These can help the paint flow better or dry slower. These additives improve the user experience.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Quality isn’t just about the brand name. Certain factors directly affect how the paint performs on your model.
Factors That Improve Quality
- Pre-Thinned Formulas: Top brands design their paints to be used straight from the pot. This saves you the time of mixing water into every color.
- Consistent Batch Mixing: When a company mixes large batches consistently, the color you buy today matches the color you buy next year.
Factors That Reduce Quality
- Separation in the Pot: If you open a paint and the water has completely separated from the pigment, it means the binder is weak or the paint has been stored poorly. Shaking might not fix this.
- Chunky Pigment: If you see clumps or grit in the paint, it will ruin smooth coverage and obscure small details on your miniature.
- Excessive Flow Enhancers: Paints that are too thin might look smooth, but they often refuse to build up color properly, forcing you to apply ten or more layers.
User Experience and Use Cases
How the paint feels when you use it matters a lot for your enjoyment.
Ease of Use
Beginners should look for beginner sets that cover the basics: black, white, red, blue, yellow, and a few metallics. Experienced painters might prefer buying single pots of highly specialized colors, like fluorescent or highly opaque skin tones.
Common Use Cases
- Basecoating: You need smooth, opaque paints for the first layer.
- Layering and Blending: Thinner, high-quality paints work best for smooth transitions between colors.
- Washing/Shading: Some paints are specifically designed to be heavily thinned down to flow into recesses and create shadows.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Miniature Acrylics
Q: Do I need to thin miniature paints before using them?
A: Most high-quality miniature paints are pre-thinned. However, thinning them slightly with water or a flow improver usually helps them apply smoother, especially for layering.
Q: Can I use craft store acrylics on my miniatures?
A: You can, but craft paints are often too thick. They easily hide the tiny details on the model. Dedicated miniature paints are much better.
Q: What is the difference between a “wash” and a “base coat” paint?
A: A base coat is thick and opaque, meant to cover the model quickly. A wash is very thin, almost like dirty water, designed to sink into cracks and create shadows.
Q: How do I clean my brushes after using acrylics?
A: Always rinse your brushes thoroughly with clean water immediately after you finish painting. Never let paint dry in the bristles.
Q: What is “agitation” when talking about miniature paint pots?
A: Agitation means shaking the paint pot vigorously, often with a metal ball inside, to remix the settled pigment with the liquid binder.
Q: Are acrylic paints safe for kids to use?
A: Most are labeled non-toxic, but adult supervision is always recommended. They should never be ingested.
Q: Do I need a primer before painting?
A: Yes. Primer helps the paint stick better to the plastic or metal. Paint applied directly to bare plastic often scratches off easily.
Q: Can I mix different brands of acrylic paint together?
A: Generally, yes, you can mix colors from different brands. However, mixing different paint *types* (like mixing a thick base coat with a thin wash) can sometimes cause the paint to curdle or lose its properties.
Q: How long does acrylic paint take to dry?
A: Acrylics dry very fast. A thin layer often dries to the touch in just a few minutes. This allows you to apply multiple layers quickly.
Q: What is “drybrushing”?
A: Drybrushing is a technique where you put a tiny bit of paint on a brush, wipe almost all of it off on a paper towel, and then lightly brush over the raised areas of the model to highlight edges.