Acrylic Paints for Beginners
Professional recommendations from a Cheshire-based illustrator
🎨 Introduction
As a professional illustrator based in Cheshire, I create custom illustrations for books, branding, and digital media. Over the years, I've tested and researched various art supplies to help fellow artists make informed decisions.
This guide covers the top-rated acrylic paints available in 2025. Each product has been selected based on detailed research — examining verified customer reviews, technical specifications, pigment quality, consistency, and value for money. Whether you're a beginner or professional, the right acrylic paint can elevate your artwork to new heights.
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⏳ In a Rush? Our Top Picks
Quick recommendations if you don't have time to read the full guide
🏆 Recommended Products
1. Craft Mode Acrylic Paint Set 8 Colours
Professional-grade oil paints with exceptional pigment concentration and buttery consistency. These paints offer superior colour mixing, excellent coverage, and the slow drying time that oil painters love for blending.
✅ Pros
- Rich, buttery consistency
- Excellent colour mixing
- Superior lightfastness
- Slow drying for blending
❌ Cons
- Premium price point
- Requires solvents for cleanup
- Long drying time
👁️ Quick Review Summary
⚡ Performance
Delivers exceptional performance with rich colour payoff and smooth application. The high pigment load ensures brilliant coverage and excellent mixing capabilities.
🎨 Design & Usability
The thick, buttery consistency provides excellent control for impasto work while thinning easily with medium for glazes. Colours dry to a consistent, professional finish.
💰 Value for Money
While premium-priced, the exceptional quality and high pigment concentration mean less paint is needed. An investment that serious oil painters will appreciate.
🎯 Verdict
The gold standard for professional oil painting. If you're serious about oils, these deliver uncompromising quality.
2. Acrylic Paint Set Art Paints 24 Colours
Artist-quality oil colours featuring finely ground pigments in refined linseed oil. Delivers rich, luminous colours with excellent tinting strength and outstanding lightfastness ratings.
✅ Pros
- High pigment concentration
- Vibrant, luminous colours
- Professional-grade quality
- Excellent coverage
❌ Cons
- Higher cost per tube
- Some colours vary in opacity
- Needs proper ventilation
👁️ Quick Review Summary
⚡ Performance
Outstanding performance for professional work. Colours blend beautifully and maintain their intensity when mixed. Excellent for both alla prima and layered techniques.
🎨 Design & Usability
Well-balanced consistency that holds brush marks beautifully. The paint responds well to various mediums and maintains workability on the palette.
💰 Value for Money
Excellent value for professional-grade paints. The quality justifies the price for artists who demand the best materials.
🎯 Verdict
Excellent professional-grade paints that deliver consistent, reliable results. Highly recommended for serious artists.
3. TBC The Best Crafts Acrylic Paint Set
Premium oil paints crafted for serious artists. The smooth, workable consistency allows for both fine detail work and bold impasto techniques. Colours remain vibrant for generations.
✅ Pros
- Smooth, workable texture
- Great for impasto
- Long-lasting colours
- Trusted brand
❌ Cons
- May be too thick for glazing
- Requires mediums for thin layers
- Strong odour
👁️ Quick Review Summary
⚡ Performance
Reliable performance across all techniques. Good flow and workability make these paints suitable for detailed work and broader applications alike.
🎨 Design & Usability
Smooth texture that spreads evenly. Good tube design prevents waste, and the paint maintains its quality over time when stored properly.
💰 Value for Money
Good balance of quality and price. Suitable for artists who want reliable results without the highest price tag.
🎯 Verdict
A solid choice for artists seeking quality without the premium price. Great for regular studio work.
4. Acrylic Paint Set 24 Rich Pigments
High-quality oil paints offering excellent value for artists. Good pigment load provides strong colour saturation, while the balanced consistency works well for various painting styles.
✅ Pros
- Good value for money
- Consistent quality
- Wide colour range
- Versatile application
❌ Cons
- Not as vibrant as premium brands
- Some colours less lightfast
- Smaller tube sizes
👁️ Quick Review Summary
⚡ Performance
Solid performance for the price point. Colours apply smoothly and blend well, though may require additional layers for full opacity.
🎨 Design & Usability
Practical packaging with clear colour labelling. The paint consistency is workable straight from the tube or easily modified with mediums.
💰 Value for Money
Strong value proposition for intermediate artists. Quality exceeds the price point, making these excellent for regular studio use.
🎯 Verdict
Good all-round oil paints offering reliable performance. Ideal for intermediate artists building their practice.
5. Shuttle Art Acrylic Paint Set 36 Colours
Reliable oil paints suitable for artists at all levels. Smooth application, good colour range, and consistent quality make these an excellent choice for studio or plein air work.
✅ Pros
- Beginner-friendly
- Easy to blend
- Good colour selection
- Affordable price point
❌ Cons
- Lower pigment load than professional
- May need multiple coats
- Limited colour range
👁️ Quick Review Summary
⚡ Performance
Good everyday performance. Easy to work with and forgiving for beginners while still delivering satisfying results.
🎨 Design & Usability
User-friendly design suitable for beginners. Clear labelling and consistent texture make colour selection and mixing straightforward.
💰 Value for Money
Exceptional value for beginners and students. Quality is surprisingly good for the price, perfect for learning and practice.
🎯 Verdict
Perfect entry point into quality oil painting. Great for learning while still delivering satisfying results.
📖 Buying Guide
When choosing acrylic paints, consider these key factors:
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Pigment Quality: Professional-grade paints have higher pigment concentration for more vibrant, lightfast colours. Student grades are affordable but less intense.
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Consistency: Heavy body acrylics hold brush strokes for impasto. Soft body and fluid acrylics suit glazing and detail work.
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Lightfastness: Check ratings if work will be displayed. Professional paints typically have ASTM I or II ratings for permanence.
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Colour Range: Start with a limited palette of primary colours plus white. You can mix most colours from a well-chosen set.
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Investment Strategy: Start with student-grade to learn, then invest in professional paints for serious work. Quality paint goes further.
About the Reviewer
Every Big Red Illustration review is written by illustrator and agent Jamie Conner, drawing on over 30 years of combined professional experience in traditional art, digital tools, and the wider creative industry.
Here's what he has to say…
I'm Jamie Conner, a UK-based illustrator and illustrator agent with a background in character-focused and expressive artwork. My training began at Newcastle-under-Lyme College and continued at Nottingham Trent University, where I developed a strong foundation in illustration.
I now split my time between creating my own work and representing artists, supporting them with commissions, opportunities, and navigating the wider creative industry. I also review digital and traditional art products, offering clear, practical insights to help artists choose tools that suit their workflow.
Whether I'm illustrating, advising artists, or reviewing products, my work is driven by a genuine commitment to the craft of illustration and to the wider creative community.