Best Acrylic Paints
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
Based on detailed research and customer feedback, here are our award winners:
🏆 Recommended Products
1. Golden Heavy Body Acrylic Traditional Set 10 Colours
Golden Heavy Body Acrylics are the gold standard for professional acrylic paints. This Traditional Set includes 10 essential colours made in the USA with the highest pigment loads. Exceptional colour intensity, smooth buttery consistency, and outstanding lightfastness.
✅ Pros
- Highest pigment concentration available
- Exceptional colour intensity
- Smooth buttery consistency
- Outstanding lightfastness ratings
❌ Cons
- Premium price point
- May be too thick for some techniques
- Requires mediums for glazing
👁️ Quick Review Summary
⚡ Performance
Golden delivers unmatched performance. The high pigment load provides exceptional colour strength for brilliant coverage and mixing. Paint maintains brush strokes beautifully for impasto work.
🎨 Design & Usability
The thick, buttery consistency allows excellent control. Colours can be thinned with water or mediums. Dries to a flexible, permanent film with consistent sheen.
💰 Value for Money
While expensive, the high pigment concentration means you need less paint. For serious artists, Golden represents excellent value for professional work.
🎯 Verdict
The benchmark for professional acrylic paints. If you're serious about acrylics, this is the paint to use.
2. Liquitex Professional Heavy Body Acrylic Set 12 x 59ml
Liquitex Professional Heavy Body Acrylics offer museum-quality performance with excellent pigment load and buttery consistency. This 12-colour set includes classic colours favoured by professional artists worldwide since 1955.
✅ Pros
- Museum-quality pigments
- Excellent consistency
- 12 classic colours included
- Trusted brand since 1955
❌ Cons
- High price point
- Some colours vary in opacity
- Dries quickly
👁️ Quick Review Summary
⚡ Performance
Liquitex Professional delivers excellent coverage and colour mixing. The heavy body consistency holds brush and palette knife marks well. Colours are vibrant and lightfast.
🎨 Design & Usability
Smooth, buttery texture straight from the tube. Mixes well with all Liquitex mediums. Dries to a satin finish that can be varnished.
💰 Value for Money
Excellent professional-grade paint at a competitive price. Great for artists wanting top quality.
🎯 Verdict
A top-tier professional acrylic paint. Excellent choice for serious artists and professionals.
3. Winsor & Newton Professional Acrylic Starter Set
Winsor & Newton Professional Acrylics combine British heritage with modern formulation. This starter set offers excellent pigment strength and a smooth, creamy consistency perfect for all techniques.
✅ Pros
- Trusted British brand
- Excellent pigment strength
- Smooth creamy consistency
- Good colour selection
❌ Cons
- Slightly thinner than competitors
- Smaller tube sizes
- Mid-range price
👁️ Quick Review Summary
⚡ Performance
W&N Professional acrylics perform well for detailed work and glazing. The slightly thinner consistency makes them versatile for various techniques.
🎨 Design & Usability
Creamy texture that flows well from the brush. Good coverage and mixing properties. Dries to a flexible, permanent film.
💰 Value for Money
Good value for professional-grade paint. A solid choice for artists wanting quality at a reasonable price.
🎯 Verdict
Reliable professional acrylics from a trusted brand. Great all-round choice for serious artists.
4. Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint Set 24 Colours
Liquitex BASICS offers excellent quality at an affordable price. This 24-colour set provides good pigment load and smooth consistency, ideal for beginners, students, and hobbyists who want quality without the professional price tag.
✅ Pros
- Excellent value for money
- 24 colours included
- Compatible with Liquitex mediums
- Smooth creamy texture
❌ Cons
- Lower pigment than professional
- Some colours less lightfast
- May need more layers
👁️ Quick Review Summary
⚡ Performance
BASICS performs well for student-grade paint. Colours mix cleanly and flow smoothly. While not as vibrant as professional grades, results are impressive for the price.
🎨 Design & Usability
Medium body consistency works for various techniques. Can be thinned or extended with mediums. Dries to a satin finish.
💰 Value for Money
Outstanding value for beginners and students. A great way to learn acrylic painting without large investment.
🎯 Verdict
The best student-grade acrylic paint available. Highly recommended for beginners.
5. Arteza Acrylic Paint Set 60 Colours
Arteza offers an impressive 60-colour set at a budget-friendly price. Perfect for beginners, students, and crafters who want to experiment with a wide colour palette without breaking the bank.
✅ Pros
- Huge 60-colour range
- Excellent budget option
- Good for crafts and beginners
- Non-toxic formula
❌ Cons
- Lower pigment quality
- Thinner consistency
- Not for professional work
👁️ Quick Review Summary
⚡ Performance
Arteza paints perform adequately for hobby and craft projects. Colours are reasonably vibrant and mix together well. Best for practice and experimentation.
🎨 Design & Usability
Tubes are easy to squeeze and paint flows smoothly. Thinner consistency makes it easy to apply but may require multiple coats.
💰 Value for Money
Exceptional value for the price. Perfect for those starting out or for projects where professional quality isn't essential.
🎯 Verdict
A solid budget choice for beginners and crafters. Great for learning and experimenting.
📖 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.