If you want one acrylic paint set and you want it to be good, buy the Caliart 36 Colors Acrylic Paint Set with 12 Brushes. It carries the largest owner feedback pool of any kit we reviewed, gives you 36 colors in full 2 oz bottles instead of tiny sample tubes, and includes 12 brushes, so it covers a first year of painting without a second purchase.
That is the direct answer to the question most beginners ask. The runner-up for beginners who want a more traditional paint-tube set is the Mont Marte 24-Color Signature Set, and the smart-money pick if you want a real artist brand at a student price is the Liquitex BASICS 24-tube set.
Acrylics are the easiest first medium. They clean up with soap and water, they dry in minutes, and a beginner mistake can be scrubbed off a canvas panel while the paint is still wet. There is almost no setup, no solvent, no smearing underfoot, and the whole hobby fits in a desk drawer.
What trips most first-timers up is buying the wrong shape of product. A 36-color mega set feels generous in the cart and then teaches you nothing, because every color is already mixed for you. Thin, watery sets fail to cover a pale area in one pass, which reads as bad paint when it is really just filler-heavy student acrylic. This guide covers all 12 sets we analyzed side by side so you can pick by color count, tube format, body, and who each one actually suits.
If you also paint models rather than canvases, our miniature paint set picks use a thinner, more precise formula that behaves very differently from the heavy body paints here. And if you want a second opinion on the same shelf, we have run a separate pass on acrylic paint sets across budgets that goes deeper on kit-versus-tube math.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Acrylic Paint Sets for Beginners (October 2026)
Caliart 36-Color Acrylic Set
- 36 colors in full 2 oz bottles
- 12 brushes in the box
- Non-toxic and ASTM-D4236 conformed
Mont Marte 24-Color Set
- 24 colors in 36 ml tubes
- Creamy high-coverage body
- Includes titanium white plus gold and silver
Liquitex BASICS 24 Tubes
- Student-grade with pro pigments
- 24 tubes at 22 ml
- Matte finish
- cleans up with water
The Caliart set wins because bottle volume is the first quality signal to check on a beginner kit. Most competitors at this tier hand you 12 ml sample tubes that empty halfway through one panel, while Caliart gives you 2 oz bottles, five times the volume, plus a 12-brush bundle.
Mont Marte is the pick if you prefer squeeze tubes over jars and want a carefully chosen 24-color list that includes titanium white, gold and silver. Liquitex BASICS is the pick if brand reputation matters more to you than color count, because the pigment and manufacturing process match the professional Liquitex lines.
The 12 Best Acrylic Paint Sets for Beginners in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Caliart 36 Colors with 12 Brushes |
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| Mont Marte Signature 24-Color Set |
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 ARTEZA 60-Color 22 ml Set |
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| Liquitex BASICS 24 x 22 ml |
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 Benicci 24-Color All-in-One Kit |
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 Shuttle Art 36 Colors in 60 ml Bottles |
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 Shuttle Art 15 x 12 ml Tubes |
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 KOLOR KINGDOM 24 Colors 12 ml |
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 HissiCo 36 Colors 2 oz Bottles |
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 GOTIDEAL 18 Colors 2 oz |
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 Artkey 24 Colors 2 oz |
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 ESRICH 27-Piece Painting Kit |
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One quick note before the individual reviews: the difference between a 12 ml tube and a 2 oz bottle is roughly five times the paint, and that difference shows up in how often you refill mid-project. Sets at the small-tube end are fine for crafts and small panels, while the bottle sets are what you want if you intend to paint at least a few 16 x 20 canvases.
1. Caliart 36 Colors Acrylic Paint Set with 12 Brushes – The All-Round Winner
Caliart 36 Colors Acrylic Paint Set with 12 Brushes
36 colors in 2 oz bottles
12 brushes included
Non-toxic, ASTM-D4236
Pros
- Broad color range including metallic gold and silver
- Creamy high-pigment body with good covering power
- Waterproof and fade-resistant
- Non-toxic and acid-free
- 12 brushes cover detail and broad strokes
Cons
- No mixing palette included
- Some colors need extra coats for full opacity
- Bundled brushes are basic
This is the set we keep coming back to. Thirty-six colors arrive in 2 fl oz bottles, not the 12 ml sample tubes most kits in this class use, so a single color survives several sessions on the palette before it needs replacing.
The 12 bundled brushes are a genuine bonus rather than filler. There is a detail brush for line work and a wider brush for broad strokes, which is enough to learn brush control without spending separately on a starter pack.
Owners describe the paint as creamy with strong covering power, and the 85 percent five-star share in the ratings backs that up. The formula is water-based, cleans with soap and water before it dries, and is listed as waterproof and fade-resistant once cured.
Coverage is the honest weak spot. Reviewers note that the white and the yellows run thinner than the rest and need an extra coat for full opacity on a pale ground, so paint a base layer if you are covering a large light area.
Why this set works for a total beginner
Nothing in the box requires a decision. The colors are named, the bottles are screw-capped, and the label carries ASTM D-4236 conformity information, so if you are painting with a child at the kitchen table you have the documentation you need.
Because the volume is generous, you can practice the one habit that matters most in acrylic: loading a brush, laying a stroke, and cleaning up before the paint skins. You get plenty of second chances.
Where it will disappoint you
There is no palette in the box, which is the single most common complaint in the reviews. Buy a cheap plastic or glass palette separately, and you will use it constantly.
The matte pastels lean flat once dry. If you want a shiny result, plan on a gloss or satin varnish coat at the end, which is normal practice for acrylic anyway.
2. Mont Marte Signature 24-Color Set – The Best Tube Set
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 36 ml tubes
Creamy, high coverage
Semi-matte finish
Non-toxic
Pros
- Carefully balanced 24-color spectrum plus gold and silver
- Generous 36 ml tube size
- Creamy body with strong coverage
- Cleans easily while wet
- Non-toxic
Cons
- Water-resistant rather than fully waterproof
- No palette or brushes included
- Outdoor work needs a varnish seal
This is the set to buy if you have decided you want tubes rather than jars, and you want the color list to have been chosen by someone who paints. Titanium white, phthalo blue, phthalo green, raw sienna, burnt sienna, crimson, viridian, cerulean and lamp black are all in there, which is most of a tonal palette before you start.
At 36 ml per tube, this is one of the more generous formats in the group.
The 4.8 average across more than 15000 reviews is among the highest scores in this roundup, and the 84 percent five-star share suggests consistency rather than a lucky launch. Buyers single out the creaminess of the body and the way it mixes without dragging.
Color names are printed clearly enough to find the burnt umbers in a hurry, and the listed coverage of roughly half a square metre per tube is honest for a 36 ml tube at this body weight.
Why this set works for a portrait-leaning beginner
Burnt sienna, raw sienna, yellow ochre, burnt umber and crimson give you a usable base for skin tints once you add titanium white, and the phthalo pair lets you shift a flesh tone cool or warm. Sets built purely around primaries leave you hunting for the earth colors you need most for faces.
It is also the pick if you like drawing on paper and board as well as canvas, because the semi-matte finish sits well on card and does not buckle thin paper the way heavier paint can.
Where it will disappoint you
The finish is water-resistant, not waterproof. Anything outdoors, anything washable, or anything that will see a drink needs a varnish after it cures.
There is no palette and no brush in the box. That keeps the set focused, but it means a first purchase is really two purchases.
3. ARTEZA 60-Color Set – The Widest Palette
ARTEZA Acrylic Paint Set, 60 Colors, 22 ml Tubes, High-Viscosity
60 colors in 22 ml tubes
5 metallic tones
Sorted storage trays
Pros
- Largest color range we analyzed at 60 shades
- High-viscosity body holds brushstrokes
- Tubes come in color-sorted trays
- Waterproof and low odor
- Excellent for building a full palette
Cons
- 22 ml tubes deplete fast on large areas
- Sixty tubes are more bulk than a starter kit needs
This set exists for the beginner who wants options. Fifty-five classic shades plus five metallics, gold, silver and three pearls, in 22 ml tubes, arranged in trays that keep the color order intact on an easel shelf.
The high-viscosity body is the part worth knowing about. It holds a brushstroke rather than leveling out, which means you can leave visible texture in a stroke and it will stay there as it dries.
At 4.8 across roughly 15000 reviews, this is one of the two most heavily reviewed products in the group, and the 87 percent five-star share in the ratings is the highest in the roundup. Reviewers mention blending and layering specifically, which is a good sign for anyone working wet into wet.
Dry time is listed at around 30 minutes with a full cure near 45 minutes, and the formula is waterproof and low odor, so it is comfortable in a small room or a shared studio.
Why this set works for a beginner
It removes the guessing. Instead of staring at six primed tubes and wondering which yellow is which, you have a named spectrum laid out in front of you, and you can see how far a hue range extends before you commit to mixing.
The trays are genuinely useful. A set of 60 loose tubes on a desk turns into a sorting chore within a week, and this one keeps the shape of a color wheel.
Where it will disappoint you
The 22 ml tubes are small relative to the bottle sets. On a large abstract or a pour piece you will finish a tube in an afternoon, so treat this as palette building rather than volume.
Sixty colors is a lot of surface to learn from, and reviewers sometimes note that a huge set encourages picking a pre-mixed color instead of mixing your own. If you are serious about learning mixing, start with six of these tubes and add more later.
4. Liquitex BASICS 24 x 22 ml Set – The Artist-Brand Benchmark
Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint Set, 24 x 22ml (0.74-oz) Tube Paint Set
24 tubes at 22 ml
Student quality, pro pigments
Matte, fast drying
Pros
- Uses professional-grade pigments and process
- Butter-smooth body that spreads solid color
- Dries fast and cleans up with water while wet
- Sticks to almost any surface
- Arrives in a sturdy boxed set with dividers
Cons
- 22 ml tubes are small for large surfaces
- Student-grade opacity needs layering for some tints
- Costs more than comparable hobby kits
This is the set most experienced painters name first when a beginner asks where to start. BASICS is the student line, but the pigment is ground with tiny reinforced ceramic beads for fine dispersion, which is the same approach Liquitex uses across its professional ranges.
The result is a butter-smooth body that spreads solid color instead of breaking up, and a color that develops cleanly when you mix it rather than turning chalky.
ArtistForum threads from people who were beginners themselves routinely point to the Liquitex student line as the inexpensive entry point, and the same advice shows up in painting forums: buy this now, move up to a heavier body line later if you outgrow it.
With 13967 reviews at 4.7, this is a well-established listing, and the 83 percent five-star share suggests the consistency holds up over time rather than varying by batch.
Why this set works for a beginner
It mixes with other brands without drama. Paint is a water-based polymer emulsion, and if you later buy a heavy body tube from a different maker you can still combine them, which means this set is not a closed door.
The set arrives in a sturdy boxed set with dividers, which is a small quality-of-life thing that pays off. Tubes stay upright, colors stay in order, and the box survives long enough to become a storage case.
Where it will disappoint you
Twenty-two milliliters is a small tube. For a 16 x 20 canvas you will get through white and a background color quickly, so plan a second purchase before you start a big piece.
Student-grade opacity means some tints need two layers to reach full coverage. That is normal, but if you were expecting a single pass to hide the canvas, it will surprise you.
5. Benicci 24-Color All-in-One Kit – Best All-in-One Box
Complete Acrylic Paint Set – 24х Rich Pigment Colors – 12x Art Brushes with Bonus Paint Art Knife & Sponge – for Painting Canvas, Clay, Ceramic & Crafts, Non-Toxic & Quick Dry – for Kids & Adults
24 colors in 12 ml tubes
12 brushes, knife and sponge
Quick dry, non-toxic
Pros
- Paint
- brushes
- palette knife and sponge in one box
- Non-toxic quick-dry formula suits kids' projects
- Works on canvas
- clay
- ceramic and crafts
- Bonus knife and sponge add texture options
Cons
- 12 ml tubes drain quickly on larger surfaces
- Bundled brushes are basic nylon
- Consistency is thinner than premium acrylics
If you want to hand someone a box and have them start painting that afternoon, this is the shape of kit that makes sense. Twenty-four colors, twelve brushes, a palette knife and an art sponge, all in one package.
The knife and sponge are the sleeper extras. Sponge dabbing gives you texture without a brush, and a knife lets you scrape color back off a canvas to correct a stroke, which acrylics allow while the paint is still wet.
At 4.7 across more than 11000 reviews, the feedback volume is high for a kit at this level. Reviewers repeatedly note that the color count and the included tools are more than they expected for what they paid.
The formula is non-toxic and quick drying, which is why this shows up so often in kids’ craft lists. Listed dry time is around 6 hours for a full cure, so plan a project that can sit overnight.
Why this kit works for a beginner
It removes the accessory question entirely. If you are starting from absolutely nothing, this is the shortest path from an empty cupboard to a finished painting, and the 365-day replacement guarantee softens the risk of an unfamiliar brand.
It is also a good gift. The box opens into something usable rather than a collection of parts you still need to buy, which is where most starter kits fall down.
Where it will disappoint you
Twelve milliliters per tube is the small end. On anything larger than a small panel you will empty several colors in one sitting, and the tubes are awkward to squeeze once they are nearly empty.
The consistency is thinner than a heavy body acrylic, so coverage takes more work and more coats. Treat it as a craft and hobby paint rather than a painting medium you will build a portfolio with.
6. Shuttle Art 36 Colors in 60 ml Bottles – Best for Large Surfaces
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 60 ml bottles
12 brushes and a palette
ASTM-D4236 conformed
Pros
- 36 highly pigmented colors in 2 oz bottles
- Creamy paint that blends and layers
- Bottles have inner caps to slow drying
- Non-toxic and acid-free
- Mixing palette included
Cons
- On the thin side
- needs several layers
- Lighter and chameleon colors need a second coat
- Included palette is small
This set has the same shelf footprint as the Caliart kit but solves a problem the Caliart kit does not: it includes a mixing palette. For a beginner that is the single most-used accessory after the paint itself, and having it in the box means you can start immediately.
The bottles carry inner caps, which slows the drying-out problem that plagues open jars. Reviewers single this out as a practical detail that makes the set last between sessions.
This listing ranks very highly in the Art Paints category, and with 11277 reviews at 4.7 the feedback base is solid. Owners mention low odor, easy cleanup, and sturdy labelled bottles as the reasons they keep buying from this brand.
Two finish options appear across the range, and the reinforced cardboard package doubles as an organizer, so the box has a job after unpacking.
Why this set works for a beginner
Volume and accessories together make it the least friction option. Sixty milliliters per color means a full background wash will not exhaust a color, and the palette means you are not improvising with a cereal plate on day one.
It is a safe pick for mixed projects because the listed surface range covers canvas, rock, ceramic, fabric, glass, clay, leather, wood and plastic, so the same tube works on a pumpkin and a canvas.
Where it will disappoint you
The paint runs thinner than some hobby competitors, and that is the most common criticism in the reviews. Solid color often needs several coats or a white base underneath.
The bundled palette is on the small side, so for a large canvas you will still want a bigger mixing surface.
7. Shuttle Art 15-Color 12 ml Set – The Small-Project Starter
Shuttle Art Acrylic Paint Set, 15 x 12ml Tubes Artist Quality Non Toxic Rich Pigments Colors Perfect for Kids Adults Beginners Artists Painting on Canvas Wood Clay Fabric Ceramic Crafts
15 colors in 12 ml tubes
3 bonus brushes
Waterproof and permanent
Pros
- Fifteen colors plus three bonus brushes in a compact box
- Thick rich pigment that covers in one swipe
- Dries very fast for multi-session work
- Non-toxic and ASTM-D4236 conformed
- Absorbs into unfinished wood
Cons
- 12 ml tubes finish quickly
- Waterproof and permanent so mistakes are hard to remove
- 15 colors means more mixing for uncommon shades
This is the set to buy if you paint small things. Fifteen colors, 12 ml tubes, three brushes, and a body that reviewers describe as thick enough to cover in a single pass.
That thickness is the difference from the watery kits people complain about online. Paint that has body holds a mark, and it does not disappear into the weave of the surface.
With 9760 reviews at 4.7, this is a well-trodden entry product, and reviewers describe it as an inexpensive set they consider credible. The consistency is the reason: thin paint would not hold up at this level.
It is also popular for painting rocks and small wood pieces, because the formula absorbs into unfinished wood and grips it rather than sliding off.
Why this set works for a beginner
Fifteen colors is close to the useful starting palette. You get the primaries and a range of secondaries, which means you can mix the rest yourself instead of choosing from 36 tubes and learning nothing about mixing.
It dries fast, with a listed touch time around 8 hours for a full cure, and the permanent finish means the work survives handling and dust.
Where it will disappoint you
Once the paint is dry, it is permanent. There is no scrubbing a mistake back out, so the patience phase of painting, where you sit with a stroke for a minute before committing, is where mistakes happen.
Fifteen colors is limiting for a specific shade. You will be mixing rather than dipping, which is good practice but slower when you already know exactly which color you want.
8. KOLOR KINGDOM 24-Color 12 ml Set – The Certification-Heavy Pick
Acrylic Paint Set Canvas Art Paints 24 Colors Perfect Paint Finish (0.41oz,12 ml) With 3 Brushes – Painting Canvas, Paper, Wood, Rock, MDF, Ceramic & Fabric
24 colors in 12 ml tubes
3 brushes included
Gloss finish
Pros
- Buttery high-pigment consistency
- Good coverage for large areas and fine detail
- Certified to ASTM D-4236 and EN71-3
- Blends and layers easily
Cons
- Water-resistant rather than waterproof
- Only 3 brushes in the box
- 12 ml tubes deplete quickly
This is the set to look at if a school, a child, or a gift-giver is involved. It carries both ASTM D-4236 and EN71-3 certification, and EN71-3 is the European toy safety standard, so it has paperwork behind it rather than a vague claim of being kid friendly.
The paint itself is described as buttery with vivid, clear color, and it dries to a gloss finish, which is a departure from the matte look most acrylics give you.
Owners highlight strong pigmentation and smooth blending at a very accessible cost point, and the finish is non-flammable as well as non-toxic, which matters for a classroom cupboard.
Dry time is listed at about an hour to touch with a full cure near 10 hours, and the surface list covers canvas, paper, wood, fabric, leather, cardboard, ceramic and MDF.
Why this set works for a beginner
The gloss finish gives a beginner an immediate sense of progress. Matte acrylic can look unfinished in a classroom setting under flat light, while a gloss surface reads as a finished object.
Twenty-four colors is a good teaching number. There is enough range to mix with, but not so much that the palette becomes intimidating on the first day.
Where it will disappoint you
Only three brushes come in the box, which is not many for experimenting. A filbert, a round and one flat will get you started, but you will add more within a month.
The finish is water-resistant rather than waterproof, so outdoor pieces and anything that will be handled wet need a sealing coat.
9. HissiCo 36 Colors in 2 oz Bottles – The 55-Piece Package
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 60 ml bottles
12 brushes and palette
55 pieces total
Pros
- Excellent coverage including light colors on light surfaces
- Thick creamy body holds brush and spatula marks
- 36 bottles plus 12 brushes and a palette
- ASTM D-4236 and EN71 conformed
- Sturdy flip-lid storage box
Cons
- Hobby grade rather than professional grade
- Dry time around 4 hours is slower than most
Fifty-five pieces in total: thirty-six 2 oz bottles, twelve brushes, and a palette. The flip-top squeeze bottles are the practical part, because a cap you can open with one thumb while your other hand holds a brush is a real workflow improvement over a screw lid.
Reviewers single out coverage on light colors, which is the usual weak spot in hobby acrylics. Pale yellows and light tints here are reported to read clearly on a light surface without a base coat.
The body is thick and creamy enough to hold both brush marks and spatula marks, which makes this the pick in the group if you want to practise palette knife texture or impasto rather than smooth blending.
With 7415 reviews at 4.7, some buyers compare it favorably to more established hobby brands on coverage alone, though a few note plainly that it is not a professional-grade paint.
Why this set works for a beginner
It is a full kit without a single awkward extra. Paint, brushes, palette and a box that stores all of it is the shape most beginners actually need, and there is nothing in it that is filler.
The surface list is unusually broad, spanning glass, plastic, craft foam, ceramic, terracotta, blackboard, tin and wallpaper, so it doubles as a set for home decor projects.
Where it will disappoint you
A listed dry time of around 4 hours is slow next to the fast-curing sets here. It is fine for most work, but it means you cannot stack layers quickly and a humid room will hold onto tack.
It is hobby grade. If you plan to paint something you want to sell or hang permanently, upgrade a few key colors later rather than building the whole palette on this one.
10. GOTIDEAL 18 Colors with 10 Brushes – The Matte Finisher
GOTIDEAL Acrylic Paint Set with 10 Brushes, 18 Colors (59ml, 2 oz)
18 colors in 59 ml bottles
10 brushes included
AP and EN71-3 certified
Pros
- Creamy high-pigment body with easy blending
- Dries quickly and layers cleanly
- 18 colors in large 2 oz bottles
- AP
- ASTM D-4236 and EN71-3 certified
- Box doubles as an organizer
Cons
- Fewer colors than most sets in its class
- Water-resistant rather than waterproof
- Matte only
- so gloss needs a medium
Eighteen colors is fewer than most of its competitors, and the reviews treat that as a feature rather than a shortfall. Buyers like that the 59 ml bottles are large, so each color lasts, and that the set stays small enough to actually keep tidy.
The finish is matte, which is the standard look for gallery-style acrylic work and the reason this set shows up in online discussions about painting people and objects.
Listed coverage is around 99 square feet for the set, and the formula is water-based, AP certified, and conformant to both ASTM D-4236 and EN71-3, which is a strong paperwork story for a family or classroom purchase.
Reviewers describe a smooth glide and quick drying, plus consistent shades between bottles, which is the thing that actually matters when you are mixing a gradient.
Why this set works for a beginner
Fewer colors means more mixing, and mixing is the actual skill. Eighteen colors still covers the primaries and secondaries, so you learn how to reach a green or a skin tone instead of dipping into a pre-made one.
The box is sturdy and doubles as an organizer, so the set does not immediately become a pile of caps on a windowsill.
Where it will disappoint you
Eighteen is below the twenty-four to thirty-six range most sets in this class offer, so if you were hoping to grab a specific named shade you may not find it here.
It is water-resistant, not waterproof, and the finish is matte only. If you want a gloss or satin result you will need a separate medium or varnish to add it.
11. Artkey 24 Colors in 2 oz Bottles – The Easiest Set to Navigate
Artkey Acrylic Paint Set, 24 Colors 2 oz/59 ml Acrylic Paint Kit for Professional Artists & Beginners – Craft & Art Supplies for Canvas, Wood, Fabric, Rock, Leather, Ceramic, Glass, Easter Egg
24 colors in 59 ml bottles
Semi-gloss finish
Color names on bottles
Pros
- Butter-like consistency that mixes easily
- Strong coverage for large areas and detail
- Non-toxic water-based and easy to clean
- Sealed bottles that do not leak
- Color name on every bottle
Cons
- 2 oz bottles are modest for large projects
- Marked for ages 12 and up
The thing that stands out here is the labelling. Every bottle carries its color name, so when you are mixing a skin tone or hunting for a specific blue you are not squinting at a dried-out lid and guessing.
The consistency is described as butter-like, which means it mixes easily and dries quickly without you having to thin it first with water.
With 2809 reviews at 4.6, this is one of the smaller feedback pools in the roundup, though the ratings are steady. Buyers praise the vibrant pigment, smooth blending and strong coverage, and the listing ranks well in the Art Paints category.
Coverage is reported as good in both large areas and fine detail, which is the combination you want from a single set whether you are doing backgrounds or line work.
Why this set works for a beginner
Named bottles remove a real beginner frustration. An unlabeled jar of dried brown is a dead color, and at the end of a set you can see exactly which tube ran out and which one you never used.
Twenty-four colors in 2 oz bottles is a sensible balance, and the semi-gloss finish gives a slightly more finished look than matte hobby paint once it cures.
Where it will disappoint you
Two fluid ounces per color is modest for a large abstract or a full-canvas background, so expect to buy a second set or a few extra tubes before a big piece.
It is listed for ages 12 and up. For a younger child painting at the kitchen table, choose a set with explicit child safety certification instead.
12. ESRICH 27-Piece Canvas Painting Kit – The Ready-Made Starter Box
ESRICH Canvas Painting Kit, Acrylic Paint Set with 30 Paint Brushes
12 colors, 10 brushes, 4 canvases
ASTM D-4236 certified paint
Compact box
Pros
- Everything needed to start in one box
- Ten brushes in assorted sizes
- ASTM D-4236 certified bright paint
- Compact box doubles as storage for the whole kit
Cons
- Lightweight brushes can shed bristles
- Paint tubes and the tray are small
- Included table easel can be unstable
This is the only kit in the group that includes prepared canvases. Twelve acrylic colors, ten nylon brushes in ten sizes, four canvas panels and a plastic palette arrive in one compact box, and the box itself stores the whole thing afterwards.
Having four prepared canvases in the box is the underrated part. Most beginner sets are paint plus tools, and then you realize you have nothing to paint on, which is where a first purchase stalls.
With 4661 reviews at 4.6, reviewers frequently describe this as an ideal first kit for someone with no supplies at all. The brushes have anti-shedding bristles, rustproof nickel ferrules and wooden handles, which is better specification than most bundled brushes manage.
The paint is ASTM D-4236 certified and reviewers call it bright with good color clarity, which is a fair expectation for a project on a small panel.
Why this kit works for a beginner
Ten brush sizes is more variety than most sets here, and having a small round, a large flat and something in between means you can test which brush suits a mark without buying anything.
It suits a gifting situation where the recipient is not going to research primers and gesso. Open the box, read the four lines on the back of a panel, and start.
Where this kit will disappoint you
The brushes are the weak link. A recurring group of reviews flags the lightweight nylon as flimsy, with bristles that can snap during use or cleaning, so treat them as practice tools rather than a permanent set.
The paint tubes are smaller than buyers expect, the tray is small, and the table easel in some kits of this type is reported as wobbly. Use a proper easel or a table edge and it stops mattering.
How to Choose an Acrylic Paint Set as a Beginner
Most buying mistakes come from choosing on color count, because color count is the number on the front of the box. It is the least useful number once you have painted for a month. Here is what actually decides whether you enjoy the medium.
How many colors do beginners actually need?
The consensus that keeps surfacing on beginner art forums is smaller than the marketing suggests. Start with six to eight colors: a warm and a cool red, a warm and a cool yellow, a warm and a cool blue, plus black and white.
Everything else comes out of mixing, and mixing is the part that teaches you how paint behaves. A 24 or 36-color set lets you dodge that lesson, and a beginner who never mixes a color never learns why their greens look muddy.
That said, a bigger set is not a mistake if you enjoy exploring. Pick one of the larger kits here, but work through the primaries deliberately rather than dipping into the pre-mixed shades.
One extra note on white. Titanium white gets used constantly for tints, for highlights, and for lightening mixtures, and it goes through faster than any other color in a set. Most beginner sets under-provide it, so plan a second tube of white early rather than discovering the problem halfway through a portrait.
Student grade vs artist grade: when to upgrade
Student grade acrylics are formulated with more filler and extender, which keeps them affordable. The trade-off is body and tinting strength: less pigment means paler tints, weaker coverage, and more product needed to do the same job.
Artist grade costs more per tube and gives you higher pigment load, better mixing behaviour, and colors that hold their hue when you dilute them. Liquitex BASICS sits in between, using professional pigments in a student-level formula, and the reason that set carries a large pool of owner reviews.
My rule for the upgrade path is simple. Stay on student grade while you are painting studies, exercises, and anything on paper. The first time you paint something you care about keeping, spend on artist grade for the colors that carry the painting, usually the earths, a strong blue, and white.
12 ml tubes, 22 ml tubes, or 2 oz bottles: format matters
Tube and bottle formats are not cosmetic. A 12 ml tube gives you about a fifth of what a 2 oz bottle holds, and it becomes awkward to squeeze once it is nearly empty.
Small 12 ml tubes suit small work. Craft projects, rock painting, a single postcard-sized panel, or a set of ornaments. They are also the format most often bundled with brushes, because it keeps the box compact.
22 ml tubes are the classic artist format and a good middle ground. Mont Marte goes further with 36 ml tubes, which is unusually generous, while ARTEZA uses the standard 22 ml across 60 colors.
Bottles are the volume play. Caliart, Shuttle Art, HissiCo, GOTIDEAL and Artkey all use 2 oz bottles, and that is why they suit larger canvases. A squeeze bottle with a flip top is also faster to open one-handed than a screw cap.
Heavy body, soft body, and how to read opacity
Heavy body acrylic holds a brushstroke and can be textured with a knife. Soft body flows more and levels out, which is easier for blending but less satisfying if you want visible marks. The set descriptions here range from creamy and high-viscosity at one end to buttery and fast-flowing at the other.
Opacity is printed on every tube as a small symbol: a filled square means opaque, an empty square means transparent. A filled square is what you want for a background that hides the canvas weave, and an empty one is what you want for a glaze.
Read it once, learn it in ten seconds, and it stops you wasting paint on a job it was never suited to.
Non-toxic labelling and kid-safe sets
ASTM D-4236 is the US standard that requires art materials to carry toxicity information, and it is the one line on a label worth reading. EN71-3 is the European toy safety standard and shows up on several of the sets here.
If a child is painting, choose a set with those certifications stated rather than a set that simply says non-toxic on the box. Caliart, Shuttle Art, HissiCo, KOLOR KINGDOM, GOTIDEAL and ESRICH all carry ASTM D-4236, and KOLOR KINGDOM and GOTIDEAL add EN71-3.
One caution on age labels. Artkey is marked for ages 12 and up, so if you are buying for a younger child, pick a certified set instead of an age-restricted one.
What else you need beyond the paint
Paint is the cheapest part of the setup and the least important. A usable starter kit needs a palette, two or three brushes, a water cup, a surface, and a sealing coat at the end.
A palette can be a plate, but a proper one with wells keeps colors from muddying. Brushes matter more than beginners expect: one large flat, one medium filbert, and one small round will cover almost everything you want to do in the first three months.
For surfaces, priming matters. Unprimed canvas board drinks paint, and gesso on the other hand gives you an even white ground that makes accurate color mixing possible.
Leftover paint rarely goes to waste if you keep a couple of ready-made objects around. Our picks for the best acrylic pantry organizer sets and the best acrylic fridge organizer sets are prime candidates for a first practice project, because they are smooth, already shaped, and forgiving of a first attempt.
Finish with an acrylic varnish once the painting is fully cured, which protects the surface and lets you choose matte, satin or gloss as the final word on how the piece looks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good acrylic paint set for beginners?
A good beginner set gives you a usable palette of primaries and secondaries in enough volume to finish small panels. Look for high pigment load, a creamy body that covers, water cleanability while wet, and ASTM D-4236 labelling. Sets in 2 oz bottles last longer than the small 12 ml tube kits, and a 15 to 24 color range teaches you to mix.
What is the best brand of acrylic paint for beginners?
Liquitex is the most frequently recommended brand for a first set, largely through its BASICS student line, which uses professional-grade pigments in a beginner-friendly formula. Mont Marte is the alternative if you prefer a carefully chosen 24-color tube set with titanium white included. Shuttle Art, ARTEZA and Caliart are strong options if you want volume and bundled tools.
How many colors of acrylic paint do I need as a beginner?
Most beginners get more out of six to eight colors than thirty-six. A warm and cool version of red, yellow and blue, plus black and white, covers the spectrum once you start mixing. A large set is not a bad purchase, but it encourages picking pre-mixed colors instead of building your own, which is the skill that actually improves your painting.
Do I need titanium white in my acrylic set?
Almost always, and most sets under-provide it. White is what you use to lighten every tint, build opacity in a mixed color, and add highlights to any subject. A 12 ml or 22 ml tube of white disappears fast, so buy a second tube of titanium white early rather than running out mid-project.
Should beginners buy student or professional acrylic paint?
Start with student grade while you are painting studies, exercises and work on paper. Move up to artist grade when you paint something you want to keep, buying artist versions of the colors that carry the painting rather than replacing the whole set. Liquitex BASICS bridges the two by using professional pigments at a student price.
Is acrylic or oil paint better for beginners?
Acrylic is faster and cheaper to start. It cleans up with water, dries in minutes, needs no solvent, and mistakes can be scrubbed off a surface while wet. Oil gives you longer blending time and deeper glazing, but it needs ventilation, a solvent for cleanup, and weeks of drying time before a painting is finished.
The Verdict: Which Acrylic Paint Set to Buy First in 2026
Buy the Caliart 36 Colors Acrylic Paint Set with 12 Brushes. It is the best acrylic paint set for beginners because the 2 oz bottles give you real volume, the 36 colors cover every mixing exercise you will start with, and the 12 brushes mean there is nothing else to buy before your first session.
If you want tubes and a curated color list, take the Mont Marte 24-Color Signature Set. If you want a recognized artist brand behind the label, the Liquitex BASICS 24-tube set is the benchmark other beginner sets get measured against.
Whatever you choose, start small. Paint a swatch card, mix your own greens and skin tints, and buy a second tube of titanium white before you run out of it mid-painting. That is the habit that turns a set of tubes into a practice.