Top 19 Best Acrylic Paint Reviews (Recommended)

No matter if you are a professional painter or just a hobbyist, it is always a great idea to figure out what type of paint works best for you. If you choose acrylic paints, however, you will have many to pick from.

You can choose between “high flow” and “heavy-duty” paints but what do those descriptions stand for?

To demystify the process, I have identified the meaning of these terms and picked some best-selling sets of acrylic paints on the market to help you choose the best acrylic paint for you, so let’s check them out.

Why Acrylic Paint is Best?

Acrylic paint is best because it is perfect for both beginners and professional artists. It is versatile, glides easy and highly-pigmented. However, when choosing the best acrylic paint, you should keep these main factors in mind. Here is a quick rundown on what to pay attention to when buying a set of acrylic paints.

Quality

Acrylic paints come in 2 grades – student quality and professional. The second grade is the superior item and comes in different colors while the pigments look better once applied and are more saturated. So, if you wonder which grade to pick, I say that you go with the student grade paint set if you are a beginner.

Artist-grade (professional) paints cost more. However, if you are a professional artist or want to become one, I highly recommend that you purchase a professional set. It costs more but it will definitely pay off. If you purchase a student-grade set, you can upgrade to the pro version once you feel confident enough.

Permanence

Also known as lightfastness, permanence represents the amount of color that will fade over time when exposed to light. “Overtime” does not stand for “week”. It refers to 20 years. Usually, acrylic paints have higher permanence ratings than other types of paints. Meaning, they will last for a very long time. Paints of low lightfastness are called fugitive colors. I suggest that you avoid them unless you want to practice.

ATSM International is a global standards development organization that classifies acrylic paint based on permanence. If you notice a label “ASTM I” on your product, it means that it has excellent lightfastness. Usually, manufacturers rate their paints AA, A, and so on. However, keep in mind that AA is the greatest.

Viscosity

Acrylic paint is versatile, meaning it is very important to learn what type of consistency will work best for your needs. Are you into regular painting on canvas or would you like to mimic watercolor techniques? Viscosity represents the thickness of your paint. Heavy body paints have a similar viscosity with oil paint.

Fluid acrylics, on the other hand, have a thinner inflow and can be used for airbrushing or staining. What type of paint you choose depends on your needs and techniques, so determine those before you order.

Hue

The best part of choosing an acrylic paint is selecting colors. If you are a newbie, I suggest that you start off with the basics. Limit yourself to ten colors or so. That way, you will not be overwhelmed during the learning process. Inform yourself about what colors each brand has to offer before you order from one.

Which Acrylic Paint is the Best?

In order to help you select the best acrylic paint for your needs, I have highlighted a few of the best but make sure to check their detailed reviews below and keep their pros and cons in mind before you order.

• Best Overall: PROMOABI Paint Set by Apple Barrel
  “Non-toxic, fast-drying, 18 bottles of 2 oz., best acrylic paint for large paintings, easy to clean, versatile.”
• Runner Up: Liquitex BASICS 48 Tube Acrylic Paint Set
  “Bright colors, acrylic paint for leather and other surfaces, smooth texture, excellent sizes for the price.”
• Best Budget: “Winsor & Newton 2190525 Acrylic Paint 10 Tube Set”
  “Free-flowing and smooth consistency, stunning colors, even satin finish, great depth of color, cheap.”
• Best for Beginners: Sax True Flow Heavy Body Acrylic Paint Set
  “Reasonably-priced, perfect for beginners, improved formula, ideal for professional and personal work.”
• Best for Experienced Artists: Liquitex Professional Heavy Body Acrylic Paint Classic Set
  “Hassle-free and comfortable blending, AP certified and perfect for teaching purposes, low-odor paint.”
• Best for Kids: ARTEZA Acrylic Paint Set
  “A wide selection of colors, vibrant and rich pigment, light-resistant, great for children and teenagers.”
• Best for Outdoors: Chroma Atelier Interactive Acrylic 7 Tube Set
  “Buttery and smooth colors with a velvety satin finish, impressive pigment loading, and lightfastness.”
• Best for Wood: Liquitex BASICS 24 Tube Acrylic Paint Set
  “Bright colors, best acrylic paint for leather, wood, metal and other surfaces, nice sizes for the price.”
• Best for Portraits: Matisse Structure Heavy Body Acrylic Paint Set
  “Australian quality, great lightfastness ratings, a wide range of colors, high-viscosity, original shades.”
• Best for Plastic: GRUMBACHER Academy Acrylic Paint Set
  “Affordable, nice consistency and vibrancy, great permanence and lightfastness, super durable color.”

Where to Buy Acrylic Paint Near Me?

Not the biggest fan of online shopping? Open your browser and type something like “acrylic paint shop near me” and check the nearby stores. Write down their contact numbers and addresses and visit when you have time. I am sure that you will find a paint set that will suit your needs and match your skill level.

However, if you are a beginner who is looking for acrylic paint classes, type something like “acrylic paint classes near me” and see what pops up. Never give up on your art and please, refer to this map for help.

19 Best Acrylic Paint Comparison Table 2021

When choosing high-quality acrylic paint, there is a list of features that you need to pay close attention to like lightfastness, vibrancy, consistency, brand color selection, and of course, performance. After my research on the topic, I have compared some of the main features of some of the best acrylic paint sets.

However, make sure to read their detailed description below and take notes of their pros and cons too. It is very important to know as much as you can about a specific product before you buy it, so please do yourself a favor and go through each acrylic paints set carefully before you finally purchase one of them.

Top 19 Best Acrylic Paint Reviews 2020

No matter what grade you are working at, working with high-quality and reliable acrylic paint makes a big difference to your artwork. That is why I took the responsibility of reviewing some of the best-selling acrylic paints sets. All you got to do is review them in detail and pick the one that suits your needs best.

PROMOABI Paint Set by Apple Barrel

(Best Overall)

First, on my list of acrylic paint reviews is PROMOABI Paint Set by Apple Barrel. It is an amazing set of 18 different colors that will allow you to make beautiful colorful paintings on many different surfaces. They glide on with ease, dry fast and stay stunning over the years. You get 18 bottles of 2 oz. in various colors.

These colors can be sponged, stenciled, stamped, brushed and easy clean up with water and soap. They offer a wide range of painting possibilities. Meaning, you can use them to paint on wood, styrofoam, tin, plaster, and terra cotta. If you want a versatile set of acrylic paints, this one is the perfect choice for you.

Liquitex BASICS 48 Tube Acrylic Paint Set

(Runner Up)

Second on my list is Liquitex BASICS 48 Tube Acrylic Paint Set invented back in 1955, meaning they bring experience to the table. This brand offers the perfect balance of economy and quality and makes a great choice for all artists. It is a student-quality item with great brightness, strength and color development.

If you want something easily adjustable that comes in various opacities and versatile that can easily flex or stick to surfaces like masonry, wood, paper, canvas, metal, styrofoam, textiles, stone, and ceramics. It is easy to clean up with water while wet. If you order it, you will get 48 tubes of 0.74 oz. of acrylic paint.

Winsor & Newton 219051w7 Galeria Acrylic Paint 10 Tube Set

(Best Acrylic Set for Walls)

Winsor and Newtown 2190517 Galeria Acrylic Paint 10 Tube Set is a high-quality acrylic paint which will help you accomplish professional results. It is perfect for artists who prefer a good quality color that has a reasonable price. These great colors have high levels of pigment strength, permanence, and opacity.

You can use it on different surfaces directly from the tube, diluted or mixed with other gels or mediums. Despite how you use them, they will still deliver a satin, smooth finish. This set is perfect for artists who want to experiment with colors on a budget. Make sure to check the pros and cons before you purchase.

GRUMBACHER Academy Acrylic Paint Set

(Best Acrylic Paint for Plastic)

GRUMBACHER Academy Acrylic Paint Set has 48 amazing process colors, iridescent and metallic shades as well as the most sought after usual colors. They all have an ASTM lightfast rating of 1-Excellent. So, if you want a highly-pigmented set of acrylic paints with superior tinting strength, this one is right for you.

It has a reasonable price and offers both metal (90ml) and plastic (75ml and 200ml) tubes. This product is proudly made in the USA and makes the perfect choice for professional artists, art conservationists or students. However, professors can use them as well. You will get 6 different colors at a reasonable price.

Liquitex Professional Heavy Body Acrylic Paint Classic Set

(Best Acrylic Paint for Experienced Artists)

Liquitex is one of the most popular brands in the market. It developed the first water-based artist acrylic paint in 1955 and focused on improvement ever since. This is why this brand is loved by both beginners and professionals. It creates products formulated by a special team of experienced artists and chemists.

If you want a paint that is never too slippery or sticky, Liquitex Professional Heavy Body Acrylic Paint is a great choice for you. It has high-viscosity and thick consistency. The low-odor acrylic resin base presents the latest in acrylic resin technology providing increased open time and producing paints of great clarity.

Castle Art Supplies Acrylic Paint Set

Castle Art Supplies Acrylic Paint Set is one of the best-selling acrylic paints on the market which provides great value for the money. If you want to expand your current supplies or give someone a really amazing birthday gift, this set is the perfect choice for your needs. The best part about it? A little goes a long way.

If you buy this set, you will get 48 impressive colors that have the power to inspire any artist. No matter your level of expertise, you will find this set amazing. You can use it on both canvas and palette without drying out. If you want a non-toxic and water-based acrylic paints that will not crack or dry, buy this one.

Principal Professional 6 Piece Heavy Body Acrylic Set

Principal Professional 6 Piece Heavy Body Acrylic Set is ideal for professional artists who work with high-viscosity paints. If you want a set that is capable of making a wide range of hues, shades, and tints, this is the perfect choice for you. If you buy it, you will get 6 tubes of 2 oz. acrylic paint for professional results.

No matter if you want to complete something basic or complex, this set has your back. You get only six colors, however, if you have your muse by your side, this set is more than enough to boost your creative side and paint masterpieces. Now, let’s summarize the main pros and cons of this great acrylic paint set.

M. Graham 5 Color Acrylic Set

Next, I have M. Graham 5 Color Acrylic Set made with compromise using only the best artists’ pigments and pure acrylic emulsion vehicle. If you want a color that is completely safe and free of adulterants and extenders, this set is the right choice for you. It is proudly made in the US and comes in 5 vibrant colors.

If you order this set, you will get 2 oz. tubes including ultramarine blue, naphthol red, phthalo green, azo yellow, free titanium white and mars black. Now, let’s review the pros and cons before you finally buy it.

ARTEZA Acrylic Paint Set

(Best Acrylic Paint for Kids)

ARTEZA Acrylic Paint Set is an exciting selection of artist-quality colors. No matter if you are a beginner or a seasoned painter, colors like crimson red, phthalo blue and lemon yellow will boost your creativity and set fire to your imagination. These colors have rich, vivid pigments that deliver consistent shades.

They are amazing for canvas painting and will not fade over time. Aside from being highly-pigmented, this paint is also non-toxic and certified safe, meaning you do not have to worry about toxicity with this set. It is ACMI-certified safe. The best part? It is great for kids and teens too and comes in a sturdy box.

“Winsor & Newton 2190525 Acrylic Paint 10 Tube Set”

(Best Budget)

Winsor and Newton 2190525 Acrylic Paint 10 Tube Set is a high-quality product with high-pigment and permanence. This means that professionals will find this set exceptional. It is ideal for artists who want a paint at a cheap price. These items have high performance, clean color mixing, and impressive brilliance.

If you want a free-flowing, smooth consistency which makes it easy for you to mix and use while keeping the body, this set is for you. It can be used straight from the tube, diluted and mixed with different gels and mediums. If you buy this set, you will get 10 bottles of 20ml acrylic paint in different stunning colors.

Liquitex BASICS 24 Tube Acrylic Paint Set

(Best Acrylic Paint for Wood)

As you can notice, Liquitex has some of the best paints on the markets, dating back from 1955. This firm is focused on improving its paints ever since. They produce student-quality paint for every artist despite their skill level. If you what a highly-pigmented, versatile and adjustable set, this one is just ideal for you.

These paints have great color development, brightness, and fine dispersion. You can easily clean up with water while wet. They dry fast and can easily stick and flex to different surfaces including paper, canvas, wood, metal, styrofoam, textiles, ceramics, stone, masonry, board, and so on. Now, let’s check the cons.

Golden Heavy Body Acrylic Introductory Set

Golden Heavy Body Acrylic Introductory Set delivers 5 professional pants known for their thick, smooth and buttery consistency. They offer impressive lightfastness and permanence. If you want a set of super quality paints without opacifiers, dyes, toners, extenders or fillers added, this set is just perfect for you.

If you order it, you will get six tubes of 22ml naphthol red, titanium white, yellow medium, light Hansa, mars black, permanent green light and ultramarine blue paint. You will also get a heavy body tint chart, an application guide, and a reusable plastic case. However, let’s check the pros and cons before you buy.

Golden Fluid Acrylic Set

Golden Fluid Acrylic Set is a combination of vicious, flexible, durable paints with high tinting strength on different surfaces. This baby is highly-recommended for shading, tinting, and mixing. It is also perfect for brushing, mixing or spraying with all golden colors. It is perfect for both newbies and professional artists.

If you order this set, you will get 8 tubes of 1/2 oz. Hansa yellow med, titanium white, yellow ochre, zinc white, phthalo green, phthalo blue and quinacridone magenta along with a fluid application guide and a color mixing guide. Make sure to check the main pros and cons of this set before you make a purchase.

Sennelier Abstract Innovative Heavy Body Acrylic Paint Set

Sennelier Abstract Innovative Heavy Body Acrylic Paint Set delivers a large amount of high-quality paint. According to positive reviews online, this set contains amazing paints that work really well. If you what a nice thick paint with rich vibrant colors, this set is perfect for your needs. It is reasonably-priced as well.

I personally recommend this set for everyone who is on a budget but wants to buy quality paints. Also, the packaging is awesome. However, what is most important is that the paints are right and nice to work with. Now, let’s summarize the main pros and cons before you make your final choice and order this set.

Chroma Atelier Interactive Acrylic 7 Tube Set

(Best Acrylic Paint for Garden Ornaments)

Chroma Atelier Interactive Acrylic 7 Tube Set allows you to control the drying speed which is why artists love it. If you want buttery and smooth colors with a velvety satin finish, this set is perfect for you. It has 7 different colors in 80ml size bottles. You will get items with amazing pigment loading and lightfastness.

Golden Open Acrylic Modern Theory Set

(Best Acrylic Paint for Stones)

Golden Open Acrylic Modern Theory Set is a slow-drying color mixing combination of clean, bright pallet that offers many tints, shades, and hues. It has a relaxed working property that allows blending, shading, glazing and softening as well as fine detail work. It is suitable for making basic and professional projects.

If you buy it, you will get 8tubes of 1 oz. in titanium white, phthalo green, phthalo blue, anthraquinone blue, naphthol red lt, quinacridone magenta, Hansa yellow med, and Hansa yellow lt. You will also get an open thinner. However, make sure to check the pros and cons of this set before you make a final choice.

Myartscape Acrylic Paint Set

(Best Acrylic Paint for Shoes)

If you are tired of low-performance paints, Myartscape acrylic paint set is perfect for you. It is the best in class acrylic paint with heavy body consistency and highly-pigmented. So, if you want a paint that glides on like a dream and delivers a smooth silky finish for accurate pieces, purchase this acrylic paint set now.

If you wonder why Myartscape is loved by everyone, I will share a few features which make this product exceptional. It is long-lasting, non-toxic, and offers amazing coverage. If you want to paint with superior permanence and great tinting strength, this set is for you. It can be used on metal, paper, fabric, wood, glass, canvas, ceramic, clay, fingernails, and crafts. Now, let’s review the cons before you make a choice.

Matisse Structure Heavy Body Acrylic Paint Set

(Best Acrylic Paint for Portraits)

Another heavy body, high-viscosity acrylic set that delivers highly-pigmented and brilliant paints that is worth your attention is Matisse Structure. I personally recommend this set because it provides 98 colors including metallics with different original shades and amazing lightfastness ratings. It is absolutely great.

If you need a set for impasto painting techniques, completing a large scale and backgrounds, this one is a nice choice for you. It delivers 5 colors that will meet the needs of every professional or newbie. Now, let’s summarize the most important pros and cons of this impressive set before you make up your mind.

Sax True Flow Heavy Body Acrylic Paint Set

(Best Acrylic Paint for Beginners)

Last but not least, Sax True Flow Heavy Body Acrylic Paint Set is just perfect for beginners and new users with no experience in art. I am talking about heavy-bodied paints that deliver the right consistency and versatility. Meaning, not only can you use them as they are, but you can also experiment and mix them.

If you buy this set, you will get 12 pieces of paint with an improved formula that you can use for creating your next masterpiece. It is perfect for both classroom and personal work. If you want paints with great coverage and blending, this set is for you. It is one of the cheapest, fast-drying paint sets on the market.

What Kind of Paint Does Professional Artists Use?

Professionals usually use acrylic paint. It is the most cost-effective and common paint used by pros and novices. It can be applied on many bases including metal, canvas, wood and so on. Also, unlike oil paints, acrylic paints dry fast. The substance that embeds the color pigments is a water-based acrylic emulsion.

What Kind of Brush Should I Use for Acrylic Paint?

Best acrylic paint brushes with natural hair are recommended for oil paints since they work well with the heavy texture. They maintain their shape after many uses. They are not suitable for acrylic paint because it damages them over time. So, use synthetic bristles instead. Check out this guide for more information.

What Acrylic Paint Colors Should I Buy?

This depends on your skill level. If you are a newbie, start with the basics. However, if you are a thriving artist, buy more colors and learn how to mix them including, yellow, white, black, brown, green, orange, purple, red, blue, golden, grey, and raw titanium are some of the colors suggested for pros and newbies.

Which Type of Painting is Best for Beginners?

Acrylic paint is easy to work with, meaning it is perfect for beginners. Also, it dries super fast. However, you should also consider buying a watercolor paint for home painting. It is also easy to use and clean up.

Is Acrylic Paint Good for Beginners?

Yes, acrylic paint is good for beginners because it is water-soluble, but it turns waterproof when dry. It is perfect for aspiring artists who enjoy painting with easy paints. It is recommended for professionals too.

Necessary Acrylic Paint Colors for Beginners

If you are a beginner and want to experiment with acrylic paint, choose some of the basic colors such as red, permanent rose, phthalocyanine blue, cadmium yellow pale, ultramarine blue, yellow ocher, burnt umber, and titanium white. Also, refer to my acrylic paint reviews for the best paint recommendations.

Why is Acrylic a Good Material?

Experienced painters recommend acrylic because it is not expensive but offers versatility, fast dry time and countless shades and tints. It meets every need that you have. Also, unlike traditional paint, acrylics can be applied to almost any surface that comes in mind including terra cotta, plastic, canvas, and more.

Is Acrylic Paint Durable?

Yes, it uses a polymer emulsion as a binder – essentially a resin. Meaning, acrylic paint is just like plastic. It is strong and durable. In fact, it is the most durable paint cannot be affected by any chemical changes.

Is Acrylic Paint Permanent?

Acrylic paint is water-based, dries quickly and can be applied to many surfaces. When dry, it is lightfast and permanent. The surface turns flexible and strong. You can modify the consistency of this paint with different pastes, mediums, and gels. It is super versatile, permanent, strong, and comes at a low price.

Are Acrylic Paint Waterproof?

Acrylic paint is created of pigment suspended in acrylic polymer emulsion. It is not water-resistant until it dries. However, it turns waterproof when dry but it dries fast, so yes, it is technically water-resistant.

Is Acrylic Painting Easier Than Watercolor?

Yes, I personally think that acrylic painting is much easier than watercolor because it is perfect for those who learn how to paint. Meaning, it is very forgiving. Watercolor is transparent and cannot cover up the mistakes that you make but acrylic paints can. If you are a beginner, start off with an acrylic painting set.

Is Acrylic Paint Good for Wood?

Yes, acrylic paint is good for wood and indoor wood paintings. Acrylic enamel is great for outdoor wood paintings. Just allow the primer coat to dry and apply your first acrylic paint covering afterward. Please, refer to this detailed guide on how to paint wood crafts or watch this short, but useful YouTube tutorial.

Does Acrylic Paint Smell Strong?

No, acrylic paint does not have a strong smell, unlike natural oil-based paints which smell strongly due to the solvents used. Acrylic paint is a safe paint made with water-based solvents instead of oil-based ones.

Which is Better Oil or Acrylic Paint?

Oil paints have more pigment, however, acrylic paints dry fast, do not smell strong and comes at a lower price. Oil paints have more vivid, rich colors. However, acrylic paint delivers fast and impressive results.

Do You Need to Prime Canvas for Acrylic Paint?

No, you do not need to prime canvas for acrylic paint because the gesso that is used to prime canvases is an acrylic paint that protects the fibers of the canvas and gives the paint a superior surface for adhesion.

What Kind of Paper Can I Use with Acrylic Paint?

You should select a high-quality and acid-free paper. This paper allows you to paint acrylic directly onto the surface and get amazing results. And you do not need to prime the paper when using acrylic paint. If you want to learn what other surfaces you can apply acrylic paint onto, please check the following table.

Can Acrylic Paint Be Used On Wood?

Acrylic paint is a popular choice for indoor wood projects. You can use acrylic enamel for a wooden task. Give the primer coat time to dry and add your first acrylic paint coat afterward. Let the first acrylic paint coat to dry and apply again if necessary. Please watch this short tutorial on how to do it the proper way.

Can Acrylic Paint Be Used Outside?

Yes, acrylic paint is great for painting different things including objects that will be standing outside like a birdhouse for example. However, if exposed to water before they are fully dry, acrylic paints will wash off. To learn how to use acrylic paint on objects that will be stored in your backyard, watch this tutorial.

Can Acrylic Paint Be Used On Glass?

You can use acrylic paint on glass. However, in order to paint on glass, you need to use enamel paint. It is made specifically for ceramic and glass surfaces. You can also use multi-surface acrylic paint on glass.

Can Acrylic Paint Be Used On Plastic?

Yes, you can use acrylic paint on plastic. However, this is not the purpose of acrylic paint. It works better on wood or paper than it does on plastic. If you still want to do it, watch this video on how to do it right.

Can Acrylic Paint Be Used On Leather?

You can find leather acrylic-based paints that are made specifically for painting leather and faux leather. However, you can also use standard acrylic paints on leather. They cost as much as leather acrylic paints.

Can Acrylic Paint Be Used On Fabric?

Many artists use acrylic artist paints on fabrics. However, in order to do it right, please watch this video.

Can Acrylic Paint Be Used On Denim?

Acrylic paints are fast-drying and can easily dry out before your task is even complete. This is a benefit if you use acrylic paints on denim because they allow you to build on layers. So, you can add a thin coat or make it heavier by applying more layers. In order to do it properly, feel free to follow this useful tutorial.

Can Acrylic Paint Be Used Outdoors?

Yes, you can use them outdoors but keep in mind that acrylic paints are weak, soft and water-sensitive. Using them outdoors is not such a great idea unless you purchase Nova Color Artists Acrylic paint that is specially made for outdoor use. It is a super tough, 100% acrylic resin durable and great for outdoor use.

Can Acrylic Paint Be Used On Canvas?

Yes, acrylic paint can be used on canvas. In fact, it is one of the most popular choices for painting canvas because it is easy to use and dries fast. You only need a brush or a palette knife and acrylic paint.

Can Acrylic Paint Be Used On Metal?

Choose an oil-based primer that is compatible with acrylic paint if you want to use acrylic paint on metal to prepare your metal. This will help you smooth out anything that you were not able to remove from it.

Can Acrylic Paint Be Used On Shoes?

Yes, you can acrylic paints on shoes. Acrylic paints for shoes come with a brush for a lasting, nice finish.

Can Acrylic Paint Be Used On Ceramic?

Acrylic paint works on ceramic. However, it is not recommended for ceramic since it is meant for canvas, wood, fabric and other surfaces. If you still want to use acrylic paints on ceramic.

Can Acrylic Paint Be Used On Skin?

Acrylic paint is not meant to be used on your face or body. Even if you notice a label such as “non-toxic”, you should not apply acrylic paint on your skin because it is not completely safe and tested for skin use.

Can Acrylic Paint Be Used On Paper?

Yes, as long as you have bought acid-free, quality paper, you can apply acrylic paints directly onto the paper. Keep in mind that you do not have to prime the paper because acrylic paints will not damage it.

Can Acrylic Paint Be Used On A Stone?

Acrylic paints can be used on stones. However, they will not come off easily out of clothes, so be careful when using them. Wear something old that you do not need anymore and protect the painting surfaces.

Can Acrylic Paint Be Used On Clothes?

You can use acrylic paint on clothes since they stay permanent on fabric. Once acrylic paint dries and is heat seat with an iron or a dryer, it is there forever. Make sure that you do not buy a washable paint.

What is Heavy Body Acrylic Paint?

A heavy body acrylic paint is a buttery, thick paint that is similar to oil paints and retains brushstrokes. It facilitates color blending and mixing. Fluid acrylics, on the other hand, are thinner but contain the same pigment concentration. They are suitable for watercolor techniques, staining, detail, and dry-brushwork.

What is the Difference Between Acrylic Paint and Acrylic Ink?

Acrylic paint is lightfast and highly pigmented based on an acrylic resin and turns waterproof when dry. It is amazing for techniques like watercolor, airbrush, and calligraphy. It can be used with technical pens.

Acrylic ink is shade suspended in a more slender medium than the paint which is very pleasant for doing washes that are less transparent than you would have with paint tinned down to the equivalent fluidity.

What is the Difference Between Acrylic House Paint and Acrylic Art Paint?

They are both created from acrylic resins. However, latex paint is water-based while acrylic house paint is chemical-based. Acrylic paint lasts longer and is often used for painting home while art paint is usually used for art projects. Which type of paint you pick depends on your project and personal painting needs.

What is the Difference Between 100 Acrylic and Acrylic Latex Paint?

Acrylic paint is chemical-based while the latex paint is water-based. Acrylic expands and contrasts better than the latex because it is elastic. Acrylic paint is durable and resists peeling, chalking and flaking. And it is flammable due to the chemical compounds. Which one you choose depends on your needs and taste.

What is the Difference Between Acrylic Paint and Acrylic Enamel Paint?

The biggest difference between acrylic paint vs enamel is that enamel paint is oil-based. Acrylic paint, on the other hand, is water-based. Acrylic paint offers a matte finish look while enamel paints have a glossy finish. Enamel takes between 6 and 24 to dry while acrylic takes less than 15 min to become waterproof.

What is the Difference Between Alkyd and Acrylic Paint?

In acrylic paints, the thinner and binder are chemicals. Alkyd paint is considered as oil-based because of the same chemical thinners and binders. However, they are not exactly the same as the acrylic thinners and binders. Alkyd paints have thinners made of mineral and alcohol spirits. That is the main difference.

Can You Mix Enamel and Acrylic Paint Together?

You can mix enamel and acrylic paint together. It is okay to apply acrylics over enamels. However, after doing my research, I have discovered that the opposite does not work. If you apply the enamel carefully, without too much thinner, and in smaller places, it is quite possible that it will cover over acrylic paints.

Can I Mix Acrylic Paint with Latex Paint?

Yes, you can mix acrylic paint with latex paint since they are both water-based. Most people prefer not to use house paint for fine arts. It does not last as long as the artist’s paint. However, you can absolutely mix acrylic paint vs latex in order to get a specific texture or color and finish any specific type of project.

Acrylic Paint vs Oil paint

It is not recommendable to mix acrylic paints and oil paints together on your palette before painting on your canvas. It is acceptable to paint oil paints over acrylic paints. However, never paint acrylics over oil.

Acrylic Paint vs Watercolor

I kindly recommend that you mix your acrylic paint and watercolor and examine the outcome on paper. White acrylic works with almost any color, however, you can use whatever color of acrylic paint you like to get unique results. Keep in mind that once the paint is dry, it is less watercolor and more acrylic paint.

Acrylic Paint vs Gouache

Gouache is an opaque water paint that brings a matte finish when dry. Usually, it is used on paper.

However, you can also use it on other surfaces. Acrylic paint, on the other hand, dries fast, has high pigment and provides a matte finish too. Which one you choose depends on your personal needs.

Acrylic Paint vs Poster paint

Acrylic paint is used by artists. It can be watered down and provides permanent, fast-dry results. It is a water-based paint that becomes water-resistant when dry. Poster paint is the best acrylic paint for kids.

Acrylic Paint vs Vinyl paint

Vinyl paint is popular due to its low odor. Acrylic paint is water-based and turns permanent and water-proof when dry. You can use it on various surfaces in order to seal and protect them, unlike vinyl paints.

Acrylic Paint vs Ready mix

As the name says, ready-mix paint is ready to serve you. It is a water-based poster paint which makes it great for learning settings. It is used in the school curriculum and comes in different colors and finishes.

Acrylic Paint vs Cellulose

Cellulose paint can be used for both professional and home use. It is one of the fastest air drying paints on the market. This means that as soon as you apply it, the thinners will start to evaporate leaving a film of paint on the surface. It needs around five coats, unlike 2k paint that needs 3 coats for a proper finish.

Acrylic paint, on the other hand, is permanent, fast drying and versatile. You can use this paint on many surfaces including ceramics, clothes, leather, canvas, paper, wood, glass, skin, fabrics, metal and so on. It can be used in decorating painting techniques and faux finishes in order to decorate any regular objects.

Acrylic Paint vs Fabric paint

The difference between acrylic paint and fabric is that acrylic paint is way thicker. This causes flaking of the paint and stiffness to the fabric. The simplest way to create fabric paint from a basic acrylic paint is to thin it with an acrylic medium. What type of paint you pick depends on your personal painting needs.

Acrylic Paint Ideas

One of the best things about acrylic paint is the blurred nature of most of the shades which opens a lot of possibilities to experiment. You can cover darker shades with light. And on top of all, it dries fast. This makes acrylic paints super flexible and versatile. Painting with acrylics is fun, cheap, and relatively easy.

If you want to learn new techniques on how to paint with acrylic paints or boost your inspiration, please check this article and steal some of their amazing ideas. If you are a beginner, you will adore these ideas.

FAQ

Conclusion

I have listed my hottest picks for acrylic paints and also included my detailed review of each product.

If you want a versatile paint set, PROMOABI Paint Set by Apple Barrel is made for you. However, Liquitex BASICS 48 Tube Acrylic Paint Set is also worth considering while Sax True Flow Heavy Body Acrylic Paint Set is ideal for beginners who are looking for something that delivers high-quality results at a lower cost.

I sincerely hope that you enjoyed reading my acrylic paint reviews and learned more about acrylic paints and how to choose the best acrylic paint for you. Do not forget to share this article with your loved ones.

Also, feel free to ask any questions associated with the topic in the comments or share your experience with any of the sets that I reviewed today. I am sure that other readers will find your comment helpful.