Acrylic Paint Sets for Beginners: A Complete Buying Guide

Getting started with acrylic painting is an exciting creative journey. But where do you begin? With a jungle of brands, colours, and sizes to navigate, taking the first step can feel daunting. To get off to a great start without breaking the bank, an acrylic paint set is often the simplest and smartest solution.

This guide is here to help you make sense of it all. Our mission: to provide practical, objective advice for choosing the acrylic paint set that truly fits your ambitions, whether you're a budding artist, a student, or simply looking for a new creative hobby.

How to Choose Your First Acrylic Paint Set

Before we unveil our top picks, let's review the key criteria for making the right choice.

1. Colour Count and Versatility

A large number of tubes can be tempting, but it's not necessarily essential when you're starting out.

• A 12-colour set is often more than enough for a beginner. It typically includes the primary colours (yellow, magenta, cyan), white, and black, along with a few secondary hues and earth tones. This provides an excellent foundation for learning colour theory and creating your own shades through mixing.
• A 24-colour set (or larger) offers more convenience, with a wider palette of ready-to-use shades. It's a great option if you'd rather spend less time mixing and more time painting.

2. Paint Quality and Consistency

When starting out, there's no need to invest in professional-grade ("extra-fine") paints, which are much more expensive. "Study" or "fine" quality ranges, like the Art Creation paint from Royal Talens, offer an excellent compromise. They are formulated to be easy to handle, with a buttery consistency that can be used straight from the tube or thinned with water. Talens acrylic paint is known for its reliability and good pigment load in this price range.

3. The All-in-One Kit for a Turnkey Start

If you're starting from scratch, a beginner's acrylic paint kit is the most practical solution. In addition to acrylic paint tubes, these sets often include basic acrylic painting supplies like brushes and a surface (paper or a small canvas). This saves you from having to buy each item separately and ensures everything is perfectly compatible.

Recommended Acrylic Paint Sets

Here are our recommendations, chosen for their excellent value and suitability for the needs of beginners and hobbyists.

1. TALENS Acrylic Paint Set | 12 x 12 ml

The Essentials for Learning the Ropes

Why we love it: This set is the ideal starting point. It offers a balanced palette of 12 essential colours, made in the Netherlands by Royal Talens. A reliable choice for getting acquainted with acrylic techniques and colour mixing.

Highlights:

• Versatile Palette: Contains primary colours and basic hues to tackle a wide variety of subjects.
• Proven Quality: Acrylic resin-based paint with an easy-to-work-with, buttery consistency.
• Quick-Drying and Durable Finish: Dries quickly to a satin finish that is water-resistant once dry.
• Multi-Surface: Adheres to many surfaces like painting on canvas, paper, wood, plaster, or cardboard.

Who is it for? Ideal for absolute beginners, students, and hobbyists looking for a basic, reliable, and budget-friendly acrylic paint set to unleash their creativity.

2. Art Creation Acrylic Paint Set | 24 x 12 ml

More Colours, More Possibilities

Why we love it: With 24 colours, this set offers greater creative freedom right from the start. It includes an extensive range of hues, including two tubes of Titanium White (the most-used colour), allowing you to tackle more ambitious projects without spending all your time mixing.

Highlights:

• Wide Colour Spectrum: 24 carefully selected hues for maximum versatility.
• Ready to Paint: Allows you to focus on technique rather than colour preparation.
• Consistent Texture: The same quality Art Creation paint as the 12-colour set, easy to mix and apply.
• Ideal for Experimentation: Perfect for exploring various styles, from landscapes and portraits to abstract art.

Who is it for? For beginner or amateur artists who want a wider variety of colours from the get-go, or for those looking to upgrade from a small set to a more comprehensive palette.

3. TALENS ART CREATION Combi Set with Brushes and Paper

The All-in-One Kit to Start Painting Immediately

Why we love it: This is the ultimate turnkey solution for anyone who wants to start painting right away. This beginner's acrylic paint kit contains not only 12 basic colours but also 3 suitable brushes and a 15-sheet A4 paper pad specially designed for acrylics.

Highlights:

• Complete Solution: All the necessary acrylic painting supplies are included to get started immediately.
• Ultra-Convenient: No need to hunt for compatible brushes or a surface—everything is in the box.
• A Helping Hand to Start: Includes a QR code leading to tutorials to guide your first steps.
• 100% Compatible Materials: The paints, brushes, and paper are all from the Art Creation range, ensuring perfect synergy.

Who is it for? The ideal gift, or the perfect choice for anyone starting from a blank slate and looking for a simple, guided experience to get into acrylic painting.

Looking for Other Options?

If the products in this selection don't quite meet your needs, or if you want to explore other types of paints and accessories, feel free to browse our dedicated category. There you'll find a wider selection of sets, individual colours, canvases, and brushes to complete your studio.

Discover All Our Painting Supplies

Frequently Asked Questions About Acrylic Paint

What supplies do I need to start acrylic painting?

To get started on the right foot, here is the essential equipment:

• An acrylic paint set (12 colours is a good starting point).
• A few brushes in different sizes and shapes (a flat and a round one to start).
• A surface, like an acrylic paper pad or a canvas.
• A palette for mixing your colours (a simple ceramic plate or a tile will do just fine).
• A water container for rinsing brushes.

A beginner's acrylic paint kit like the Talens Art Creation Combi Set is an excellent option, as it includes most of these items.

What is the difference between Art Creation paint and other ranges?

The Art Creation range by Royal Talens is what's known as a "study" (or "fine") quality paint. It is specifically designed to offer an excellent balance between quality and price. Its pigment load is reliable, its texture is pleasant to work with, and its price point makes it perfect for beginners, students, and hobbyists who use larger quantities of paint for practice.

Can these paints be used directly on a canvas?

Yes, absolutely. Acrylic paint is known for its great versatility. The paints in the featured sets adhere perfectly to many surfaces, provided they are clean and grease-free. They are particularly well-suited for painting on canvas, but also work very well on thick paper, cardboard, wood, and even stone.