Acrylic paints are a favorite among artists due to their versatility, fast drying time, and vibrant pigments. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, choosing the right acrylic paint can significantly impact your artwork’s quality and longevity. In this guide, we’ll explore the best acrylic paints available, considering factors like pigmentation, consistency, price, and application.
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What to Look for in Acrylic Paints
Before diving into the best brands, here are some key features to consider when selecting acrylic paints:
- Pigmentation: Higher pigment concentration results in richer, more vibrant colors.
- Viscosity: Acrylic paints come in soft body, heavy body, and fluid consistencies, each suited for different techniques.
- Lightfastness: The ability of paint to resist fading over time.
- Opacity vs. Transparency: Some colors are more opaque, while others have a more translucent effect.
- Drying Time: Some acrylics dry quickly, while others offer extended working time.
- Price & Availability: Professional-grade acrylics are more expensive, but student-grade options are available for budget-conscious artists.
Top Acrylic Paint Brands
Here are the best acrylic paints based on quality, application, and value.
1. Golden Heavy Body Acrylics Mixing Set – Best for Professionals
Golden Heavy Body Acrylics are esteemed in the art community for their exceptional quality, offering artists a rich, buttery consistency and vibrant pigments. The Mixing Set, comprising 12 carefully selected colors, provides a versatile palette suitable for both beginners and seasoned professionals.
Key Features:
- High Pigment Load: Each color is formulated with pure pigments, ensuring vibrant and consistent hues without fillers or extenders.
- Consistency: The paints have a thick, buttery texture, ideal for retaining brushstrokes and palette knife textures.
- Lightfastness: These acrylics offer excellent lightfastness, ensuring artwork remains vibrant over time.
- Mixing Potential: The selection of warm and cool primary colors allows for a broad spectrum of color mixing possibilities.
Pros:
- High Pigment Load: Delivers intense and vibrant colors.
- Versatility: Suitable for various techniques, from glazing to impasto.
- Durability: Dries to a flexible, non-cracking finish.
Cons:
- Price Point: Higher cost compared to student-grade acrylics.
- Drying Time: Fast drying can be challenging for blending, though this can be mitigated with the included Gloss Glazing Liquid.
User Feedback:
Users have praised the set for its color richness and smooth application. One reviewer noted, “Golden heavy-body acrylic paints are worth the money and buying this set is a good way to get started with a useful base of colors.”
Conclusion:
The Golden Heavy Body Acrylics Mixing Set offers exceptional quality, making it a valuable addition to any artist’s toolkit. While the investment is higher, the results in color vibrancy and paint performance justify the cost for those seeking professional-grade materials.
ng2. Liquitex Professional Heavy Body Acrylics – Best All-Around
The Liquitex Professional Heavy Body Acrylic Paint Set stands out as a top choice for artists seeking high-quality, versatile acrylics. This set includes twelve 59 ml (2 oz) tubes of vibrant colors, offering a comprehensive palette suitable for various artistic endeavors.
Key Features:
- High Viscosity: The thick, buttery consistency is ideal for retaining brush strokes and knife marks, making it perfect for impasto techniques.
- Pure Pigments: Formulated with high concentrations of artist-quality pigments, these paints deliver rich, permanent color with excellent clarity and vibrancy.
- Archival Quality: The paints are highly flexible, durable, non-yellowing, UV-resistant, and water-resistant when dry, ensuring the longevity of your artwork.
Pros:
- Versatility: Suitable for various techniques, including thick applications and smooth blending.
- Mixability: Intermixable with other Liquitex products and mediums, allowing for extensive creative possibilities.
- Durability: Dries to a flexible, crack-free finish, ensuring the longevity of your artwork.
Cons:
- Price Point: Higher cost compared to student-grade acrylics, which may be a consideration for beginners.
- Drying Time: The thick consistency may require the addition of water or mediums to achieve desired fluidity, and blending can take patience.
User Feedback:
Artists have praised the set for its exceptional quality and performance. One reviewer noted, “These are some of the best paints that I use. They have a huge amount of colors to select from; you also can make your own colors, which I do quite often. I love the texture of them.”
Conclusion:
The Liquitex Professional Heavy Body Acrylic Paint Set offers artists a robust and versatile selection of colors with high pigment concentration and a satisfying consistency. While the investment is higher, the quality and performance make it a worthwhile addition to any artist’s collection.
3. Winsor & Newton Artists’ Acrylic 12-Tube Set – Best for Precision
The Winsor & Newton Artists’ Acrylic 12-Tube Set is a professional-grade collection designed for artists seeking high-quality acrylic paints. Each tube contains 20 ml of richly pigmented color, offering a versatile palette suitable for various artistic applications.
Key Features:
High Pigment Load: These acrylics are formulated with a high concentration of pigments, resulting in vibrant and intense colors.
Buttery Consistency: The paints have a smooth, buttery texture, allowing for easy blending and application.
Minimal Color Shift: Designed to maintain color integrity as they dry, reducing the common issue of color shift in acrylics.
Pros:
- Vibrant Colors: The high pigment concentration ensures bright and vivid hues.
- Smooth Application: The buttery consistency facilitates seamless blending and layering.
- Reduced Color Shift: Minimal change in color from wet to dry enhances accuracy in color mixing and application.
Cons:
- Price Point: These professional-grade paints are priced higher than student-grade options.
- Viscosity: Some artists may find the consistency slightly thinner compared to other heavy-body acrylics.
User Feedback:
Artists have praised the set for its high pigmentation and smooth texture, noting that the paints are easy to blend and work with. However, some users have mentioned that the consistency is slightly thinner than other heavy-body acrylics, which may affect certain techniques.
Conclusion:
The Winsor & Newton Artists’ Acrylic 12-Tube Set offers professional-quality paints with vibrant colors and a smooth application. While the investment is higher, the minimal color shift and ease of use make it a valuable addition to any artist’s collection.
4. Amsterdam Standard Series Acrylic Paint Primary Set (5 x 120 ml)
The Amsterdam Standard Series Acrylic Paint Primary Set is a versatile choice for artists seeking quality acrylics at an affordable price point. This set includes five 120 ml tubes of essential colors, providing a solid foundation for color mixing and various painting techniques.
Key Features:
- Medium Viscosity: Offers a balance between fluidity and thickness, suitable for both detailed work and broader strokes.
- High-Quality Pigments: Ensures vibrant colors with good lightfastness, maintaining the artwork’s longevity.
- 100% Acrylic Resin Binder: Provides a durable and flexible paint film with a uniform satin finish.
Pros:
- Affordability: Provides good quality at a budget-friendly price, making it accessible for beginners and students.
- Versatile Application: Suitable for various surfaces, including canvas, paper, wood, and more.
- Mixing Potential: The primary colors included allow for extensive color mixing possibilities.amsterdam-
Cons:
- Transparency: Some users have noted that certain colors may be more transparent than expected, requiring additional layers for full opacity.
- Pigment Strength: Compared to professional-grade paints, the pigment load may be lower, affecting color intensity.
User Feedback:
Artists appreciate the set for its vibrant colors and smooth application. One reviewer mentioned that the colors are bold, intense, and true to the tube, allowing for the desired impact and depth in artwork. However, some users have observed that certain colors, particularly reds and yellows, may be less opaque and require multiple layers to achieve the desired coverage.
Conclusion:
The Amsterdam Standard Series Acrylic Paint Primary Set offers a reliable and cost-effective option for artists looking to explore acrylic painting. While it may not match the pigment intensity of higher-end brands, its versatility and affordability make it a valuable addition to any artist’s toolkit, especially for those beginning their artistic journey or working on larger projects where budget considerations are essential.
5. Caliart 24 Colors Acrylic Paint Set with 12 Brushes
The Caliart 24 Colors Acrylic Paint Set is a comprehensive kit that caters to artists, students, and hobbyists alike. This set includes 24 vibrant colors in 59 ml (2 oz) bottles, accompanied by 12 versatile brushes, providing a complete package for various painting projects.
Key Features:
- Rich Pigmentation: Each color boasts high pigment concentration, ensuring vivid and lasting hues that enhance the depth and vibrancy of your artwork.
- Versatile Application: Suitable for use on multiple surfaces, including canvas, ceramic, wood, fabric, and more, making it ideal for diverse art and craft projects.
- Non-Toxic and Safe: The paints are non-toxic, conforming to safety standards, making them suitable for artists of all ages.
Pros:
- Comprehensive Kit: The inclusion of 12 varied brushes alongside the paints provides a ready-to-use set for artists, eliminating the need for separate purchases.
- Affordable Quality: Offers a balance between quality and affordability, making it accessible for beginners and professionals seeking cost-effective art supplies.
- Smooth Consistency: The paints have a smooth texture, allowing for easy blending and application, suitable for various techniques.
Cons:
- Drying Time: Some users have noted that the paints dry relatively quickly, which may require the use of retarders for extended blending time.
- Opacity Variations: Certain lighter colors may require multiple layers to achieve full opacity, depending on the surface and desired effect.
User Feedback:
Users have praised the set for its vibrant colors and the convenience of having an assortment of brushes included. One reviewer mentioned that the colors are rich and the variety is impressive, making it suitable for various projects. However, some users have observed that certain colors may need additional layering to achieve the desired coverage.
Conclusion:
The Caliart 24 Colors Acrylic Paint Set with 12 Brushes offers a versatile and cost-effective solution for artists and crafters. Its rich pigmentation and wide color range make it suitable for various applications, from fine art to DIY crafts. While some colors may require layering for full opacity, the overall quality and value make this set a commendable choice for both beginners and experienced artists.
Tips for Using Acrylic Paints
- Use a Stay-Wet Palette: Prevents paint from drying out too quickly.
- Thin with Water or Mediums: Adjust consistency based on your needs.
- Work in Layers: Acrylics dry fast, so layering can add depth.
- Seal Your Work: Use a varnish to protect finished paintings.
FAQs on the Best Acrylic Paints for Artists
1. What is the best artist-quality acrylic paint?
The best artist-quality acrylic paint depends on personal preferences, painting techniques, and budget. However, Golden Heavy Body Acrylics is widely regarded as the top choice for professional artists due to its high pigment concentration, buttery consistency, and excellent lightfastness. Other highly recommended brands include Liquitex Professional Heavy Body, Winsor & Newton Artists’ Acrylics, and Amsterdam Expert Series for their superior color performance and durability.
2. What do most professional artists paint with?
Most professional artists use high-viscosity, artist-grade acrylic paints from brands such as Golden, Liquitex, and Winsor & Newton. These paints offer rich pigmentation, smooth consistency, and excellent lightfastness to ensure long-lasting artwork. Professional artists also use specialized acrylic mediums to modify drying times, increase texture, or enhance transparency. Additionally, some artists prefer slow-drying acrylics, like Golden OPEN Acrylics, for extended blending time.
3. How can you tell if acrylic paint is high quality?
To determine if acrylic paint is high quality, look for the following factors:
Pigment Load: Artist-grade acrylics contain a higher concentration of pure pigments without fillers, leading to stronger colors and better coverage.
Opacity & Transparency: High-quality paints indicate whether they are opaque, semi-opaque, or transparent, allowing artists to control layering and blending.
Lightfastness Rating: Artist-quality paints have excellent lightfastness ratings (ASTM I or II), ensuring colors remain vibrant over time.
Consistency & Texture: Professional acrylics have a smooth, thick texture that holds brushstrokes well, while student-grade paints may feel watery or streaky.
Color Shift: Lower-quality acrylics may darken or become dull when dry, whereas premium acrylics maintain color vibrancy from wet to dry.
4. What is the best 100% acrylic paint?
If you’re looking for the best 100% acrylic paint that is made with pure acrylic resin, the top choices include:
Golden Heavy Body Acrylics – Offers exceptional pigment load, rich texture, and long-lasting durability.
Liquitex Professional Heavy Body Acrylics – Known for smooth application and flexibility when dry.
Winsor & Newton Artists’ Acrylics – Features high lightfastness and minimal color shift.
Amsterdam Expert Series – Affordable yet high-quality, highly pigmented, and versatile for various surfaces.
These paints contain pure acrylic resin, ensuring strong adhesion, flexibility, and longevity without cracking or fading.
Conclusion
The best acrylic paint depends on your experience level, budget, and painting style. Golden and Liquitex are top choices for professionals, while Amsterdam and Blick offer great budget options. Consider your needs and experiment with different brands to find your perfect match.