How to choose acrylic paints
Updated June 2026Independently researchedNo paid placement.
The best acrylic paint for you depends on your skill level and project goals: artist-grade paints offer richer pigment and better lightfastness, while student-grade paints are budget-friendly for practice. Look for paints labeled with high pigment load and good lightfastness ratings, and choose a consistency, heavy body, fluid, or ink, that matches your technique.
What to look for when buying acrylic paint
Start by checking the lightfastness rating, which tells you how well the color resists fading over time. Professional-grade paints usually rate I or II on the ASTM scale, while student lines may skip this info entirely. Next, look at pigment load, higher pigment concentration means more vibrant mixes and better coverage, but also a higher price. Also consider the binder quality. Cheap paints often use more filler and less acrylic polymer, leading to weak films and poor adhesion. Well-made paints feel buttery and hold brush strokes well. A quick test: if the paint feels chalky or separates easily in the tube, it’s likely low quality.
Student-grade vs artist-grade: what’s the difference?
Student-grade paints are priced affordably and use less pigment, often replacing it with extenders. They’re great for learning color theory or for large practice pieces where paint volume matters more than longevity. However, they may have fewer pigment options and lower lightfastness, so pieces might not keep their color as long. Artist-grade (or professional-grade) paints contain more pure pigment and fewer fillers. Colors are richer, mixes stay cleaner, and the paint handles more predictably. If you’re selling your work or aiming for archival quality, artist-grade is worth the investment. Many artists mix both, using student-grade for underpaintings and artist-grade for final layers.
Heavy body, fluid, or acrylic ink? Which consistency is right?
Heavy body acrylics have a thick, buttery consistency that holds peaks and brush marks, ideal for impasto and palette knife work. Fluid acrylics pour like heavy cream and are perfect for glazing, airbrushing, or detail work with a fine brush. Acrylic inks are even thinner, with intense pigment, and work well for washes, calligraphy, or pouring techniques. Your choice depends on your painting style. If you like thick textures, go heavy body. For smooth gradients and fine lines, fluid is better. Inks are best for watercolor-like effects and clean lines. Many brands offer the same pigment in different consistencies, so you can mix them to adjust viscosity without changing color.
Do I need a specific brand?
You don’t need to stick to one brand, but certain companies are known for consistent quality. For artist-grade paints, brands like Golden, Liquitex, and Winsor & Newton have strong reputations for pigment load and lightfastness. For student-grade, Liquitex Basics and Arteza offer good value without terrible compromises. That said, brand loyalty can be less important than the specific line within a brand. A brand’s student line behaves differently from its professional line. The best approach is to read reviews from other painters and try a few single tubes before committing to a full set. Most brands list their exact pigments and lightfastness ratings on the label or website.
How do I choose the right finish?
Acrylic paints come in gloss, matte, and satin finishes. Gloss paints dry shiny and make colors pop, but they show brush strokes and imperfections more clearly. Matte paints give a flat, velvety look that minimizes texture but can make dark colors appear slightly chalky. Satin is a middle ground, slight sheen without being too reflective. Your choice depends on the final look you want and where the painting will be displayed. Many artists use a mix: gloss for highlights and matte for shadows, then seal with a varnish of their preferred finish. You can also buy gloss or matte medium to mix into any paint to adjust the finish without changing the pigment.
Acrylic paint sets vs individual tubes: which is better?
Sets are convenient and often cost less per milliliter, especially if you’re just starting out. A set of 10–12 colors gives you a solid palette, though it might include some shades you never use. Individual tubes let you build exactly the palette you want, which saves money in the long run if you stick to a few go-to colors. If you’re a beginner, a small set of student-grade paints is a smart way to explore without a big investment. As you develop, replace the colors you use most with artist-grade tubes. Some online retailers sell open-stock tubes, so you can buy only what you need.
Frequently asked questions
Is expensive acrylic paint worth it?
For serious or archival work, expensive artist-grade paint is worth it because of higher pigment load and better lightfastness. For practice or one-off projects, budget-friendly student-grade paint works fine and lets you use more paint without worry.
Can I mix acrylic paints from different brands?
Yes, you can mix different brands, but pay attention to consistency and binder chemistry, heavy body from one brand may behave differently with fluid from another. When in doubt, mix small amounts first to see how they combine.
How do I store acrylic paint to make it last?
Keep tubes tightly capped and store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. For paint left on a palette, use a stay-wet palette or mist with water and cover to delay drying. Never freeze acrylic paint, as the emulsion can break.
What’s the difference between acrylic paint and oil paint?
Acrylics dry quickly and are water-soluble while wet, making cleanup easy and layering fast. Oils dry slowly, allowing for blending and reworking over days or weeks. Acrylics are more durable and flexible, while oils offer a longer working time and a different sheen.
Do I need to use a primer?
On porous surfaces like raw canvas or wood, a primer (gesso) seals the surface and improves paint adhesion and color brilliance. On pre-primed canvases or non-porous surfaces like glass or plastic, you can skip it but may need a medium to help the paint stick.
Can acrylic paint be used on fabric without medium?
Yes, but it will be stiff and may crack over time. For soft, flexible fabric painting, mix acrylics with a textile medium or use paints specifically formulated for fabric. Without medium, the paint will stay put but feels like plastic.