What is the best starter set of acrylic paints and brushes for a beginner artist?

If you're starting acrylic painting from scratch, I’d avoid the huge 50–100-color kits. A smaller, decent-quality paint set plus a handful of good synthetic brushes will teach you much more about mixing and technique.

My recommended beginner setup

1. Paint: Liquitex BASICS

• Liquitex BASICS Acrylic 6 Color Introductory Paint Set - $19.99 (Michaels)

The Liquitex BASICS 6-color set is a particularly good starting point because it is student-grade paint designed for learning color mixing and coverage.Paul Rubens Shop

If you want more colors immediately, the 24-color BASICS set is a convenient step up:

• Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Color Set, 24 Count - $46.99 (Michaels)

I'd choose 6–12 colors if you want to learn mixing, or 24 colors if you mainly want to paint without spending as much time mixing every shade.

2. Brushes: synthetic, not natural hair

You don't need 20 brushes. Look for a synthetic set containing:

• 2–3 rounds — small/medium for details and lines
• 2–3 flats — useful for backgrounds, edges and broad strokes
• 1 filbert — excellent for blending and organic shapes
• 1 small detail/liner brush

A good inexpensive option is the Daler-Rowney Graduate synthetic brush set:

• Daler-Rowney Graduate Classic Synthetic Paintbrushes Set - $14.24 (Michaels)

Synthetic brushes are especially suitable for acrylics because they hold their shape well and are easy to clean.MuseumLink

If you want an inexpensive all-in-one kit

• KINGART Studio Starter Acrylic Painting Art Set - $18.97 (Walmart)
• Mondo Llama 25-Piece Artist Acrylic Starter Set - $25.00 (Target)
• Royal & Langnickel Beginners Acrylic Artist Painting Set - $27.74 (Michaels)

These are convenient because they include paint plus brushes and other supplies. The KINGART set, for example, includes 24 paint tubes, canvas panels, painting knives and a palette. The Mondo Llama kit includes paints, five brushes, canvas panels and a tabletop easel.

For learning to paint seriously, though, I'd spend a little more on the paint/brushes separately rather than prioritizing the number of accessories.

The complete beginner shopping list

• 12-color Liquitex BASICS or similar student-grade acrylics
• 6–8 synthetic brushes in assorted shapes/sizes
• Titanium white — get a larger tube; you'll use a lot of it
• Cheap canvas panels or acrylic paper
• A mixing palette — even a white ceramic plate works
• Two water containers
• Paper towels/rag
• Optional: palette knife for mixing
• Optional: stay-wet palette once you're comfortable

One useful rule: buy fewer colors and better brushes rather than a giant assortment of cheap supplies. Current beginner guides similarly emphasize student-grade paint, a manageable palette, and synthetic brushes rather than huge color collections.Paul Rubens Shop+1

If I were putting together a first kit around $50–70, I'd go with Liquitex BASICS + 6–8 Daler-Rowney synthetic brushes + canvas panels + a palette. That gives you enough quality to learn without buying professional-grade materials before you know what style you enjoy.

For a first acrylic setup, I’d keep it simple rather than buying a giant kit. A good student-grade paint plus 5–6 decent synthetic brushes will let you learn color mixing, blending, layering, and detail without spending a lot.

My beginner setup

• Liquitex BASICS Best Sellers Set of 24 - $50.70 (Opus Art Supplies)

Paint: Liquitex BASICS, 12–24 colors. Liquitex BASICS is a student-quality acrylic with a medium/heavy-bodied consistency, artist-quality pigments, and good versatility. The 12-color set is enough to learn color mixing; 24 colors gives you more room to experiment.Liquitex+1

If you want to spend as little as possible, the 6-color primary set is actually a great learning option: primary red, yellow, blue, plus white, black, and green.Liquitex

• Liquitex BASICS Primary Colors Set - $20.39 (Liquitex)
• Liquitex BASICS 12 Color Set - $34.49 (Michaels)
• Liquitex BASICS 24 Color Set - $50.70 (Opus Art Supplies)

Brushes

I'd get synthetic-bristle brushes in these shapes:

• Round #2 or #4 — details and lines
• Round #8 — general painting
• Flat #6 — edges and medium areas
• Flat #10 or #12 — backgrounds and large areas
• Filbert #6 or #8 — blending and soft edges

You don't need 20 different brushes. A 5–6 brush assortment is plenty to start.

• Liquitex BASICS Brush Set - $14.19 (Liquitex)

The Liquitex set has six nylon brushes designed for soft-to-medium-bodied acrylics.Liquitex

Don't forget these

• A cheap mixing palette — even a white ceramic plate works
• 2 water cups — one for dirty water, one for clean water
• Paper towels/rag
• Canvas panels or acrylic paper for practice
• A small palette knife is optional but fun
• An inexpensive tabletop easel is optional

What I'd buy

For roughly a $50–70 starter setup, I'd choose:

Liquitex BASICS 12-color set + 6-piece synthetic brush set + canvas panels + palette.

That gives you enough quality to actually learn painting without immediately investing in professional-grade paints. Liquitex itself positions BASICS specifically as an economical line for beginners and color-mixing practice.Liquitex+1

One tip: don't feel obligated to buy the biggest color set. Learning to mix colors from a limited palette is one of the most useful skills you can develop early on.

If you tell me your budget (e.g. $30, $50, $100) and whether you want to paint landscapes, portraits, animals, or abstract art, I can put together a specific shopping list.

For a beginner artist, the "best" starter set doesn't mean buying the most expensive professional grade, nor does it mean the cheapest dollar-store craft paint (which is watery and lacks pigment). You want student-grade heavy or medium-body acrylics that behave like real artist paints without breaking the bank.

The ideal setup separates the paint and the brushes so you get reliable quality where it counts.

The Best Starter Acrylic Paints

• Why it’s great: Liquitex is a gold standard in acrylics. The BASICS line is student-grade, meaning it uses fine art pigments with a lighter load than professional tubes, but it still mixes cleanly, has a nice medium viscosity, and dries to a permanent satin finish.

• What to buy: Grab a basic 6-tube or 12-tube introductory set (essential colors: primary red, primary yellow, primary blue, green, white, and black/burnt sienna).

• Why it’s great: A slight step up in buttery consistency and smooth coverage. Galeria acrylics have minimal color shift from wet to dry, making it easier for beginners to judge how their color palette looks as they paint.[1]

The Best Starter Paintbrushes

Avoid ultra-cheap multipacks with plastic bristles that shed into your work. For acrylics, synthetic nylon or synthetic hog bristle brushes are durable, hold a sharp edge, and clean up easily.

Blick Essentials Value Brush Set (or a standard Royal & Langnickel Synthetic Golden Taklon Set)

• Why it’s great: These affordable synthetic sets give you a functional variety of shapes without a massive investment.
• The Essential Shapes You Need: Instead of a 50-piece set, look for a pack containing:
  • A Round (#4 or #6): For fine lines, details, and sketching.
  • A Flat (#6 or #8): For broad strokes, washes, and sharp edges.
  • A Filbert (Medium): A rounded flat brush—the ultimate hybrid for blending and organic shapes like petals or curves.
  • A Bright or Wash brush (3/4" or 1"): For laying down backgrounds or large sky/land areas.

All-in-One Alternative

If you want a complete grab-and-go kit that includes surfaces, brushes, and a table easel to test the waters, the [25pc Artist Acrylic Starter Set from Mondo Llama ](https://www.target.com/p/25pc-artist-acrylic-starter-set-mondo-llama-8482/-/A-81212614) available at Target is a popular, highly rated budget choice for absolute novices.[1]

If you'd like, let me know:

• What subject matter you plan to paint (landscapes, portraits, abstract?)
• Whether you need recommendations for surfaces (canvas vs. mixed media paper)

I can help you round out your supply list!

For a beginner artist, I’d avoid the giant 50–100 color bargain kits and start with a small, good-quality acrylic set plus a few reliable brushes. You’ll learn color mixing faster and the paint will behave more predictably. Student-grade sets like Liquitex BASICS are popular because they use better pigments and consistency than many very cheap craft paints.HobbyStack

Best overall beginner setup (my pick)

Paint

Liquitex BASICS Acrylics 12–24 color set

• Good balance of price, pigment quality, and ease of use
• Thick enough for brush texture but can be thinned with water
• Great for canvas, wood panels, paper, and mixed-media work

A 12-color set is enough to learn; a 24-color set is more comfortable if you don’t want to mix as much.

Brushes

Start with synthetic nylon/taklon brushes (acrylics are hard on natural hair).

A useful beginner brush set:

• #2 round — details, outlines, small shapes
• #6 round — general painting
• ½-inch flat — backgrounds and large shapes
• 1-inch flat — washes and big areas
• Filbert (size 4–8) — soft edges and blending

A budget option like the Royal & Langnickel Super Value Golden Taklon Acrylic Brush Set can cover basic needs without a big investment.

Good alternatives

Best budget “everything in one box”

Royal & Langnickel Beginners Acrylic Artist Painting Set

• Includes paint, brushes, and other starter supplies
• Good if you want to open a box and start immediately

Best low-cost practice kit

Mondo Llama 25pc Artist Acrylic Starter Set

• Includes paints, brushes, canvas panels, and a small easel
• Fine for experimenting before upgrading

More serious beginner upgrade

Daler-Rowney System 3 Original Acrylic Starter Set

• A step up from craft paint
• Good if you already know you want to pursue painting regularly

Colors I’d want in a first palette

If you buy individual tubes, start with:

• Titanium White (buy extra — you’ll use a lot)
• Ivory Black
• Ultramarine Blue
• Phthalo Blue
• Cadmium Yellow Hue
• Yellow Ochre
• Cadmium Red Hue
• Alizarin Crimson Hue
• Burnt Sienna
• Burnt Umber
• Sap Green
• Dioxazine Purple

Also buy:

• A plastic or ceramic palette
• A water cup (a jar works)
• Canvas panels (cheaper than stretched canvas for practice)
• Paper towels/rags
• A spray bottle to keep paint from drying on the palette

My simple shopping list:

1. Liquitex BASICS 12- or 24-color set
2. 5-piece synthetic brush set (rounds + flats + filbert)
3. Small canvas panel pack
4. Palette + cup

That setup is enough to learn techniques for months without needing to upgrade.

For a beginner acrylic artist, the key is finding student-grade supplies that offer a high-quality experience without breaking the bank. Avoid ultra-cheap craft paints (which can be watery, chalky, and frustrating to blend) and instead look for reliable artist-trusted student brands.[1][2]

The best starter combination pairs Liquitex Basics paint with synthetic Taklon or nylon brushes.[1][2]

The Best Starter Paint: Liquitex Basics Acrylic Paint Set

• Why it’s great: Liquitex is a gold standard in acrylics. Their Basics line is student-grade, meaning it uses real fine-art pigments with a slightly lighter load than professional tubes, but retains excellent lightfastness and a creamy, medium viscosity. They blend smoothly and dry to a nice satin finish.[1]
• Which set to get: Grab the Liquitex BASICS Acrylic 12 or 24 Color Set . If you want a smaller entry point, a Liquitex BASICS 6-Color Introductory Set gives you the essential primary colors and white to practice color-mixing.[1][2]
• Alternative option: Winsor & Newton Galeria Acrylic Paint Set or Blick Studio Acrylics Set are similarly vibrant and smooth for beginners.[1]

The Best Starter Brushes: Synthetic Taklon Brushes

• Why it’s great: Acrylic paint ruins natural hair brushes quickly if left to dry. Synthetic Taklon (nylon) brushes are springy, hold a crisp edge, clean up easily with soap and water, and are durable enough for heavy acrylic use.
• Which set to get: Look for a mixed multi-pack that gives you a variety of shapes rather than buying individual brushes. A great option is a [Liquitex BASICS Brush Set ](https://www.artsupply.com/Liquitex-BASICS-Brush-Pack-Set-of-4_p_94026.html) (which typically features a Round for details, a Filbert for soft curved edges, and Flats/Brights for broad strokes and blocks of color). Alternatively, brands like Royal & Langnickel or Princeton Catalyst/Select offer robust, inexpensive synthetic multi-packs.[1]
• Essential shapes to have:
  • Round (Size 4 or 6): For line work and fine details.
  • Flat or Bright (Size 6 or 8): For filling large areas and sharp edges.
  • Filbert (Size 4 or 6): A hybrid flat brush with a rounded tip, incredible for organic shapes, petals, and blending.

If you'd like, let me know:

• What subject matter you plan to paint (e.g., portraits, abstract, landscapes)
• Your approximate budget

I can help narrow down if you need extra tools like a palette knife, specific canvases, or a wet palette!