The best acrylic paint sets balance a useful color range with the amount of paint and tools your projects need. These picks include traditional colors, larger tubes, metallic and iridescent finishes, and sets suited to learning color mixing.
Quick Top Products
U.S. Art Supply 72 Color Acrylic Paint Set
- Includes 72 colors in 12ml tubes.
- Works across canvas, wood, fabric, and paper.
- Includes a double-sided color mixing wheel.
Best For: Artists and students who want a wide palette for canvas and mixed craft projects.
U.S. Art Supply 36 Color Acrylic Paint Set
- Provides 36 colors in 12ml tubes.
- Suitable for canvas, wood, fabric, and paper.
- Includes a double-sided color mixing wheel.
Best For: Beginners and students looking for a varied, compact set with color-learning support.
U.S. Art Supply 12 Color Acrylic Paint Set, 75ml
- Includes 12 colors in 75ml tubes.
- Features familiar shades such as cobalt blue and titanium white.
- Works on canvas, wood, fabric, and paper.
Best For: Painters who prefer a compact traditional palette in larger tubes for regular use.
U.S. Art Supply 24 Color Acrylic Paint Set
- Includes 24 colors in 12ml tubes.
- Works on canvas, wood, fabric, and paper.
- Comes with a double-sided color mixing wheel.
Best For: New painters who want a moderate range of colors and a mixing wheel for practice.
U.S. Art Supply 24 Color Outdoor Acrylic Set
- Includes 24 colors in 2oz bottles.
- Includes seven flat and round nylon brushes.
- Paint is intended for indoor and outdoor projects.
Best For: Crafters painting rocks, wood, toys, and canvas who want brushes in the set.
U.S. Art Supply 12 Color Metallic Acrylic Set
- Includes 12 metallic colors in 75ml tubes.
- Suitable for canvas, wood, pottery, and rock surfaces.
- Paint is water-based and intended for layering or mixing.
Best For: Artists and crafters seeking metallic colors in larger tubes for accents and decorative work.
U.S. Art Supply 12 Color Iridescent Acrylic Set
- Includes 12 iridescent colors in 75ml tubes.
- Colors have shimmering, color-shifting properties.
- Includes a double-sided color mixing wheel.
Best For: Artists wanting color-shifting, pearlescent effects across canvas and craft surfaces.
U.S. Art Supply 36 Color Metallic Acrylic Set
- Includes 36 metallic colors in 18ml tubes.
- The colors include pearlescent and iridescent finishes.
- The paint is intended for canvas, wood, pottery, and rocks.
Best For: Artists and crafters who want many metallic shades for varied decorative projects.
Broadest Traditional Color Range
U.S. Art Supply 72 Color Professional Acrylic Paint Set in 12ml Tubes - Art Painting Supplies for Adults, Artists, Students, Beginners - Canvas Portrait Paintings
This set pairs 72 colors with 12ml tubes, making it a broad traditional palette. The paints are water-based and highly pigmented, with a smooth consistency and covering strength.
They suit canvas, wood, fabric, paper, and other art media, so the range can serve painting practice as well as crafts. A double-sided color mixing wheel adds terminology and color theory guidance.
The tubes are compact, so the appeal is breadth rather than large quantities of each color.
Best For: Artists and students who want a wide palette for canvas and mixed craft projects.
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Choose this set if having many traditional colors matters more than getting larger amounts of each one. Its 12ml tubes and broad surface range suit practice, studies, and projects that use varied hues.
The mixing wheel also makes it a useful option for learners building color theory skills. Before buying, consider how often you use a small core palette: a smaller color selection may be simpler if you prefer fewer choices, while a metallic set is a better fit for shimmer.
Compact Palette with Mixing Guide
U.S. Art Supply 36 Color Professional Acrylic Paint Set in 12ml Tubes - Art Painting Supplies for Adults, Artists, Students, Beginners - Canvas Portrait Paintings
With 36 colors in 12ml tubes, this set offers a middle ground between a compact starter palette and a very broad assortment. The paints are water-based, highly pigmented, and described as having a smooth consistency and covering strength.
They work on canvas, wood, fabric, paper, and other art media. A double-sided color mixing wheel covers color terminology and definitions, giving students and beginners a reference while experimenting.
As with other small-tube sets, the quantity per color may be a consideration for larger paintings or repeated use of favorite shades.
Best For: Beginners and students looking for a varied, compact set with color-learning support.
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Pick this option if you want many color choices while keeping the set in small tubes. The included mixing wheel makes it especially relevant for learners and classroom art activities.
The main tradeoff is quantity per color: consider how often you paint large canvases or return to the same shades. Its listed surfaces also make it suitable for mixed art and craft work.
Large Tubes for Core Colors
U.S. Art Supply 12 Color Set of Acrylic Oil Paint 75ml Tubes - High Opacity, Strong Tinting Strength, Oil Paints for Canvas Painting, Wood & Media
This 12-color set focuses on a familiar artist palette, with each color supplied in an extra-large 75ml tube. Named shades include cobalt blue, crimson, lemon yellow, titanium white, lamp black, and burnt umber, alongside other useful colors.
The water-based acrylics are described as highly pigmented, smooth, and strong in coverage. They are suitable for canvas, wood, fabric, paper, and other art media.
Compared with small-tube assortments, this option gives more paint per color but fewer distinct shades, so it suits painters comfortable mixing colors from a core palette.
Best For: Painters who prefer a compact traditional palette in larger tubes for regular use.
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Choose this set if you prefer a small collection of core colors and want larger tubes for each shade. The named palette includes several familiar mixing colors, and the paint works across common art surfaces.
It is less suited to someone who wants many ready-to-use shades or a specialized finish such as metallic or iridescent. Check whether the specific palette fits your work before buying, especially if you rely on colors outside the named set.
24-Color Starter Selection
U.S. Art Supply 24 Color Professional Acrylic Paint Set in 12ml Tubes - Art Painting Supplies for Adults, Artists, Students, Beginners - Canvas Portrait Paintings
This 24-color set uses 12ml tubes and includes a double-sided color mixing wheel. Its water-based acrylic paint is highly pigmented, smooth, and strong in covering.
It can be used on canvas, wood, fabric, paper, and other art media, covering painting and craft projects alike. The set is positioned for adults, artists, students, beginners, and teachers.
Its color count offers a moderate selection, while its smaller tubes are worth considering if you expect frequent use.
Best For: New painters who want a moderate range of colors and a mixing wheel for practice.
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This is a practical choice if you want a moderate selection without moving to a larger color palette. The included mixing wheel supports experimentation, and the paints cover common craft and painting surfaces.
The 12ml tubes favor variety over volume. Consider whether you would rather have more of a smaller core palette, or choose a larger color selection if having more ready-to-use hues matters most.
Outdoor Crafts with Brushes Included
U.S. Art Supply Professional 24 Color Outdoor Acrylic Paint Set, 2oz Bottles, with 7 Brush Kit - Vivid Colors for Painting Canvas, Rocks, Wood Crafts, Toys
This 24-color outdoor acrylic set includes 2oz bottles and a seven-brush kit, so it combines paint with a useful selection of flat and round nylon brushes. The water-based colors are described as vivid and weather-resistant, with canvas, rocks, wood, toys, and crafts among the intended uses.
A color mixing wheel with artist terms and definitions is included as well. The outdoor focus and bottle format make it distinct from the tube-based studio assortments.
Check that its use and finish suit the particular surface and project you have in mind.
Best For: Crafters painting rocks, wood, toys, and canvas who want brushes in the set.
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Choose this set for craft projects where the included brushes and outdoor-use focus are useful. It supplies 24 colors in 2oz bottles and names rocks, wood, canvas, and toys among its surfaces.
The brush kit and mixing wheel add tools that the tube assortments do not emphasize. If your work is primarily indoor canvas painting, consider whether you need the outdoor-oriented formula and bundled brushes, or whether a traditional tube set better fits your setup.
Large-Tube Metallic Finish
U.S. Art Supply Professional Metallic Acrylic Paint Set - 12 Rich Metallic Colors, 75ml Tubes - Craft Paint for Canvas, Wood, Rock, Model Painting
This metallic set contains 12 colors in 75ml tubes, giving it a specialized finish and larger format than compact metallic assortments. The water-based paint is described as smooth, richly pigmented, and suited to canvas, wood, pottery, and rocks.
It is intended for layering and mixing, with metallic shades for shiny accents or decorative surfaces. The product notes also refer to heavy-body consistency, although the precise texture may matter for your technique.
This is not a conventional palette replacement if you need a broad range of standard colors; it focuses on metallic effects instead.
Best For: Artists and crafters seeking metallic colors in larger tubes for accents and decorative work.
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Pick this set when metallic effects are central to the project and you want larger tubes for repeated accents or decorative work. It covers canvas and several craft surfaces, including pottery and rocks.
The tradeoff is its specialized palette: it supplements a traditional acrylic set more naturally than it replaces one for general color work. Check whether the color range and heavy-body feel match your planned technique before choosing it.
Color-Shifting Pearl Effects
U.S. Art Supply 12-Color Iridescent Acrylic Paint Set Large 75ml Tubes - Luminescent, Chameleon, Color-Shifting Pearl Colors, Crafting Paints - Iridescent Paint Acrylics for Canvas, Wood, Rock, Paper
This set specializes in iridescent paint, with 12 color-shifting shades in 75ml tubes. Its water-based acrylics are described as highly pigmented, smooth, and able to cover well, with shimmering chameleon effects.
Named colors include interference pearls and shades that shift between colors such as aqua and violet or blue and gold. The paint is suited to canvas, wood, fabric, paper, rocks, and other media.
It includes a double-sided color mixing wheel. Because the finish is the main draw, consider it for accents or work built around luminous effects rather than as a standard palette.
Best For: Artists wanting color-shifting, pearlescent effects across canvas and craft surfaces.
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Choose this option when luminous, color-shifting effects are a deliberate part of the artwork. It offers 12 shades in 75ml tubes and works across canvas and several craft surfaces.
The mixing wheel is an extra learning aid, but the palette’s specialized finish is the main reason to buy. If you need everyday base colors, pair this with a traditional acrylic set or select a standard palette instead.
Wide Metallic Shade Selection
U.S. Art Supply 36-Color Metallic Acrylic Paint Set - 18ml Tubes - Acrylic Paint for Canvas Painting, Wood Crafts & Rock Painting - Color Mixing Wheel
This metallic set offers 36 colors in 18ml tubes, combining a wide selection with compact tubes. The paints are heavy body, richly pigmented, and provide smooth blending and coverage.
Their finish includes pearlescent and iridescent effects, with silver, gold, and copper tones among the range. Intended surfaces include canvas, wood, pottery, and rocks, as well as outdoor crafts and detailed model work.
The set is designed for all skill levels. Its tube size makes color variety the priority over larger amounts of each shade.
Best For: Artists and crafters who want many metallic shades for varied decorative projects.
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This set suits projects that benefit from many metallic shades, including detailed models and craft surfaces. It gives you 36 colors in 18ml tubes, so it trades quantity per shade for a wider selection.
The pearlescent and iridescent finishes add variety within that specialized palette. Consider whether compact tubes suit your needs if you use a few colors in larger quantities; choose a traditional acrylic set if metallic effects are only occasional.
How to Choose Acrylic Paint Sets
How We Picked Acrylic Paint Sets
We selected sets that provide acrylic colors for painting and crafts, then considered the range, tube or bottle format, specialized finishes, included tools, and intended surfaces. That yields distinct choices: broad traditional palettes for mixing and studies, larger tubes for a compact core palette, outdoor-oriented craft paint with brushes, and metallic or iridescent options for decorative effects.
The candidates also vary in how much choice comes with each color. Small tubes let a set include more hues, while larger tubes supply more paint per shade.
We kept those differences visible so readers can match the set to their work rather than treating color count alone as a measure of fit.
Comparing Acrylic Paint Sets
Start with the finish you need. Traditional acrylic sets are the most flexible for general color work, while metallic paints add shine and the iridescent set shifts color for luminous effects.
A specialized finish can be useful for accents or a project built around shimmer, but it does not provide the same conventional palette as a standard set.
Next compare format and color count. The 72-color U.S. Art Supply set supplies many hues in 12ml tubes; the 12-color set uses 75ml tubes for a smaller palette in larger amounts.
The 36-color metallic set has 18ml tubes, while its 12-color metallic counterpart has 75ml tubes. Those distinctions matter if you mix often, paint large areas, or mainly need accent shades.
Included tools may also tip the decision. Several sets include a color mixing wheel, and the outdoor craft set adds seven brushes.
For painting rocks, wood, or other craft surfaces, check that the stated surface uses and indoor or outdoor focus suit the item and project. For canvas practice, weigh palette breadth against how much paint you want in frequently used colors.
| Product | Standout features | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Art Supply 72 Color Acrylic Paint SetCheck Price |
| Artists and students who want a wide palette for canvas and mixed craft projects. |
| U.S. Art Supply 36 Color Acrylic Paint SetCheck Price |
| Beginners and students looking for a varied, compact set with color-learning support. |
| U.S. Art Supply 12 Color Acrylic Paint Set, 75mlCheck Price |
| Painters who prefer a compact traditional palette in larger tubes for regular use. |
| U.S. Art Supply 24 Color Acrylic Paint SetCheck Price |
| New painters who want a moderate range of colors and a mixing wheel for practice. |
| U.S. Art Supply 24 Color Outdoor Acrylic SetCheck Price |
| Crafters painting rocks, wood, toys, and canvas who want brushes in the set. |
| U.S. Art Supply 12 Color Metallic Acrylic SetCheck Price |
| Artists and crafters seeking metallic colors in larger tubes for accents and decorative work. |
| U.S. Art Supply 12 Color Iridescent Acrylic SetCheck Price |
| Artists wanting color-shifting, pearlescent effects across canvas and craft surfaces. |
| U.S. Art Supply 36 Color Metallic Acrylic SetCheck Price |
| Artists and crafters who want many metallic shades for varied decorative projects. |
Choosing a Palette for Canvas and Crafts
For learning to mix colors, a traditional acrylic palette with the color mixing wheel offers useful structure. The 24- and 36-color options keep the range moderate, while the 72-color assortment puts more ready-made hues at hand.
The 12-color 75ml set suits painters who prefer core colors and expect to mix their own variations.
For craft painting, surface and finish can guide the choice. The outdoor set includes brushes and names rocks, wood, canvas, and toys among its uses.
The metallic sets name wood, pottery, and rocks, while the iridescent set also lists fabric and paper. These uses help narrow the options, but check the specific application and surface preparation for the project.
Who Should Buy Which Acrylic Paint Set?
Choose the 72-color traditional set if palette breadth is the priority, or the 12-color 75ml set if larger quantities of a compact core palette fit your practice. The 24- or 36-color small-tube sets offer an in-between assortment, and their mixing wheel can support beginners and students.
Choose the outdoor 24-color kit when the included brushes and craft focus suit your work. For shiny accents, compare the 12-color 75ml metallic set with the 36-color 18ml metallic set by quantity per shade versus selection.
Choose the iridescent set for color-shifting pearl effects. Match the set to the surface and finish you plan to use most.