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Photo:Stock Photosfrom Anna Kucherova/ShutterstockThis post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please readour disclosurefor more info.
When it comes to acrylic pigments, however, the choices can be daunting.
Before getting started, however, it’s worth understanding what acrylic paint is.
This popular punch in of paint is made from pigments suspended in acrylic polymer.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom jannoon028/Shutterstock
Water soluble when wet, they become water-resistant when dry.
This is what makes itdifferent than oil paint, where pigments are suspended in oil.
Available in a wide range of price points, acrylics are used by beginners and professional artists.
Winsor & Newton| $18.22
Their versatility makes them the perfect choice for everything from crafts to fine art canvases.
Here’s a quick rundown of how they affect the medium.
Quality
Many art suppliesincluding acrylic paintscome in two grades:professional(or artist) andstudent quality.
Liquitex| $39.25
So, why wouldnt you opt for artist-grade supplies?
One big reason is that theyre more expensive than the student version.
Once youre sure that you love acrylics, upgrade to the professional version.
Blick| $4.67+
Over time doesnt mean a weekwere talking about 20 years.
ASTM International, a global standards development organization, classifies acrylic paint based on its permanence.
A rating of ASTM I means that it has Excellent Lightfastness.
Golden Artist Colors| $22.61
Similarly, a manufacturer might rate their paints AA, A, and so on.
In this case, AA is the best.
(This information is available on the packaging.)
Golden Artist Colors| $28.90
Are you going for traditional painting on canvas, or are you trying to mimicwatercolor techniques?
Depending on your intended use, youll have to pick paint accordingly.
Hue
Heres the most fun part of selecting acrylic paintpicking out thecolor!
Utrecht| $6.26+
That way, you wont be overwhelmed when learning the ins and outs of the medium.
Don’t be overwhelmed by picking the correct acrylic paint.
Here are 14 of the best acrylic paint brands for all levels of artist.
Sennelier| $28.46
The pigments have a smooth consistency thats akin to oil paint.
This makes it ideal for traditional painting, impasto, and mixed media.
Artists can choose from 60 highly pigmented colorsincluding metallics and fluorescentsthat have a buttery, oil-paint-like texture.
Chroma Atelier| $51.48
This set is great for those who have worked with acrylics before.
Its thinner consistency is great for spraying, staining, or using a watercolor approach to acrylics.
There are also eight cadmium-free colors for artists looking for safer alternatives to traditional cadmium paints.
Holbein| $21.95+
And, moreover, this inexpensive packaging also helps bring down the cost of these highly pigmented acrylics.
This set features pigments that stay open longer, meaning they retain wetness and malleability.
Interestingly, they can be used either on their own as a medium or a colored ground or gesso.
M. Graham| $45.71
Each tube features an intensely pigmented color with lightfastness that is impervious to aging.
Avoid them for impasto or highly textured pieces.
Acrylic Medium
Acrylic mediumsare a wonderful way to extend the range of your paint.
Lascaux| $11.13+
Want to transform your acrylic into a heavy body paint?
Or, you’re able to do the opposite.
Get an acrylic medium that will thin out your paint, which is perfect for creating layers.
Winsor & Newton| $7.61+
There are even mediums that will allow you to play with texture, so get creative.
Paint Brushes
Of course, we can forget apaintbrush.
Try one of these online classes fromMy Modern Met Academy,Creative Live, andSkillshare!
Holbein| $7.54+
Liquitex| $41.57