Best Student Acrylic Paint Sets for Different Projects

#1 · Best Overall

1. Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint Set

• Volume: 35.52 fluid oz
• Size: 0.74 Fl Oz (Pack of 48)
• Container Type: Tube
• Form: Liquid

Best for: Student-grade study palette.

Why it ranks #1: Explicitly described as student quality, it includes 48 colors in 22 ml tubes and uses fine-art pigments with a lighter pigment load.

Forty-eight student-quality colors in 22 ml tubes give learners a broad palette for coursework, experiments, and color studies. Liquitex BASICS pairs that range with a heavy-body, buttery consistency, providing a more substantial paint feel for students who want to practice acrylic techniques across many hues.

Liquitex describes BASICS as using the same high-quality pigments and manufacturing process as its professional range, with a lighter pigment load. Fine pigment dispersion supports color development, and the medium-viscosity, heavy-body paint has a buttery consistency suited to controlled application. With 48 tubes, students can select from a broad range without mixing every shade from a few basics. This student-quality formulation is intended for learners and artists seeking everyday acrylic paint rather than a professional-range pigment load.

Skip it if you want a broader ready-to-use palette with 22 ml tubes; Artbreezing AZ01004 also offers 48 colors in that format.

A suitable choice for students who want a broad palette and heavy-body paint for regular practice. Keep the lighter pigment load in mind if matching the characteristics of Liquitex’s professional range is important.

Listed on Amazon as: Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint Set, 48 x 22ml (0.74-oz) Tube Set

#2 · Best Finish Detail

2. Mont Marte Acrylic Colour Set

• Volume: 864 ml
• Size: 1.2 Fl Oz (Pack of 24)
• Container Type: Tube
• Form: Liquid

Best for: Beginner color-mixing set.

Why it ranks #2: Its 24 colors cover familiar mixing shades, and the creamy paint is specified to dry to a semi-matte finish.

Twenty-four named colors, including gold and silver, give students a varied palette for learning color relationships without relying on unlabeled shades. The set’s creamy consistency and stated coverage support practice in mixing and applying paint, while its semi-matte finish gives completed work a defined surface appearance.

The 24-color range includes familiar options such as Titanium White, Lamp Black, and several blues, greens, and earth tones, making it useful for exercises in mixing and shade selection. Creamy consistency and good coverage support both broader painted areas and controlled application. The 36 ml tubes keep the set smaller than bulk bottles, while the semi-matte finish is a consideration for students choosing how their finished work should look.

Skip it if you need large bottles for shared craft sessions; Nicpro MG173 supplies 500 ml per color.

A fitting choice for beginners learning to mix recognizable hues across canvas, wood, air-dried clay, or cardboard. Choose another format if your class uses paint in bulk or prefers a gloss finish.

Listed on Amazon as: Mont Marte Acrylic Colour Paint Set Signature 24pc x 1.21 US fl.oz (36ml), Acrylic Paint Kit Ideal for Canvas, Wood, Air Dried Clay, Cardboard and More, Great Beginner Acrylic Paint Set, Includes 24 Colors

#3 · Best Mid-Size Bottles

3. Artkey Acrylic Paint Set

• Volume: 2 fluid oz
• Size: 2 Fl Oz (Pack of 24)
• Container Type: Bottle
• Form: Liquid

Best for: Portable 24-color practice.

Why it ranks #3: The 24-color set supplies 2 oz bottles, with paint described as easy to mix and quick to dry for detail and larger areas.

Twenty-four 59 ml bottles give students a varied selection in a mid-sized format for practicing both broad coverage and fine detail. The paint’s butter-like consistency is described as easy to mix and quick-drying, making the set suitable for painters moving between color blending and successive painting steps.

The paint is described as gliding smoothly and providing strong coverage across large areas as well as fine detail, so students can use one set for different scales of work. Its 24 colors support mixing, while the quick-drying formula can keep a session moving between applications. Tightly screwed caps are intended to help prevent leaks and drying from exposure, a useful storage consideration when returning bottles to a shared art kit.

Skip it if you need included brushes and a palette to start; Shuttle Art SA AP36 includes both with 36 colors.

A practical option for students who already have brushes and a palette and want a versatile 24-color paint selection. Its capped bottles support storage, but painting tools need to come from elsewhere.

Listed on Amazon as: Artkey Acrylic Paint Set, 24 Colors 2 oz/59 ml Acrylic Paint Kit for Professional Artists & Beginners – Craft & Art Supplies for Canvas, Wood, Fabric, Rock, Leather, Ceramic, Glass, Easter Egg

#4 · Best Included Brushes

4. Shuttle Art 36-Color Set

• Volume: 60 ml
• Size: 2 Fl Oz (Pack of 36)
• Container Type: Bottle
• Form: Liquid

Best for: Color-rich starter kit.

Why it ranks #4: It combines 36 colors in 60 ml bottles with 12 brushes and a palette, making it a useful ready-to-paint package.

Thirty-six colors, including metallic gold and silver, give student painters a broad palette for experimenting with mixed shades and finished details. The set also includes 12 brushes and a palette, so beginners can begin painting without assembling those basic tools separately.

The 60 ml bottles provide more paint per color than small student tubes, supporting repeated practice and projects on canvas, rocks, ceramic, or wood. Creamy consistency and coverage support blending, layering, detailing, and texturing, so students can explore different techniques with one set. Having 36 colors alongside the included brushes and palette helps keep a practice session self-contained, although the bottle format takes more storage room than a compact tube set.

Skip it if you want large-format classroom quantities; Nicpro MG173 supplies 500 ml bottles in 14 colors.

A good match for students who want many ready-to-use colors, metallic options, and starter tools for canvas or craft practice. Consider whether you have room to store 36 bottles before choosing this broad set.

Listed on Amazon as: Shuttle Art Acrylic Paint, 36 Colors Acrylic Paint Set with Brushes & Palette, 2oz/60ml Bottles, Rich Pigments Non-toxic for Artists Kids & Adults, Painting on Canvas Rocks Ceramic Wood

#5

5. HissiCo 36-Color Set

• Volume: 2 fluid oz
• Size: 2 Fl Oz (Pack of 36)
• Container Type: Bottle
• Form: Liquid

Best for: Large 36-color starter kit.

Why it ranks #5: The 36-color, 60 ml bottle set includes 12 brushes and a palette; its listing states ASTM D-4236 and EN71 conformity.

Thirty-six colors in 60 ml bottles give students a substantial range for canvas and craft projects, while 12 brushes and a palette add essential painting tools. The paints are described as creamy and blendable, supporting experiments with layered colors and mixed shades across creative sessions.

The 36-color selection lets students choose premixed hues or blend and layer paints to produce additional shades. Each bottle holds 60 ml, providing more paint per color than a small-format tube set for continuing projects. Included brushes and a palette help students start working with the set’s supplies, and the paint is stated to conform to ASTM D-4236 and EN71 standards. Its bottle format is worth considering when planning storage for a large kit.

Skip it if you want fewer, larger bottles for group painting; Nicpro MG173 supplies 14 colors in 500 ml bottles.

This suits students who want a wide color selection, included tools, and substantial paint for canvas or crafts. Account for storage space, since 36 bottles make a larger kit than compact student tubes.

Listed on Amazon as: 55PCS Acrylic Paint Set of 36 Colors 2fl oz 60ml Bottles 12 Brushes,Non Toxic 36 Colors Acrylic Paint No Fading Rich Pigment for Kids Adults Artists Canvas Crafts Wood Painting

#6 · Widest Color Range

6. Artbreezing 48-Color Set

• Volume: 0.3 cubic in
• Size: 0.7 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
• Container Type: Tube
• Form: Liquid

Best for: Wide-palette color explorer.

Why it ranks #6: Its 48 colors provide a broad selection in 22 ml tubes, and listed features include fast drying and easy blending.

Forty-eight colors in 22 ml tubes give students an extensive selection spanning warm and cool tones for studying color relationships and choosing premixed shades. The smooth, blendable paint is described as quick-drying, helping students work through color changes without relying solely on mixing a limited palette.

Pigment-rich formulas and an extensive range of warm and cool colors let students compare hues and select shades for varied artwork. The paint is described as smooth and easy to blend, supporting color mixing, while its quick-drying property can suit sessions that move between applications. Listed features also include lightfastness and water resistance, relevant qualities for students considering how a finished piece may hold up; the 22 ml tubes keep each color in a manageable format.

Skip it if you need heavier-bodied student paint for repeated use; Liquitex BASICS 101048 is described as heavy body and comes in 48 tubes.

A strong fit for students exploring color variety or seeking many ready-made shades in tube form. Consider the 22 ml quantity per color if your coursework involves large surfaces or frequent practice.

Listed on Amazon as: 48 Colors Professional Acrylic Paint Set, Artist Paint Supplies

#7

7. KOLOR KINGDOM Acrylic Set

• Volume: 12 ml
• Size: 27 Piece Set
• Container Type: Tube
• Form: Liquid

Best for: Compact gloss-finish sampler.

Why it ranks #7: The 24-color tube set includes three brushes and describes a gloss finish, though each tube contains just 12 ml.

Twenty-four 12 ml tubes and three brushes make this a compact way for students to explore a range of colors without storing large bottles. The paint dries to a gloss finish, giving practice work and small projects a distinct surface look while the included brushes cover basic application needs.

The paint’s buttery consistency supports blending, layering, and texture-making, giving students several ways to work with the 24 colors. Its stated covering power accommodates both large areas and fine details, while the small 12 ml tubes keep the set convenient for limited-space storage or short projects. Three included brushes provide immediate tools for painting, but students planning repeated, high-volume work should account for the modest amount in each tube.

Skip it if you need larger quantities for recurring work; Artkey ACRYLIC PAINT-24 supplies 59 ml bottles in 24 colors.

This set fits students trying acrylics, working on smaller pieces, or needing a compact kit with brushes included. Its glossy finish and small tubes are important considerations for finish preference and project scale.

Listed on Amazon as: Acrylic Paint Set Canvas Art Paints 24 Colors Perfect Paint Finish (0.41oz,12 ml) With 3 Brushes – Painting Canvas, Paper, Wood, Rock, MDF, Ceramic & Fabric

#8

8. Shuttle Art 18-Color Set

• Volume: 250 ml
• Size: 8.45 Fl Oz (Pack of 18)
• Container Type: Bottle
• Form: Liquid

Best for: High-volume practice set.

Why it ranks #8: Its 18 colors come in large 250 ml bottles, a substantial supply for repeated practice, but it is less portable than tube sets.

Eighteen colors in 250 ml bottles put generous quantities of commonly used paint within reach for students working through repeated exercises or group crafts. Its larger format makes replenishing a working palette less frequent than with small tubes, while retaining a range of colors for mixing.

The thick, creamy paint is described as bright and consistent, and its blending ability lets students make additional shades from the 18 included colors. Each bottle holds 250 ml, making the set suited to ongoing projects where students use substantial amounts of paint. Supplied components also include applicators, a canvas board, paint cups, and a storage box, which can help organize a session and provide a surface for immediate practice.

Skip it if you want a larger ready-made palette; Shuttle Art SA AP36 offers 36 colors in 60 ml bottles.

Choose this for students who use paint regularly, share supplies, or want substantial amounts of 18 core colors. It is less suited to someone prioritizing maximum color variety over bottle volume.

Listed on Amazon as: Shuttle Art 18 Colors Acrylic Paint Bottle Set (250ml/8.45oz), Rich Pigmented Bulk Painting Supplies for Artists, Beginners and Kids on Rocks Crafts Canvas Wood Ceramic

#9

9. unuaST 14-Color Set

• Volume: 4.2 liters
• Size: 10 Fl Oz (Pack of 14)
• Container Type: Bottle
• Form: Liquid

Best for: Pump-dispensed bulk set.

Why it ranks #9: Fourteen colors in 300 ml bottles suit high-volume painting, and the set includes a pump and color wheel rather than student-size tubes.

Fourteen 300 ml bottles are supplied with a pump and color wheel, combining substantial paint quantities with a dispensing aid and mixing reference. For students handling recurring craft or canvas projects, that setup can make paint access and color planning more straightforward during a session.

The set’s commonly used colors are described as smooth, bright, and highly saturated, with a rich laydown for painting and crafting. Its 300 ml bottles provide ample paint for work on canvas, wood, stone, and ceramics, while the included pump supports dispensing from the bottles. The color wheel gives students a reference for mixing the 14 colors into additional shades, linking the bulk format to practical color-study exercises.

Skip it if you prefer a wider ready-made palette in student-sized bottles; Liquitex BASICS 101048 provides 48 colors in 22 ml tubes.

Consider this for students who work through paint steadily and want a pump and color wheel alongside core shades. Its bulk quantities and 14-color selection are a better fit for repeated projects than compact color sampling.

Listed on Amazon as: unuaST Acrylic Paint Sets for Adults, 14 Colors Large Bulk Acrylic Paints kits Rich Pigment Art Painting Supplies for Artists/Beginners, Paint Sets for Canvas with Pump, Color Wheel (10oz/300ml)

#10

10. Nicpro 14-Color Bulk Set

• Volume: 16.9 fluid oz
• Size: 16.9 Fl Oz (Pack of 14)
• Container Type: Bottle
• Form: Liquid

Best for: Classroom bulk painting.

Why it ranks #10: Each of its 14 colors comes in a 500 ml bottle, making this classroom and group-craft format less suited to individual student practice.

Fourteen colors in 500 ml squeeze bottles give students and groups substantial quantities for repeated painting sessions. The set pairs those large bottles with a palette knife, art sponge, and color wheel, making it possible to explore mixing and varied application techniques alongside standard brushwork.

The essential shades include white, Mars Black, red, yellow, blue, green, and Burnt Umber, giving students a core palette to combine with guidance from the included color wheel. Large bottles suit classroom or group projects where paint is used regularly, while the squeeze format lets users dispense paint as needed. A palette knife and art sponge extend the tools available for mixing and applying paint without requiring those accessories to be sourced separately.

Skip it if you want more ready-made shades in smaller bottles; Artkey ACRYLIC PAINT-24 has 24 colors in 59 ml bottles.

This suits classrooms, groups, and students tackling projects that consume paint quickly and benefit from mixing tools. Its 14-color palette favors working from core shades rather than choosing among many premixed colors.

Listed on Amazon as: Nicpro 14 Colors Large Bulk Acrylic Paint Set for Artist (16.9 oz, 500 ml)