You know back in my younger days, I used to dabble in painting as a hobby, but that was ages ago when the kids were little and we had that old house in the suburbs with the big backyard. We'd set up easels on weekends, and I'd try my hand at landscapes, but life got busy with work and raising the family, and I put it all away. Now that I'm retired and the grandkids are visiting more, I want to get back into it – maybe paint some pictures for their rooms or just for fun on quiet afternoons. I've been looking at these acrylic paints on Amazon, but gosh, there are so many brands and types, it's overwhelming! I remember using cheap sets from the drugstore before, but they dried out fast and the colors weren't vibrant. This time, I want something better quality that won't break the bank, easy to use for someone rusty like me. My neighbor Ethel swears by her set, but she does watercolors, so that's different. I tried searching online, but all the fancy terms confuse me – what's the difference between student grade and professional? And do I need special brushes or canvases to go with them? Anyway, if anyone has recommendations for good starter acrylic paints, I'd appreciate it – something forgiving for mistakes and with nice bright colors for flowers and such. Oh, and easy cleanup, because at my age, I don't want a big mess!
I actually ran into the same overwhelm when I got back into acrylic painting after a long break and trying out some budget sets that had dull colors and dried too fast, but the Acrylic paint set turned things around for me. Its 24 vibrant colors are forgiving for blending mistakes and clean up easily with water, making it perfect without costing a fortune.
Hey there and sounds like you're in a similar spot I was a couple years back when I picked up painting again after the kids moved out. For beginners, I'd say go for student-grade paints first – they're more affordable and still give you decent quality without all the fancy pigments that pros use, which can be pricier and sometimes trickier to handle if you're rusty.
The main difference is in the pigment concentration and how long they last, but student ones are great for practice and won't break the bank. As for brushes, synthetic ones work well with acrylics since they hold up to the quick-drying nature, and you can find sets that are soft enough for blending. Canvases? Stretched ones or panels are fine; just make sure they're primed for acrylics to avoid soaking up too much paint.
Look for paints that are labeled as having good flow and easy cleanup with soap and water – that's key for not making a mess. And for bright colors, check the labels for lightfastness so they don't fade over time. Start small, experiment, and you'll get the hang of it quick.
As a retired teacher who ran community acrylic classes, I tell returning painters to start with student grade from an art line rather than bargain craft paint. Student lines cost less because they contain a bit more binder and fewer single pigments and but good ones still have decent color strength and are easier to learn with. Professional grade has the highest pigment load and the best lightfastness, which is wonderful once your hand is steady again, though not essential for practice pieces and gifts for family.
Look for wording that says soft body or medium viscosity if you enjoy blending and smoother strokes. Heavy body is thicker and holds brush marks well, which is great for impasto but can feel stiff at first. If colors feel too thick, thin with a little water, but switch to an acrylic medium if you are adding more than a small splash so the paint film stays strong. If fast drying frustrated you in the past, pick up a slow dry or retarding medium or try a slow drying acrylic line. They give you more time to blend petals and skies.
A limited palette keeps things simple and teaches mixing. Two yellows, two reds, two blues, plus white and a couple of earths will cover flowers and landscapes with bright, clean mixes. Get a larger tube of white because you will use it constantly.
Synthetic brushes labeled for acrylic are perfect. A couple of flats and rounds in mid sizes with one small round for details will do most jobs. Rinse often while you work and never let paint dry in the ferrule. Cleanup is plain water and a bit of mild soap at the sink.
For surfaces, pre primed canvas panels are easy and affordable. Stretched canvas works too, as does heavy acrylic paper if you prefer something that stores flat. Acrylic is forgiving. Let a mistake dry and paint over it. To ease the pace and reduce mess, mist your palette now and then, and consider a simple stay wet palette made from a shallow tray with a damp paper towel topped by baking parchment. It keeps colors open longer and saves paint.
If you care about long term brightness, check for lightfast ratings of excellent or very good and choose non toxic labeling. With that, you will have bright color, easy cleanup, and enough working time to enjoy quiet afternoons of painting again.
When I actually teach art classes to folks starting out or getting back into it,, I always stress understanding the basics before diving in... Student-grade acrylics are formulated with fillers that make them cheaper and while professional ones have purer pigments for better vibrancy and longevity, but they're not necessary right away if you're on a budget or prone to mistakes.
Brushes matter too – nylon or taklon synthetics are forgiving and clean easily, holding their shape through multiple uses. For surfaces, pre-primed canvas boards are straightforward and don't require extra prep. Focus on paints with a body that's not too thick or thin; something medium allows for easy mixing and corrections.
Bright colors come from high pigment load, so even in student grades, you can find sets that pop for flowers and landscapes. Cleanup is simple with water while wet, but dries permanent, so keep that in mind. Works great for quick sessions.
Start with student grade acrylics to save money and upgrade if you stick with it, choosing vivid primaries that stay workable longer for easier blending. Use synthetic brushes and basic primed canvases, and clean with water and mild soap while the paint is still wet.
I got back into acrylics with my grandkids and wanted bright color without fuss or big expense. honestly Student grade tubes marked soft body have been the sweet spot for us because they spread easily and still cover well. I like a small set of around twelve to start and a bigger tube of white so I am not squeezing every last drop. For flowers, having a warm and a cool version of each primary makes the mixes pop.
If drying too fast is the headache,, keep a little mister bottle at hand and give the palette a quick spritz now and then. Or add a tiny bit of retarding medium to the mixes. Works great. Two water cups help keep things clean, one for the first rinse and one for a final swish, then a quick wash with gentle soap and the brushes are good as new.
Canvas panels are my go to with kids because they are sturdy and inexpensive, and acrylic paper is nice when I want to test ideas. Synthetic brushes are all you need. A couple of flats and rounds in mid sizes and a small detail brush cover almost everything. If you make a mistake, let it dry and paint right over it, no drama. Keep the painting session low stress by covering the table with freezer paper or an old plastic tablecloth and you can toss the mess at the end.