How do I choose the right acrylic paint set for beginners?

Hey, starting with acrylics is awesome, especially with more time at home. For a beginner like you on a $20-30 budget, I'd suggest the Acrylic paint kit since it gives you a solid variety without overwhelming you. It comes with 24 colors and all the basics like brushes, canvases, and even an easel, so you can dive right in without buying extras.

What makes it great for newbies is that the paints are decent quality and don't dry out too quickly if you keep the caps on tight, based on what I've seen in reviews. It addresses those mixed Amazon feedbacks by including a good mix of supplies that let you experiment right away.

One thing is the tubes are on the smaller side, so you might run out of favorites faster if you paint a lot, but overall it's a balanced starter set that keeps things fun and affordable.

Hey there, tbh jumping into acrylic painting is such a fun way to unwind, especially with that work-from-home setup giving you extra time. When picking a set as a beginner, focus on ones that offer a decent range of colors without going overboard - aim for at least 12 to that model shades so you can mix and match without feeling limited. Stick to your budget by checking for kits that include essentials like brushes or palettes, but make sure the paints are labeled as student-grade for easier handling and affordability.

Quality matters too; look for paints that are thick but spread smoothly, and read reviews about how well they hold up without drying out fast - tight caps help with that. Experiment with a small project first to see what flows well for you. Oh, and don't forget to consider the tube sizes; smaller ones might run out quick if you're hooked, but they're perfect for starting out.

Overall, go for something versatile that lets you play around and build skills gradually. You'll be creating masterpieces in no time.

Look for sets labeled student grade rather than craft. Medium body paint is friendlier than thin craft paint because it covers better and mixes cleanly without turning muddy. In your price range, a set with 12 to that model colors is plenty. Make sure it includes a solid white and warm and cool versions of the primaries so you can mix most hues without chasing obscure colors. Tube size matters as much as color count. Slightly fewer colors with larger tubes is often better than a giant rainbow in tiny tubes.

Check listing photos for pigment names and lightfast ratings such as ASTM I or II and which usually signal decent pigment load. Reviews that mention chalky, gritty, or transparent coverage are a red flag. To avoid paints drying out, only put out small dabs, wipe the threads before recapping, and close tubes firmly. Some people store tubes cap down so any skin forms at the tip instead of the whole tube. Small habits that save money. Big help.

Pick a beginner acrylic set with a modest range of colors, vibrant pigments that stay rich when dry, and a price around 20 to 30 dollars. Work in small batches or choose paints with better moisture retention, and favor user friendly sets that include basic tips.

As someone who's been dabbling in art for years, I get the overwhelm with all those options out there... For beginners on a tight budget like yours and prioritize sets with a good color variety that covers primaries and some extras for blending - think reds, blues, yellows, and earth tones to start. Avoid anything too fancy or professional-level since those can be intimidating and pricier.

Check the consistency; you want paints that don't dry super fast on the palette but hold up when applied. Reviews often mention if they crack or fade, so pay attention to that. Works great if you can find ones with resealable tubes. And yeah, mixing your own colors is key, so a set that encourages that without needing tons of add-ons is ideal.

Keep it simple, practice on cheap paper first, and you'll figure out what suits you best pretty quick.

Started with about the same budget during lockdown and ended up happiest with a smaller selection of colors in slightly larger tubes.

damn I honestly tried a mega set first and kept running out of white while half the flashy colors sat untouched and which got frustrating fast.

next set had around that model colors, medium thickness, and a bigger white and it felt like night and day.

I could mix anything I wanted and the coverage was solid.

If you worry about drying, squeeze out what you need for one area at a time and cap the tube right away.

If a skin forms on the opening, peel it off and you are good to go.

Keep the threads clean before you close them and you will avoid stuck caps.

I thought more colors would help and I grabbed a big rainbow and then half of them sat untouched while I kept draining the same three blues and the white.

Lesson learned.

Keep it simple. Student grade with medium body, 12 to that model colors, and larger tubes for the workhorses like white will serve you well. Look for pigment names and lightfast info in the photos and skim recent reviews for notes about tubes arriving gummy or drying in the cap. If multiple people mention that, skip it. Otherwise you will be fine in the 20 to 30 range and can upgrade later once you know what you burn through. Works great.