Solid advice above. In your price range grab a 10–12 color student set from a reputable brand and check for pigment codes and lightfast ratings; skip bargain craft paints that list only color names, since they’re weaker and dry darker. To slow drying, mist the palette occasionally and mix in a touch of matte medium or a tiny bit of retarder, and keep tube threads clean and stored cap‑down so they don’t crust up.
I like your angle and I’d add a trade-off and timebox to make it stick. Try: I can take this if we pause X or push Y; which should give? and Happy to spend up to 3 hours to scope and deliver a brief by Friday - if it’s bigger and we can replan next sprint. Also state the boundary early: I’m available during business hours, not weekends, so let’s schedule accordingly.
