Finding good acrylic paint brands can be tough. Artists often struggle with brands that dry too quickly, lack proper pigmentation, or simply don’t offer the consistency needed for their work. Many end up wasting money on paints that don’t meet their expectations.
This blog will help you choose acrylic paints that truly work for your artistic needs. You’ll learn about the top acrylic paint brands available today, understand what makes them stand out, and find options for every budget.
We’ll look at professional-grade and student-grade options, compare their features, and highlight what makes each brand worth considering for your next art project.
What Makes an Acrylic Paint Brand “Good”?
A good acrylic paint brand offers rich pigmentation that creates charming colors with minimal layers. The paint should have a smooth, creamy consistency that flows well from the brush to the canvas.
Quality brands maintain color intensity when dry and show minimal color shift.
Durability matters, too; the paint shouldn’t crack or fade over time. Good brands offer a selection of permanence ratings and transparency levels for different techniques. The paints should mix well with other colors and mediums without breaking down.
Value is also important. While professional brands cost more, they often require less paint per project due to their concentration. The best brands balance quality and cost, offering artists reliable performance without breaking the bank.
Top-Ranked Good Acrylic Paint Brands for Artists in 2025
Acrylic paints are a favorite among artists for their charming pigmentation, versatility, and fast drying times.
Choosing the right brand can make a huge difference in your creative process. Below, we’ll look into some of the good acrylic paint brands, highlighting what makes each one unique.
1. Golden Artist Colors
Golden Artist Colors is widely celebrated for its premium quality and diverse product line. Their acrylics are known for exceptional pigmentation, smooth consistency, and durability.
Whether you prefer heavy body, fluid, or high flow varieties, Golden offers something to suit every artist’s style. Professional artists trust Golden for archival quality and unmatched color brilliance.
Key Features:
- High pigment load for charming colors
- Wide range of textures and finishes
- Exceptional lightfastness and durability
- Offers heavy body, fluid, and high flow lines
- Archival quality suitable for professionals
2. Liquitex
Liquitex is a pioneering brand in the world of acrylics, famous for inventing water-based acrylic paint. Their professional range features a smooth, creamy consistency, making blending and layering easy.
Liquitex offers heavy body, soft body, and ink formulas, all designed with artists’ flexibility in mind. Artists appreciate its versatility, colors, and wide range of mediums.
Key Features:
- First manufacturer of water-based acrylics
- Offers heavy body, soft body, and inks
- Smooth consistency for blending and layering
- Extensive range of charming colors
- Compatible with various media and additives
3. Winsor & Newton
Winsor & Newton brings centuries of expertise to their professional acrylic line. Their paints are admired for rich, intense colors, fast-drying properties, and smooth application.
Winsor & Newton offers a balanced selection of modern and traditional pigments. Artists love the even sheen and easy handling, making it ideal for both fine detail and expressive techniques.
Key Features:
- Renowned heritage brand
- Rich, brilliant color range
- Fast-drying with a smooth finish
- Even sheen across all colors
- Suitable for fine detail and large-scale work
4. Blick Artists’ Acrylic
Blick Artists’ Acrylic provides excellent professional quality at a more accessible price. It offers a rich pigment load, buttery texture, and impressive permanence.
The colors retain their colors after drying, making them perfect for a variety of surfaces and techniques. Many artists appreciate Blick’s consistent performance, ease of use, and exceptional value without compromising quality.
Key Features:
- Professional quality at an affordable price
- High pigment concentration
- Smooth, buttery consistency
- Excellent permanence and lightfastness
- Suitable for mixed media and various surfaces
5. Arteza
Arteza acrylic paints are popular among beginners and hobbyists for their affordability and charming color range. These paints offer a smooth application, decent pigment load, and fast drying times.
Although they are more budget-friendly, Arteza ensures a satisfying painting experience with good layering capability. They are ideal for practice, crafts, and experimental artworks without compromise.
Key Features:
- Affordable for beginners and hobbyists
- Smooth and creamy application
- charming, broad color selection
- Quick-drying for faster layering
- Great for crafts, practice, and experimentation
6. M. Graham & Co.
M. Graham & Co. is known for its unique formula using pure acrylic emulsion and natural walnut oil. Their paints offer high pigment concentration, creamy texture, and extended open time, allowing artists to blend longer.
M. Graham products are environmentally conscious and crafted in small batches, ensuring top-tier quality perfect for serious and professional artists.
Key Features:
- Formulated with natural walnut oil
- High pigment concentration
- Longer open time for blending
- Crafted in small, quality-controlled batches
- Eco-friendly and solvent-free formulation
7. Utrecht
Utrecht, now part of the Blick family, has been trusted by artists for decades. Their artist-grade acrylics offer rich color saturation, smooth consistency, and reliable permanence at competitive prices.
Utrecht paints are crafted with high standards in the USA, blending professional quality with affordability. They are excellent for serious students and professional artists alike.
Key Features:
- Rich color saturation with strong pigment load
- Smooth, easy-to-apply texture
- Consistent and reliable permanence
- Affordable professional-grade option
- Proudly made in the USA
Comparison of Good Acrylic Paint Brands
Acrylic paints vary in characteristics that can dramatically affect your artwork. Whether you prioritize a buttery texture, charming color range, or exceptional lightfastness, choosing the right brand is essential.
The following is a detailed comparison of some good acrylic paint brands based on critical attributes.
| Brand | Color Range | Consistency | Texture | Lightfastness | Drying Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Artist Colors |
Extensive, Colorful |
Thick (heavy body) | Smooth, buttery | Excellent (archival) | Moderate to fast |
| Liquitex | Very wide, Colorful | Smooth, creamy | Soft or heavy body | High | Moderate |
| Winsor & Newton | Balanced, rich | Smooth and fluid | Even, velvety | Excellent | Fast |
| Blick Artists’ Acrylic | Broad, rich | Buttery and smooth | Creamy | High | Moderate |
| Arteza | Wide, bright | Creamy and light | Soft and easy-flow | Good | Fast |
| M. Graham & Co. | Rich, deep | Thick and creamy | Velvety, rich | Outstanding | Slow (long open time) |
| Utrecht | Strong, vivid | Smooth and flexible | Creamy | High | Moderate |
Tips for Testing and Choosing Your Ideal Acrylic Paint Brand
Finding the perfect acrylic paint brand takes some hands-on experience. Not all paints work the same for every artist or project. Before investing in a full set, try these practical testing methods to find your ideal match.
- Color Strength Test: Apply a small amount next to a cheaper brand. See which gives a more charming color with less paint. Strong pigmentation means you’ll use less paint over time.
- Drying Time Check: Put a small dot on paper and time how long it takes to dry. Some brands dry in minutes, others take longer, giving you more working time for blending.
- Texture Evaluation: Feel the paint between your fingers. Good acrylics feel smooth and buttery, not watery or gritty.
- Mixing Test: Try mixing with white to see if the color stays true or becomes chalky. Quality paints maintain their character when mixed.
- Cost Per Use Analysis: Calculate how much area a small amount covers. Sometimes pricier brands are more economical because they spread further.
- Longevity Check: Make a test swatch and leave half in sunlight for a week. Check for fading or color changes to assess durability.
Bottom Line
Selecting good acrylic paint brands alters your artistic experience. The best choices offer strong pigmentation, consistent texture, and reliable performance that make creating art more enjoyable.
Remember to test paints before committing to a full set. Small samples can reveal a lot about how a brand will perform in your specific style and technique.
Your perfect acrylic paint might not be the most expensive option on the shelf. Many mid-range brands offer excellent quality that meets the needs of both beginners and experienced artists.
Trust your personal experience over marketing claims. The paint that feels right in your hands and produces the results you want is always the best choice, regardless of price or popularity.
What’s your favorite acrylic paint brand? Share your experiences in the comments below!
