How to Choose Acrylic Paint: A Practical Guide

Quick answer: what to consider

If you are wondering how to choose acrylic paint, first define three things: what you will paint on, the visual result you want, and how often you plan to use it. Then compare paints by consistency, coverage characteristics, colour selection, and the volume of each colour.

A set with many colours is convenient for trying a broad palette, but it is not always the best choice. If you frequently need a few specific tones, their volume may matter more than the total number of colours. The right choice is one that suits your project and leaves fewer colours unused.

• Project: A small sketch, a work on canvas, a decorative detail, or colour study.
• Surface: Check that the manufacturer’s guidance applies to your working surface.
• Result: Decide whether you need defined layers, colour mixing, or detailed areas.
• Palette: Consider not only the number of colours, but also the essential primary and supporting tones.
• Volume: Take the size of the work and repeated use into account.

How to choose acrylic paint using the main criteria

Consistency and working style

When choosing, think about how you want to apply the paint. If you need control over brush movements and clearly defined areas, a consistency that is comfortable to handle will be important. If you plan to create looser layers and mix colours, consider how easily the paint spreads when using your usual working method.

Do not rely only on general wording in the description. Check the label, directions for use, and the manufacturer’s guidance. A small test area before your first project will show you how the paint behaves with a particular brush, surface, and your preferred dilution method.

Colour palette and mixing plan

A varied set can be convenient for beginners because it allows them to try several approaches. However, practising colour mixing does not require every possible premixed tone. Make a short list of the colours that will actually appear in your planned work, then check how many are included directly in the set and how many you can create by mixing.

Also consider how you will create lighter and darker values. If one colour will cover a large area of the composition, having enough of it is more important than several additional tones that will rarely be used.

Size, surface, and intended use

A small work and a large-format project do not require the same amount of paint. Estimate the approximate area you will cover, how many layers you may need, and which colours will be dominant. Exact consumption depends on your working style, so it is better to base your volume estimate on the actual project rather than packaging size alone.

Acrylic paint may be intended for various creative uses, but you should not automatically assume that every product is compatible with every surface. When choosing canvas, paper, wood, or another base, read the instructions for the specific paint as well as the preparation requirements for the surface itself.

If you plan to work on more than one material, make separate test samples. Assess ease of application, the visual colour result, and behaviour on the surface only after the sample is fully finished. This will reduce the risk of unexpected results on the main work.

How to compare options step by step

Comparison is easier when you assess every option using the same questions. You can begin by browsing the acrylic paint collection, then list your preferred options separately. Do not compare only the appearance of the packaging or the total number of colours in a set.

• Step 1: Describe the project and desired result in one sentence.
• Step 2: List the essential colours and mark the tones you will need in larger amounts.
• Step 3: Compare the number of colours and the volume of each colour in every option.
• Step 4: Check the directions for use and compatibility with the planned surface.
• Step 5: Eliminate sets that lack essential colours or contain too many tones you will not use.
• Step 6: From the remaining options, choose the one that suits your current project and will also be practical for your next few works.

When comparing prices, do not lose sight of the context: sets with different numbers of colours and different volumes are not direct equivalents. Compare the contents first, then decide how well a particular option fits your budget and usage plan.

18 or 36 colours: which set suits your goal?

Among the verified options is the Mont Marte Global 18-colour acrylic paint set, 36 ml per colour. Consider this format when a more compact palette is enough, you plan to mix colours, or you already know that you will not need most additional tones.

You can also compare the Mont Marte Global 36-colour acrylic paint set, 36 ml per colour. More premixed colours may be useful when planning a varied palette, but before choosing, you should still check whether the specific tones match your idea.

In these two sets, the stated volume of each colour is the same; the difference is the number of colours. The main question when deciding is therefore whether you want more premixed tones or a more focused palette with greater emphasis on mixing.

Common mistakes when choosing

Choosing only by the number of colours is the most common mistake. A large set may look appealing, but unused tones provide no practical value. First make a list of the colours you need, and only then assess the range of the set.

Failing to confirm surface compatibility can also lead to an undesirable result. The product category itself does not remove the need to check specific instructions. If the description does not contain the information you need, do not make an unverified assumption.

Ignoring volume becomes especially noticeable when one colour covers a large area. Identify the dominant tones in advance. You should also avoid testing new paint directly on the main work—a small sample will help you make a safer decision.

Practical recommendations before use

After opening a new set, make your own colour chart on the same or a similar type of surface to the one you plan to use. Label each sample with the colour name. This lets you rely on the visual result under your own working conditions rather than the colour shown on the packaging.

When mixing, begin with small amounts and note the proportions of the colours used in your own words. There is no need to prepare too much paint at once. After finishing your work, close the packaging tightly and follow the storage instructions on the label.

• Prepare a small test surface.
• Create a colour sample chart.
• Mark frequently used tones separately.
• Make brief notes about your mixing results.
• Follow the product’s use and storage instructions.

Conclusion: start with the project

To choose acrylic paint properly, first define the project, surface, and palette you need. Then use a consistent checklist to compare consistency, number of colours, and volume. This way, your decision will be based on actual use rather than packaging or simply choosing the largest set.

If you are choosing between 18 and 36 colours, consider how many premixed tones you will use and how much you want to mix colours yourself. The final step should always be to check the specific product instructions and make a small test sample.