Acrylic Paint: Best and High-Quality Brands (Top 20 Picks)
The Best Acrylic Paint Brands
Acrylic paints have revolutionized the art world with their versatility, quick drying times, and vibrant colors. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned artist, selecting the right brand can significantly impact your work’s quality and longevity. Below is a comprehensive list of 25 top acrylic paint brands, detailing their features, usability, history, and pricing to assist you in making an informed choice.

- Winsor & Newton
- Features: High pigment concentration offering vibrant colors with a smooth consistency.
- Usability: Suitable for both beginners and professionals, providing excellent coverage and blending capabilities.
- History: Established in 1832 in London by William Winsor and Henry Newton, the company has a long-standing reputation for quality art materials.
- Price: Moderately priced, reflecting its professional-grade quality.
- Liquitex
- Features: Offers a wide range of viscosities, from Heavy Body to Soft Body, with a good pigment load.
- Usability: Versatile and affordable, making it popular among both professional artists and students.
- History: Pioneered water-based acrylic paints in the 1950s, becoming a staple in the art community.
- Price: Budget-friendly without compromising on quality.
- Golden Artist Colors
- Features: Known for high-quality, professional-grade acrylics with exceptional consistency and color accuracy.
- Usability: Preferred by professionals for its reliability and performance.
- History: Founded in 1980 by Sam Golden in New York, the company has a rich history of collaborating with artists.
- Price: Higher price point, reflecting its premium quality.
- Old Holland
- Features: Offers both opaque and transparent colors with identical strength, satin gloss, and intensity as their oil color range.
- Usability: Favored by professionals for its rich pigmentation and historical color palettes.
- History: Founded in 1664 in the Netherlands, continuing the heritage of Old Dutch Masters.
- Price: Premium pricing, reflecting its historical significance and quality.
- NovaColor
- Features: Provides high-quality paint with a smooth consistency and vibrant colors.
- Usability: Highly regarded among muralists and large-scale artists due to its affordability and performance.
- History: Gained popularity for offering quality paints at a more accessible price point.
- Price: More affordable compared to other professional-grade brands.
- Sennelier
- Features: Known for its rich, creamy texture and high pigment load.
- Usability: Offers excellent blending and layering capabilities, suitable for detailed work.
- History: Established in 1887 in France, Sennelier has been a favorite among artists like Picasso and Cézanne.
- Price: Moderately high, reflecting its premium quality.
- Holbein
- Features: Provides a wide range of colors with a smooth, buttery consistency.
- Usability: Excellent for both traditional and experimental techniques.
- History: A Japanese brand with a legacy dating back to the early 1900s, known for blending traditional techniques with modern technology.
- Price: Moderate to high, depending on the series.
- M. Graham & Co.
- Features: Utilizes walnut oil as a binder, resulting in a longer working time and enhanced color richness.
- Usability: Ideal for artists seeking a slower drying time and a glossy finish.
- History: Founded in the USA, emphasizing traditional methods and natural ingredients.
- Price: Moderately priced, offering good value for its unique qualities.
- Daler-Rowney
- Features: Offers a variety of acrylic ranges, including professional and student grades.
- Usability: Accessible for artists at all levels, with consistent quality.
- History: A British company with roots tracing back to 1783, known for its commitment to innovation.
- Price: Affordable to moderate, depending on the range.
- Blick Artists’ Acrylic
- Features: Provides a balance between quality and affordability, with a good pigment load.
- Usability: Suitable for both students and professionals seeking cost-effective options.
- History: Offered by the well-known art supply retailer Blick, ensuring accessibility.
- Price: Budget-friendly.
- Chroma Atelier Interactive
- Features: Unique formula allows for extended blending time and reactivation with water.
- Usability: Ideal for artists who desire more control over drying time.
- History: Developed in Australia to meet the needs of contemporary artists.
- Price: Moderate.
- Pebeo
- Features: Offers a diverse range of acrylics, including specialty finishes like iridescent and fluorescent.
- Usability: Great for experimental artists looking for unique effects.
- History: A French brand with a strong presence in the global market.
- Price: Affordable to moderate.
- Amsterdam Acrylics
- Features: Student-grade acrylics with good pigmentation and smooth consistency.
- Usability: Suitable for beginners and large-scale projects.
- History: Manufactured by Royal Talens, a Dutch company known for fine art materials.
- Price: Budget-friendly.
- DecoArt Americana Acrylics
- Features: Craft-grade acrylics with a vast color selection.
- Usability: Ideal for decorative painting and mixed media projects.
- History: Popular in the crafting community for its affordability.
- Price: Very affordable.
- Turner Acryl Gouache
- Features: A hybrid between acrylic and gouache, offering a matte finish.
- Usability: Preferred for illustration and graphic work.
- History: Japanese brand with a reputation for innovation.
- Price: Moderate.
- Arteza Acrylic Paint
- Features: Student-friendly paints with vibrant colors and smooth application.
- Usability: Good for beginners and hobbyists.
- History: A relatively new brand offering budget-friendly art supplies.
- Price: Affordable.
- Utrecht Artists’ Acrylic
- Features: High-quality pigments and smooth consistency.
- Usability: Favored by professionals for its performance.
- History: Founded in 1949 in Brooklyn, USA.
- Price: Moderate.
- Reeves Acrylic Paints
- Features: Student-grade with decent color vibrancy.
- Usability: Great for beginners and school projects.
- History: British brand with a long history in art supplies.
- Price: Budget-friendly.
- Mont Marte Acrylics
- Features: Affordable and widely available.
- Usability: Suitable for beginners and hobbyists.
- History: Australian brand gaining popularity globally.
- Price: Low-cost.
- Chromacryl Acrylics
- Features: Student-grade with a good balance of quality and price.
- Usability: Popular in schools and workshops.
- History: Designed for educational purposes.
- Price: Affordable.

Selecting the right acrylic paint brand depends on your artistic needs, budget, and desired effects. Whether you are looking for professional-grade paints or student-friendly options, there is a brand that suits your requirements. By understanding the qualities and histories of these top brands, you can make an informed decision that enhances your creative journey.