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Arteza acrylic paint is one of the most visible art-supply brands on Amazon, known for large boxed sets of tubes at prices that undercut traditional student brands. The core sets use 22 ml high-viscosity tubes, and Arteza labels each one with the color name, pigment number and a lightfastness rating, which is more information than many budget brands give. That makes the line popular with hobby painters, art students and gift-buyers who want a wide palette without a big outlay.
This page looks at what the two main Arteza acrylic sets offer, who they suit, where they fall short, and two alternatives to compare. For deeper dives, we link to our individual reviews of Arteza’s other acrylic formats along the way.
Quick answer: The ARTEZA 24-color high-viscosity set is the best starting point: thick paint for brush and knife work, with pigment and lightfastness info on every tube. If you want a near-complete palette and metallics, the 60-color set with 5 metallic shades saves mixing time. For a set that includes brushes, Shuttle Art 36 colors is the closest budget alternative, and a big Liquitex BASICS white is worth adding to any Arteza set.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
- ARTEZA Acrylic Paint Set, 24 Colors, 22 ml — Best Arteza set for most painters
- ARTEZA Acrylic Paint Set, 60 Colors, 22 ml — Best for a full palette with metallics
- Shuttle Art 36 Colors with Brushes and Palette — Best budget alternative with tools
- Liquitex BASICS Titanium White, 250 ml — Best add-on white for Arteza sets
| Product | Best For | Key Spec | Key Strength | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARTEZA 24 Colors | Canvas, knife work, learning | 24 x 22 ml, high viscosity | Pigment and lightfastness on tubes | $$ |
| ARTEZA 60 Colors | Full palette, decorative work | 55 colors + 5 metallics, 22 ml | Organized trays | $$$ |
| Shuttle Art 36 Colors | Starter with tools | 36 x 2 oz, 12 brushes, palette | Everything in one box | $$ |
| Liquitex BASICS White | Mixing and highlights | 250 ml titanium white | Large volume of the key color | $ |
The Arteza Acrylic Lineup at a Glance
Arteza sells several acrylic formats, and they are not interchangeable:
- Standard acrylic sets (high-viscosity tubes): the 24- and 60-color sets reviewed here. Thick enough to hold brush marks and palette knife texture. Our main Arteza acrylic paint review covers handling in detail.
- Premium acrylics: Arteza’s step-up line, which we look at separately in our Arteza Premium acrylic review.
- Fluid acrylics: thinner paints for pouring, glazing and smooth flat color; see the Arteza fluid acrylic review.
- Acrylic inks: very fluid, intense color for washes, dip pens and airbrush; covered in our Arteza acrylic ink review.
- Acrylic gouache: matte, opaque acrylic-based gouache that does not reactivate once dry; see the Arteza acrylic gouache review.
Wondering how it stacks up against an established student brand? Our Arteza vs Liquitex acrylic paint comparison breaks down consistency, coverage and value.
How We Chose
We have not painted with these sets. The overview is based on Amazon listing details and specifications checked in October 2026, how well each set fits painters considering Arteza, and how widely each is reviewed by Amazon buyers. Only two Arteza acrylic sets appeared in our product data, so we pair them with two practical alternatives instead of adding unrelated products. We looked at tube size, viscosity, labeling, color count and value.
Arteza Acrylic Paint Sets Reviewed
1. ARTEZA Acrylic Paint Set, 24 Colors, 22 ml — Best for most painters
The 24-color set is the sensible way into Arteza. Each 22 ml tube is labeled with the color name, pigment number and lightfastness rating, so you can tell which colors are single-pigment and which are likely to fade, and match colors when you replace a tube. The listing calls the formula high-viscosity: thick and smooth enough to build texture, layer and create fine details with a brush or palette knife.
It is described as high-pigment, AP-certified non-toxic and water-based with soap-and-water cleanup, for canvas, wood, paper and craft surfaces. The finish is listed as gloss.
Best suited for: Hobby painters, students and anyone who wants a broad, labeled palette for canvas.
Key features:
- 24 colors, 22 ml tubes
- High-viscosity formula
- Pigment number and lightfastness on each tube
- AP-certified non-toxic; gloss finish
Pros:
- Helpful labeling for learning pigments
- Thick body for texture
- Good color count for the cost
Cons and limitations:
- 22 ml tubes run out fast, especially white
- Some ready-mixed hues may be convenience mixes
Buying consideration: Add a large white and read the pigment codes; colors with a single pigment number usually mix cleaner.
2. ARTEZA Acrylic Paint Set, 60 Colors, 22 ml — Best for a full palette with metallics
The 60-color set expands the palette to 55 classic colors and 5 metallic shades: gold, silver and three pearl tones. The listing describes a creamy, smooth consistency that spreads evenly, holds visible brushstrokes and layers without dragging, and can be thinned with water or medium.
Tubes come grouped in trays to keep colors sorted. With so many ready-made colors, you can spend more time painting and less time mixing, which suits decorative work, illustration and color studies.
Best suited for: Painters who prefer ready-mixed colors, decorative artists and gift-givers.
Key features:
- 55 colors plus 5 metallics
- 22 ml tubes
- Organized trays
- AP-certified non-toxic
Pros:
- Very wide color range
- Metallic and pearl accents included
- Tidy storage
Cons and limitations:
- Higher upfront cost
- More colors than you need for learning to mix
Buying consideration: Great as a gift or for painters who dislike mixing; learners may do better with the 24-set plus extra white.
Who Arteza suits
- Hobby painters who want a large palette at a moderate price
- Students who benefit from pigment codes and lightfastness ratings on every tube
- Gift-buyers looking for an attractive, complete-looking set
- Decorative painters who use many colors in small amounts
- Returning painters who want a broad, inexpensive palette to get back into the habit before investing in artist-grade tubes
Limitations to keep in mind
- Small 22 ml tubes make large canvases expensive over time; buy bigger tubes of the colors you use most.
- High-viscosity paint needs water or medium for smooth washes.
- Arteza is a budget-to-mid brand. Professional painters may find colors less intense than artist-grade lines.
How to Read an Arteza Tube Label
The labeling is one of the most useful things about Arteza’s sets, but only if you know what it means.
Pigment numbers
Pigment codes follow the Colour Index system: a letter group for the color family and a number for the specific pigment. PW means pigment white, PY yellow, PO orange, PR red, PV violet, PB blue, PG green, PBr brown and PBk black. For example, PW6 is titanium white, PB29 is ultramarine blue and PBk7 is carbon black. If a tube lists one pigment, it is a single-pigment color. If it lists two or three, it is a convenience mix.
Single-pigment colors generally mix cleaner and more predictably. Convenience mixes are handy for ready-made hues but can turn muddy when combined with other mixes, because you end up with many pigments in one blend.
Lightfastness ratings
Lightfastness describes how well a color resists fading in light. Ratings are typically shown on a scale where the top grade means excellent permanence. For sketchbook practice it does not matter much, but for paintings you will hang or sell, choose colors with the top ratings for the main parts of the image and avoid relying on lower-rated colors for large areas.
Building a Mixing Palette From the 24-Color Set
Even in a 24-color box, you do not need every tube on the palette at once. A practical working palette is a warm and a cool version of each primary (for example a lemon and a deeper yellow, a crimson-type red and an orange-leaning red, an ultramarine and a phthalo-type blue), plus a brown, a black and lots of white. Check the pigment codes to identify these. The remaining colors become shortcuts for when you need a specific green or violet in a hurry.
Painting with a limited palette like this teaches mixing faster, keeps paintings harmonious and makes your tubes last longer, since you are not squeezing out colors you will not use.
Arteza for Different Projects
- Canvas painting: the high-viscosity body suits brush and knife work. Use a wet palette for blending.
- Palette knife and impasto: the thick formula holds peaks; add a gel medium for heavier texture without using up tubes.
- Rock and craft painting: works well on sealed or primed surfaces; seal outdoor pieces with a varnish.
- Illustration and small works: the 60-color set saves mixing time for flat color areas.
- Pouring: high-viscosity tubes need a lot of medium; Arteza’s fluid acrylics are better suited.
Alternatives Worth Comparing
3. Shuttle Art 36 Colors with Brushes and Palette — Best for a budget set with tools
Shuttle Art is a frequent comparison for Arteza on Amazon. Its 36-color set uses 2 oz (60 ml) bottles, almost three times the volume per color of Arteza’s tubes, and includes 12 brushes and a palette. Colors include metallic gold and silver.
The listing describes creamy, highly pigmented paint that blends and layers, dries fast and is water-proof and fade-resistant, conforming to ASTM D4236. Bottles suit crafts and big decorative work more than fine canvas detail.
Best suited for: Beginners who need tools, crafters and families.
Key features:
- 36 colors x 2 oz bottles
- 12 brushes and a palette
- Gold and silver included
- ASTM D4236, gloss finish listed
Pros:
- More paint per color
- Tools included
- Good craft versatility
Cons and limitations:
- No pigment or lightfastness info highlighted
- Bottles less precise than tubes
Buying consideration: Pick Shuttle Art for crafts and volume; pick Arteza for labeled tubes and thicker body.
4. Liquitex BASICS Titanium White, 250 ml — Best for an add-on white
Every set’s weak point is white. This 250 ml Liquitex BASICS Titanium White is thick and creamy with a satin finish and good pigment load, retaining peaks and brush strokes, and conforms to ASTM D4236.
Pairing a 22 ml Arteza set with a big tube of white means you will not run out of the one color you use in nearly every mix.
Best suited for: Any painter using a small-tube set.
Key features:
- 250 ml titanium white
- Thick, satin finish
- Holds peaks
- ASTM D4236
Pros:
- Huge volume of the most-used color
- Opaque highlights
Cons and limitations:
- Satin sheen may differ slightly from gloss Arteza colors
Buying consideration: Varnish finished paintings to unify any sheen differences.
Buying Guide: Choosing an Arteza Acrylic Set
24 or 60 colors?
24 colors cover nearly everything if you are willing to mix. 60 colors save time and add metallics but cost more and include colors you may rarely use.
Read the pigment codes
Arteza lists pigment numbers. Single-pigment colors (for example PB29 for ultramarine) mix cleaner than multi-pigment convenience colors.
Check lightfastness ratings
For paintings you plan to display or sell, favor colors with the best lightfastness rating listed on the tube.
Viscosity
High-viscosity tubes suit impasto and knife work. For pours and glazes, consider Arteza’s fluid acrylics or a medium.
Tube size
22 ml is fine for small works; for larger canvases, plan to buy larger tubes of white and your most-used colors.
Brushes and surfaces
Arteza sets do not include brushes. Budget for a few synthetic brushes and primed canvases or panels.
What Else You Need With an Arteza Set
Arteza’s acrylic sets are paint only, so plan the rest of your kit before the box arrives. A practical starter list: a large white (see above), a few synthetic brushes (one large flat, a filbert, two rounds and a liner), primed canvas panels or a canvas pad, a palette (a wet palette is ideal for slowing drying), a palette knife for mixing, a water jar and paper towels. A bottle of matte or gloss medium is a useful extra for glazing and for thinning without weakening the paint.
When the set runs low, you do not need to rebuy the whole box. Replace the three or four colors you use most with larger tubes, ideally matching the pigment codes on your Arteza labels so your mixes stay consistent.
Getting Better Results From Arteza Acrylic
- Squeeze small amounts; high-viscosity paint goes further than you expect.
- Use a wet palette to slow drying.
- Thin with water for underpaintings, but use medium for glazes so the film stays strong.
- Keep tube threads clean so caps do not stick.
- Varnish finished work to even out sheen and protect the surface.
Ready to start? Try our simple acrylic painting ideas for beginners or a decorative project from the DIY wall art with acrylic guide.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Running out of white. Buy a large white alongside any small-tube set.
- Ignoring lightfastness ratings. Use the best-rated colors for work you will display.
- Over-thinning heavy paint with water. Use acrylic medium instead.
- Expecting artist-grade intensity. Arteza is a strong value brand, not a professional line.
- Leaving caps loose. Small tubes dry out quickly.
FAQs
Is Arteza acrylic paint good?
For hobby painters and students it is a solid value choice, with thick paint and helpful labeling that includes pigment numbers and lightfastness ratings. Professionals may prefer higher-pigment artist brands.
Is Arteza acrylic paint non-toxic?
The listings describe the paints as AP-certified non-toxic and water-based with soap-and-water cleanup.
Is Arteza better than Liquitex?
They target similar painters. Arteza offers more colors per set for the price; Liquitex BASICS is a long-established student line with larger single tubes. See our Arteza vs Liquitex comparison for details.
Can Arteza acrylic be used on fabric or wood?
The 24-color listing names canvas, wood, paper and craft surfaces, and the details mention fabric. For washable fabric, mix with a fabric medium.
How do I make Arteza acrylic paint thinner?
Add a little water for washes or underpainting, or an acrylic medium for glazes and pours so the paint film stays durable.
How long does an Arteza 22 ml tube last?
It depends on painting size and how much you mix. On small canvases a 22 ml color tube can last many paintings, while white often runs out within a few. Buying white and your most-used colors in larger tubes extends a set considerably.
Does Arteza acrylic dry glossy?
The 24-color set lists a gloss finish. Varnish can make the final painting matte, satin or gloss as you prefer.
Final Recommendation
Arteza acrylic paint is a good-value choice for hobby painters and students, with the bonus of pigment and lightfastness information on every tube. Start with the 24-color set, or choose the 60-color set if you want metallics and minimal mixing. Add a large Liquitex BASICS white either way. If you need brushes in the box and more paint per color for crafts, Shuttle Art’s 36-color set is the alternative to compare.
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