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When people search for Arteza premium acrylic, they almost always mean Arteza’s high-viscosity acrylic tube sets: the 12-color and 60-color boxes of 22ml tubes that have become a default first purchase for hobby painters. The question behind the search is simple. Is this paint good enough to learn on and to make finished work with, or should you spend the same money elsewhere?
This review covers both Arteza high-viscosity sets from their listing details, explains what you get and what you do not, and compares them with three alternatives: a 48-color set from Artbreezing, a 24-color set of larger 60ml tubes from Artecho and a MEEDEN heavy body set with a satin finish.
Quick answer: For most beginners and hobby painters, the ARTEZA 60-color high-viscosity set is the best-value Arteza premium acrylic buy: 55 classic colors plus 5 metallics in 22ml tubes, organized in trays. If you would rather learn mixing with labeled pigments, the ARTEZA 12-color set lists pigment numbers and lightfastness on every tube. For more paint per color and a thicker body, the MEEDEN Heavy Body 24 x 60ml set is the alternative to compare.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
- ARTEZA Acrylic Paint Set, 60 Colors, 22ml — Best value large palette
- ARTEZA Acrylic Paint Set, 12 Colors, 22ml — Best Arteza set for learning to mix
- MEEDEN Heavy Body Acrylic, 24 x 60ml — Best for thick, textured work
- Artecho Acrylic Paint, 24 x 60ml — Best larger tubes on a budget
- Artbreezing Professional Acrylic, 48 Colors — Best mid-size color range alternative
| Product | Best For | Key Spec | Key Strength | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARTEZA 60 Colors | Wide ready-made palette | 60 x 22ml; 5 metallics | Organized trays, huge range | $$$ |
| ARTEZA 12 Colors | Learning to mix | 12 x 22ml; pigment and lightfastness on label | Transparent labeling | $$ |
| MEEDEN Heavy Body | Impasto and texture | 24 x 60ml; satin finish | Thick body, about 15-min surface dry | $$ |
| Artecho 24 Colors | Larger tubes | 24 x 60ml; flip-top tubes | More paint per color | $$ |
| Artbreezing 48 Colors | Mid-size range | 48 x 22ml | Listed as lightfast and water-resistant | $$ |
How We Chose
We have not painted with these sets. The picks are based on the Amazon listing details and specifications checked in October 2026, on how well each set’s tube size, viscosity, labeling and palette fit what buyers expect from Arteza premium acrylic, and on how widely each product is reviewed by Amazon buyers. Pigment, lightfastness and drying claims are the manufacturers’ statements.
Our criteria:
- Body: high-viscosity or heavy body paint that holds a brushstroke.
- Tube size: 22ml versus 60ml, and how quickly you will run out of key colors.
- Labeling: whether tubes list pigment numbers and lightfastness.
- Palette: number of colors, metallics and balance for mixing.
- Finish: gloss, semi-gloss or satin.
Arteza Premium Acrylic Reviewed
1. ARTEZA Acrylic Paint Set, 60 Colors, 22ml Tubes, High-Viscosity — Best Value Large Palette
The 60-color set contains 55 classic colors and 5 metallics, gold, silver and three pearl tones, in 22ml (0.74 fl oz) tubes grouped in trays. Arteza describes a creamy, smooth consistency that spreads evenly, holds a visible brushstroke and layers without dragging, suitable for blending, palette knife work and expressive marks, or thinned with water for flow. The paints are AP-certified non-toxic according to the listing.
The listing names canvas, wood, paper and mixed media surfaces, and the details mention crack resistance, fast drying and low odor. With so many premixed colors, you can paint for a long time without mixing, which is both the attraction and the limitation of large sets.
Best suited for: beginners and hobby painters who want a ready palette for canvas, crafts and mixed media without mixing every color.
Key features:
- 60 colors: 55 classic plus gold, silver and 3 pearls
- 22ml tubes grouped in trays
- High-viscosity, creamy body that holds brushstrokes
- AP-certified non-toxic; low odor per listing
Pros:
- Huge color range at a low cost per tube
- Metallics included for accents
- Trays keep 60 tubes organized
- Extremely widely reviewed by Amazon buyers
Cons and limitations:
- 22ml tubes of white and black run out long before other colors
- The 60-color listing does not mention pigment information on labels
- Many premixed colors can discourage learning to mix
Buying consideration: Buy a large tube of titanium white alongside this set; you will use far more white than any other color.
2. ARTEZA Acrylic Paint Set, 12 Colors, 22ml Tubes, High-Viscosity — Best Arteza Set for Learning to Mix
The 12-color set uses the same 22ml tube size but with a crucial extra detail in the listing: each tube lists the color name, pigment number and lightfastness rating. That information lets you understand what you are mixing, match colors from other brands and judge how a painting will hold up in light.
Arteza describes a high-pigment, high-viscosity formula that builds texture, layers and handles fine detail with brush or palette knife, with a semi-gloss finish and soap-and-water cleanup. The listing names canvas, wood, paper and craft surfaces, and the details add glass, fabric and ceramics.
Best suited for: beginners who want to learn color mixing properly, and painters who care about pigment information.
Key features:
- 12 colors in 22ml tubes
- Labels show color name, pigment number and lightfastness rating
- High-viscosity, high-pigment formula
- Semi-gloss finish; secure screw caps
Pros:
- Pigment and lightfastness information on every tube
- A small palette encourages mixing skills
- Low price tier
Cons and limitations:
- Only 12 colors, so you will mix most hues
- Same small tube size as the 60-color set
Buying consideration: If you are serious about learning, this set plus extra white is a better teacher than the 60-color box.
What Arteza Premium Acrylic Is, and Is Not
Arteza’s high-viscosity sets are designed for beginners, hobby painters and students, and for artists who want an affordable palette for studies and decorative work. They are not marketed as professional single-pigment artist paints sold in large open-stock tubes.
That is not a criticism; it is a positioning. For practice, crafts, color studies, gifts and a lot of finished hobby work, they are perfectly suited. If you want to sell paintings and need assurance of single-pigment colors and lightfastness, the 12-color set’s labeling helps, but you may eventually move to larger artist-grade tubes for key colors.
Alternatives Worth Comparing
3. MEEDEN Heavy Body Acrylic Paint, Satin Finish, 24 x 60ml — Best for Thick, Textured Work
MEEDEN’s set offers 24 colors in 60ml (2 oz) tubes, nearly three times the volume of Arteza’s tubes. The listing describes a heavy body formula with excellent molding capability for thick, textured layers and clear brushstrokes, an average surface dry time of about 15 minutes and a soft but resilient, water-resistant film once dry. The finish is satin.
The listing also says the paint mixes with gels, varnishes, pouring mediums and other mediums, and names canvas, wood, rock, fabric and glass.
Best suited for: painters who like impasto and palette knife work and want more paint per color.
Key features:
- 24 colors in 60ml tubes
- Heavy body formula for texture
- About 15-minute average surface dry time per listing
- Satin finish; fade resistant per listing
Pros:
- Much more paint per color
- Heavy body suits palette knife work
- Satin finish reduces glare
Cons and limitations:
- Fewer colors than the Arteza 60 set
- No pigment information in the listing
Buying consideration: Choose this over Arteza if texture matters and you paint larger canvases.
4. Artecho Acrylic Paint, 24 Colors, 60ml Tubes — Best Larger Tubes on a Budget
Artecho’s set provides 24 colors in 60ml (2.02 oz) flip-top tubes. The listing describes a creamy consistency with high pigment for covering large areas and fine details, good lightfastness and a fast-drying glossy finish (the details list semi-gloss). It conforms to ASTM D-4236 and is acid-free.
Flip-top caps are quicker to use than screw caps during a session, and 60ml tubes make the set well suited to larger paintings and pouring projects.
Best suited for: painters working larger who want more paint per color at a modest price tier.
Key features:
- 24 colors in 60ml flip-top tubes
- Creamy, highly pigmented per listing
- Glossy to semi-gloss finish
- Canvas, paper, wood, fabric, cardboard, MDF and crafts
Pros:
- Large tubes at a modest price tier
- Flip-top caps
- Widely reviewed by Amazon buyers
Cons and limitations:
- Creamy rather than heavy body
- Fewer colors than larger sets
Buying consideration: A practical step up in volume from 22ml tubes without a big price jump.
5. Artbreezing 48 Colors Professional Acrylic Paint Set — Best Mid-Size Range Alternative
Artbreezing offers 48 colors at 22ml each, ranging from warm to cool tones. The listing describes a pigment-rich formula that is smooth, easy to blend and quick-drying, and claims the paints are highly pigmented, lightfast and water-resistant, staying crack-free. It names canvas, wood and paper.
As a 48-color set it sits between Arteza’s 12 and 60, which suits painters who want plenty of ready colors without the bulk of 60 tubes.
Best suited for: hobby painters who want a large palette and see the 60-color set as more than they need.
Key features:
- 48 colors in 22ml tubes
- Listed as lightfast and water-resistant
- Gloss finish
- Also sold in 24- and 36-color versions
Pros:
- Large palette in a smaller footprint
- Lightfast and crack-free claims in the listing
Cons and limitations:
- Fewer buyer reviews than Arteza
- No pigment information
Buying consideration: Compare it with the Arteza 60 on the day; the Arteza set is far more widely reviewed.
Arteza 60 vs Arteza 12: Which Should You Buy?
The two Arteza sets share the same tube size and high-viscosity formula, so the choice is about how you want to learn and work.
Choose the 60-Color Set If
- You paint crafts, rocks, signs or decorative pieces where exact premixed colors save time.
- You want metallic and pearl accents without buying them separately.
- You are buying a gift and want an impressive, complete-looking box.
- You prefer to reach for a color rather than mix it.
Choose the 12-Color Set If
- You want to learn color theory by mixing secondaries and neutrals yourself.
- You want pigment numbers and lightfastness ratings printed on each tube.
- You plan to add individual tubes over time as you discover favorite colors.
- Your workspace is small and 60 tubes would be clutter.
Many painters end up with both: the 12-color set as a disciplined everyday palette and the 60-color set as a library of convenience colors for special jobs.
A Simple Mixing Palette From a Large Set
If you buy the 60-color box, you can still build mixing skill by setting most of it aside. Pull out a warm and a cool version of each primary, for example a lemon-type yellow and a warmer deep yellow, a crimson-type red and an orange-leaning red, and a phthalo-type blue and an ultramarine-type blue, plus white, black and a burnt umber. Paint several pieces with only those colors.
You will learn which combinations give clean greens and violets and which go muddy, and the rest of the box becomes a set of convenience colors rather than a crutch. Check the tube names carefully when choosing, since the 60-color listing does not state pigment numbers.
Buying Guide: How to Choose an Acrylic Paint Set Like Arteza
Viscosity
High-viscosity and heavy body paints hold brushstrokes and palette knife marks. Creamy or soft body paints level out more and suit smooth blending and larger flat areas. Fluid acrylics and inks are thinner still. Choose based on how you like your paint to sit on the canvas.
Tube Size
22ml tubes are fine for small canvases and studies but run out quickly on larger work. 60ml tubes last much longer. Whatever set you choose, buy white separately in a large tube.
Pigment Information
Pigment numbers, such as PB15 for phthalo blue, tell you what is in the tube and help you predict mixes. Lightfastness ratings tell you how well colors resist fading. The Arteza 12-color set lists both; many budget sets do not.
Number of Colors
Large sets save time and offer convenience; small sets teach mixing. A palette of a warm and cool version of each primary, plus white, black and an earth tone, can mix almost anything.
Finish
Gloss and semi-gloss look rich but can glare under lights; satin and matte reduce reflections. You can change the final sheen with varnish, so finish is not a deal-breaker.
Intended Use
For crafts, rocks and decorative pieces, any of these sets work. For paintings you plan to sell or display in bright rooms, favor sets with lightfastness information.
Getting More From an Arteza Acrylic Set
- Use a stay-wet palette to keep 22ml tubes from drying out on the palette.
- Mix a limited palette from the 60-color set to build mixing skill, then use convenience colors as accents.
- Thin with acrylic medium rather than lots of water to keep colors strong.
- Keep metallics for final accents; they can dull mixes.
- Varnish finished paintings to protect them and unify the sheen.
Projects to Try
A new set is a perfect excuse for quick, bold projects; see our guide to making DIY wall art with acrylic. For subjects that suit a new palette, try these simple acrylic painting ideas for beginners, and if you want to decorate jars or glassware, read whether you can use acrylic paint on glass jars.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Running out of white. Buy a large tube at the start.
- Over-thinning with water. Too much water weakens the paint film.
- Squeezing out every color. Dispense only what you will use; acrylic dries fast.
- Ignoring pigment labels. They explain why some mixes go muddy.
- Using metallics in mixes. Keep them for highlights.
- Skipping varnish on finished work. It protects and evens the finish.
FAQs
Is Arteza acrylic paint good quality?
Arteza’s high-viscosity sets are widely used by beginners and hobby painters. The listings describe creamy, pigmented paint that holds brushstrokes, and the 12-color set labels pigment numbers and lightfastness, which helps you judge quality.
What is the difference between Arteza’s 12-color and 60-color sets?
Both use 22ml high-viscosity tubes. The 12-color set lists pigment numbers and lightfastness on each tube and encourages mixing; the 60-color set offers a huge premixed range with 5 metallics.
Is Arteza acrylic paint heavy body?
Arteza describes these sets as high-viscosity, with a creamy consistency that holds brushstrokes. For thicker impasto, the MEEDEN heavy body set is designed specifically for texture.
Can I use Arteza acrylic paint on wood and fabric?
The listings name wood, and the 12-color set’s details also mention glass, fabric and ceramics. For fabric that will be washed, a fabric medium improves flexibility.
How long does acrylic paint take to dry?
Thin layers dry to the touch quickly, often within minutes; MEEDEN lists an average surface dry time of about 15 minutes for its heavy body paint. Thick layers take longer to dry through.
Do I need to varnish acrylic paintings?
It is not required, but varnish protects the surface from dust and UV and evens out the sheen.
Final Recommendation
Choose the ARTEZA 60-color set if you want the widest ready palette at a low price tier for hobby painting, crafts and studies. Choose the ARTEZA 12-color set if you want to learn mixing and value pigment and lightfastness labeling.
For thick, textured painting on larger canvases, the MEEDEN Heavy Body 24 x 60ml set gives you more paint and body. The Artecho 60ml set is the budget route to larger tubes, and the Artbreezing 48-color set is a mid-size alternative to compare.
