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An Arteza vs Liquitex acrylic paint comparison is really a comparison between two ways of buying paint. Arteza sells large, affordable sets of 22 ml tubes aimed at hobbyists and students, with pigment numbers and lightfastness printed on the tube. Liquitex sells professional lines, Heavy Body and Soft Body, mostly as single tubes or small mixing sets, with the pigment science spelled out on the listing and archival claims to match.
Neither is simply better. The right choice depends on whether you want sixty colors on the table or six colors you can trust on a gallery wall. This guide compares the two brands on consistency, pigment information, finish, set structure and value using the Amazon listings checked in October 2026, then names two alternatives that sit between them.
Quick answer: Choose Arteza if you are learning, want a wide color range in one box and paint on canvas, wood and craft surfaces; the 12-color set is the cheap test and the 60-color set is the full palette. Choose Liquitex if permanence and consistency matter more than color count; the Heavy Body Titanium White is the single most useful professional tube to own, and the Soft Body Mixing Set teaches you to mix everything from six colors. Many painters end up with both: Arteza for volume, Liquitex for whites and key colors.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
- ARTEZA Acrylic Paint Set, 12 Colors — Best low-cost way to try Arteza
- ARTEZA Acrylic Paint Set, 60 Colors — Best full hobby palette
- Liquitex Heavy Body Titanium White, 4.65 oz — Best professional white for any palette
- Liquitex Soft Body Mixing Set, 6 x 22 ml — Best professional starter for color mixing
- Mont Marte Signature Acrylic Set, 24 x 36 ml — Best middle-ground alternative with named pigments
- Artbreezing 48 Colors Acrylic Paint Set — Best Arteza-style alternative with lightfast claim
| Product | Best For | Key Spec | Key Strength | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arteza 12 Colors | Trying the brand | 12 x 22 ml, high viscosity, AP non-toxic | Pigment number and lightfastness on tube | $$ |
| Arteza 60 Colors | Full hobby palette | 55 colors + 5 metallics, 22 ml tubes | Widest range in one set | $$$ |
| Liquitex Heavy Body Titanium White | Every palette | 4.65 oz tube, highest viscosity, lightfast | Archival, non-cracking impasto | $$ |
| Liquitex Soft Body Mixing Set | Learning to mix | 6 x 22 ml, low viscosity, AP seal | Professional pigments, fluid handling | $$ |
| Mont Marte 24 x 36 ml | Mid-range alternative | 24 named colors incl. gold and silver, semi-matte | Bigger tubes, listed color names | $$ |
| Artbreezing 48 Colors | Budget volume | 48 x 22 ml, lightfast and water-resistant claim | Many colors, low cost | $$ |
How We Chose
The comparison here is built from the Amazon listing details and specifications checked in October 2026, from how each paint’s stated viscosity, pigment information and finish fit different acrylic techniques, and from how widely each product is reviewed by Amazon buyers. No paint was swatched or applied for this article, and brand claims about archival life are reported as claims.
The points of comparison:
- Viscosity and handling: heavy body for texture, soft body for smooth coverage.
- Pigment transparency: does the listing name pigments, lightfastness or archival ratings?
- Set structure: many small tubes versus few larger ones.
- Finish: gloss, semi-gloss or matte as listed.
- Cost per milliliter and per useful color.
Arteza vs Liquitex: Head-to-Head
Consistency and handling
Arteza’s listings describe a high-viscosity, thick, creamy paint that holds a visible brushstroke, layers without dragging and can be thinned with water for softer flow. That puts it in the same general category as a heavy body paint, though Arteza does not use that term. Liquitex Heavy Body is described as the brand’s highest viscosity paint, with surface drag for handling, increased open time and a flexible film that does not crack in impasto. Liquitex Soft Body is the opposite: low viscosity, fluid, meant for covering wide areas straight from the bottle.
In practice, Arteza sits between the two Liquitex lines. If you want true impasto, Liquitex Heavy Body is the specialist; if you want smooth, even glazes and washes, Soft Body is; Arteza does both acceptably without excelling at either.
Pigment information
Arteza’s 12-color listing says each tube is labeled with the color name, pigment number and lightfastness rating, and the paint is AP-certified non-toxic. That is more transparency than most hobby brands offer. Liquitex goes further on the listing itself: Heavy Body is described as using basket bead-mill dispersion for pigment development, lightfast pigments rated for at least 50 years in gallery conditions, and a non-yellowing, UV-resistant film. Soft Body carries the same archival language and the ACMI AP seal.
The difference is less about honesty than about grade. Both tell you what is in the tube; Liquitex’s pigments and binder are formulated to professional standards and priced accordingly.
Finish
Arteza’s 12-color set lists a semi-gloss finish and the 60-color set lists gloss with metallics. Liquitex Heavy Body Titanium White and the Soft Body set both list a matte finish on the detail panel, though acrylic sheen in practice varies by color and thickness. If you varnish, the difference disappears; if you do not, Arteza will look shinier.
Set structure and volume
Arteza’s approach is many colors in 22 ml tubes: 12 or 60 in the sets here, the 60 including gold, silver and three pearl tones. Liquitex’s Soft Body Mixing Set is six 22 ml tubes chosen for mixing, and Heavy Body here is one 4.65 oz (138 ml) tube of Titanium White. For a painter who mixes, six good colors plus a large white is a complete palette. For a painter who prefers to pick colors off the shelf, Arteza’s 60 is the obvious win.
Value
Per milliliter, Arteza is far cheaper. Per painting that survives decades, Liquitex’s archival claims justify its premium. A sensible hybrid is Arteza for underpainting, studies and large areas, and Liquitex for the white you use in every mix and for the colors that carry the final layer.
Arteza and Liquitex Products Compared
1. ARTEZA Acrylic Paint Set, 12 Colors — Best Low-Cost Way to Try Arteza
Twelve high-pigment colors in 22 ml tubes, described as high viscosity for building texture and fine detail with brush or knife. Each tube lists its color name, pigment number and lightfastness rating, the paint is AP-certified non-toxic, and the listing names canvas, wood, paper and craft surfaces. The semi-gloss finish is listed on the detail panel.
For someone deciding whether Arteza suits them, this is the test purchase: enough colors for a real painting, little enough money that it is not a commitment.
Best suited for: beginners and hobbyists trying Arteza before buying the big set.
Key features:
- 12 x 22 ml tubes, high viscosity
- Pigment number and lightfastness on each tube
- AP-certified non-toxic
- Semi-gloss finish
Pros:
- Transparent labeling for a hobby brand
- Low entry price
- Thick enough for knife work
Cons/limitations:
- 22 ml tubes empty quickly
- No large white included
Buying consideration: pair it with a large tube of white, which is where a Liquitex Heavy Body Titanium White fits neatly.
2. ARTEZA Acrylic Paint Set, 60 Colors — Best Full Hobby Palette
Fifty-five classic colors and five metallics, gold, silver and three pearls, in 22 ml tubes grouped in trays. The listing describes a creamy consistency that spreads evenly, holds a brushstroke and layers without dragging, usable straight or thinned with water or medium. It is AP-certified non-toxic, lists a gloss finish and names canvas, wood, paper and mixed media.
Sixty colors is more than a painter needs and exactly what a hobbyist wants: no mixing, every hue ready. The tray packaging keeps it manageable on a desk.
Best suited for: hobby painters, mixed-media artists and anyone who prefers choosing colors to mixing them.
Key features:
- 55 colors plus 5 metallics, 22 ml each
- Tray organization
- AP-certified non-toxic, gloss finish
- Thin with water or medium
Pros:
- Widest palette in this comparison
- Metallics included
- Low cost per color
Cons/limitations:
- Small tubes of frequently used colors run out while rarely used ones sit
- Gloss finish may need varnish to unify
Buying consideration: expect to buy large whites and blacks separately as the 22 ml tubes of those run dry first.
3. Liquitex Heavy Body Titanium White, 4.65 oz — Best Professional White for Any Palette
A single 4.65 oz (138 ml) tube of Liquitex’s highest viscosity paint. The listing details basket bead-mill pigment dispersion, surface drag for handling and blending, increased open time, a flexible, non-yellowing, UV-resistant and water-resistant film, and crack-free impasto. Lightfastness is stated as archival, at least 50 years in gallery conditions.
White is the color every acrylic painter uses most, and it is the one where quality shows: opacity, tint strength and whether it yellows. Buying this one tube alongside a budget set is the most cost-effective upgrade available.
Best suited for: every acrylic painter, whichever brand fills the rest of the palette.
Key features:
- 4.65 oz tube, highest viscosity Liquitex line
- Lightfast, archival pigment claim
- Non-yellowing, UV and water resistant film
- Crack-free in thick application
Pros:
- Large tube of the most-used color
- Professional opacity and body
- Pairs with any set
Cons/limitations:
- One color only
- Heavy body needs thinning for washes
Buying consideration: if you only buy one Liquitex product, make it this one.
4. Liquitex Soft Body Mixing Set, 6 x 22 ml — Best Professional Starter for Color Mixing
Six 22 ml tubes of Soft Body, Liquitex’s low-viscosity professional line, chosen as a mixing set. The listing describes individually formulated pigments with minimal wet-to-dry shift, a fluid consistency for covering wide areas straight from the container, the ACMI AP seal and the same archival permanence claim as Heavy Body. The detail panel lists a matte finish.
Six colors sounds limiting next to Arteza’s sixty, but a mixing set teaches color theory in a way a rainbow box never does, and professional pigments mix cleaner than student ones.
Best suited for: students and serious beginners who want to learn mixing with professional pigments, and painters who prefer fluid paint.
Key features:
- 6 x 22 ml tubes selected for mixing
- Low viscosity, fluid handling
- ACMI AP seal; archival claim
- Matte finish per listing
Pros:
- Professional pigments at a set price
- Ideal for smooth coverage and glazing
- Builds mixing skill
Cons/limitations:
- Too fluid for impasto
- Small tubes
Buying consideration: add the Heavy Body Titanium White for body where you need it; the two lines mix freely.
Alternatives Worth Comparing
5. Mont Marte Signature Acrylic Set, 24 x 36 ml — Best Middle-Ground Alternative
Mont Marte’s set offers 24 named colors in 36 ml tubes, more paint per tube than either Arteza or the Liquitex set. The listing lists every color, from Titanium White and Phthalo Blue to Raw Sienna, Sap Green, Gold and Silver, and describes a creamy consistency, good coverage and a semi-matte finish. It is listed as non-toxic and recommended for canvas, wood, air-dried clay and cardboard.
Best suited for: painters who want Arteza-style value with larger tubes and a known, classic color list.
Key features:
- 24 x 36 ml tubes, colors listed by name
- Semi-matte finish
- Non-toxic
- Includes gold and silver
Pros:
- Bigger tubes than the 22 ml sets
- Traditional palette names aid learning
Cons/limitations:
- No lightfastness ratings on the listing
- Fewer colors than Arteza 60
Buying consideration: a good single-set compromise if you want neither sixty colors nor professional prices.
6. Artbreezing 48 Colors Acrylic Paint Set — Best Arteza-Style Alternative
Artbreezing’s 48 colors in 22 ml tubes compete directly with Arteza’s large sets. The listing claims highly pigmented, lightfast, water-resistant and crack-free paint that blends and dries quickly, with a gloss finish, and names canvas, wood and paper. It does not mention pigment numbers on the tubes, which is the detail that gives Arteza the edge in transparency.
Best suited for: budget-conscious hobbyists who want a big palette and are comparing prices against Arteza.
Key features:
- 48 x 22 ml tubes
- Lightfast and water-resistant claims
- Gloss finish
- Available in 24, 36 and 48-color sets
Pros:
- Large palette at a low price
- Fast drying for layering
Cons/limitations:
- No per-tube pigment labeling mentioned
- No AP certification stated
Buying consideration: choose it on price; choose Arteza if tube labeling and AP certification matter to you.
Buying Guide: How to Choose Between Arteza and Liquitex
Match viscosity to technique
Palette knife work and visible texture want heavy body paint; Liquitex Heavy Body is built for it and Arteza’s high-viscosity paint approximates it. Smooth blends, glazing and large flat areas want soft body or thinned paint; Liquitex Soft Body is the specialist.
Decide how much permanence you need
Studies, practice and craft projects do not need archival paint. Work you intend to sell or keep for decades does. Liquitex states a 50-year gallery permanence claim; Arteza prints lightfastness ratings on tubes so you can check color by color.
Count colors you will actually use
A limited palette of six to twelve colors plus a large white covers most painting. Sixty colors is convenience, not capability. If you know you mix, buy fewer, better tubes.
Buy white separately
Whatever set you choose, a 22 ml white will be gone first. Liquitex Heavy Body Titanium White in 4.65 oz solves this for any palette.
Check finish and plan to varnish
Arteza lists semi-gloss and gloss; Liquitex lists matte. Mixing brands on one canvas produces uneven sheen unless you varnish at the end, which is good practice regardless.
Consider certification
Both Arteza sets and the Liquitex Soft Body set state AP non-toxic certification. That matters for classrooms and shared studios.
Put the Paint to Work
Thick Arteza or Liquitex Heavy Body is well suited to textured pieces like the ones in our guide to DIY wall art with acrylic, while a fluid Soft Body set handles smooth surfaces such as the projects in acrylic paint on glass jars.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying Liquitex Soft Body for impasto: it is fluid by design.
- Judging Arteza by its price alone: the tubes carry pigment and lightfastness data; read them.
- Running a 60-color set without a big white: you will stall mid-painting.
- Mixing gloss and matte brands without varnish: the surface will look patchy.
- Assuming professional paint fixes technique: a mixing set teaches more than a rainbow box.
- Ignoring open time: Liquitex Heavy Body lists increased open time; budget paints dry faster, so adjust your blending.
FAQs
Is Arteza acrylic paint professional grade?
Arteza positions its sets for hobbyists through professionals and prints pigment numbers and lightfastness on tubes, but it does not make the archival permanence claims Liquitex does. Treat it as a well-labeled student to mid-grade paint.
Can I mix Arteza and Liquitex paints together?
Yes. Both are water-based acrylics and intermix without problems. Many painters use Arteza for large areas and Liquitex for whites and final layers.
Which Liquitex line is closer to Arteza’s consistency?
Arteza describes its paint as high viscosity and creamy, which is closer to Liquitex Heavy Body than to Soft Body, though Heavy Body is listed as thicker still.
Is the Liquitex Soft Body Mixing Set enough to paint with?
For learning, yes: six well-chosen professional colors mix a wide range. Add a large white and you have a working palette.
Why buy a single Liquitex white when sets include white?
Set whites are 22 ml and run out fast. The 4.65 oz Heavy Body Titanium White offers more than six times the volume of professional-grade white.
Does Arteza’s 60-color set include metallics?
Yes. The listing describes 55 classic colors plus gold, silver and three pearl tones.
Final Recommendation
For hobby painting, classrooms and anyone who wants color choice without mixing, Arteza wins: start with the 12-color set and move to the 60 if you like it. For work that needs to last, or for painters who want to learn mixing properly, Liquitex wins: the Soft Body Mixing Set plus the Heavy Body Titanium White is a complete professional starter. The best answer for most people is a hybrid, Arteza for volume and Liquitex for the white and the colors that matter, with Mont Marte as a middle option if neither extreme appeals.
