PaintingProGuide is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this page we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
In mixed media, acrylic does more jobs than any other material on the table. It is the color layer, the glue for collage papers, the sealant over a magazine transfer and the ground for pastel or ink on top. So the best acrylic paint sets for mixed media are the ones that behave predictably under and over other materials: they cover well, dry water-resistant, accept pencil and marker afterward, and come in a format you can grab mid-layer without stopping to unscrew a dozen caps.
Below we compare six sets on Amazon, from a high-viscosity tube set that labels its pigments to complete mixed media easel boxes that combine acrylics with watercolor, pastels and pencils. There is also a quick compatibility chart showing which materials go safely on top of acrylic and which do not.
Quick answer: ARTEZA’s 24-color high-viscosity tube set is the best pure acrylic choice for mixed media because each tube lists its pigment number and lightfastness rating, and the thick body builds texture under collage. For journaling and fast layering, the Caliart 36-color 2 oz bottles give you more paint per color at a mid tier. If you want acrylic plus every other medium in one box, the COLOUR BLOCK 152-piece wooden easel set is the most complete mixed media kit here.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
- ARTEZA Acrylic Paint Set, 24 Colors, High-Viscosity — Best overall acrylic set for mixed media layering
- Caliart 36-Color Acrylic Set (2 oz bottles) — Best for art journals and large backgrounds
- COLOUR BLOCK 152-Piece Wooden Easel Art Set — Best complete mixed media kit
- Artbreezing 55-Piece Mixed Media Set with Easel — Best compact kit for travel and gifting
- Shuttle Art 30 x 12 ml Tube Set — Best budget tube set for small collages
- HissiCo 36-Color Flip-Top Bottle Set — Best squeeze bottles for quick scrapbook layers
| Product | Best For | Key Spec | Key Strength | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARTEZA 24 High-Viscosity | Texture, layering, collage grounds | 24 x 22 ml tubes; pigment info on label | Thick body, labeled lightfastness | $$ |
| Caliart 36 | Journals and backgrounds | 36 x 2 oz bottles; matte | Matte finish takes pencil and pastel | $$ |
| COLOUR BLOCK 152-Piece | Exploring many media | 10 media incl. acrylic and watercolor | Wooden tabletop easel box | $$$ |
| Artbreezing 55-Piece | Portable mixed media | Acrylic + watercolor + pencils | Compact wooden easel box | $$$ |
| Shuttle Art 30 Tubes | Small collages, ATCs | 30 x 12 ml; gloss | Low cost per color | $ |
| HissiCo 36 Bottles | Scrapbooks and quick layers | 36 x 2 oz flip-top bottles | Fast one-handed dispensing | $$ |
How We Chose
These recommendations draw on Amazon listing details and specifications checked in October 2026, how well each set’s body, finish and packaging suit layered mixed media work, and how widely each product is reviewed by Amazon buyers. We have not used these sets ourselves. Mixed media compatibility advice is based on how acrylic is well known to interact with other materials.
- Body — thick paint builds texture and holds collage; fluid paint stains paper and flows into journals.
- Finish — matte surfaces accept graphite, colored pencil, pastel and some markers far better than gloss.
- Pigment transparency — labeled pigment info helps you choose transparent colors for glazes over text and images.
- Dispensing format — flip-top bottles are faster when you are juggling glue, paper and paint.
- Kit breadth — complete kits score for beginners exploring several media at once.
What Works Over and Under Acrylic
| Material | Over dry acrylic? | Under acrylic? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graphite and colored pencil | Yes, best on matte | Yes | Gloss acrylic resists pencil; sand lightly or use matte medium |
| Watercolor | Yes, sits on top | Yes, if sealed | Dry acrylic will not reactivate, so watercolor can be lifted off it |
| Ink | Yes | Yes, if waterproof | Non-waterproof ink smears under wet acrylic |
| Soft and oil pastel | Yes | Avoid oil pastel under acrylic | Acrylic does not bond well over oily layers |
| Collage paper | Yes, with medium | Yes | Acrylic medium or thick paint works as glue and sealer |
| Oil paint | Yes | Never under acrylic | Acrylic will not adhere over oil |
Best Acrylic Paint Sets for Mixed Media Reviewed
1. ARTEZA Acrylic Paint Set, 24 Colors, High-Viscosity — Best for layered, textured mixed media
ARTEZA’s high-viscosity formula is thick enough to hold brush and palette knife marks, so you can build textured passages, press found objects or embed tissue into wet paint. The 22 ml tubes have screw caps, and the listing says each tube shows the color name, pigment number and lightfastness rating.
Those labels matter in mixed media. If you want a color to glaze over a printed image without hiding it, you need to know which pigments are transparent. If a piece will hang in a bright room, the lightfastness rating tells you which colors to trust. Few sets at this tier give you that information.
Best suited for: Mixed media painters working on canvas, wood panel or heavy paper who want texture and need to know what is in each tube.
Key features:
- 24 colors in 22 ml (0.74 oz) tubes
- High-viscosity formula for texture and knife work
- Pigment number and lightfastness rating on each tube
- AP-certified non-toxic per the listing
Pros:
- Transparent and opaque colors are easy to identify
- Thick paint holds collage elements
- Screw caps keep paint fresh between sessions
Cons and limitations:
- Gloss finish; use matte medium if you plan to draw over it
- 22 ml tubes are small for big backgrounds
- Thick body needs thinning for washes
Buying consideration: Add a jar of matte medium to this set. It thins the paint for glazes, glues collage papers, and gives you a tooth that pencils and pastels can grip.
2. Caliart 36-Color Acrylic Set (2 oz bottles) — Best for art journals and big backgrounds
Mixed media journals use paint quickly: whole-page backgrounds, stenciled patterns, scraped layers. Caliart’s 2 oz bottles give you a lot of paint per color, and the standard colors dry matte according to the listing, with metallic gold and silver included for accents.
A matte surface is the practical reason to choose this set for mixed media. Graphite, colored pencil, gel pens and pastels all grip matte acrylic better than glossy paint.
Best suited for: Art journalers, collage artists and mixed media painters who want plenty of paint and a matte surface to draw on.
Key features:
- 36 colors in 2 oz bottles
- Matte standard colors plus metallic gold and silver
- 12 brushes included
- ASTM D4236, non-toxic and acid-free
Pros:
- Generous volume per color
- Matte finish accepts drawing media
- Bottles dispense quickly
Cons and limitations:
- Fluid craft body, less texture than heavy-body tubes
- Pigment details are not listed
- Brushes are basic
Buying consideration: If you journal on thin paper, use this paint in thin layers and let each dry before the next to avoid cockling and page sticking.
3. COLOUR BLOCK 152-Piece Wooden Easel Art Set — Best for a complete mixed media studio
This is the biggest kit in the guide: a wooden tabletop easel box holding 10 art media, 12 types of tools, 2 pads and 2 canvases. The media listed include acrylic paints, watercolor paints, watercolor cakes, soft pastels, watercolor pencils, colored pencils, metallic pencils, sketching pencils and charcoal.
Tools include synthetic and nylon brushes, metal palette knives, a water brush pen, a plastic palette and a kneaded eraser. For someone just discovering mixed media, having all of these to combine in one box is the main appeal.
Best suited for: Beginners and gift buyers who want to explore how acrylic combines with watercolor, pastel, pencil and charcoal.
Key features:
- 152 pieces across 10 media
- Wooden tabletop easel with storage
- Two pads and two canvases
- Brushes, palette knives, water brush and eraser
Pros:
- Huge variety for experimentation
- Storage and easel in one wooden box
- Strong gift presentation
Cons and limitations:
- Highest tier here; quantities of each medium are limited
- Acrylic portion is a small part of the kit
- Heavy, at 8.67 pounds per the listing
Buying consideration: Kits like this are about discovering which media you enjoy. Once you know, replace the media you use most with larger, better individual sets.
4. Artbreezing 55-Piece Mixed Media Set with Easel — Best for portable mixed media
Artbreezing’s kit combines acrylic and watercolor paints with brushes and colored pencils in a lightweight wooden easel box designed for travel, with separated storage trays to keep supplies from shifting.
At 55 pieces it is more focused than the 152-piece box, which makes it easier to carry and easier to understand for a first mixed media project.
Best suited for: Hobbyists who want a portable acrylic-and-watercolor kit, and buyers looking for a mid-tier gift.
Key features:
- 55 pieces: acrylic and watercolor paints, brushes, colored pencils
- Portable wooden easel box
- Separated internal storage trays
- Listed for all skill levels
Pros:
- Lighter and more portable than larger kits
- Acrylic plus watercolor for layered work
- Organized storage
Cons and limitations:
- Listing does not detail color counts per medium
- Smaller quantities than standalone sets
- Pricier than buying paint alone
Buying consideration: Check the product images for the exact contents before buying, since the listing describes the categories rather than every item.
5. Shuttle Art 30 x 12 ml Tube Set — Best for small collages and artist trading cards
Thirty colors in 12 ml tubes, plus three brushes, at the lowest tier on this list. For small-format mixed media such as artist trading cards, postcards, tags and collage studies, small tubes are plenty, and the wide color range saves mixing time.
The listing describes the paint as thick and highly pigmented with good coverage, which helps when covering printed collage paper.
Best suited for: Budget-minded collage artists and anyone working small.
Key features:
- 30 colors in 12 ml tubes
- Three brushes
- Gloss finish
- Works on canvas, paper, wood, clay and rocks
Pros:
- Very low cost per color
- Compact for a portable kit
- Thick coverage over printed paper
Cons and limitations:
- Tiny tubes for large backgrounds
- Gloss surface needs matte medium before pencil work
- No pigment information
Buying consideration: Use it as your color library and buy a larger bottle of white and black separately; those run out first in mixed media.
6. HissiCo 36-Color Flip-Top Bottle Set — Best for quick scrapbook and journal layers
HissiCo uses flip-top squeeze bottles, which the listing says make it easy to control flow. In mixed media, where you might have glue on one hand and a stencil in the other, one-handed dispensing is genuinely useful.
The set includes 36 colors in 2 oz bottles, 12 brushes and a palette, and the listing mentions scrapbooking among its uses. It conforms to ASTM D4236 and EN71.
Best suited for: Scrapbookers, journalers and crafters who value speed and want lots of colors.
Key features:
- 36 colors in 2 oz (60 ml) bottles
- Flip-top squeeze caps
- 12 brushes and a palette
- ASTM D4236 and EN71 conformance
Pros:
- Fast one-handed dispensing
- Large bottles for the tier
- Box doubles as storage
Cons and limitations:
- Fluid body; limited texture
- Finish not clearly specified in the listing
- Basic brushes
Buying consideration: Wipe the flip-top nozzles after each session. Dried acrylic in the spout is the most common reason bottle sets become hard to use.
Buying Guide: How to Choose Acrylic Paint for Mixed Media
Heavy body or fluid?
Heavy-body (high-viscosity) acrylic builds texture, holds marks and acts as a strong adhesive for collage. Fluid and craft acrylic flows, stains and dries flatter, which suits journals and backgrounds. Many mixed media artists keep both.
Matte surfaces are friendlier for drawing
If you plan to add pencil, pastel or marker on top, choose matte paint or finish glossy layers with matte medium. Gloss paint can feel slick and reject graphite.
Transparency matters for layering
Transparent colors let text, photos and earlier layers show through. Opaque colors cover them. Pigment labels like ARTEZA’s make it easier to choose deliberately.
Consider the paper or substrate
Thin paper buckles under wet acrylic. Use mixed media paper, heavy watercolor paper, canvas board or wood panel, and prime with gesso if you will apply many wet layers.
Packaging and workflow
Tubes keep paint fresh longer and travel well. Bottles are faster at the desk. Pick the format that matches how quickly you work between layers.
Kit or open stock?
Complete kits are good for discovering what you like. Dedicated acrylic sets give more paint for the money once you know your direction.
Learn the Technique
Before you start layering, read our step-by-step guide on how to use acrylic paint on mixed media paper, which covers priming, layer drying and avoiding warped pages. For larger finished pieces, our walkthrough on making DIY wall art with acrylic explains surface choices and display.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Putting acrylic over oil pastel or oil paint. Acrylic will not bond to oily layers and can peel.
- Drawing on glossy acrylic. Pencils skate. Add matte medium first.
- Using non-waterproof ink under paint. It bleeds into wet acrylic.
- Closing a journal before it is dry. Acrylic pages stick together; let them cure or interleave with wax paper.
- Thinning with too much water. Over-diluted acrylic loses adhesion; thin with a medium instead.
- Skipping gesso on thin paper. A primed page resists buckling and soak-through.
FAQs
What is the best acrylic paint for mixed media?
Heavy-body acrylic with clear pigment labeling, like the ARTEZA 24 high-viscosity set, is a strong all-round choice. If you mainly journal, a matte fluid set such as Caliart may suit you better.
Can I use watercolor over acrylic paint?
Yes. Dry acrylic is water-resistant, so watercolor sits on top without reactivating it. Because it does not soak in, watercolor over acrylic can be lifted with a damp brush.
Can acrylic paint be used as glue for collage?
Thick acrylic and acrylic mediums both work as adhesives for lightweight papers. Brush a layer under the paper and a thin layer over it to seal.
Should mixed media acrylic be matte or gloss?
Matte is easier to draw on with pencils and pastels. Gloss deepens colors. Many artists paint with any finish and adjust the surface with matte or gloss medium.
Do I need special paper for acrylic mixed media?
Use mixed media paper or heavy watercolor paper of at least 140 lb (300 gsm), or canvas board and panels. Thin sketch paper wrinkles under wet layers.
Can I use acrylic paint over oil pastel?
It is not recommended. Acrylic does not adhere well over oily materials. Put oil pastel on top of dry acrylic instead.
Final Recommendation
If acrylic is the backbone of your mixed media, start with the ARTEZA 24 high-viscosity set for texture and labeled pigments. Journal-focused artists will get more from the matte Caliart 36 bottles or the speedy HissiCo flip-tops. To explore every medium at once, choose the COLOUR BLOCK 152-piece box, or the lighter Artbreezing 55-piece kit for travel. The Shuttle Art 30-tube set covers small collages on a tight budget.
