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If you are new to painting, the best paint sets for beginners are usually acrylic sets: they are water-based, dry fast, clean up with soap and water, and forgive mistakes because you can paint straight over them. Watercolor is a close second for people who want something portable and quiet, while oil is better saved until you know you enjoy the slower pace.
That still leaves a lot of choice. Some beginner sets are just bottles of paint and a few brushes; others add an easel, canvas panels, a palette knife and a water cup. This guide compares seven sets checked on Amazon in October 2026 and explains which kind of set makes sense for which kind of beginner, adult or child.
Quick answer: For most adult beginners, the Nicpro 80-Piece Acrylic Paint Canvas Set is the most complete start, with 36 colors in 36 ml tubes, ten cotton canvas panels, a table easel, 12 brushes and a color wheel. If you already have something to paint on, the Shuttle Art 36-Color Acrylic Set gives you larger 60 ml bottles with brushes and a palette. On a tight budget, the ESRICH 26-Piece Set covers the basics with 12 colors, brushes, two canvases and a small easel.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
- Nicpro 80PCS Acrylic Paint Canvas Set — Best complete kit for adult beginners
- Shuttle Art 36 Colors Acrylic Paint Set — Best paint-first set with large bottles
- Shuttle Art 66 Pack Acrylic Painting Set — Best kit with painting knives and apron
- LEYEDZ Acrylic Paint Set with Canvas — Best mid-size kit for teens and families
- Inburit Acrylic Paint Set with Canvas — Best starter kit for kids
- ESRICH 26 PCS Acrylic Paint Set — Best budget trial set
- Blablaovy 48 Colors Washable Watercolor Set — Best if you want to start with watercolor
| Product | Best For | Key Spec | Key Strength | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicpro 80PCS | Adult beginners | 36 x 36 ml acrylics, 10 canvas panels, easel | Color wheel, knife and brush washer | $$ |
| Shuttle Art 36 Colors | Painters with their own surfaces | 36 x 60 ml bottles, 12 brushes | Most paint per color | $$ |
| Shuttle Art 66 Pack | Texture and knife painting | 30 x 12 ml tubes, 12 canvases, 5 knives | Easel, palettes and apron | $$$ |
| LEYEDZ Set | Teens and family painting | 24 acrylics, 5 canvas panels, easel | Wash cup and cleaning cloth | $$ |
| Inburit Set | Kids | 18 acrylics, 5 panels, 15-sheet pad | Kid-friendly, gift box | $$ |
| ESRICH 26 PCS | Trying painting for the first time | 12 x 12 ml, 10 brushes, 2 canvases | Lowest cost with easel | $ |
| Blablaovy Watercolor | Watercolor-curious beginners | 48 pans, 2 brushes, water pen | Portable and washable | $ |
How We Chose
We built this list from the Amazon listing details and specifications checked in October 2026, comparing what is in each box, paint volume per color, the surfaces and tools included, safety certifications, and how widely each set is reviewed by Amazon buyers. We did not paint with these sets ourselves. Our goal was to match each set to a type of beginner so you do not pay for pieces you will not use, or miss something you need on day one.
- Paint volume: how many milliliters per color, since beginners use a lot of paint.
- Color range: enough colors to mix from, including a white that will not run out instantly.
- Surfaces and support: canvas panels, paper pads and an easel, or not.
- Useful extras: palette, water cup, palette knife, color wheel.
- Who it is for: adult hobbyists, teens or young children.
Which Medium Should a Beginner Start With?
| Medium | Why beginners like it | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic | Fast drying, water cleanup, covers mistakes, works on many surfaces | Dries on the palette and in brushes quickly |
| Watercolor | Portable, minimal setup, quick sketches | Hard to correct; needs proper watercolor paper |
| Oil | Slow drying allows blending; rich color | Needs solvents or special cleanup, long drying times |
| Gouache | Matte, opaque, rewettable | Can crack if applied thickly; fewer beginner kits |
Six of the seven sets here are acrylic because that is where most beginners have the easiest time. If you are drawn to loose, transparent washes and want to paint in a sketchbook on the go, the watercolor option at the end is a better fit.
Best Paint Sets for Beginners Reviewed
1. Nicpro 80PCS Acrylic Paint Canvas Set — Best Complete Kit for Adult Beginners
Nicpro’s kit is built for an adult who wants to open one box and start a real painting. You get 36 acrylic colors in 36 ml tubes, ten 100 percent cotton canvas panels in three sizes, a lightweight foldable table easel, 12 synthetic brushes in different shapes, a 16-sheet pad of 8 x 10-inch acrylic paper, a plastic palette, a palette knife, a sponge, a collapsible silicone brush washer and a color wheel.
The color wheel is a small but genuinely helpful inclusion for beginners, because mixing is where most new painters get stuck. The paper pad is useful too: practice on paper first and save the canvas panels for paintings you care about.
Best suited for: Adult beginners who want a full setup, including something to paint on and a stand to hold it.
Key features:
- 36 acrylic colors, 36 ml each
- 10 cotton canvas panels in 3 sizes
- Foldable wooden table easel
- 12 nylon brushes, palette knife, sponge
- Silicone brush washer, palette and color wheel
Pros:
- Everything needed for the first month of painting
- Paper pad for low-stakes practice
- Larger tubes than many all-in-one kits
Cons:
- Table easel suits small panels only
- 36 ml white will run out first
- Most expensive acrylic set here
Buying consideration: Buy a larger bottle or tube of titanium white early; nearly every mixture uses it.
2. Shuttle Art 36 Colors Acrylic Paint Set — Best Paint-First Set with Large Bottles
Shuttle Art’s set focuses on paint. Thirty-six colors come in 2 oz (60 ml) bottles, including metallic gold and silver, with 12 brushes and a palette. The listing describes creamy, blendable paint that dries fast, is water-resistant once dry and works on wood, rock, canvas, ceramic, fabric, glass, clay, leather and plastic. It conforms to ASTM D4236 and is labeled non-toxic and acid-free.
Because there is no canvas or easel, this set suits beginners who want to paint on a mix of surfaces: rocks, wood plaques, terracotta pots or canvas panels bought separately. You get more paint per color than in any kit with canvases.
Best suited for: Beginners doing craft painting and canvas work who already have surfaces or want to choose their own.
Key features:
- 36 colors in 60 ml bottles, including metallic gold and silver
- 12 brushes and 1 palette
- Works on canvas, wood, rock, ceramic, fabric and more
- ASTM D4236, non-toxic, acid-free
Pros:
- Most paint per color in this guide
- Versatile across craft surfaces
- Sturdy box doubles as an organizer
Cons:
- No canvas or easel
- Bottles are less convenient than tubes for precise amounts
- Basic brushes
Buying consideration: Pair it with a pack of canvas panels in a single size, which makes it easier to practice a series of small paintings.
3. Shuttle Art 66 Pack Acrylic Painting Set — Best Kit with Painting Knives and Apron
This larger Shuttle Art kit swaps bottles for 30 colors in 12 ml tubes and adds the tools: a foldable wooden easel, 12 brushes, five painting knives, 12 canvases in multiple sizes, two mixing palettes, a water bucket, two sponges and a waterproof art apron. It conforms to ASTM D-4236 and EN71-3.
The five painting knives are the standout for beginners who like texture. Knife painting is a satisfying way to start because it encourages bold, simple shapes. The trade-off is the small 12 ml tubes, which run out quickly if you paint thickly.
Best suited for: Beginners who want to try knife painting and texture, and anyone giving a complete kit as a gift.
Key features:
- 30 acrylic colors in 12 ml tubes
- Foldable wooden easel
- 12 brushes and 5 painting knives
- 12 canvases in multiple sizes
- 2 palettes, water bucket, sponges and apron
Pros:
- Twelve canvases for plenty of practice
- Painting knives included
- Apron and bucket cover cleanup
Cons:
- Small tubes for knife painting
- Fewer colors than the 36-color sets
- Higher price tier
Buying consideration: If you plan to paint thick textures, budget for larger tubes of white and your favorite colors.
4. LEYEDZ Acrylic Paint Set with Canvas — Best Mid-Size Kit for Teens and Families
LEYEDZ includes 24 acrylic paints, eight brushes, five canvas panels, a tabletop easel, a palette, a wash cup and a cleaning cloth. It sits between the bare-bones ESRICH set and the larger Nicpro kit in both scope and price, and it is marketed to kids, students and adult hobbyists alike.
Twenty-four colors gives enough range to paint flowers, landscapes and simple abstracts without mixing everything from primaries, which helps keep early sessions fun. The wash cup and cloth are small things that make a family painting session less messy.
Best suited for: Teens, families and adult hobbyists who want a tidy all-in-one kit without paying for 80 pieces.
Key features:
- 24 acrylic paints
- 8 brushes
- 5 canvas panels and tabletop easel
- Palette, wash cup and cleaning cloth
Pros:
- Balanced contents for the price
- Good color range for beginners
- Cleanup tools included
Cons:
- Paint volume per color not stated
- Only five canvas panels
- Basic brushes
Buying consideration: Check the paint size on the product page; if tubes are small, plan on refills of white and black.
5. Inburit Acrylic Paint Set with Canvas — Best Starter Kit for Kids
Inburit designed this kit with children in mind. It includes 18 acrylic colors, eight brushes, five 8 x 10-inch canvas panels, a 15-sheet acrylic painting pad, a plastic palette and a multifunctional tabletop easel, all in a gift box. The listing highlights kid-friendly, non-toxic materials and developing fine motor skills.
Eighteen colors is a manageable number for a child, and the paper pad means there is plenty of practice surface beyond the five canvases.
Best suited for: Children and young beginners, and parents looking for a ready-to-gift painting kit.
Key features:
- 18 acrylic colors
- 8 brushes
- 5 canvas panels, 8 x 10 inches
- 15-sheet painting pad, palette, tabletop easel
Pros:
- Kid-focused, gift-ready
- Paper pad adds practice space
- Simple color range
Cons:
- Acrylic is not washable from clothes once dry
- Fewer colors for adults
- Paint volume not stated
Buying consideration: Acrylic stains fabric once dry; use an old shirt or apron and wash brushes before the paint sets.
6. ESRICH 26 PCS Acrylic Paint Set — Best Budget Trial Set
ESRICH’s small set is a low-commitment way to find out whether you enjoy painting. It contains 12 acrylic colors in 12 ml tubes, ten brushes in square, fan and round shapes, two 6 x 8-inch canvas panels, a 9-inch wood easel and a plate for mixing. The paint conforms to ASTM D-4236.
Twelve colors is enough to learn basic mixing. The two small canvases will go quickly, so think of this as a taster: if you are hooked after a week, move up to a larger set.
Best suited for: Absolute beginners testing the waters, classroom take-home kits and stocking-stuffer gifts.
Key features:
- 12 acrylic colors, 12 ml each
- 10 brushes: square, fan and round
- 2 canvas panels, 6 x 8 inches
- 9-inch wood easel and plate
Pros:
- Lowest price tier with an easel
- Varied brush shapes
- Compact
Cons:
- Small tubes
- Only two canvases
- Easel is small
Buying consideration: Pick up a pad of acrylic paper so you can practice more than two paintings.
7. Blablaovy 48 Colors Washable Watercolor Set — Best If You Want to Start with Watercolor
If acrylic does not appeal, this inexpensive watercolor set is an easy way to try the other common beginner medium. It includes 48 pans with 42 unique colors, two brushes and a water pen in a plastic box whose cover works as a palette. It is washable, non-toxic and listed as conforming to ASTM D4236 and EN71.
It is a casual, sketchbook-friendly set rather than an artist palette, but it is ideal for discovering whether you enjoy watercolor’s loose, transparent look before spending more.
Best suited for: Beginners curious about watercolor, and families who want a washable set.
Key features:
- 48 pans, 42 unique colors
- 2 brushes and a water pen
- Cover doubles as palette
- Washable, ASTM D4236 and EN71
Pros:
- Very low cost
- Portable
- Easy cleanup
Cons:
- Washable formula is less permanent
- Needs proper watercolor paper
- Not for serious watercolor work
Buying consideration: Use 140 lb watercolor paper; regular sketch paper buckles under washes and makes any watercolor look bad.
Buying Guide: How to Choose a Paint Set as a Beginner
Decide where you will paint
If you will paint at a desk on small canvases, a tabletop easel kit works well. If you want to paint rocks, mugs or wood, a paint-first set with bigger bottles is better.
Check milliliters per color
Kits list piece counts, but paint volume is what you will run out of. 36 to 60 ml per color lasts much longer than 12 ml tubes.
Look for a white you can replace
White is the most used color. Plan to buy a larger tube or bottle of titanium white within weeks.
Practice surfaces matter
Paper pads are cheap practice. Canvas panels are better for finished work. A kit with both encourages more painting.
Brushes: variety over count
A large flat, a medium round and a small detail brush cover most beginner work. Fan and filbert brushes are nice extras.
Safety labels for kids
For children, look for ASTM D-4236 and EN71 conformance and remember that acrylic is permanent on fabric once dry.
Think about cleanup
A water cup, a palette and a cloth make sessions easier. Wash acrylic out of brushes before it dries.
What to Paint First
Having a simple subject planned makes your first session far more satisfying. Try these easy flower painting ideas for beginners, or follow one of the guided step-by-step painting ideas for adult beginners. When the season changes, these easy winter painting ideas are a good way to practice limited palettes of blues and whites.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Squeezing out too much acrylic, which dries on the palette before you use it; squeeze small amounts often.
- Letting acrylic dry in brushes, which ruins them quickly.
- Starting with a large, complex painting instead of small studies.
- Using pure black to darken colors instead of mixing darks from complements.
- Buying the biggest set for the piece count instead of the contents you need.
- Painting watercolor on thin paper and concluding you are bad at it.
FAQs
What paint is easiest for beginners?
Acrylic is usually easiest: it dries quickly, cleans up with water and can be painted over. Watercolor is a good choice if you want portability and minimal setup.
Do beginner paint sets come with everything I need?
All-in-one kits like Nicpro’s include paint, brushes, surfaces and an easel. Paint-only sets need canvases or paper bought separately.
How many colors does a beginner need?
Twelve is enough to learn mixing. Twenty-four to 36 colors make early paintings quicker and more fun.
Are kids’ paint sets safe?
Look for ASTM D-4236 and EN71 conformance on the listing. Acrylic is non-toxic in these sets but stains fabric once dry.
Can I use acrylic paint on paper?
Yes, but use heavier acrylic or mixed media paper; thin paper buckles. Several kits here include acrylic paper pads.
Should beginners start with oil paint?
Oil is rewarding but slower and needs more care with cleanup. Many people start with acrylic and move to oil later.
Final Recommendation
Most adult beginners will be happiest with the Nicpro 80-piece kit because it covers paint, surfaces, an easel and mixing help in one box. If you already have surfaces or want to paint crafts, choose the Shuttle Art 36-color set for its larger bottles, and if knife painting and texture appeal, the Shuttle Art 66-pack is the more tool-rich option.
The LEYEDZ kit is a balanced choice for teens and families, Inburit is the one to buy for a child, and ESRICH’s 26-piece set is a low-cost way to test the hobby. If watercolor calls to you more than acrylic, start with the Blablaovy set and good watercolor paper.
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