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If you are searching for Hobby Lobby acrylic paint, you are probably deciding between a trip to the craft store and ordering online. Hobby Lobby is a large US arts-and-crafts retail chain whose paint aisles typically mix its own store-brand artist line, often sold under the Master’s Touch name, with well-known craft paint brands. Selection, sizes and promotions vary by store, so it is worth checking the retailer’s website or your local store before you go.
This guide explains how to choose acrylic paint wherever you buy it, what to look for in craft versus artist paints on the shelf, and how in-store shopping compares with buying sets online. Since we can only review products available on Amazon, we then cover seven acrylic sets and bottles that are practical alternatives when you would rather have paint delivered.
PaintingProGuide is independent and not affiliated with Hobby Lobby. Store names are used only to describe what readers are searching for.
Quick answer: In store, pick acrylic by grade and body: craft paint for decor, student or artist tubes for canvas painting. If you prefer to buy online, the Caliart 36-color set in 2 oz bottles is a strong all-round alternative, the Nicpro 24-color set with brushes and palette is a compact starter, and the Artbreezing 48-color tube set gives the widest palette.
What to Expect in a Craft Store Paint Aisle
Craft acrylics in 2 oz bottles
The largest section in most craft stores is craft acrylic in small squeeze bottles. These paints are designed for wood, signs, terra cotta, papier-mache and decor. They usually dry matte, come in hundreds of colors and are inexpensive per bottle. They are excellent for crafts but less concentrated than paints made for canvas painting.
Store-brand artist acrylics
Many craft retailers carry their own artist-style line in tubes and sets, aimed at students and hobby painters. These sit between craft paint and premium artist brands. Read the label for the grade and any pigment or lightfastness information.
Name-brand artist acrylics
Larger stores may also stock student and professional tubes from established art brands. These cost more but give stronger color, clearer pigment information and more consistent handling.
Specialty acrylics
Look for metallics, glow-in-the-dark, chalk-finish, outdoor, fabric and pouring paints, each formulated for a specific purpose.
How to Choose Acrylic Paint Wherever You Shop
- Decide the project first. Decor and kids crafts call for craft paint; canvas painting calls for student or artist grade.
- Check the body. Squeeze the bottle or tube gently: fluid paints suit detail and glazing, thick paints suit texture.
- Look at finish. Matte, satin, gloss and metallic are usually printed on the label.
- Read the safety label. Look for ASTM D-4236 conformance, and for the AP Seal if buying for children.
- Buy white bigger. Whatever you choose, white runs out first.
- Swatch at home. Bottle and cap colors are approximate. Paint a swatch card and let it dry before relying on a color.
In-Store vs Online: Which Is Better?
| Buying in a craft store | Buying sets online | |
|---|---|---|
| Seeing colors | You can see caps and swatches in person | Rely on photos; colors on screens vary |
| Single colors | Easy to buy one bottle at a time | Often cheaper in sets; singles available too |
| Promotions | In-store promotions and coupons vary by retailer | Prices fluctuate; compare per-ounce cost |
| Speed | Take it home today | Delivery time |
| Selection | Limited to that store’s stock | Wide range of sets and brands |
| Reviews | Staff advice may be available | Many buyer reviews to read |
Online listings have one more advantage: you can read through buyer reviews and photos of swatches before committing, which helps you spot sets whose colors run thin or bottles that arrive leaking. In store, you can pick up a bottle, check the seal and see the cap color for yourself. Both routes work; they simply suit different moments.
A practical approach: buy a versatile set online for your base palette, and pick up single specialty colors in store when a project calls for them.
Building a Starter Palette From Single Bottles
If you prefer to shop the aisle bottle by bottle, a short list keeps you from leaving with twenty colors you rarely use. A flexible starter palette looks like this:
- A large white and a black.
- A warm yellow and a cooler lemon yellow.
- A warm red and a crimson or magenta.
- A deep blue and a brighter cyan-leaning blue.
- A brown such as burnt sienna or raw umber.
- One green you love, for convenience.
With these ten or so colors you can mix nearly everything, and you will understand your paint far better than if you bought every shade pre-mixed. Add metallics and specialty colors one at a time as projects need them. Keep receipts or notes of the exact color names so you can replace favorites later.
Which Paint for Which Project?
- Canvas paintings: student or artist acrylic sets in 2 oz bottles or tubes. Try our simple acrylic painting ideas for beginners.
- Wall art and decor: a mix of student acrylic and craft colors; see our guide to DIY wall art with acrylic.
- Glass and ceramics: paints made for those surfaces or careful prep; see using acrylic paint on glass jars.
- Kids crafts: washable tempera for little ones, craft acrylic for older kids with supervision.
- Rocks and wood: craft acrylic plus a clear sealer.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
- Caliart Acrylic Paint Set, 36 Colors, 2 oz — Best all-round online alternative
- Shuttle Art 36 Colors with Brushes and Palette — Best complete starter bundle
- Nicpro 24 Colors, 2 oz, with Brushes and Palette — Best compact starter with a guide
- Artkey 24 Colors, 2 oz — Best paint-only 24-color set
- HissiCo 55 Pcs, 36 Colors — Best value 36-color bundle with EN71 statement
- Artbreezing 48 Colors Tube Set — Best for the widest color range
- Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint, Black, 2 oz — Best cheap single craft color
| Product | Best For | Key Spec | Key Strength | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caliart 36 Colors | All-round | 36 x 2 oz, 12 brushes, metallics | Range and volume | $$ |
| Shuttle Art 36 Colors | Starter bundle | 36 x 2 oz, 12 brushes, palette | Palette included | $$ |
| Nicpro 24 Colors | Compact starter | 24 x 2 oz, 12 brushes, palette, guide | Beginner guide | $$ |
| Artkey 24 Colors | Paint only | 24 x 2 oz, semi-gloss | Leak-resistant caps | $$ |
| HissiCo 36 Colors | Value bundle | 36 x 2 oz, 12 brushes, palette | ASTM D-4236 and EN71 | $$ |
| Artbreezing 48 Colors | Wide palette | 48 x 22 ml tubes | Most colors | $$ |
| Apple Barrel Black | Single craft color | 2 oz, matte | Lowest cost | $ |
How We Chose
We cannot review store-exclusive products that are not sold on Amazon, so we chose Amazon alternatives from listings checked in October 2026. We compared number of colors, bottle or tube size, included tools, finish, safety statements and how widely each listing is reviewed by Amazon buyers.
- Comparable to what shoppers find in craft store paint aisles.
- Volume per color.
- Included brushes and palettes.
- Safety labeling.
Best Online Alternatives to Hobby Lobby Acrylic Paint Reviewed
1. Caliart Acrylic Paint Set of 36 Colors with 12 Brushes — Best for an all-round online alternative
Caliart includes 36 colors in 2 oz bottles, with metallic gold and silver, and 12 brushes. The listing describes creamy, highly pigmented paint with good coverage, fast drying, water and fade resistance, ASTM-D4236 conformance and acid-free formulation, for canvas, wood, rock and more.
It covers the same ground as buying a stack of individual craft bottles, with a broader range and a single purchase.
Best suited for: Beginners, hobby painters and crafters.
Key features:
- 36 x 2 oz bottles
- Matte and metallic colors
- 12 brushes
- ASTM-D4236
Pros:
- Strong value
- Wide palette
- Works for crafts and canvas
Cons and limitations:
- Not artist grade
- Basic brushes
Buying consideration: Add a larger white for canvas painting.
2. Shuttle Art Acrylic Paint, 36 Colors with Brushes and Palette — Best for a complete starter bundle
Shuttle Art’s 36 colors come in 2 oz bottles with 12 brushes and a palette. The listing describes creamy paint for blending and layering, fast drying, waterproof and fade-resistant results, and ASTM-D4236 conformance.
A palette in the box means you can start the day it arrives.
Best suited for: First-time painters wanting everything in one box.
Key features:
- 36 x 2 oz bottles
- 12 brushes, palette
- Gloss finish listed
Pros:
- Complete bundle
- Many surfaces
- Mid price tier
Cons and limitations:
- Gloss finish
- Student-level pigment
Buying consideration: Varnish finished pieces if you want a uniform sheen.
3. Nicpro Acrylic Paint Set, 24 Colors, 2 oz — Best for a compact starter with a guide
Nicpro includes 24 colors in 2 oz bottles, 12 brushes, a palette and a beginner’s user guide. The listing states ASTM D-4236 conformance and describes creamy, fast-drying, waterproof and fade-resistant paint for wood, rock, canvas, ceramic, fabric and more.
Twenty-four colors is plenty for learning, and a guide helps first-time painters get started.
Best suited for: Beginners who want fewer, well-chosen colors.
Key features:
- 24 x 2 oz
- 12 brushes, palette, beginner guide
- ASTM D-4236
Pros:
- Beginner guide included
- Manageable palette
- Mid price tier
Cons and limitations:
- Fewer colors than 36-sets
- Craft-to-student level
Buying consideration: Use the guide’s mixing tips to extend 24 colors into many more.
4. Artkey Acrylic Paint Set, 24 Colors, 2 oz — Best for a paint-only 24-color set
Artkey provides 24 bottles of 2 oz acrylic with a semi-gloss finish. The listing highlights a butter-like consistency, tightly sealed bottles to prevent leaks and drying, labeled color names and safe, non-toxic paint for canvas, fabric, wood, ceramic, rock, metal and plastic.
If you already own brushes, a paint-only set avoids paying for extras you will not use.
Best suited for: Painters who already have brushes and palettes.
Key features:
- 24 x 2 oz bottles
- Semi-gloss finish
- Labeled, sealed bottles
Pros:
- No unneeded extras
- Leak-resistant packaging
- Mid price tier
Cons and limitations:
- No brushes or palette
- Fewer colors than larger sets
Buying consideration: Good as a refill set alongside an existing palette.
5. HissiCo 55 Pcs Acrylic Paint Set, 36 Colors — Best for value with an EN71 statement
HissiCo’s set includes 36 colors in 2 oz flip-top squeeze bottles, 12 brushes and a palette. The listing states conformance with ASTM D-4236 and EN71 and describes thick, blendable paint for canvas, wood, scrapbooking and crafts.
Flip-top bottles make it easy to dispense small amounts, which reduces waste.
Best suited for: Families and hobby painters who want a large set.
Key features:
- 36 x 2 oz flip-top bottles
- 12 brushes, palette
- ASTM D-4236 and EN71
Pros:
- Easy dispensing
- Large color range
- Mid price tier
Cons and limitations:
- Student-level pigment
- Finish not clearly specified
Buying consideration: Swatch colors on arrival to check finish and opacity.
6. Artbreezing 48 Colors Acrylic Paint Set — Best for the widest color range
Artbreezing offers 48 colors in 22 ml tubes, described in the listing as pigment-rich, fast-drying, lightfast and water-resistant, for canvas, wood and paper. Smaller 24 and 36-color options are also listed.
Tubes are compact, and 48 colors give a broad selection similar to browsing an entire craft aisle.
Best suited for: Painters who love exploring color.
Key features:
- 48 x 22 ml tubes
- Gloss finish listed
- Smaller sets available
Pros:
- Huge range
- Compact storage
- Upper-mid price tier
Cons and limitations:
- Small tubes run out quickly
- Buy white separately
Buying consideration: Pair with a large white tube for canvas work.
7. Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint, Black, 2 oz — Best for a cheap single craft color
Apple Barrel’s 2 oz black dries to a matte finish and cleans up with soap and water while wet. The listing lists wood, paper, canvas, Styrofoam and paper mache. It is the kind of single craft bottle many shoppers pick up in craft stores.
A cheap single color is perfect for base coats, silhouettes and crafts.
Best suited for: Crafters needing one color for a project.
Key features:
- 2 oz bottle
- Matte finish
- Soap-and-water cleanup
Pros:
- Lowest price tier
- Classic craft brand
- Matte decor finish
Cons and limitations:
- Craft-grade coverage
- Single color
Buying consideration: Add a few singles like this to a set to cover colors you use heavily.
Buying Guide: Choosing Acrylic Paint In Store or Online
Grade
Craft paint for decor; student or artist paint for canvas.
Size
2 oz bottles are the sweet spot for hobby painting; larger bottles for big projects; tubes for compact storage.
Finish
Matte for crafts and illustration; satin or gloss for canvas; metallic for accents.
Safety
Look for ASTM D-4236 on every paint; the AP Seal or EN71 adds reassurance for kids.
Set or singles
Sets are better value for a starter palette; singles fill specific needs.
Compare per ounce
Prices vary by store and over time, so compare cost per ounce rather than per bottle.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying craft paint for fine art paintings. It works but mixes weaker.
- Trusting cap colors. Swatch at home.
- Buying many small whites. Get one large white instead.
- Ignoring finish. Mixing matte and gloss on one piece looks patchy without varnish.
- Skipping safety labels for kids. Check before you buy.
- Not sealing crafts. Outdoor and handled pieces need a clear sealer.
FAQs
What acrylic paint does Hobby Lobby sell?
Craft stores like Hobby Lobby typically carry craft acrylic bottles, a store-brand artist line and some name-brand artist paints, plus specialty acrylics. Selection varies by location, so check the retailer directly.
Is craft store acrylic paint good for canvas?
Craft acrylic can be used on canvas, but student or artist acrylic usually covers better and mixes more cleanly for paintings.
Can I buy similar acrylic paint sets online?
Yes. Many 24 to 48-color sets in 2 oz bottles or tubes are available online and cover the same needs as a craft store starter palette.
What is the difference between craft and artist acrylic paint?
Craft paint has lower pigment and is designed for decor surfaces, often with a matte finish. Artist paint has more pigment and better lightfastness information.
Which acrylic paint is best for beginners?
A 24 to 36-color set in 2 oz bottles is a practical starting point, with an extra large white.
Do I need to seal acrylic paint on crafts?
For items that will be handled, washed or placed outdoors, a clear sealer improves durability.
Final Recommendation
If you enjoy browsing colors in person, a craft store is great for single specialty paints and quick projects. For a base palette delivered to your door, the Caliart 36-color set offers the best all-round value, with Shuttle Art as a complete bundle including a palette and Nicpro’s 24-color set as a compact starter with a beginner guide. Choose Artkey if you only need paint, HissiCo for a large value set, Artbreezing for the widest range, and single Apple Barrel bottles to top up colors you use heavily.
