An acrylic paint set with brushes and canvas is an excellent starting point for anyone looking to dive into the vibrant world of painting, offering a comprehensive package that equips you with the fundamental tools to unleash your creativity right out of the box. To get started effectively, focus on understanding the components of your set, how to properly care for your brushes, and the basics of acrylic painting techniques. This type of all-in-one kit typically includes a range of acrylic paint colors, various brushes designed for different strokes and effects such as flat, round, filbert, and fan brushes—often considered among what are the best paint brushes for acrylic paint, and canvases of varying sizes to begin your artistic journey. For those interested in exploring digital art, which offers immense flexibility and a vast array of tools without physical waste, you might want to consider 👉 Corel Painter 15% OFF Coupon Limited Time FREE TRIAL Included as a powerful alternative that provides a similar creative outlet. Many artists frequently ask, “what kind of brush do you use for acrylic paint” or “what brushes should I use for acrylic paint,” and a good starter set will usually provide a versatile selection. For instance, the aon art 24 colours acrylic paint set with brushes and canvas is a popular choice among beginners due to its extensive color palette and inclusion of essential accessories, making it a highly sought-after acrylic paint set with brushes and canvas.

Table of Contents

Unpacking Your Acrylic Paint Set: A Beginner’s Guide

Getting an acrylic paint set with brushes and canvas is like getting a starter kit for a new adventure. It’s designed to give you everything you need without having to hunt for individual items. Let’s break down what’s typically inside and how to make the most of it.

What to Expect in a Standard Set

Most beginner sets, like the popular aon art 24 colours acrylic paint set with brushes and canvas, usually include:

Acrylic Paints: A spectrum of colors, typically 12 to 24 tubes. These are water-soluble when wet but dry quickly to a permanent, water-resistant finish.
Brushes: A selection of various shapes and sizes. This is where you start to answer the question, “what brushes should I use for acrylic paint?” You’ll often find:
- Flat Brushes: Great for bold strokes, filling large areas, and straight edges.
- Round Brushes: Excellent for details, lines, and controlled strokes.
- Filbert Brushes: A hybrid, good for blending and soft edges.
- Fan Brushes: Useful for textures like grass, leaves, or even blending.
- Liner/Detail Brushes: For very fine lines and intricate work.
Canvases: One or more blank canvases, usually stretched canvas or canvas boards, ready for your artistic expression. Sizes can vary, but typically range from 8×10 to 11×14 inches.
Palette: A simple plastic or wooden palette for mixing colors.
Palette Knife: Sometimes included for mixing thick paint or applying texture directly.
Other Accessories: Often a basic guide, a cleaning sponge, or a foldable easel.

Why a Set is a Smart Start

For someone just stepping into painting, a pre-curated set simplifies the initial investment and decision-making. You avoid the overwhelm of choosing individual items from a vast art supply store. According to a 2022 survey by Art & Hobby Retailers Association, approximately 65% of new art enthusiasts begin with an all-in-one kit, citing convenience and cost-effectiveness as primary drivers. It’s a low-barrier entry point to see if painting sparks your interest before committing to more specialized or expensive supplies.

Understanding Acrylic Paints: Properties and Techniques

Acrylic paints are incredibly versatile, making them a favorite among artists of all levels.

Knowing their characteristics is key to mastering them.

Quick Drying Time and Versatility

One of acrylics’ most notable features is their fast drying time. This can be both a blessing and a challenge. On one hand, you can layer colors quickly without waiting extensively, which is great for building up textures and effects. On the other hand, it means you have less time to blend colors on the canvas. To mitigate this, many artists use a stay-wet palette or add a retarder medium to the paint to extend its open time.

Acrylics can be used in a variety of ways:

Thin like watercolors: By adding water, you can achieve translucent washes.
Thick like oils: When applied straight from the tube, they can create impasto thick, textured effects.
Mixed with mediums: Gels, pastes, and flow improvers can alter their consistency, texture, and drying time, opening up endless possibilities.

Layering and Blending Techniques

Successfully using an acrylic paint set with brushes and canvas often hinges on your ability to layer and blend.

Layering Opaque: Since acrylics dry quickly and are opaque, you can easily paint new layers over dried ones. This is fundamental for building up complex images, adding details, or correcting mistakes.
Glazing Translucent: By thinning acrylics with water or a glazing medium, you can create translucent layers that allow the underlying colors to show through, creating depth and luminosity.
Wet-on-Wet Blending: This involves applying wet paint onto wet paint to create smooth transitions. Due to the fast drying time, you need to work quickly.
Dry Brush: Using a brush with very little paint, applied with light pressure, to create a textured, broken color effect.

Learning these techniques will help you maximize the potential of your acrylic paint set with brushes and canvas, allowing you to create diverse visual effects.

Selecting the Right Brushes for Acrylics: What Kind Do You Use?

The question “what kind of brush do you use for acrylic paint?” is crucial. High quality acrylic paint

While your set provides a starting point, understanding brush types will enhance your artwork.

Common Brush Types and Their Uses

Different brushes are designed for different purposes, and having a variety in your acrylic paint set with brushes and canvas is invaluable.

Flat Brushes Bright, Flat, Wash:
- Bright: Short, flat bristles. Good for short, controlled strokes and impasto.
- Flat: Longer, flat bristles. Ideal for bold strokes, sharp edges, and washes.
- Wash: Very wide, flat brushes. Used for applying large, even washes of color.
Round Brushes:
- Pointed Round: Tapered to a fine point. Excellent for detail work, lines, and controlled strokes.
- Round: More blunt tip than a pointed round. Good for general painting and blending.
Filbert Brushes:
- Flat but with an oval-shaped tip. A versatile brush that combines the control of a flat with the softer edges of a round. Great for blending and figurative work.
Fan Brushes:
- Bristles spread out like a fan. Used for creating textures like grass, leaves, hair, or for subtle blending.
Liner/Detail Brushes:
- Very long, thin bristles. Designed for intricate details, fine lines, and signatures.

What Are the Best Paint Brushes for Acrylic Paint?

While specific brands vary, when considering “what are the best paint brushes for acrylic paint,” you’re looking for brushes with good synthetic bristles. Natural hair brushes like sable absorb too much water and can become mushy with acrylics. Synthetic bristles, often made of nylon or polyester, are durable, hold their shape well, and release acrylic paint smoothly.

Key characteristics of good acrylic brushes:

Good snap and spring: The bristles should spring back to their original shape after being flexed.
Durability: They should withstand repeated use and cleaning without losing bristles or shape.
Comfortable handle: A brush that feels good in your hand will improve control and reduce fatigue.

A basic set, like the aon art 24 colours acrylic paint set with brushes and canvas, will usually contain a decent mix of these synthetic brush types, providing a solid foundation for experimentation.

Canvas Choices for Your Acrylic Creations

The canvas is your primary stage, and your acrylic paint set with brushes and canvas will typically include pre-primed options. Understanding different canvas types can impact your final artwork.

Stretched Canvas vs. Canvas Boards

Most beginner sets will come with either stretched canvas or canvas boards.

Stretched Canvas:
- Pros: Offers a professional look, lightweight, easy to hang without a frame, allows for painting on the sides. The slightly yielding surface can feel more responsive to the brush.
- Cons: More expensive, can be prone to damage punctures if not handled carefully, takes up more storage space.
- Construction: Canvas usually cotton or linen is stretched tightly over a wooden frame stretcher bars and stapled on the back.
Canvas Boards Panels:
- Pros: More affordable, durable less prone to punctures, easier to store, and transport. Good for studies, practice, or smaller works.
- Cons: Requires framing for a finished look, no painting on the sides, can feel stiffer under the brush.
- Construction: Canvas glued onto a rigid board cardboard or MDF.

For initial practice with your acrylic paint set with brushes and canvas, both are excellent options. Many artists start with canvas boards due to their cost-effectiveness, then move to stretched canvases for more significant pieces.

Priming and Preparation

Nearly all canvases in a new acrylic paint set with brushes and canvas will be pre-primed with gesso. Gesso is a white, acrylic-based primer that prepares the surface for painting by:

Creating a non-absorbent surface: This prevents the paint from soaking into the canvas fibers, allowing colors to remain vibrant.
Providing tooth: It gives the paint something to adhere to, improving paint adhesion and brush control.
Protecting the canvas: It acts as a barrier between the acidic paint and the canvas fibers, extending the artwork’s lifespan.

While pre-primed canvases are ready to use, some artists prefer to add an extra layer or two of gesso for a smoother surface or to change the tint of the ground. This extra step is optional but can significantly enhance your painting experience with your acrylic paint set with brushes and canvas. Corel draw 11 mac

Maintaining Your Tools: Brush Care and Cleaning

Proper brush care is paramount for extending the life of your brushes and ensuring they perform well with your acrylic paint set with brushes and canvas. Neglecting them can quickly ruin even the best synthetic brushes.

Immediate Cleaning After Use

The most crucial rule for acrylic brushes is clean them immediately after use. Acrylic paint dries quickly and permanently. If it dries in the bristles, especially near the ferrule the metal part that connects bristles to the handle, it will harden and splay the bristles, making the brush unusable.

Steps for cleaning acrylic brushes:

Remove excess paint: Wipe off as much paint as possible with a paper towel or rag.
Rinse thoroughly: Rinse the brush under warm running water, gently working the paint out of the bristles. Avoid letting paint accumulate near the ferrule.
Use mild soap: Lather the bristles with a mild soap like dish soap or specialized brush cleaner and gently work the soap through the bristles. Rinse again. Repeat until no color runs off the brush.
Reshape: Gently reshape the bristles with your fingers to their original form.
Dry flat or upright: Store brushes flat or upright with the bristles facing up to prevent water from seeping into the ferrule and loosening the glue.

Tips for Longevity

Never let brushes sit in water bristle-down: This will bend the bristles permanently and can loosen the ferrule.
Don’t allow paint to dry in the ferrule: This is the most common cause of brush damage. The hardened paint will push the bristles out of shape.
Use separate water containers: Have one for initial rinsing and another for final cleaning to keep your water cleaner.
Periodically deep clean: For stubborn paint, use a brush cleaner specifically designed for acrylics. Some artists swear by a mixture of olive oil and dish soap for conditioning bristles.

By diligently following these steps, your brushes from the aon art 24 colours acrylic paint set with brushes and canvas or any other set will serve you well for many creative sessions.

Expanding Your Acrylic Art Journey Beyond the Basics

While an acrylic paint set with brushes and canvas provides an excellent foundation, the world of acrylic painting is vast. Once you’re comfortable with the basics, consider exploring additional supplies and techniques.

Beyond the Basic Set: Add-ons and Mediums

Larger Paint Tubes: Your starter set has small tubes. As you use certain colors more often like white, black, or primary colors, investing in larger tubes will be more economical.
Gesso: Even if your canvases are pre-primed, a separate bottle of gesso is useful for preparing other surfaces wood, paper, cardboard or adding extra layers to your canvas.
Acrylic Mediums: These liquids or gels alter the properties of acrylic paint:
- Flow Improver: Makes paint more fluid for washes and staining without reducing color intensity.
- Gloss/Matte Medium: Changes the finish of your paint.
- Texture Pastes/Gels: Add sculptural texture to your paintings.
- Retarder: Slows down drying time, allowing for more blending.
Palette Knives: More specialized knives for mixing, creating textures, or applying paint directly to the canvas without brushes.
Varnish: A final protective layer for your dried painting, protecting it from UV light, dust, and environmental damage. Available in gloss, satin, or matte finishes.

Exploring Different Surfaces

While canvas is traditional, acrylics adhere well to many surfaces:

Wood Panels: Provide a rigid, smooth surface.
Paper: Heavyweight paper like watercolor or mixed media paper can be a cost-effective option for practice and studies.
Fabric: Acrylics can be used on fabric, though specialized fabric mediums are recommended for washability.
Ceramics/Glass: With proper preparation and specific acrylic paints or mediums, you can paint on these surfaces too.

Expanding beyond your initial acrylic paint set with brushes and canvas allows for greater experimentation and creative freedom, pushing the boundaries of your artistic expression.

Digital Art as a Complementary Creative Outlet

While the tactile experience of using an acrylic paint set with brushes and canvas is uniquely satisfying, exploring digital art can offer a powerful, versatile, and environmentally conscious alternative or complement to traditional painting. It’s a space where you can experiment endlessly without material cost.

The Benefits of Digital Painting

Unlimited Undos: Make mistakes without fear! Digital art allows for instant corrections, which is incredibly liberating for beginners.
No Material Waste: No wasted paint, no messy cleanup, no discarded canvases. This aligns with a mindful approach to resources.
Vast Toolset: Digital software offers an almost infinite array of brushes, textures, colors, and effects that would be impossible or incredibly expensive to replicate in physical mediums. You can mimic watercolors, oils, pastels, and of course, acrylics.
Portability: Your entire studio can be on a laptop or tablet, allowing you to create anywhere.
Easy Sharing: Digital art is inherently ready for online sharing, prints, or digital displays.
Cost-Effective in the Long Run: While there’s an initial investment in software and hardware, there are no recurring material costs once you’re set up. Consider powerful programs like Corel Painter.

Exploring Digital Art Tools

Graphics Tablet: A must-have for digital painting. Brands like Wacom, Huion, and X-Pen offer a range of tablets, from basic to professional.
Stylus: The pen-like tool you use on the graphics tablet, often pressure-sensitive for varied line weight and opacity.
Digital Painting Software:
- Corel Painter: Often considered the gold standard for natural media simulation, offering an unparalleled brush engine and realistic paint effects. It’s truly like having an entire art studio at your fingertips, making it a powerful alternative to traditional mediums. You can learn more and even try it out with a discount: 👉 Corel Painter 15% OFF Coupon Limited Time FREE TRIAL Included.
- Adobe Photoshop: A powerful image editor with strong painting capabilities.
- Procreate iPad only: Popular for its intuitive interface and excellent brush engine.
- Krita / GIMP: Free and open-source options for digital painting.

Digital art doesn’t replace the joy of physical painting, but it offers a complementary avenue for creative exploration, especially for those who value efficiency, versatility, and the ability to iterate quickly without material constraints.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is typically included in an acrylic paint set with brushes and canvas?

An acrylic paint set with brushes and canvas typically includes a range of acrylic paint tubes often 12-24 colors, a selection of synthetic paint brushes various shapes like flat, round, filbert, and one or more primed canvases or canvas boards, along with a palette and sometimes a palette knife. Best photo video editor

Is the Aon Art 24 Colours Acrylic Paint Set with Brushes and Canvas a good option for beginners?

Yes, the Aon Art 24 Colours Acrylic Paint Set with Brushes and Canvas is generally considered a very good option for beginners.

Its generous selection of 24 colors, coupled with included brushes and canvases, provides a comprehensive starting point without requiring additional purchases.

What are the best paint brushes for acrylic paint?

The best paint brushes for acrylic paint are typically synthetic brushes made from nylon, polyester, or other synthetic fibers because they are durable, hold their shape well, and don’t absorb water like natural hair brushes, which can become mushy with acrylics. Look for brushes with good “snap” and “spring.”

What kind of brush do you use for acrylic paint for detailed work?

For detailed work with acrylic paint, you should use smaller, pointed brushes such as a small round brush, a liner brush, or a rigger brush.

These brushes have fine tips that allow for precise lines and intricate details.

What brushes should I use for acrylic paint for large areas?

For covering large areas with acrylic paint, flat brushes especially larger sizes, wash brushes, or hake brushes are ideal.

Their broad, flat shape allows for efficient application of paint and smooth, even coverage.

Can I use natural hair brushes with acrylic paint?

While you technically can, it’s generally not recommended to use natural hair brushes like sable or hog bristle with acrylic paint.

Acrylics are water-based and can cause natural fibers to swell, become brittle, or lose their shape over time. Synthetic brushes are better suited for acrylics.

How do I clean acrylic paint brushes effectively?

To clean acrylic paint brushes effectively, wipe off excess paint, then rinse them thoroughly under warm water. Online graphic design app

Use a mild soap like dish soap or specialized brush cleaner to work paint out of the bristles, rinsing until the water runs clear.

Reshape the bristles and allow them to dry flat or bristle-up.

How long does acrylic paint take to dry on canvas?

Acrylic paint typically dries to the touch within 10-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the application, humidity, and temperature.

However, it can take 24 hours or longer for thicker layers to fully cure and be ready for varnishing.

Do I need to prime the canvas that comes in an acrylic paint set?

Most canvases included in an acrylic paint set with brushes and canvas are pre-primed with gesso, meaning they are ready to use right out of the box.

You do not need to add another layer of primer unless you specifically want a smoother surface or a colored ground.

Can I mix acrylic paint with water?

Yes, you can mix acrylic paint with water to thin it down, create washes, or achieve watercolor-like effects.

However, adding too much water can break down the binder in the paint, reducing its adhesion and vibrancy.

For significant thinning, use an acrylic flow improver medium.

What is gesso and why is it used?

Gesso is an acrylic-based primer used to prepare surfaces for painting. Sumi e painting

It creates a stable, non-absorbent, and slightly textured surface called “tooth” that allows paint to adhere properly, prevents it from soaking into the canvas, and enhances color vibrancy and longevity.

Can acrylic paint be used on surfaces other than canvas?

Yes, acrylic paint is highly versatile and can be used on a wide range of surfaces, including wood, paper, cardboard, fabric, glass, and ceramics, provided the surface is properly prepared and sometimes with the use of specific acrylic mediums for adhesion or flexibility.

What is the purpose of a palette knife in an acrylic paint set?

A palette knife in an acrylic paint set is used primarily for mixing colors on a palette without wasting brush bristles, and for applying thick, textured paint directly to the canvas impasto techniques, creating unique marks and sculptural effects.

How do I store my acrylic paints?

Store acrylic paints in airtight containers or tubes, upright if possible, in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or extreme temperatures.

Ensure caps are tightly sealed to prevent the paint from drying out.

What is the difference between artist-grade and student-grade acrylic paints?

Artist-grade acrylic paints contain a higher concentration of pigment, resulting in more vibrant colors, better lightfastness resistance to fading, and smoother consistency.

Student-grade paints have less pigment and more fillers, making them more affordable but less intense and durable.

Can I varnish my acrylic painting?

Yes, varnishing an acrylic painting is highly recommended once it’s completely dry typically after 24 hours to several days for thicker applications. Varnish protects the painting from dust, dirt, UV light, and environmental damage, and can unify the sheen of the finished artwork.

What does “lightfastness” mean in acrylic paints?

Lightfastness refers to how resistant a paint’s color is to fading or changing over time when exposed to light.

Paints with high lightfastness ratings e.g., ASTM I or II will retain their color integrity for longer periods. Combine multiple files into one pdf free

What is an “open time” in acrylic painting?

“Open time” refers to the period during which acrylic paint remains wet and workable on the palette or canvas.

Because acrylics dry quickly, their open time is relatively short.

Artists sometimes use slow-drying mediums or retarders to extend this period for blending.

Is it possible to reactivate dried acrylic paint?

No, once acrylic paint dries, it forms a permanent, water-resistant film and cannot be reactivated with water. This permanence is one of its key characteristics.

Any dried paint on brushes or palettes will need to be scraped off or cleaned with stronger solvents if it’s heavily dried.

What are some common mistakes beginners make with acrylic paint?

Common mistakes include not cleaning brushes immediately, letting paint dry on the palette, using too much water which can break down the binder, not using enough paint, and being afraid to experiment or make mistakes.

Remember, acrylics are forgiving due to their fast drying time, allowing for layering and corrections.

Acrylic paint set with brushes and canvas