Which paint is most suitable for a complete beginner?

Watercolor and acrylic are the most commonly recommended for beginners. Watercolor is light, dries fast, and is cheap for trials. Acrylic is versatile, cleans up with water, and is easy to repaint over mistakes. Choose one that fits your learning style, then master it before adding another medium.

Do I have to buy artist-grade paint?

For the learning stage, student-grade paint is usually enough because it is more affordable and still comfortable to practice with. Artist-grade paint holds denser pigment and suits work you want to keep for a long time. You can move to higher quality once your technique foundation is in place.

Which surface works for watercolor and acrylic?

Watercolor calls for thick watercolor paper so it does not buckle when wet. Acrylic is more flexible and can be used on canvas, acrylic paper, wood, or thick cardboard. For beginners, small to medium sizes are friendlier because they finish quickly and keep motivation high.

Is a starter pack cheaper than buying individually?

A starter pack is often cheaper and practical because the contents are tailored for beginners. Check the completeness first so no item ends up rarely used. When the pack contents do not match your style, buying only the individual items you truly need can be a more efficient choice.

Roughly how much does it cost to set up beginner painting supplies?

The cost varies by medium, quality, and the city where you buy, so the exact figure is an estimate. A basic kit with one paint set, a few brushes, and small surfaces is usually affordable for beginners. The safest strategy is to set a budget first, then prioritize paint and surfaces, and save on support tools.

How to Choose Paint and Painting Supplies for Beginners

The right painting supplies start with a single paint medium that suits your learning style, then add brushes, a surface, and a palette as needed.

Estimated time: 1 to 2 weeks to assemble a basic kit without overspending (estimate, depending on shop availability in your city)

Flat illustration of a row of paint tubes, brushes in several sizes, a mixing palette, and a small blank canvas on an easel

The safest way for beginners to choose paint and painting supplies is to settle on one medium that fits your learning style, then add brushes, a surface, and a palette only as needed. Watercolor is budget-friendly and dries fast, acrylic is versatile, while oil paint gives a longer working time.

Decide on a single paint medium before buying brushes and surfaces
Match your brush type and painting surface to the paint you chose
Begin with a basic set of primary colors, avoid bulk buying at the start

What You Need

A set starting budget, for example a modest amount for one starter pack, so your choices stay focused
A short note on your goal: casual hobby, portfolio preparation, or a regular class with a teacher

Sources & References

1. Art Terms: Painting Medium and Technique Glossary · Tate (2024)
2. Basic Color Theory · Color Matters (2023)
3. Brush Care and Brush Shapes Guide · Winsor & Newton (2024)
4. Watercolour, Acrylic, and Oil Paint Explained · Royal Talens (2024)
5. Getting Started with Painting Materials · The Metropolitan Museum of Art (2023)

Unsure Which Tools to Pick? Ask During a Painting Consultation

Tell us your painting goal or your child's, and our teachers will help recommend a medium and basic supplies that fit the age, budget, and practice schedule.

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Steps to Choose Paint and Painting Supplies Gradually

Assemble your painting supplies in a sensible order so the budget stays in check and no tool sits idle. Follow these stages from settling on a medium to a final check.

Aspect	Watercolor	Acrylic	Oil Paint
Solvent	Water	Water	Oil/special thinner
Drying time	Fast	Fast	Slow (several days)
Common surface	Watercolor paper	Canvas, paper, wood	Primed canvas
Feel for beginners	Light, transparent	Flexible, easy to repaint	Rich, needs patience

Settle on one paint medium as your starting point

Pick one type of paint based on the learning style and goal you noted earlier. For a beginner who wants low trial cost and light results, watercolor is a comfortable entry point. For someone who wants a versatile, fast-drying medium, acrylic is often a favorite. Oil paint suits those ready for extra care and a ventilated space. Settling on one medium early prevents waste, because each paint demands different brushes and surfaces. Take a small package first, such as a basic color set, so you get to know the paint's character before investing more.

Tips

Discuss your medium choice with a teacher or class instructor so it fits your schedule and practice targets
Avoid buying two media at once on the first purchase

Choosing oil paint without a ventilated room makes painting sessions less pleasant because of the thinner smell. Make sure airflow is good before choosing it.

Choose core colors, starting with the primaries

A primary color set with red, blue, and yellow, plus white and black, already mixes a wide range of secondary colors. Starting with a small palette trains your color-mixing sense while keeping spending down. Many beginner sets offer twelve ready colors, and even that is plenty. Note the quality label: student grade is more affordable and well-suited to practice, while artist grade holds denser pigment for work you want to keep for a long time. For the learning stage, student grade usually meets the need. Record the colors you use often so future purchases stay on target.

Tips

Add one favorite color beyond the primaries only if you use it often
Keep receipts and color names so refilling empties is easy

Match brushes to the type of paint

Each medium has an ideal brush partner. Watercolor pairs with soft, water-absorbing bristles, while acrylic and oil paint suit stiffer bristles that handle pressure. To start, two to three brushes are enough: one small round brush for detail, one medium flat brush for broad areas, and one versatile medium-sized brush. The round shape helps with lines and dots, while the flat shape speeds up coloring wide areas. Add other sizes only after you know which strokes you use most. Well-cared-for brushes can last a long time, so choose a small number with decent quality.

Tips

Wash brushes right after use so the bristles do not harden
For acrylic, do not let paint dry at the base of the bristles

Using a single brush for every medium gives weaker results and wears the bristles out faster. Keep separate brushes for water-based and oil-based paint.

Choose a painting surface that fits the medium

The painting surface decides how paint sticks and appears. Watercolor calls for thick watercolor paper that resists water so it does not buckle. Acrylic is flexible: it works on canvas, acrylic paper, wood, and even thick cardboard. Oil paint ideally goes on primed canvas so the oil does not damage the fabric fibers. For beginners, small to medium sizes are friendlier because they finish quickly and keep motivation high. Mini paper or canvas also lowers the fear of mistakes, so you feel braver to experiment. Keep a few small sheets or panels so you can repeat practice without worrying about cost.

Tips

Pick several small surfaces at the start, save the large canvas for later
Check the thickness of watercolor paper; thicker paper resists pooling water better

Add support tools for mixing and rinsing

Support supplies are often forgotten, even though they shape your comfort a great deal. A palette is for mixing colors; a flat plastic or recycled ceramic surface works too and saves money. A water container is needed to clean water-based paint brushes, while oil paint needs a separate thinner container. A rag or tissue helps control the water on your brush and wipes small spills. Add a pencil and a soft eraser for the initial sketch on your painting surface. These items are cheap yet make the painting flow neater and more controlled, so your focus stays on the creative process.

Tips

Use two water containers: one for dirty rinsing, one for clean water
A white palette makes it easier to judge mixed colors accurately

Recheck budget and completeness before buying

Before paying, go back over the shopping list and compare it with your starting budget. Make sure each item has a clear function and there is no impulsive purchase you will rarely use. Starter packs are often cheaper than buying individually, but check the contents so nothing goes to waste. When torn between two options, prioritize paint and surface quality, then save on support items you can improvise. This gradual approach protects both your motivation and your wallet. Once the basic kit is gathered, you are ready to practice and add tools as real needs emerge from experience.

Tips

Note tools that turn out to be rarely used so future buying is wiser
Set aside a little budget to replace painting surfaces that run out quickly

How to Choose Paint and Painting Supplies for Beginners

Sources & References

Unsure Which Tools to Pick? Ask During a Painting Consultation

Numbers That Help When Choosing Supplies

Start With One Question: Which Paint Suits Me?

Comparing Three Paint Media for Beginners

Adapting Your Painting Tool Choices to Conditions in Indonesia

Steps to Choose Paint and Painting Supplies Gradually

Settle on one paint medium as your starting point

Choose core colors, starting with the primaries

Match brushes to the type of paint

Choose a painting surface that fits the medium

Add support tools for mixing and rinsing

Recheck budget and completeness before buying

Three Beginner Profiles and Their Suitable Starter Kit

Child Exploring Color

Adult Painting for Relaxation

Prospective Portfolio Student

Basic Painting Supplies Checklist

Ready-Made Starter Pack or Buy Individually?

Questions About Choosing Paint and Painting Supplies

How to Choose Paint and Painting Supplies for Beginners

Sources & References

Unsure Which Tools to Pick? Ask During a Painting Consultation

Numbers That Help When Choosing Supplies

Start With One Question: Which Paint Suits Me?

Comparing Three Paint Media for Beginners

Adapting Your Painting Tool Choices to Conditions in Indonesia

Steps to Choose Paint and Painting Supplies Gradually

Settle on one paint medium as your starting point

Choose core colors, starting with the primaries

Match brushes to the type of paint

Choose a painting surface that fits the medium

Add support tools for mixing and rinsing

Recheck budget and completeness before buying

Three Beginner Profiles and Their Suitable Starter Kit

Child Exploring Color

Adult Painting for Relaxation

Prospective Portfolio Student

Basic Painting Supplies Checklist

Ready-Made Starter Pack or Buy Individually?

Questions About Choosing Paint and Painting Supplies

Which paint is most suitable for a complete beginner?

How many brushes should I buy at the start?

Do I have to buy artist-grade paint?

Which surface works for watercolor and acrylic?

Is a starter pack cheaper than buying individually?

Roughly how much does it cost to set up beginner painting supplies?