Acrylic Paints and Brushes

December 10, 2025

Written by: The Art Noise Team

The Art Noise Team shares practical guides on art materials, studio workflow, and techniques, written for working artists and beginners alike. Our content is grounded in day-to-day conversations with artists in Kingston, Ontario, and focuses on helping you choose supplies with confidence.

If you want to paint more often, your acrylic setup needs to be fast, predictable, and easy to clean. This guide shows how to choose a small set of acrylic paints and the right brushes, then use a repeatable 30-minute workflow. You will also get quick brush-care habits and troubleshooting fixes that reduce wasted time.

Acrylic Brushes Substrates

High Viscosity Set of 12 60mL Tubes Tri-Art High Viscosity High Viscosity art-noise.myshopify.com high-viscosity-set-of-12-60ml-tubes

Acrylic paints and brushes, the productivity-first way to choose your setup

If your goal is productivity, your acrylic setup should do three things: reduce decision fatigue, keep paint workable long enough to finish a session, and clean up quickly. Start by choosing a small paint range that matches how you like to paint, then pair it with a few reliable brush shapes.

Step 1: Pick your paint “feel” (viscosity) before you pick colours

Acrylic paint comes in different viscosities, and that affects how it behaves under the brush. If you like visible brush marks and thicker coverage, start with heavier-bodied acrylics. If you like smooth blends, glazing, or thin layers, start with more fluid acrylics, and plan to build layers.

Browse paint options in Acrylic Paints, or go straight to thicker options in High Viscosity Acrylic Paint.

Step 2: Build a small palette you can finish with

For a focused workflow, start with 4–6 colours plus white. A practical beginner palette is a warm and cool version of a primary set (or just one of each if you want to stay minimal), plus white. You should be able to mix most of what you need without owning 30 jars.

If you want a straightforward starting point, browse Art Noise Acrylic Paint and choose a small set you can learn deeply.

Step 3: Choose brushes by job, not by “set size”

Acrylic dries fast and can be tough on brushes, so most painters prefer synthetic fibres for durability and easier cleaning. For a minimal, do-most-things kit, choose 3 shapes: a medium round (details and lines), a flat (blocks and edges), and a filbert (soft edges, versatile strokes).

To compare options quickly, browse Acrylic Brushes, or expand to broader tools in Brushes and Tools.

Starter kit checklist (fast, flexible, not overwhelming)

Paint: 4–6 acrylic colours + white from Acrylic Paints
Brushes: round, flat, filbert from Acrylic Brushes
Surface prep: primer or ground from Gesso & Grounds if you are working on raw or absorbent surfaces
Surface: a panel or canvas option from Substrates
One place to shop the whole workflow: Painting Supplies

Age range note: This workflow is ideal for teens and adults. For younger painters (roughly ages 6–11), keep sessions shorter (10–20 minutes), use fewer colours, and do brush cleaning with adult supervision, since dried acrylic can permanently damage brushes if it sits.

Shop Artist Acrylics

The 30-minute acrylic session, a repeatable workflow for busy creatives

This is a simple, reliable structure that helps you finish more paintings. It is designed for small spaces, limited time, and fewer “where did my paint go?” moments.

Step-by-step plan (30 minutes total)

Set a timer and set up (5 minutes): Put out your surface, a palette, a water cup, and a folded paper towel. Open only the paints you plan to use, and keep lids nearby so you can close them quickly if you pause.
Choose a micro-goal (2 minutes): Decide what “done” means today, for example: a 3-colour study, a simple gradient background, or one object with light and shadow. You should be able to describe the goal in one sentence.
Mix two “base mixes” first (5 minutes): Mix a light and a dark version of your main colour on the palette. This prevents over-mixing later, and you will feel the painting move faster once values are ready.
Block in big shapes (8 minutes): Use a flat or filbert to paint the largest shapes first. Avoid fussing with details yet, and you should see the image read from across the room even before it looks “good.”
Add structure and edges (7 minutes): Switch to a round brush for key edges, simple lines, and the 2–3 details that sell the subject. If you catch yourself adding a tenth tiny highlight, stop and check the overall contrast instead.
Final 3-minute polish (3 minutes): Add one accent (a bright highlight, a sharp edge, or a saturated colour pop), then step back. If you are still tempted to “fix,” write one note for next time and end the session.

Make it easier (time-saving alternatives that still work)

Use fewer colours: Limit yourself to 3 colours plus white for a week, you will learn faster and waste less paint.
Paint smaller: Choose a small surface from Substrates so a session can actually finish.
Keep one “default brush trio”: Store your round, flat, and filbert together so you do not restart the decision process every time.
Pre-prime in batches: If you use primer, prep 3–5 surfaces at once using Gesso & Grounds, then your next session starts instantly.
Pick one “signature mix”: Choose one reliable colour you like and keep it in your rotation, for example Art Noise - Rose Deep, so you spend less time searching for a vibe.

Budget guide (realistic, not all-or-nothing): If your budget is tight, prioritise paint + one good brush you enjoy using, then add more shapes later. If you have more room, upgrade your surface quality first, since it affects everything you put on top.

Tri-Art Artist Brushes - Long Handle Soft Synthetic - Round - Art Noise Tri-Art Artist Brushes - Long Handle Soft Synthetic - Round tri-artmfg art-noise.myshopify.com tri-art-artist-brushes-long-handle-soft-synthetic-round

Brush care and paint management, clean up fast and keep your tools alive

Brush care is where productivity is won or lost. Dried acrylic near the ferrule (the metal part) is what ruins brush spring and shape, so the goal is simple: do not let paint harden in the brush, and do not store brushes bristle-down in water.

The 5-minute brush clean (end-of-session routine)

Rinse immediately (30–60 seconds): Swirl in water, then wipe on a paper towel until you see most colour lift off.
Soap wash (1–2 minutes): Use brush soap and work it gently through the bristles, especially near the ferrule. A dedicated option like Tri-Art Oils - Linseed Soap helps lift residue that plain rinsing misses.
Rinse, then reshape (30–60 seconds): Rinse until water runs clear, then pinch the brush back into its intended shape. You should see the tip come to a clean point or a crisp edge again.
Dry correctly (1 minute): Blot on a towel and lay flat to dry. Avoid leaving brushes upright while soaking wet, and avoid storing them bristle-down.

Prevent wasted paint on the palette

Most wasted acrylic paint comes from over-squeezing and over-mixing. Put out smaller amounts than you think you need, and add more only when you run low. If you do mix a colour you love, save it properly rather than trying to “revive” a dried skin later.

For practical storage, use the approach in How to Store Acrylic Paint So It Lasts Longer.

One brush that earns its keep

If you want one brush to start with, choose a medium round that can do lines, shapes, and small fills. For example, Marie's Synthetic Brush - Round is the kind of shape that can carry an entire study when you keep the palette simple.

Troubleshooting acrylic paints and brushes, plus smart upgrades for smoother sessions

If acrylic feels “hard,” it is usually because it is drying faster than your process, or because the surface and tools are fighting you. Use these fixes to keep sessions calm and predictable.

Common problems and quick fixes

“My paint dries on the palette before I can use it.” Use smaller puddles, mix less at once, and work in layers. If you need more open time, explore options in Acrylic Mediums.
“My coverage looks streaky or patchy.” Switch to a larger brush for big areas and apply two thinner coats rather than scrubbing one thick coat. If your surface is very absorbent, prime it first with something from Gesso & Grounds.
“My colours turn muddy.” Limit the palette and mix with intention, especially when combining complements. A simple rule is to mix clean piles (light, mid, dark) instead of endlessly stirring one pile into grey.
“My brush won’t make a clean edge.” Clean and reshape the brush, then try using a flat for edges instead of a round. If your brush is fraying, it may be time to replace it with an acrylic-suitable option from Acrylic Brushes.
“Paint beads up or slides around.” Your surface may be too slick or contaminated. Wipe the surface lightly, then use an appropriate ground from Gesso & Grounds, or switch to a more suitable support from Substrates.
“My finished piece looks dull, or the sheen is uneven.” Let the painting dry thoroughly, then consider a protective finish. Browse options in Acrylic Finishes, and test first on a small area to confirm the look you want.

A simple plan you can follow today

Pick 4 colours + white from Acrylic Paints.
Pick 3 brush shapes from Acrylic Brushes (round, flat, filbert).
Choose one small surface from Substrates.
Do one 30-minute session using the workflow above, and stop on time.
Clean brushes immediately, then save any usable paint using the approach in How to Store Acrylic Paint So It Lasts Longer.

If you want to shop the whole setup in one place, start with Painting Supplies.

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