Once you decide to start painting with acrylics, another question quickly comes up: should you buy a complete acrylic paint set or choose individual colours?
Both options can work well. The better choice depends on your experience, the projects you create, the colours you actually need, and how often you paint.
Buying the largest set available is not always the smartest choice. A smaller selection that you understand and use regularly can be more useful than dozens of colours that rarely leave the box. On the other hand, buying individual colours from the beginning can become expensive if you are still discovering your preferred palette.
Here is how to make the choice easier.
What Is the Difference Between a Paint Set and Individual Colours?
An acrylic paint set gives you several colours together in one purchase. Sets can range from smaller selections for beginners to larger collections containing a wider variety of shades.
Individual colours allow you to select each paint separately. This gives you more control over exactly which colours you add to your collection.
The main difference comes down to convenience and flexibility.
A set makes it easier to start because several colours are available immediately. Individual paints give you greater control because you only purchase the shades that fit your projects.
When Should You Buy an Acrylic Paint Set?
An acrylic paint set is often a practical choice when you are still learning.
A set can make sense if you:
- Are new to acrylic painting
- Need several colours at once
- Want to practise colour mixing
- Are experimenting with different subjects
- Are still discovering which colours you use most
For example, someone learning to paint landscapes, flowers, portraits, and simple decorative pieces may benefit from having a varied selection available from the beginning.
A set also removes some of the guesswork from the first purchase. Instead of deciding between dozens of individual shades, you can start with a selection designed to work together.
When Are Individual Acrylic Colours Better?
Individual colours become more useful once your painting habits become clearer.
They can be a better choice if you:
- Already own a basic collection
- Frequently use particular colours
- Need a specific shade for a project
- Regularly run out of certain colours
- Want to build a personalised palette
Imagine an artist who regularly paints landscapes and goes through blue, green, white, and earth tones much faster than other colours. Replacing those colours individually makes more sense than repeatedly buying complete sets.
This approach also reduces the amount of unused paint sitting in your supplies.
Choosing Acrylic Paint Colours for Different Projects
The type of artwork you create should influence your colour choices.
Landscapes often call for blues, greens, earth tones, white, and darker shades.
Portraits may require a combination of warm and cool colours, neutrals, and shades that can be mixed to create natural variations.
Abstract paintings offer much more freedom. A limited palette of bold colours can be enough to create a wide range of effects.
Decorative projects depend on the object, design, and colour scheme being used.
There is no universal list of colours that every artist needs. A colour that is essential for one project may remain untouched in another artist's collection.
Do You Need Every Colour to Start Painting?
No.
One of the most common acrylic painting buying mistakes is assuming that more colours automatically mean more creative possibilities.
Having a large selection can be useful, but learning to mix colours is also an important part of painting. Starting with a manageable palette allows beginners to understand how different colours interact and how small changes in proportions affect the result.
For example, mixing a little more blue into a green mixture can create a noticeably different result from adding more yellow.
This kind of experimentation helps develop colour awareness and gives you more control over your paintings.
Acrylic Paint Set vs Individual Paints: Which Offers Better Value?
The better value depends on what you will actually use.
A set can be economical when you need most of the colours included. Individual paints can offer better value when you only need a few specific shades.
Look beyond the number of colours and check the amount of paint included.
A set containing many small containers may not be more practical than a smaller set with larger quantities. Likewise, buying individual paints can become wasteful if you select colours simply because they look interesting rather than because they suit your projects.
Think about how often you paint, which colours you use, and how much paint your projects normally require.
What Should Beginners Buy?
For someone completely new to acrylic painting, a small or medium-sized set is often a straightforward starting point.
It provides enough variety to experiment with colour without making the first purchase unnecessarily complicated.
There is no need to build a complete collection immediately. A few useful colours, suitable brushes, a palette, and a painting surface can provide everything needed to begin learning.
Once you have completed several projects, it becomes much easier to identify which individual colours are worth adding.
This approach also prevents a common problem: buying a large collection before knowing which colours actually fit your painting style.
What If You Already Have a Specific Project?
If you already know exactly what you want to paint, individual colours may be the more practical option.
For example, a blue and white decorative painting may not require a large collection of unrelated shades. A project with a defined colour scheme can often be completed with a smaller, carefully selected palette.
The same applies to commissioned or planned artwork where the colours have already been decided.
In these situations, buying only the required shades can keep the project focused and reduce unnecessary purchases.
Can You Use Both Options?
Absolutely.
Choosing between a set and individual colours does not have to be a permanent decision.
A common way to build an acrylic collection is to start with a set and gradually add individual colours. Once you discover which shades you use most often, those colours can be purchased separately when the original supply runs low.
Over time, this creates a collection based on actual painting habits rather than guesswork.
It also makes buying acrylic paint easier because each new colour has a clear purpose.
A Simple Acrylic Paint Buying Guide
Before choosing between a set and individual colours, ask:
Are you new to acrylic painting?
A set can provide an easier starting point.
Do you already have several paints?
Individual colours may be more practical.
Are you experimenting with different projects?
A set can provide more variety.
Do you already know your preferred colour palette?
Individual paints give you greater control.
Will you use most of the colours in the set?
If not, a smaller set or individual colours may make more sense.
These simple questions can prevent unnecessary purchases and help you build a collection that grows with your skills.
Build Your Colour Collection Around the Way You Paint
There is no universal answer to the acrylic paint set vs individual colours decision.
A set is convenient for beginners, experimentation, and anyone who needs several colours at once. Individual colours are useful when you already understand your preferences or have specific projects in mind.
The most practical approach is to start with what you need and expand gradually. As your painting develops, your colour choices will become more intentional, making it easier to decide which paints deserve a permanent place in your collection.
Whether you are buying your first set or adding specific shades to an existing palette, Bluebird Arts offers acrylic paints to help artists choose materials suited to their projects and creative style.
FAQs
Is an acrylic paint set better than buying individual colours?
Neither option is universally better. A set is convenient when you need several colours, while individual paints are useful when you already know which shades you need.
How many acrylic paint colours should a beginner buy?
There is no fixed number. A manageable selection of useful colours can provide plenty of opportunities to practise colour mixing and create different types of artwork.
Is it cheaper to buy acrylic paint in a set?
A set can offer good value when you will use most of its colours. Compare the amount of paint and the colours included rather than looking only at the total price.
Can I add individual colours to an acrylic paint set?
Yes. Adding individual colours as your needs develop is a practical way to expand your collection without buying another complete set.
What acrylic paint colours should I buy first?
Choose colours based on the projects you plan to create. A practical starting selection can include primary colours, white, darker tones, and additional shades that suit your preferred subjects.