You’ve probably noticed that not all acrylic gouache paints perform equally on your canvas. Some flatten and crack, while others maintain their vibrant finish for years. The brands artists consistently recommend—Turner, Liquitex, Holbein, and Professional Artist—share specific qualities that set them apart. But what exactly makes these formulas worth your investment? We’ll explore the seven standout options that deserve a spot in your studio.
Quick Overview
- Professional Artist Acrylic Gouache Paint Set delivers opulent silky finish with vibrant pigments preferred by working artists.
- Liquitex Professional Acrylic Gouache offers flat, matte finish and creamy texture enabling smooth layering and blending for detail work.
- Turner Acrylic Paint Sets provide velvety matte finish with water-reducible formula, ideal for artists seeking traditional gouache aesthetics.
- Holbein Acryla Gouache Primary Mixing Colors Set includes five foundational hues, fast-drying formula, and water-resistance for efficient workflows.
- High pigment concentration and opacity in quality acrylic gouache enable bold coverage and effective color layering without excessive mixing.
| Turner Acrylic Paint Set 24 Tubes 20ml |
| Best Variety | Finish Type: Velvety matte | Tube Size: 20ml | Water Resistance: Water-resistant when dry | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Turner Acrylic Paint Set 18 Tubes 20ml |
| Best Value | Finish Type: Velvety matte | Tube Size: 20ml | Water Resistance: Water-resistant when dry | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Turner Acrylic Paint Set 12 Tubes 20ml |
| Starter Set | Finish Type: Velvety matte | Tube Size: 20ml | Water Resistance: Water-resistant when dry | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Turner Acrylic Paint Set Japanese Colors (12-Tubes) |
| Unique Texture | Finish Type: Velvety matte | Tube Size: 20ml | Water Resistance: Water-resistant when dry | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Professional Artist Acrylic Gouache Paint Set 24-Color |
| Best Overall | Finish Type: Silky | Tube Size: Not specified | Water Resistance: Not specified | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Liquitex Professional Acrylic Gouache Paint 12-Color Set |
| Professional Grade | Finish Type: Flat matte | Tube Size: 22ml | Water Resistance: Water-resistant | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Holbein Acryla Gouache 20ml Primary Mixing Colors Set of 5 |
| Primary Colors Essential | Finish Type: Matte | Tube Size: 20ml | Water Resistance: Water-resistant | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Turner Acrylic Paint Set 24 Tubes 20ml
If you’re seeking versatile acrylics that’ll adhere to nearly any surface without prep work, Turner Acryl Gouache delivers. This 24-tube set gives you vibrant colors in 20ml tubes that dry to a velvety matte finish. You’ll appreciate the water-reducible formula—mix paint and water at a 2:1 ratio for your desired consistency. Once dry, the paint becomes water-resistant with minimal color shift, ensuring brilliant final artwork. The set sticks to wood, canvas, stone, metal, glass, clay, and even Styrofoam without requiring surface preparation. Fast drying times mean you’ll work efficiently, while the opaque coverage produces professional results across virtually any medium you choose.
- Finish Type:Velvety matte
- Tube Size:20ml
- Water Resistance:Water-resistant when dry
- Drying Speed:Fast-drying
- Opacity:Opaque
- Surface Versatility:Wood, acrylic, stone, cloth, clay, metal, slate, glass, aluminum, iron, vinyl, Styrofoam, canvas, paper
- Additional Feature:Largest tube quantity available
- Additional Feature:Water-reducible 2:1 ratio
- Additional Feature:Minimal color shift guarantee
Turner Acrylic Paint Set 18 Tubes 20ml
Turner Acryl Gouache delivers the velvety matte finish you’re seeking in a compact, budget-friendly format. This 18-tube set gives you essential colors in 20ml quantities, perfect for experimenting without overcommitting. You’ll appreciate the quick-drying formula that won’t slow your workflow. The paint adheres directly to wood, canvas, glass, metal, and stone—no prep work required. Water-reducible at a 2:1 ratio, it becomes water-resistant once dry with minimal color shift. Whether you’re testing techniques or building your collection, this set balances affordability with professional-quality results, making it ideal for artists exploring acrylic gouache.
- Finish Type:Velvety matte
- Tube Size:20ml
- Water Resistance:Water-resistant when dry
- Drying Speed:Fast-drying
- Opacity:Opaque
- Surface Versatility:Wood, acrylic, stone, cloth, clay, metal, glass, aluminum, vinyl, Styrofoam, canvas, paper
- Additional Feature:Mid-range color selection option
- Additional Feature:Water-reducible 2:1 ratio
- Additional Feature:Minimal color shift guarantee
Turner Acrylic Paint Set 12 Tubes 20ml
Artists who need versatility without compromising on quality will find this set invaluable. You’ll get twelve 20ml tubes of Turner Acryl Gouache, featuring vibrant, fast-drying pigments with a distinctive velvety matte finish. These highly concentrated paints are water-reducible at a 2:1 ratio and won’t shift color as they dry. You can apply them directly to wood, canvas, metal, glass, stone, clay, and numerous other surfaces without pre-treatment. Once dry, they’re water-resistant and opaque, giving you professional results for both fine art and mixed-media projects.
- Finish Type:Velvety matte
- Tube Size:20ml
- Water Resistance:Water-resistant when dry
- Drying Speed:Fast-drying
- Opacity:Opaque
- Surface Versatility:Wood, acrylic, stone, cloth, clay, metal, slate, glass, aluminum, iron, vinyl, Styrofoam, canvas, paper
- Additional Feature:Highly concentrated pigment formula
- Additional Feature:Vibrant color intensity
- Additional Feature:Beginner-friendly starter set
Turner Acrylic Paint Set Japanese Colors (12-Tubes)
For those seeking authentic Japanese aesthetics in their acrylic work, the Turner Acrylic Paint Set Japanese Colors delivers a distinctive approach that sets it apart. You’ll appreciate the coarse, gritty texture that reflects traditional Japanese specifications, creating natural, subtly textured finishes on your artwork. The twelve 20ml tubes contain highly concentrated pigments that dry quickly and remain water-resistant once set. You can thin these opaque colors with water at a 2:1 ratio without worrying about color shift. They adhere to various surfaces without preparation, making them incredibly versatile for your mixed-media projects. The velvety matte finish produces brilliant final results that capture authentic Japanese color palettes from nature.
- Finish Type:Velvety matte
- Tube Size:20ml
- Water Resistance:Water-resistant when dry
- Drying Speed:Quick-drying
- Opacity:Opaque
- Surface Versatility:Multiple surfaces (not pre-specified)
- Additional Feature:Traditional Japanese nature-inspired colors
- Additional Feature:Coarse, gritty texture
- Additional Feature:Natural subtle textured tone
Professional Artist Acrylic Gouache Paint Set 24-Color
This 24-color set brings together everything you’ll need if you’re serious about mixed media work. You’ll appreciate the opulent silky finish that distinguishes these acrylics from standard gouache paints. The vibrant pigments deliver rich, saturated colors across your entire palette, giving you creative freedom whether you’re layering, blending, or experimenting with unconventional surfaces. Built for durability, these paints won’t crack or fade over time, ensuring your finished pieces maintain their brilliance. The user-friendly formula means you’ll spend less time wrestling with consistency and more time creating. This versatile set adapts seamlessly to your evolving artistic practice.
- Finish Type:Silky
- Tube Size:Not specified
- Water Resistance:Not specified
- Drying Speed:Not specified
- Opacity:Vibrant colors (implied opaque)
- Surface Versatility:Mixed media
- Additional Feature:Silky opulent finish quality
- Additional Feature:Mixed media versatility
- Additional Feature:User-friendly application
Liquitex Professional Acrylic Gouache Paint 12-Color Set
The Liquitex Professional Acrylic Gouache Paint 12-Color Set delivers the flat, matte finish you’re seeking without reflections or visible brush strokes—making it ideal for illustrators and designers who prioritize smooth, opaque coverage. This 12-tube essentials set contains core and secondary palette colors, including Primary Yellow, Scarlet, Ultramarine Blue, Emerald Green, Titanium White, and Mars Black. You’ll appreciate the creamy, fluid texture that brushes out beautifully while remaining quick-drying and permanent. At 22ml per tube, you’re getting professional-grade quality at an accessible price point. With a 4.6-star rating from 653 customers, this set proves it’s a reliable choice for artists moving from student-grade materials.
- Finish Type:Flat matte
- Tube Size:22ml
- Water Resistance:Water-resistant
- Drying Speed:Quick-drying
- Opacity:Optimal opacity per pigment
- Surface Versatility:Multiple surfaces
- Additional Feature:Optimal opacity per pigment
- Additional Feature:Superb creamy fluid texture
- Additional Feature:4.6-star customer rating
Holbein Acryla Gouache 20ml Primary Mixing Colors Set of 5
Holbein’s Acryla Gouache Primary Mixing Colors Set of 5 delivers everything you need if you’re serious about color theory and custom mixing. You’ll get cyan, magenta, yellow, black, and white—the foundational hues for creating virtually any color palette. Each 20ml tube offers fast-drying, water-resistant coverage with a matte finish that works beautifully on paper, canvas, and mixed media surfaces. The opaque formulation guarantees excellent layering capabilities, while the water-soluble wet application keeps your workflow flexible. At 4.8 stars, artists consistently praise this set’s quality and value. You’re investing in professional-grade pigments that dry completely within 24 hours, giving you the control serious painters demand.
- Finish Type:Matte
- Tube Size:20ml
- Water Resistance:Water-resistant
- Drying Speed:Fast-drying
- Opacity:Opaque
- Surface Versatility:Paper, canvas, other paintable surfaces
- Additional Feature:Primary mixing colors foundation
- Additional Feature:24-hour dry time
- Additional Feature:Hypoallergenic formulation
Factors to Consider When Choosing Acrylic Gouache Paint
When you’re selecting acrylic gouache paint, you’ll want to evaluate color vibrancy and pigmentation to guarantee you’re getting true, consistent hues that match your artistic vision. You should also consider drying time and application properties, as well as how the paint adheres to your chosen surface and resists water once it’s dried. Finally, you’ll need to assess the finish type and texture each brand offers, since these characteristics dramatically impact your final artwork’s appearance and durability.
Color Vibrancy & Pigmentation
Because pigment quality directly determines how vivid your finished artwork will be, you’ll want to prioritize highly pigmented formulations when selecting acrylic gouache paints. The concentration of pigments in your paint directly impacts color saturation and intensity, even after drying.
Acrylic gouache’s opaque, matte finish naturally enhances color vibrancy compared to traditional acrylics, giving you richer, more saturated hues. You’ll notice this advantage immediately when applying the paint to your surface.
Beyond initial vibrancy, you should consider lightfastness ratings and fade resistance. These factors maintain your colors’ vibrancy over time, protecting your investment in quality materials. Check manufacturer specifications for lightfastness certifications to guarantee long-lasting color intensity in your finished pieces.
Drying Time & Application
Unlike traditional gouache, acrylic gouache dries expeditiously faster, allowing you to layer and blend without lengthy waiting periods between applications. This accelerated drying time streamlines your workflow, enabling you to build complex compositions efficiently.
Beyond speed, acrylic gouache’s versatility shines through its compatibility with multiple application techniques. You can employ traditional brushwork, experiment with sponging for textured effects, or create impasto for dimensional depth. The water-soluble formula lets you thin the paint effortlessly, adjusting consistency to match your preferred technique.
Additionally, acrylic gouache adheres exceptionally well to diverse surfaces—canvas, paper, wood—without requiring extensive preparation. Once dry, it forms a durable, water-resistant finish, making it ideal for mixed media and collage projects where longevity matters.
Surface Compatibility & Adhesion
The durability you’ve gained from acrylic gouache’s quick-drying formula extends to its impressive adhesive properties across virtually any surface you’ll encounter. You can apply these paints to wood, canvas, paper, metal, and glass without extensive preparation, thanks to their water-based composition that bonds securely to both primed and unprimed surfaces.
To maximize adhesion for your projects, you should clean surfaces thoroughly and consider sizing them beforehand. These simple steps guarantee long-lasting results that withstand time and handling.
You’ll appreciate acrylic gouache’s versatility on both rigid and flexible materials. The opaque, matte finish delivers smooth, uniform coverage without requiring multiple coats, making your painting process efficient while maintaining professional quality across whatever surface you choose.
Water Resistance & Durability
When you’re selecting acrylic gouache for projects that’ll face moisture or outdoor exposure, water resistance becomes a critical factor. Once dry, acrylic gouache paint forms a water-resistant barrier that protects your artwork from damage caused by humidity, splashes, or rain.
You’ll appreciate the opaque, matte finish that not only creates vibrant visuals but also contributes to the paint’s durability. The formula resists fading and discoloration over time, ensuring your colors remain true for years.
The quick-drying nature lets you layer rapidly without waiting extended periods between applications. This efficiency doesn’t sacrifice longevity—your finished pieces maintain their integrity. Plus, the water-based composition means you can clean brushes and equipment easily while still achieving professional-grade durability that withstands environmental stress.
Finish Type & Texture
Your choice of finish and texture dramatically shapes how your acrylic gouache artwork looks and feels. You’ll find options ranging from matte and velvety to glossy and shimmery, each offering distinct visual effects. Smooth, creamy formulations deliver even, uniform coverage ideal for detailed work, while textured gouache paints provide coarse, gritty appearances that add compelling visual interest.
Consider opacity levels too—some paints offer high opacity for bold coverage, while others provide translucency for layering effects. Drying time also matters; faster-drying paints typically produce flatter, more matte finishes, whereas slower-drying formulations may yield different textural qualities.
You’ll want to test various finishes and textures to determine which best suits your artistic style and project requirements. Your preferences will guide you toward paints that enhance your creative vision.
Paint Concentration & Opacity
Why does one acrylic gouache paint appear more vibrant than another, even when they’re the same color? The answer lies in paint concentration—specifically, the ratio of pigment to binder in the formula.
When you’re selecting acrylic gouache, you’ll want highly concentrated paints that deliver greater opacity and more saturated hues. Higher pigment loads give you superior coverage, allowing you to layer colors without muddying them or sacrificing vibrancy. This concentration directly impacts the matte, velvety finish you’re after.
Proper paint concentration guarantees you’ll achieve your desired coverage and color intensity right out of the tube. You won’t need excessive water or additional coats to reach the opacity level you want. This efficiency makes concentrated formulas the smarter choice for serious artists.
Set Size & Tube Volume
Choosing the right set size and tube volume depends on your experience level and painting habits. If you’re starting out or prefer mixing custom colors, smaller sets with five or fewer tubes work well. As you develop your skills, you’ll appreciate larger sets containing 12, 18, or 24 tubes, which offer expanded color options without constant mixing.
Tube sizes typically range from 20-22 ml, providing sufficient paint for most projects. However, if you work quickly or on large-scale pieces, consider 37 ml tubes or larger to minimize frequent replacements. Assess your actual paint consumption before investing. Heavy users benefit from bigger tubes, while occasional painters stretch smaller tubes further. Match your set size and tube volume to your specific needs and working style for maximum efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Budget & Value Consideration
Because acrylic gouache paints range widely in price and quality, you’ll want to balance your budget with the value you’re actually getting. Start by calculating the cost per milliliter or ounce across different brands—a larger tube at a lower price per unit often delivers better value than a smaller one. Paint sets typically offer more colors for less money than buying tubes individually, making them ideal for beginners or expanding your palette affordably. Consider whether upgrading to higher-quality lines justifies the investment through superior pigment concentration, consistency, and longevity. Finally, account for ancillary supplies like brushes, palettes, and mediums when planning your overall budget. Strategic purchasing guarantees you maximize quality without overspending.
