What acrylic colours should I start with?’ This is a common question many beginner painters may ask when venturing into the acrylic painting world.
Well, when it comes to acrylic painting, having a well-rounded palette of colours is quite important. The right selection of acrylic paint colours can greatly enhance and improve your artwork.
In this blog post, we will explore the must-have,basic acrylic paint colours that should be a part of every painter’s palette. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, these colours are great to add to your acrylic paint essentials:
What Acrylic Paint Colours Should I Buy?
Titanium White

Titanium White, is the foundation of each painter’s palette. It is a highly opaque and versatile colour that can be used to produce highlights, combine tints, and lighten other acrylic paints. It is one of the must-haves for every paint palette.
Ultramarine Blue

Ultramarine Blue is a deep, rich colour. This particular colour can produce stunning landscapes, from calm skies to deep oceans. Blending ultramarine blue with other colours can create some lovely hues, from delicate purples to dark greys. Its versatility and vibrancy is a great addition to any palette.
Cadmium red

Cadmium Red is a bold and powerful colour that can add both intensity and warmth to your art. This colour is useful whether you’re painting colourful florals or a fiery sunsets. It can be used to produce some warm tones.
Cadmium Yellow

Cadmium Yellow is a lively and warm colour that gives your acrylic painting life and vitality. It’s great for catching the bright radiance of sunlight, highlights and adding warmth to other colours.
Burnt Umber

Burnt Umber is a dark and earthy colour that gives your paintings a sense of depth and richness. It is very useful for adding dimension, creating shadows and creating realistic textures.
Phthalo Green:

Phthalo Green is a vibrant and strong green that will bring your foliage and landscapes to life. It’s highly transparent and may be layered to add depth and vibrancy to greens. Whether you’re painting lush woods or delicate foliage, Phthalo Green is a must-have shade for capturing nature’s splendour.
I hope this post was helpful and answered any queries you had about which acrylic paint colours to start with. Building a well-rounded palette of acrylic colours as you begin your acrylic painting journey makes a difference for every painter.
Titanium White, Cadmium Yellow, Ultramarine Blue, Cadmium Red, Burnt Umber, and Phthalo Green, are the must-have acrylic colours. These basic acrylic paint colours provide a firm foundation for you to begin with.
These colours provide adaptability, brilliant hues, and the ability to mix a variety of shades, helping you to create your acrylic paintings.










2 Responses
I am wondering what the best brand is in acrylics….one that you would recommend. I want to try the blending techniques you show in your “Cloud” tutorial. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Also do I need to use a thick body acrylic?
hi, thankyou for your comment! No you don’t need to use thick body acrylics. In this tutorial I used liquitex basics acrylic paints and they’re great. A little water and some good synthetic paintbrushes can really help blend acrylics smoothly!