When you’re starting out with acrylics, the choice of brushes can feel as overwhelming as the paint aisle itself. Round, flat, filbert, fan — and then there are palette knives, sponges, and mediums!
But don’t worry — you don’t need dozens of fancy tools to begin painting confidently. A small, well-chosen student brush set and a couple of basic accessories will take you a long way. In this guide, I’ll share the essential tools I wish I’d had when I first picked up a paintbrush.
When you’re experimenting with acrylics, it’s completely fine to start with student-grade brushes. They’re affordable, easy to clean, and designed to handle acrylic’s quick-drying texture.
Unlike natural-hair brushes (which can fray or absorb too much water), synthetic brushes hold their shape and bounce — perfect for thicker acrylic paints.
So don’t worry about the “perfect” brush — focus on learning how they feel and behave. Once you’ve found your painting style, you can upgrade later.
Every beginner’s brush kit should include these five types:
Great for covering backgrounds and laying down big, bold strokes.
Ideal for details, lines, and curved shapes.
The all-rounder — a soft-edged shape perfect for blending.
Adds texture, grass, hair, and soft blending effects.
Perfect for cutting in shapes, corners, or layered strokes.
You can paint almost anything with this basic set!
These are great starter options — affordable, durable, and easy to find online.
A brilliant starter kit with 5–6 synthetic brushes in useful shapes. They’re springy, easy to clean, and ideal for beginners.
Royal & Langnickel Zen Acrylic Brush Set
These brushes have slightly firmer bristles — perfect for thicker paint and textured techniques. The handles are waterproof, so no swelling or cracking over time.
Daler Rowney System 3 Acrylic Brush Set
Designed for student use, these brushes hold up to repeated washing and long painting sessions. Excellent value and widely available.
Palette knives aren’t just for mixing paint — they’re amazing for texture.
Start with a simple diamond-shaped knife and an offset knife (to keep your fingers clean).
They’re great for:
Basic Acrylic Palette Knife Set – Amazon
These simple tools make acrylic painting much easier:
(See my Acrylic Tools & Accessories Guide for details.)
Taking care of your brushes will make even budget ones last for years.
A little care goes a long way — especially when you’re learning
Your first brushes and tools are more than just equipment — they’re how you learn to feel paint. Don’t stress about perfection or brand names. The best set is the one that helps you paint freely, experiment, and have fun.
Whether you’re creating your first abstract, practising colour mixing, or covering your kitchen table in joyful chaos, these tools will get you started — and keep you painting
Princeton Real Value Acrylic Brush Set
Royal & Langnickel Zen Acrylic Brush Set
Daler Rowney System 3 Acrylic Brush Set
Basic Acrylic Palette Knife Set
Stay-Wet Palette for Acrylic Paints
Brush Soap & Cleaner
Acrylic Painting for Absolute Beginners
The Perfect Student-Grade Acrylic Set for Beginners
Choosing the Right Brushes and Tools for Acrylic Painting
Affiliate links help support this site at no extra cost to you. Thank you for using them.