Is Liquitex BASICS good for beginners?

Yes. It is designed as a student-grade paint with a forgiving medium body and a wide color range. It is a reasonable first set before moving to artist-grade acrylics.

How does BASICS compare with Liquitex Heavy Body?

Heavy Body is artist-grade with higher pigment load and a thicker, buttery consistency. BASICS is thinner, less saturated and better suited to practice and everyday work.

Can I use these paints on canvas and paper?

Yes. They work on canvas, canvas board, paper and most porous surfaces. Prime or gesso bare surfaces first for better adhesion.

Do the tubes dry out quickly?

Acrylic paint skins over when exposed to air. Keep caps tight and squeeze out small amounts; a large set can outlast some tubes if they sit unused.

Is the paint non-toxic and safe for kids?

Liquitex markets BASICS as non-toxic and suitable for classroom use. It is still paint, so supervise young children and avoid ingestion.

72 tubes of acrylic paint, 22 mL each, in a curated range of colors for mixing.

Where is the Liquitex BASICS 72-Color Acrylic Paint Set cheapest?

At Staples, for $109.99, 15% under what the other stores charge, as of our latest check.

Where can I buy the Liquitex BASICS 72-Color Acrylic Paint Set?

3 stores we checked sell it, including Staples, Michaels, Quill.

Liquitex BASICS 72-Color Acrylic Paint Set

Best price now

$109.99at StaplesChecked Nov 8

15% under what the other stores charge

Compared across 3 stores. Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when. Store links may earn us a commission. Price via Klarna.

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What reviewers say

Reviewers see the BASICS 72-color set as a good value for learning and everyday painting, with a wide color range and workable texture. Criticism centers on thinner consistency and weaker coverage than artist-grade acrylics.

What people mention

CoverageMixedSome colors need multiple coats to look opaque, especially lighter and yellower hues.
ConsistencyMixedThe paint is medium-bodied and holds brushstrokes, but painters used to heavy-body acrylics find it thin.
Color rangePraisedOwners like having 72 colors to mix from without buying extra tubes.
Pigment strengthCriticisedCompared with artist-grade acrylics, the colors look less saturated and can shift when mixed.
CleanupPraisedWater-based formula rinses out of brushes easily and has little smell.
ValuePraisedReviewers consider the large set a practical way to start painting without a big outlay.

About the Liquitex BASICS 72-Color Acrylic Paint Set

The Liquitex BASICS 72-Color Acrylic Paint Set is a collection of water-based acrylic paints for beginners, students, and everyday studio use. The set is a curated selection of essential colors for mixing and exploring color.

The formula has a medium viscosity that retains brushstrokes and texture. The pigments are lightfast, so color and performance last over time. The paint is non-toxic and safe for classroom and studio use, and it cleans up easily with water.

Type

Water-based acrylic paint

Consistency

Medium viscosity

Colors

72 colors

Tube size

22 mL each

In the box

72 tubes of acrylic paint

Pigments

Lightfast