Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Set Review: Good Student Paint?
Twenty four tubes of student grade acrylic from the company that invented artists' acrylics. What BASICS shares with the professional line and where it stops.
Yes, for acrylic painters who want a reliable everyday set. Liquitex says BASICS uses the same pigments as its professional range [1], in twenty four 22 ml tubes [1]. Skip it for someone already painting with professional acrylics, because BASICS is a student quality paint [1].
By Andrew Pataleta, GiftX founder · Updated November 3, 2026 · Sources
Specs at a glance
| Tubes | 24 x 22 ml (0.74 oz) [1] |
| Grade | Student quality [1] |
| Pigments | Same as Liquitex professional range [1] |
| Drying | Dries quickly, water cleanup while wet [1] |
| Surfaces | Canvas, paper, board, wood, metal, fabric [1] |
| Total paint | 528 ml [1] |
| Maker | Liquitex, acrylics since 1955 [1] |
Pros and cons
- From the company that invented artists' acrylics in 1955 [1]
- Same pigments and process as the professional range, per Liquitex [1]
- Fine pigment grind for strong color [1]
- Sticks to almost any surface [1]
- Water cleanup while wet [1]
- Range of opacities for glazes and coverage [1]
- Twenty four colors, enough to mix freely [1]
- Student quality, lower pigment load than Liquitex Heavy Body [1]
- Small tubes run out fast on big canvases
- Costs more than budget brands with the same tube count
From the people who made acrylic paint
Liquitex says it invented artists' acrylics back in 1955 and has specialized in acrylics ever since [1]. BASICS is its student line, and the reason it shows up on so many class supply lists is simple: it is dependable paint at a sensible price.
This set has twenty four 22 ml tubes [1], enough to mix almost any color without buying extras.
Pigment, coverage and surfaces
The listing says BASICS uses the same high quality pigments and manufacturing process as the professional range, ground with ceramic beads for fine dispersion [1]. In plain terms, colors mix clean instead of muddy.
It dries quickly and cleans up with water while wet [1]. It sticks to canvas, paper, board, wood, masonry, metal, stone, ceramics and textiles [1], so it covers canvas, crafts and mixed media in one box.
What student grade means here
BASICS is listed as student quality [1]. There is less pigment per tube than in professional acrylics, so some colors need two coats to cover. Twenty two milliliter tubes also go fast on a large canvas.
Against the cheaper ARTEZA set in this guide, BASICS costs more for the same tube count; the extra buys the Liquitex name and pigment consistency.
Building a gift around it
The set is a full starting point for an acrylic painter. Pair it with the Masterson Sta-Wet palette so the paint lasts, and the U.S. Art Supply canvas six pack so there is somewhere to use it.
For a stocking, add The Masters Brush Cleaner. For a big gift, put it under the MEEDEN studio easel.
FAQ
Is Liquitex BASICS good quality acrylic paint?
Yes, for student paint. Liquitex BASICS uses the same pigments and manufacturing process as the Liquitex professional range [1], and it dries quickly with water cleanup [1]. It has less pigment than professional acrylic, so painters who need maximum coverage in one coat move up to Liquitex Heavy Body [1]
Liquitex BASICS or ARTEZA acrylic: which is better?
Both sets have twenty four 22 ml tubes [1]. Liquitex BASICS costs more and comes from the company that invented artists' acrylics, with pigments shared with its pro line [1]. ARTEZA is cheaper and lists pigment numbers on every tube. Liquitex BASICS suits a painter who wants a name brand reference set [1]
What surfaces can you use Liquitex BASICS on?
The listing says Liquitex BASICS sticks to almost any surface, including canvas, paper, board, wood, masonry, metal, styrofoam, stone, ceramics and textiles [1]. That makes the Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint Set a good fit for painters who also do crafts or paint on rocks and wood [1]
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Sources and how we checked
- Amazon.com listing for the Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint Set, 24 x 22ml tubes
Source check: Amazon prices and contents above were checked on November 3, 2026. We did not test these products hands-on. Picks are based on manufacturer specs, Amazon listings and the reasons people actually give these gifts.
As an Amazon Associate, GiftX earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability change, so check Amazon for the current price.