The Shuttle Art 36 Color Set suits buyers who want metallic accents and a sturdy box. The Caliart 36 Color Set works for fast layering on canvas and seasonal crafts. The HissiCo 36 Color Set fits artists who like thick paint that holds brush marks. The Apple Barrel 16 Color Set is for matte finishes on wood and plaster. The Artbreezing 48 Color Set offers the widest palette in tubes, while the TMOL 24 Color Set balances fewer colors with included brushes. Main tradeoff: color count and finish type versus paint volume per bottle.
Shuttle Art 36 Color Acrylic Paint Set
Best for: Artists wanting metallic colors and a sturdy storage box
- Includes 36 colors, 12 brushes, and a palette, so you can start right away.
- Creamy paint is easy to blend and layer for coverage and consistent shades.
- Works on wood, rock, canvas, ceramic, fabric, glass, clay, leather, and plastic.
Keep in mind: Water based paint, so clean brushes with soap and water before it dries.
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Caliart 36 Color Acrylic Paint Set
Best for: Fast layering on canvas and holiday craft projects
- Comes with 36 colors in 2 oz bottles, including metallic gold and silver.
- Fast dry formula lets you layer coats or add elements right away.
- Suits canvas, rocks, pumpkins, wood, and craft painting.
Keep in mind: Cleanup with soap and water only works before the paint fully dries.
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HissiCo 36 Color Acrylic Paint Set
Best for: Painters who want thick texture that holds brush marks
- 36 colors in flip top squeeze bottles give control over paint flow.
- Thick consistency keeps brush or spatula marks for textured art.
- Sturdy flip lid cardboard box makes storage and safekeeping easy.
Keep in mind: Suitable for many surfaces, but confirm the surface you plan to use.
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Apple Barrel 16 Color Matte Acrylic Paint Set
Best for: Crafters needing a matte finish on wood and plaster
- 16 assorted matte colors in 2 oz bottles, including white, black, and bright shades.
- Dries to a brilliant matte finish for arts and crafts.
- Easy to brush, stamp, stencil, or sponge on wood, Styrofoam, plaster, and terra cotta.
Keep in mind: Clean up while wet with soap and water, as dry paint is harder to remove.
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Artbreezing 48 Color Acrylic Paint Set
Best for: Artists who want the widest color range in tubes
- 48 colors in 22ml tubes, from warm to cool tones for many shades.
- Creamy, smooth texture is easy to blend and layer, with quick drying to a gloss finish.
- Heavy body, lightfast, and water resistant once dry for lasting brightness.
Keep in mind: Tubes hold 22ml, less than the 2 oz bottles in other sets.
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TMOL 24 Color Acrylic Paint Set
Best for: Beginners who want a simple kit with brushes included
- 24 vibrant paints in 60ml bottles, plus 12 brushes for kids and adults.
- Smooth, quick drying paint with fade resistant colors for canvas art.
- Works on canvas, wood, rocks, glass, fabrics, metal, plastic, ceramics, and more.
Keep in mind: Nontoxic and ASTM D4236 compliant, but check the surface you plan to paint.
Check price on Amazon ↗Product names and images come from the Amazon listings and are rechecked against them (last checked Nov 8, 2026). The highlights restate each listing's own bullet points as published on Nov 8, 2026. Prices change often, so we do not show them. These are affiliate links: as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Color Count and Finish Shape the First Choice
The listings state color counts of 16, 24, 36, or 48. A higher count offers more ready made shades, but a smaller set can mix to similar colors. Apple Barrel lists 16 assorted matte colors, while Artbreezing lists 48 colors in tubes. Shuttle Art, Caliart, and HissiCo each list 36 colors, including metallic gold and silver in the first two. TMOL lists 24 colors in bottles.
Finish differs across these sets. Apple Barrel dries to a matte finish, which suits crafts where glare is unwanted. Artbreezing dries to a gloss finish, which can add depth to canvas work. The other listings do not state a specific finish, so check the product images or ask the seller if finish matters for your project.
The table below compares the attributes each listing actually states. Where a listing does not state an attribute, the table says Not listed. Use it to narrow down which sets fit the surfaces and finish you plan to paint.
| Set | Colors | Volume per unit | Finish stated | Nontoxic standard | Surfaces listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shuttle Art 36 Color | 36 | 2 oz / 60 ml | Not listed | ASTM D 4236 | Wood, rock, canvas, ceramic, fabric, glass, clay, leather, plastic, more |
| Caliart 36 Color | 36 | 2 oz / 60 ml | Not listed | ASTM D 4236 | Canvas, wood, rocks, pumpkins, fabric, stone, metal, plastic, ceramics, more |
| HissiCo 36 Color | 36 | 2 fl oz / 60 ml | Not listed | ASTM D 4236 and EN71 | Stretched canvas, wood, glass, card, plastic, craft foam, ceramic, more |
| Apple Barrel 16 Color | 16 | 2 oz | Matte | Not listed | Wood, Styrofoam, plaster, terra cotta, more |
| Artbreezing 48 Color | 48 | 22 ml tube | Gloss | ASTM D 4236 | Canvas, wood, fabric, clay, ceramic, more |
| TMOL 24 Color | 24 | 2 oz / 60 ml | Not listed | ASTM D4236 | Canvas, wood, rocks, glass, fabrics, metal, plastic, ceramics, more |
Bottle or Tube Changes Handling and Storage
Most sets use 2 oz bottles, which are easy to squeeze and reseal. HissiCo specifically mentions flip top squeeze bottles that help control paint flow. Artbreezing uses 22ml tubes, which are smaller but may suit painters who squeeze onto a palette and work with less waste.
Storage boxes also differ. Shuttle Art lists a strengthened cardboard package that protects paints and works as an organizer. HissiCo lists a sturdy flip lid cardboard box for easy storage. Caliart mentions a sturdy box to keep paints organized. Apple Barrel and Artbreezing do not describe their packaging in the same way, so check images if storage matters.
If you paint in small sessions, bottles may be more convenient. Tubes can be squeezed fully and rolled to use every bit of paint, but they hold less volume per color. Consider how often you paint and how much of a single color you use before choosing.
Included Brushes and Palettes Save a Separate Trip
Shuttle Art, Caliart, and HissiCo each list 12 brushes and a palette with their 36 color sets. TMOL lists 12 brushes but does not mention a palette. Apple Barrel and Artbreezing do not list brushes or a palette, so you would need to buy those separately if you do not already own them.
The brush count is the same across the three 36 color sets, but brush quality is not described in the listings beyond 'high quality' in TMOL. If brush performance matters, check the product images or reviews before relying on the included brushes for fine detail work.
For a complete starter experience, the sets with brushes and a palette remove one step. If you already have brushes you like, the Apple Barrel or Artbreezing sets may be enough.
Which Buyers Should Skip These Sets
If you need heavy body paint for thick impasto work, only Artbreezing lists 'heavy body' in its features. The other listings describe creamy or thick consistency but do not claim heavy body. A dedicated heavy body acrylic line may serve you better.
If you want an exact finish, only Apple Barrel states matte and Artbreezing states gloss. The other four listings do not state a finish, so if sheen is critical, you would be guessing. Look for a set that explicitly names the finish you want.
If you need large volumes of a single color, these multicolor sets may waste paint. Buying individual tubes or bottles of the colors you use most could be cheaper and less cluttered. Also, if you plan to paint fabric that will be washed, check whether the paint needs a fabric medium, since none of these listings mention fabric medium or wash durability.
Confirm These Points on the Listing Before Buying
Check the safety standard for the exact set you buy. Shuttle Art, Caliart, HissiCo, Artbreezing, and TMOL list ASTM D 4236 compliance, and HissiCo also lists EN71. Apple Barrel does not list a safety standard, so confirm with the seller if you need that assurance for kids.
Verify the volume per container if you are comparing value. 2 oz bottles hold about 59 ml, while Artbreezing tubes hold 22 ml. The listing title for Artbreezing says 22ml tubes, so do not assume all sets give the same amount of paint per color.
Look at the surface list for your specific project. Most sets list canvas, wood, and ceramic, but Apple Barrel does not list canvas or ceramic. If you plan to paint on canvas, the Apple Barrel set may not be the best fit despite its matte finish.
How This Shortlist Was Put Together
The six sets here were chosen from real Amazon listings to show a spread of designs and sizes. They range from 16 to 48 colors, bottles to tubes, and matte to gloss finishes. No units were handled by us; every fact in the cards and table comes from the listing text.
Because the listings vary in what they state, some rows in the table say Not listed. That is not a flaw in the product, just a missing detail in the listing. Use the related selection guide if you need help matching a set to canvas, miniatures, or kids.
See the full selection guide for acrylic paint sets to compare how these kinds of kits work for canvas, miniatures, and children's crafts.
Questions Buyers Ask Before Picking a Paint Set
Should I choose more colors or larger bottles?
If you mix colors often, a smaller set with larger bottles may last longer for the shades you use most. If you want ready made variety without mixing, a 36 or 48 color set saves time, even if each container holds less paint.
Does a matte or gloss finish matter for my project?
Matte finishes reduce glare and work well for crafts and decorative pieces. Gloss finishes can make colors look deeper and are often preferred for canvas art. If the listing does not state a finish, check product images or ask the seller before buying.
Are these sets safe for young children?
Most listings state ASTM D 4236 compliance, which means the paint is nontoxic. HissiCo also lists EN71. Apple Barrel does not list a standard, so confirm with the seller if you need that assurance for kids under three.
Which Set Fits Your Painting Style
A painter who wants metallic accents and a complete starter kit should choose the Shuttle Art 36 Color Set, since it includes gold and silver plus brushes and a palette in a sturdy box. A crafter who needs a flat, nonshiny finish on wood or plaster should pick the Apple Barrel 16 Color Set, because it is the only one that explicitly dries matte. If you want the widest color range and do not mind tubes, the Artbreezing 48 Color Set gives the most shades in a lightfast, gloss finish.
What this guide is. The picks were chosen from the listing details and the spread of designs and sizes, from 16 color matte bottles to 48 color gloss tubes. Only the listing text was used; no units were handled or used for testing.