What Acrylic Paint Is Best? - Comparing Golden, Liquitex, Artist's Loft And More

Welcome to my channel.
In this video we take a look at 12 different types of acrylic paint and try to find the "best" one. There are obviously more than just 12 kinds of acrylic paint but this is what I had available to me locally. If you have suggestions of types of paint you like to use, please comment them below so we can check them out!
I thought since Titanium White is a very important colour to use that it should be the one that I test.
If you would like to read about each of them instead of watching, here is the link to my website: www.briansloanartist.com/what...
Here are timestamps for the video:
4:09 - Craft Paint
9:22 - Artist's Loft Level 1
12:47 - Winsor & Newton Galeria
16:35 - Pebeo Studio
19:59 - Grumbacher Academy
23:27 - Liquitex Basics
27:50 - Stevenson
31:38 - Artist's Loft Level 2
35:28 - Artist's Loft Level 3
40:12 - Golden Heavy Body
44:01 - Liquitex Heavy Body
48:25 - Liquitex Soft Body
53:03 - Overall Review and Thoughts
For each I talk about the paint when it comes out of the tube, its transparency, and tinting power when mixed with Pthalo Blue.
If you enjoyed this video and want to help me to continue to make these types of videos, please consider donating to the cause below:
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You can see all of my work on my website: www.briansloanartist.com
Thanks for watching and don't forget to give a thumbs up and subscribe!

[@Nemo-vd1mw]

I know I’m a year late, but thank you for doing this! This kind of test is exactly what I’ve been searching for!

[@BrianSloanArtist]

I’m glad you found it useful! I have been prepping a version two of this with 12 new acrylic brands that I didn’t test here.

[@susangranfors1283]

Thank you Brian! This is exactly what I needed to see today! I had been sold on Liquitex Heavy Body from other reviews, but seeing is believing, isn’t it. Thank you for your hard work. Grateful

[@BrianSloanArtist]

Glad it was helpful! I'm currently putting together another video like this but will be testing 41 different acrylic paints instead of just 13. I'm interested to see how Liquitex ranks!

[@nancynoneya5742]

I just bought Liquitex Heavy Body today. I've never used heavy body paint so I am a little apprehensive. So glad I found your video, it made me feel better about my decision.

[@BrianSloanArtist]

So glad to hear! Liquitex heavy body is great. Heavy body definitely has its purposes and this is a great choice.

[@beenadevicr]

Thanks Brian. You gave me more information than many others. I currently use WN, but I now know what I can purchase.

[@BrianSloanArtist]

You're welcome! Thank you for watching!

[@pamelawarren4251]

Thanks Brian. Very long process, extremely meticulous and seems like a decently proven way to assess each acrylic paint brand and class to the others. I enjoyed watching this, though it took a very good chunk of time, it has shown me exactly what I will get for my money. Keep making these instructional videos, very helpful to a novice like me.

[@BrianSloanArtist]

Thanks for the feedback Pamela. I know it was a long video for sure. I tried to condense it as much as possible but I do think the content is worth it. I find I am always having a battle with length of videos. I want them to be short as more people seem to watch shorter ones, but I want them to be thorough and useful to the viewers!

[@keltyk]

you can adjust speed in settings. I found 1.5 speed helped compact the info into a much shorter time

[@haleyelizabeth8378]

I have tried all of the paints you compared except for one, and I keep going back to Amsterdam. They're actually affordable, and they have sooo many colors available at my local art store (in case anyone wants to try something new) 🤗

[@BrianSloanArtist]

Good to know. Thanks for the input! I'm going to have to try those ones out asap!

[@susanallen9849]

Hi Brian, thanks so much for this video. You’ve answered so many questions I had floating around my head. I’ve been hovering for weeks about buying Liquitex heavy body over Golden, and I think based on these results I’m going to give them a go. Great information.

[@BrianSloanArtist]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@TheRamsberg]

Thank you, Brian, for your wonderfully in depth review of all of these paints. I'm doing some practicing with Winsor & Newton and Liquitex Basics, and it's good to know how they stack up against the more expensive paints. I'm very much looking forward to my practice pieces advancing enough to justify spending the money on the heavy body. Again, thanks for what you've shared here. Also, I must say, your 'Red Oblivion' piece is stunning, and rather inspirational.

[@BrianSloanArtist]

I'm so glad you found this useful! It's tough to decide which paints to buy! And thank you for the compliment on the "Red Oblivion" piece. I have been meaning to try some more like that!

[@TheRamsberg]

@@BrianSloanArtist You're welcome! I hope you have an adventurous revisiting of that style!

[@patriciagist8296]

Thank you tor your time,don't mind hw long it is because I learned alot from the video.thank you again for the time you have give. To teach us something we should really know

[@BrianSloanArtist]

Thank you for watching! I try to keep my videos to the point but there was so much in this one!

[@GingahSnapsArt]

Beautifully done! Chefs kiss

[@BrianSloanArtist]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@mindfulnessjewelshk8667]

Thanks for the review, really helpful!

[@BrianSloanArtist]

You’re welcome. Glad it could help!

[@NakedFringe]

I love how thorough this is, thank you!! I’v used a handful of these - Liquitex, Golden and Chromacryl - here in Aus, but my fav is always Matisse Structure. I’d be interested to know how it compares?

[@BrianSloanArtist]

I've never heard of that one! I'll add it to my list for a future video!

[@missartsyful]

Thank you for doing such a well done test. So many of these tests seem flawed in they don’t compare like to like.

[@BrianSloanArtist]

Thanks for checking it out. I tried to design it in a way that would give the best results in comparison. This is what I came up with!

[@PaintYourDreamworld]

very informative. I myself use Liquitex basic and Appel barrel craft paint. Honestly for what I do Apple Barrel is not inferior to more expensive Liquitex paint. you can take look at some of my paintings, most created with inexpensive paint. Your video was amazing and thank you very much.

[@BrianSloanArtist]

That is great to know. Thank you for sharing your experience for us to learn from as well!

[@charlottesmom]

Your art is wonderful!! I’m going to watch some of your videos right after I finish this one. 👍🏻😊🎨

[@erin758]

Pebeo looks liquidy but highly pigmented. Amsterdam looks liquidy but maintains brushstrokes when it dries. Opacity depends on pigment load and pigment type (which in turn, depends on the metals or whatever element they have refined from their mines).

[@BrianSloanArtist]

For sure. Thanks for the comment!

[@kcr8543]

Thank you for doing this experiment! It was very informative. I just bought a bunch of Liquitex Basics and tried them out yesterday. I had previous worked with Nicole’s craft paint, which I absolutely loved, but they are no longer being made. Obviously, the LB is much different to work with and I’m busy practicing with it. Do you have a video on methods using LB…using mediums, water, dry brushing, etc?

[@BrianSloanArtist]

Thank you for watching. I don't have one yet. I am planning on making videos for each individual paint but just haven't had the time yet! I will let you know when I do!

[@shellydianenovascotia3914]

I went and bought some Golden Fluid paints and was shocked at the price. I need to find something just as good BUT WAY CHEAPER.

[@BrianSloanArtist]

So expensive! I agree. You could try mixing regular acrylic paint with thinning mediums to try to get the same affect. I can’t guarantee anything though.

[@robinhoward5987]

Novacolor paints, available directly from them. Top notch.

[@robinbrennan4561]

Thanks! Interesting that the Liquitex heavy body did better than golden in a way. Great experiment. 😊

[@BrianSloanArtist]

It surprised me a little bit too! Thanks for watching!

Beaucoup de choix dans la gamme Acrylique, les deux meilleures pour ma part sont la golden extra-fine et la Sennelier extra-fine qui se démarque des autres, de par sa texture onctueuse, sa forte concentration en pigments, de plus elle est durable dans le temps et ne jaunie pas. Bonne continuation à vous pour vos projets.

[@BrianSloanArtist]

Oui, il y a parfois trop de choix! Merci pour le commentaire. Je n'ai jamais utilisé la Sennelier. Je dois l'essayer.

@@BrianSloanArtist la Sennelier extra-fine est vraiment excellente,et les couleurs restent lumineuses et éclatantes. Un tube de 60ml est assez cher, environ 15€ de moyenne,mais comme elle est très chargée en pigments, l'on met moins de peinture donc l'on peut réaliser beaucoup de toiles...

[@helgaleifsdottir5191]

Thank you for the test. May I ask you to test Amsterdam Expert acrylic paint ?

[@BrianSloanArtist]

I’ll add that to my list for the next video!

[@lifeismusicparnadonkers]

My favoriete acrylic paint is liquitex basics. I,ve tryed them all and i always end up whit liquitex basics acrylic paint

[@BrianSloanArtist]

Thank you for sharing this! I love hearing others opinions and it is valuable for other coming to watch the video. Liquitex basics are great paints!

[@nelebaras]

Hi Brayan! what do you think about rembrandt acrylic paints?

[@BrianSloanArtist]

I have never used them! They are on my list of ones to try though so I'll have to keep you posted.

[@devernepersonal3636]

do you know anything of the lightfastness for Artists Loft level 2?

[@BrianSloanArtist]

I don't have any long term examples using the paint but the lightfastness has an excellent rating according to the bottle. So it should hold up for many many years!

[@giespel68]

Great video, thanks! Q: did you prime your canvas with gesso?

[@BrianSloanArtist]

This canvas had a layer of black gesso on it.

[@gladiatormechs5574]

Can i use this GOLDEN ACYLIC paint inside of my AQUARIUM on my 3D printed decorations.. and use it as a protective sealer as well..

[@BrianSloanArtist]

I'm unsure of it's properties when submerged in water. I would assume if you seal it with something meant for that, then it would be fine.

[@justaskin8523]

I know I’m getting here late, but I should bring this up because aquarium equipment and livestock can be extremely expensive. Plus, losing fish is heartbreaking. Hopefully this will help somebody else. I would not use any modern acrylic paints in an aquarium where you’re going to be trying to manage living animals or plants. Here’s why: Modern acrylic paints often include a biocide Which is designed to kill microorganisms and prevent spoilage which can make paint become stinky. Additionally, acrylic paints still include cadmium and/or lead or other toxic metals or substances. There may be acrylic paints that would be suitable for use in an aquarium environment, but Probably not any of the paints reviewed in this video. Aquarium stores definitely sell ornaments that have been painted, so somebody makes something that should be safe but probably not these paints. In any event, you’ve got to check everything out. For example, are you planning saltwater? Freshwater? Brackish water? Personally, I just wouldn’t do it.

[@justaskin8523]

Some additional info: just today, I bought a box of golden heavy body paints. 12 tubes in this box, and the box is labeled as containing lead. I suspect it is the carbon black that has the lead, but several of the others have state of California warnings on them too. I also bought a number of Liquitex heavy body acrylics today and some of them say “contains MBIT, BIT, CMIT/MIT. May produce allergic reaction”. All of those acronyms are the various chemicals used as biocides. They are listed as being skin irritants. Remember, fish don’t just swim in the water. They BREATHE the water. Fish gills are extremely sensitive. That’s why we remove chlorine when we use city water to perform water changes for our aquariums. Even if an acrylic art Sure paint has been fully cured, I’m not sure I would trust it being submerged and passing through my expensive fishs’ gills. As I said in my post above, I’m sure there are paints that are safe. There are all kinds of castles and treasure chests in the pet stores, and everyone of those has been painted. You just have to find the correct paint for that application and the expected environment.

[@erin758]

May I ask, which one has the least shine when when it dries?

[@xuan4741]

same question. I experienced that Liquitex is glosser compared to Ams.

[@BrianSloanArtist]

Stevenson had very little shine. Artist's loft also had less shine than the bigger-name competitors. The craft paint was the most matte but the worst quality otherwise. There are some acrylic paints that say they are matte, like the new Golden SoFlat. I will be doing some more testing of other brands/types here soon so I'll have a better overall answer shortly.

[@kristinclark3430]

Just paint glossy and add a matte medium or varnish at the end.

[@Jennifr1966]

I just HATE when a paint bottle won't open all the way. I try to squeeze some on my pallette, and the lid drives me crazy!

[@BrianSloanArtist]

The struggle is real! Some lids are definitely better than others...haha.

[@itsdeadlol]

Is the van gogh acrylic paint set good?

[@BrianSloanArtist]

Sorry, I don't have experience with the Van Gogh acrylic paint set! It isn't available where I live.

[@itsdeadlol]

@@BrianSloanArtist oh it’s okay! Thanks for answering, I just bought it and it’s pretty good!

[@Scumiest]

I use grumbacher and it's nothing like the one that came out in this video. I believe age did ruin it

[@BrianSloanArtist]

Thank you so much for adding this! I really appreciate it!

[@Scumiest]

@@BrianSloanArtist yessir thank you for doing it. That's actually the reason I came to this video. To see someone else use grumbacher. I'm new to painting so I figured if someone reviewed that specific brand it'd give me some helpful info.

[@BrianSloanArtist]

That's great. Welcome to the world of painting, so much fun and so much to learn. That's why I love it!