Best Art Paints Under $100 (2026)

We ranked products by a value score combining brand trust, aggregate user rating, pigment format and set composition, and MSRP under $100

Top Picks

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    Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint, 946ml Light Green Permanent

    Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint, 946ml Light Green Permanent

    Liquitex • ★ 4.3/5 • Budget

    Acrylic paint in a 32-oz jar with creamy, satin finish and good pigment load. Intermixable with Liquitex Professional colors; suitable for learning color theory and color mixing. Customers note vibrant color, smooth texture, and solid coverage on various surfaces

    • intermixable with professional colors
    • rich pigment load for coverage
    • satin finish with creamy consistency
    Check current price on Amazon →
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    Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint, 946ml Mars Black

    Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint, 946ml Mars Black

    Liquitex • ★ 4.3/5 • Budget

    Acrylic paint in a 32-oz jar with satin finish and good pigment load. Intermixable with other Liquitex colors and mediums; suitable for learning color theory. Customers note vibrant color, smooth texture, and solid coverage

    • intermixable with Liquitex colors
    • 32-oz jar for value
    • satin finish with good pigment load
    Check current price on Amazon →

Buying Guide

Choose the right medium

Decide between watercolors and oils—watercolor sets like Cotman and Gansai Tambi prioritize portability and transparency, while oils (Winton) offer thicker coverage and longer working time

Check pigment format

Half pans and full pans are ideal for travel and mixing control, whereas 200ml tubes are better for frequent oil painters who need larger volumes

Evaluate pigment quality

Look for reputable brands (Winsor & Newton, Kuretake) and user ratings around 4.7–4.8★ as indicators of consistent color performance and lightfastness

Consider kit composition

Assess included colors and extras—pocket and field sets prioritize a compact, ready-to-use palette, while larger sets provide broader color ranges for mixing

Balance portability vs. studio use

Pocket and field watercolor sets suit plein air work and travel; larger tube sizes like 200ml are more economical for studio oil painting