Journal / Guide
Acrylics for Beginners: Your First Palette
Maya Bennett · June 14, 2026
Eight tubes, one spray bottle, and the mixing habits that carry you from first canvas to finished piece.
Acrylics forgive almost everything — but your first palette choices decide how far they take you. Start with a warm and a cool of each primary, plus titanium white and burnt umber. That is eight tubes, and it mixes every colour on the wheel.
Work thin to thick, keep a spray bottle handy, and remember: acrylic dries darker. Test every mix on scrap card first and your canvas will thank you.
