Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Set: A Practical 12-Colour Guide

Choosing an acrylic set is easier when you know exactly what is in the box and what you want to practise. This guide covers the Liquitex BASICS 12 × 22 ml set as it is currently listed by Liquitex UK: its named colours, a simple mixing exercise and a few checks to make before buying. This is a source-based guide, not a hands-on review; we have not tested the set.

What the 12 × 22 ml listing includes

The Liquitex UK product listing currently specifies twelve 22 ml tubes: Primary Yellow, Primary Red, Primary Blue, Phthalocyanine Green, Mars Black, Titanium White, Cadmium Orange Hue, Alizarin Crimson Permanent Hue, Dioxazine Purple, Light Green Permanent, Burnt Sienna and Burnt Umber. The same page describes the paint as medium-consistency and says the colours have different opacity levels, so check each tube’s label rather than assuming the whole set covers the same way.

There is a detail worth checking: the specification table lists twelve colours, while a short description on that page says “six useful colors.” The page’s SKU and contents row identify a 12 × 22 ml set, but the copy is inconsistent. Confirm the exact pack and contents with the seller before ordering; Liquitex also lists other set sizes.

The illustrations here are original AI-generated studio scenes. They explain general painting exercises and are not photographs of this product or results from a product test.

Make a quick colour-mixing map

Before starting a finished piece, make a compact chart on a scrap of the surface you plan to paint. Put a small sample of each colour in one row, then mix pairs in a second row. Yellow with red gives you an orange family; yellow with blue can produce greens; red with blue can produce violets. The exact result depends on the pigments and proportions, so begin with small amounts and record your own mixtures.

Keep a little space between swatches and label your chart on the paper, not on the paint. Add white to a separate dab when you want to explore lighter tints. The named set already includes several greens, a purple and an orange hue, so compare those straight from the tube with your own mixes. That simple test shows which colours you reach for and helps avoid squeezing out more paint than you need.

Test the surface before committing

The manufacturer lists canvas and paper or board among the surfaces for BASICS acrylic. Texture changes how a brush moves and how a thin layer looks, so try two or three strokes on a small offcut first. If you are choosing a support, our practical guide to acrylic-primed canvas explains what to check on the surface, and our canvas materials and texture guide compares how different textures affect the finished feel.

Use the same brush and roughly the same amount of paint on each test area. Note whether the first pass looks solid or lets the surface show through; Liquitex says opacity varies by colour. A quick test is more useful than expecting every tube to behave identically. Follow the label for the exact colour and surface you are using.

Plan a first practice session

Choose one small subject with a limited palette: three broad shapes, a simple plant silhouette or a two-colour study. Put out small dabs, mix only what the first pass needs and keep a note of the combinations that work. If you stretch your own support, our canvas-stretching guide covers that separate preparation step.

Let one layer dry before adding another, and judge the result in the same light you used to paint. Liquitex explains the acrylic wet-to-dry colour shift in its guide to acrylic paint. Compare a swatch only after it dries and under consistent light; the amount of paint and the surface also affect how it looks. If you want to test coverage, make one thin stroke and one fuller stroke beside each other rather than judging from the colour in the tube. Clean brushes promptly and follow the product’s own care and safety instructions. Keep the study small enough to finish in one sitting; a compact subject makes colour choices easier to compare.

What to check before you buy

• Confirm that the listing is for twelve 22 ml tubes; other BASICS sets use different formats.
• Compare the colour list with the current pack or seller listing, especially because the Liquitex UK page’s short description and specification table do not agree.
• Check each colour’s opacity and safety information on its label. The manufacturer’s page warns against breathing spray or mist and notes eye irritation; do not assume brush paint is suitable for spraying.
• Consider how much paint you use. Small tubes are convenient for testing a palette, while larger formats may suit a project that covers more area.

The useful question is not whether this set is “best” for every beginner. It is whether the verified pack size and colour range fit the way you want to practise. The official listing describes medium-consistency paint, but we have not independently tested coverage, handling, drying behaviour or value. Check the current packaging and seller details, then use a swatch chart to see how the colours work on your own surface.