Colourful acrylic paint set with multiple paint bottles, brushes, and palette arranged on an artist’s desk in a bright landscape blog header image.

Shuttle Art 36-Colour Acrylic Paint Set: A Buying Guide

4 min read

A 36-colour acrylic set can look like an easy way to get started, but the useful question is what is actually in the box and whether it suits the project you have in mind. This is a listing-based buying guide, not a hands-on review: I have not tested this set in person, so I’m separating the product-page details from practical advice you can try with any acrylic paint.

The Amazon US listing linked below describes 36 colours in 60 ml bottles, along with brushes and a palette. Accessory counts can vary by marketplace or bundle: the linked listing summary and Shuttle Art’s current product page show different brush counts. Check the selected variation’s “what’s included” section before ordering. The link goes to Amazon US, where seller, price and availability can change.

What to check in a 36-colour set

A colour count tells you how many shades the seller lists; it does not tell you whether those shades match your project or how the paint will look on your surface. Before buying, compare the details on the exact listing you plan to use:

  • Colour and volume: check the named shades and the amount in each bottle. The linked listing describes 60 ml bottles.
  • Bundle contents: confirm the brush assortment and palette for the selected seller and variation. Photos and accessory counts may differ between regional pages.
Acrylic colour swatches on a palette beside unlabelled paint bottles, brushes and a small canvas.
A quick swatch makes colour choices easier to judge than a small screen preview.
  • Surface guidance: the product pages name several craft surfaces, but check the maker’s instructions for the material you plan to paint and prepare it as directed.
  • Retail details: review the current seller, delivery area, returns and live availability. The Amazon link in this article is for the US marketplace.

The manufacturer’s current 36-colour product page is useful for comparison, but its bundle details do not exactly match the linked marketplace summary. Treat the selected seller’s listing as the final source for what arrives.

Make a colour test before you start

Paint can look different on a screen, straight from the bottle and after it dries. A short swatch test lets you see the colours on the surface you will actually use. Set aside a small offcut or test area prepared in the same way as your canvas, wood panel or other project material.

Paint a small block of each shade and write its name beside the swatch on the back of the test card. Once the first layer is dry, compare the results in daylight. Then mix a few pairs to see which combinations you can make from the colours you already have. This gives you a personal reference for the next project and helps you spot any shades you may not need.

For a canvas project, start with a surface intended for acrylic paint; our guide to acrylic-primed canvases explains what to check. Follow the paint maker’s instructions for preparation, use and clean-up, especially when you move from canvas to another material.

Rows of acrylic colour swatches and mixed patches painted on a primed canvas for comparison.
Testing on a similarly prepared surface gives you a more useful colour reference.

Choose a first canvas you can finish

A small, simple subject is a good way to learn how a new palette behaves. Sketch three or four large shapes lightly, choose a few colours for the first pass, and keep the swatch card beside you as you work. You can add more shades as the picture develops instead of trying to use every colour in the set at once.

If this is your first painting, follow our practical first-canvas guide for a straightforward starting point. When you already have an idea in mind, the guide to choosing a canvas size can help you match the format to the subject and the space where you will work.

Work from larger areas towards smaller details, rinsing brushes between colours and letting each layer dry before deciding what to add next. There is no need to use all 36 shades: a limited palette can make a first composition easier to plan, while the rest remain available for later experiments.

A small original acrylic landscape painting in progress on a table with brushes and palette.
A small landscape is one manageable way to practise layering and colour choices.

Who may want a set like this?

A larger set may suit someone who wants to explore many colours and already has a few projects in mind. It may be more than you need if you prefer mixing a compact palette or already own suitable brushes and a mixing surface. Compare the full bundle and current seller details with the materials you have at home before deciding.

Check the current Amazon US listing for the Shuttle Art acrylic set. Review the live offer and selected variation before purchase; the product details and availability may change.

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