Over 375 Acrylic Paint Samples

Whether you are going to start some beautiful dotted mandala art, create on a canvas, or our favorite… paint a rock, it always start by picking acrylic paint colors!

acrylic paint samples dotted mandalas and more

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Before we go any farther I have to give a big Thank You to the lady behind this amazing content! I stumbled onto Lindy’s post in one of the dot mandala groups I am in. She created these wonderful acrylic paint swatches as a resource for other painters!

Lindy is an amazing artist! I hope you take a minute to check out her art! Find her on Facebook at Pet portraits by Lindy Clarkson & Beautiful paintings by Lindy Clarkson or on TikTok!

About Acrylic Paints

Below is a list reasons why so many artists choose acrylic paints for their art and craft projects.

Water-Based: Acrylic paint is water-based, making it easy to clean up and mix with water for various effects.
Quick Drying: It dries fast, letting you build layers or finish your masterpiece swiftly.
Versatile Surfaces: Acrylics adhere well to surfaces like canvas, paper, wood, fabric, and more.
Color Mixing: Start with just a few colors – red, blue, yellow, plus white – and mix to create a wide range.
Layer Love: You can layer colors easily, allowing for intricate details and vibrant depth.
Opacity Control: Alter opacity by thinning with water or using gel mediums for thicker consistency.
Longevity: Acrylics are durable and resistant to fading over time.
Flexible Finish: Choose from glossy, matte, or satin finishes to suit your style.
Brushes Galore: Versatile for various brush types, offering textures from fine details to bold strokes.
Overpainting: Correct mistakes by painting over them once they’re dry – no stress, just artistic freedom!

Picking Paint Colors

Choosing paint colors can be exciting and fun! Here’ are a few things to consider when picking your palette:

Purpose and Mood: Think about the purpose of your artwork. Are you aiming for a soothing vibe, vibrant energy, or something in between? Colors evoke emotions, so pick ones that align with your desired mood.
Color Wheel: Understand the color wheel basics. Complementary colors (opposite on the wheel) create contrast, while analogous colors (neighboring) offer harmony.
Color Harmony: Stick to a limited color palette for a unified look. Triadic (equally spaced on the color wheel) or monochromatic schemes can create pleasing harmonies.
Contrast: Consider the contrast between your background and main elements. High contrast can make elements pop, while low contrast can offer subtlety.
Lighting: Think about where your artwork will be displayed. Natural and artificial light can affect how colors appear.
Subject Matter: Reflect on the subject of your art. Natural scenes might call for earthy tones, while abstract pieces could be more experimental.
Personal Preferences: Your personal taste matters. Choose colors that resonate with you and reflect your style.
Experimentation: Don’t be afraid to try unexpected combinations. Sometimes, the best results come from taking risks.
Test Swatches: Always test colors on a separate surface before committing to your artwork. Colors might look different when applied.

Remember, there are no hard rules – it’s about what speaks to you and your artistic vision. Happy color hunting!

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A few Notes from Lindy

I snagged a few quotes from her Facebook post. This will answer a few questions you may be asking when looking at the swatches below.

-On each page, the left hand swatch is done over a white dot, the middle dot of colour is one “press” with paint and the right hand side one is a “loaded” dot, where I have dotted the same paint several times to make it “puffy”.
-There is a good reason why most of them don’t show a lot of difference. I made a point of purchasing paints which say they are opaque, so there “should” be little difference between them. Some do have more transparency than others though.
-JS refers to Jo Sonja tube paints
-Lindy