Master's Touch Acrylic Paint 24 Piece Set: What's Included and How to Use It

By Owen Palmer

Updated November 2026

The Master’s Touch acrylic paint 24 piece set gives you a full spread of colors in a single purchase, which makes it a practical starting point for beginners who want to try painting without guessing which tubes to buy. In this guide, you’ll learn how to check what’s in the box, prepare your surface, mix colors without muddying them, apply paint in layers, and keep your brushes and palette in good shape. By the end, you’ll have a repeatable workflow you can use on canvas, wood, paper or craft projects.

What to Expect From a 24 Piece Acrylic Set

A set in this size range typically includes a row of tube or pot colors covering warm and cool primaries, a few secondary hues, and neutrals such as white and black. Some sets add a brush or two, a palette, or a small instruction card. Before you start, lay everything out and compare it against the packaging list, since contents can vary slightly between packaging runs and regional versions.

Because the paints are acrylic, they dry quickly, usually within minutes for thin layers, and they’re water-soluble until cured. That combination makes them forgiving for learning but also means you need to work with some urgency once paint is on the palette.

Check the Colors Before You Mix

Squeeze a small dot of each color onto a sheet of paper or a scrap of cardstock and label it. Acrylic colors can look darker or more saturated in the tube than on a dry surface, and this swatch card becomes your reference for mixing later. Keep the swatch somewhere you can see it while you paint.

Tools and Supplies You Need

You don’t need a studio to paint with this set, but a few basics make the process smoother:

A surface suited to acrylic, such as gesso-primed canvas, a canvas board, heavy watercolor paper, or sealed wood
A palette: a paper palette pad works well because you can tear off sheets, or a plastic or ceramic palette that’s easy to wipe clean
A water cup or spray bottle for thinning and cleaning brushes
Paper towels or a rag for blotting excess water and paint
A pencil or light charcoal for sketching outlines
A medium or water-based varnish for finishing, once the work is fully dry

Step-by-Step: Preparing Your Painting Surface

Surface prep affects how paint adheres and how colors look. Skipping it is one of the most common reasons beginner acrylic work looks patchy.

Inspect the surface for dust, oil, or loose fibers. Wipe it with a dry cloth.
If you’re using raw wood or unprimed paper, apply one or two thin coats of gesso and let each coat dry fully, usually 20 to 30 minutes at room temperature, before continuing.
Lightly sketch your composition in pencil. Keep lines faint so they don’t show through thin paint layers.
Set up your palette, water cup and brushes within easy reach so you aren’t leaving wet paint exposed for long periods.

How to Mix Colors Without Making Mud

Mixing is where many beginners get frustrated. The key is restraint: add small amounts of one color to another and stop as soon as you reach the shade you want.

Start With Lighter Colors

When you’re making a tint, begin with the lightest color in the mix, such as white or a pale yellow, and add darker colors gradually. Starting dark and trying to lighten it with white usually takes far more paint and can end up chalky.

Use a Limited Mix Test

Before committing to a shade on your painting, test it on a scrap of paper and let it dry. Acrylics typically dry one or two shades darker than they look wet, and this quick check saves frustrating repaints.

Know Which Colors Mix Muddy

Mixing two complementary colors, such as red and green or orange and blue, in equal amounts tends to produce gray or brown. If you want a neutral tone, that’s useful, but if you want clean color, mix a small amount of one complement into the other to dull it, rather than combining them evenly.

Applying Acrylic Paint in Layers

Layering is what gives acrylics depth. Thin, transparent layers let underlying colors show through, while thicker, opaque coats cover what’s beneath.

Block in the base. Apply thin coats of your main colors, covering large areas first. Keep paint thin enough that you can see your pencil lines.
Let it dry. Wait until the surface is no longer cool or tacky to the touch before adding another layer, usually 10 to 20 minutes for thin coats.
Build value. Add darker shades in shadow areas and lighter shades where light hits. Use a dry brush technique, with minimal paint on the brush, for soft edges.
Add detail last. Fine lines, highlights and textures go on once the base layers are stable, using a smaller brush.

Brush Handling

Load your brush by dipping the tip into paint, then working it back and forth on the palette until the color is evenly distributed. Overloaded brushes drip and leave ridges. For smooth coverage, use long, even strokes and avoid scrubbing the same spot repeatedly, which can lift paint underneath.

Cleaning and Storing Your Paints

Acrylic dries fast on brushes and palettes, so clean up before you walk away. Rinse brushes in lukewarm water and work in a small amount of mild soap, then reshape the bristles and lay them flat or tip-up to dry. Wipe the palette with a damp cloth or peel off the paper sheet.

Keep caps tightly closed on tubes or pots. Store the set in a cool, dry place away from direct sun, and avoid letting paint freeze, since most acrylic formulations can separate or lose performance after freezing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake	Why it happens	Fix
Muddy colors	Mixing too many colors or complements in equal parts	Mix small amounts and use a clean brush or water rinse between colors
Chalky tints	Adding too much white at once	Add white gradually and test on scrap paper
Patchy coverage	Painting over a surface that wasn’t primed or was still damp	Apply gesso and let each coat dry fully
Lifting underlayers	Scrubbing or reworking areas that have dried	Wait until fully dry, then glaze with thin layers
Stiff brushes	Letting paint dry in bristles	Clean brushes right after use with water and mild soap

Tips for Getting More From the Set

Spend a session on color practice only. Paint a grid of mixes and label each one to build a personal reference.
Use a spray bottle to keep paint workable on the palette during longer sessions.
Paint a few small practice panels before starting a major piece to test techniques.
For a more complete look at the broader set of options in this category, see Master's Touch Acrylic Paint Set 51 Piece: A Beginner's Guide to Using It, which covers a larger range of colors.
If you’re comparing sets before buying, 6 Best Master Touch Acrylic Paint Set Options for Hobbyists (2026) places several kits side by side.
Once you’re comfortable with acrylics, Paint Brush Set for Acrylic: 7 Factors to Check Before You Buy helps you decide whether your current brushes are holding you back.

Recommended gear

A few add-ons pair well with a 24 color set. A good palette keeps mixing organized, and a set of brushes with varied shapes lets you handle both broad coverage and fine detail. Varnish protects finished work from dust and moisture.

Paper palette pad: Disposable sheets make cleanup quick and keep your mixing area tidy. View on Amazon
Synthetic acrylic brush set: Synthetic bristles hold up well to acrylic and clean easily, which suits beginners. View on Amazon
Gesso primer: A primer coat helps paint grip and reduces absorption on raw surfaces. View on Amazon
Matte or gloss acrylic varnish: A final coat protects the painting and adjusts the sheen. View on Amazon

FAQ

Is the Master’s Touch acrylic paint 24 piece set good for beginners?

Yes, a set like this suits beginners because it covers a wide range of colors in one purchase, so you can practice mixing without buying individual tubes. It works best when paired with a few basic tools and a bit of practice on test surfaces.

Do I need to use a medium with these acrylics?

Not necessarily. Many artists paint with the paint straight from the tube or pot and add water to thin it. A medium such as a gloss or matte medium can increase transparency and extend drying time, but it’s optional.

How long does acrylic paint take to dry?

Thin layers usually feel dry to the touch within 10 to 20 minutes, while thicker applications can take longer. Full curing, when the paint reaches maximum hardness, takes considerably longer, so avoid heavy handling or varnishing too early.

Can I paint on fabric with acrylic paint?

Acrylic can work on fabric, but the results depend on the fabric and whether it’s prepared. Prewash the fabric to remove sizing, use a fabric medium if you want a flexible finish, and heat-set the paint according to the manufacturer’s instructions where applicable.

Why does my paint look darker when it dries?

Acrylic paint often dries a shade or two darker than it appears wet, because the water evaporates and the pigment settles. Test your colors on scrap paper and allow for this shift when mixing.

How do I keep acrylic paint from drying out on the palette?

Work with small amounts, mist the paint lightly with water from a spray bottle, and cover the palette with plastic wrap or a damp paper towel between sessions. A sealed palette box also helps during longer breaks.

Can I mix acrylic paint from this set with other brands?

Most acrylics are compatible with one another, but formulations and opacity differ between brands. Test any mix on a scrap surface before using it on a finished piece to check for color shift, texture or drying differences.

Is it safe to use acrylic paint around children?

Acrylic paints are water-based and generally considered low hazard for supervised use, but they should not be ingested. Check the product labeling for specific age guidance, keep caps closed, and wash hands after use. If you have questions about safety for a specific child or health concern, consult a pediatrician or relevant professional.

Conclusion

A Master’s Touch acrylic paint 24 piece set gives you a practical range of colors for learning the medium without a large upfront commitment. Prepare your surface, mix in small increments, build your painting in layers, and clean up promptly to keep your tools in good condition. With a few sessions of color practice, you’ll quickly understand how these paints behave and where your own style begins.

Ready to choose one?

About Owen Palmer

Owen Palmer is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our arts & crafts supplies guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.

About the author

Owen Palmer

Owen Palmer writes reviews and buying guides for Crafts Center.

Master’s Touch Acrylic Paint 24 Piece Set: What’s Included and How to Use It