It’s that glorious time again, the tinsel’s in the paint water, the elves are running on espresso, and the shelves are stacked with more colour than Santa’s sleigh could carry.
Our very own in-house artists have tested, splattered, and passionately debated every brush, tube, and canvas in Artshed to bring you the Ultimate Acrylic Gift Guide for 2025.

If you’re shopping for someone creative (or maybe you just know they’ve been eyeing up that big canvas in our window), this is where the guesswork ends.
We’ve broken it all down, by skill level, by budget, and by how impressive it’ll look when they unwrap it.

So grab a cuppa, park the reindeer, and let’s find the perfect arty gift that’ll make you the hero of Christmas morning.

Beginner Brushes

Mont Marte Detailer Paint Brush Set – Taklon Bristle Detailer Collection 15 pc

Small but mighty, this set is designed for crisp detail work and clean finishing touches. The soft Taklon bristles give beginners excellent control, helping lines stay sharp and colours stay where they’re meant to. Easy to clean and wonderfully reliable, it’s a thoughtful starter for anyone who loves precision without the fuss.

Mont Marte Acrylic Handle Brush Set 11 pc – Acrylic

Bright, sturdy, and built to last. These brushes feature durable acrylic handles that won’t warp or swell in water, making them ideal for enthusiastic beginners. With a practical variety of shapes and sizes, this set supports new painters as they learn texture, form, and technique in a stress-free way.

15 pc Mont Marte Gallery Acrylic Paint Brush Bundle Kit

A complete brush wardrobe for any new artist. This 15-piece kit includes filberts, flats, and rounds so beginners can experiment with strokes, blending, and styles as they grow their confidence. The bristles hold their shape beautifully, and the set wraps up impressively for a Christmas morning “wow” moment.

Mont Marte Signature Paint Brush Set – Acrylic Taklon Bristle in Wallet 11 pc

Perfect for organised creatives. The compact zip-up wallet keeps every brush protected and in place, while the soft Taklon bristles offer smooth application across canvas, pad, or board. It’s a tidy, practical, gift-ready set that makes acrylic painting feel approachable and enjoyable from the very first stroke.

Intermediate Brushes

3 pc Abstract Expression Taklon Paint Brush Set

Made for painters who are ready to loosen up and work on a bigger scale, this trio delivers bold, expressive strokes with ease. The wide ergonomic handles feel balanced in the hand, while the flexible Taklon fibres glide smoothly across large surfaces. It’s an excellent choice for artists growing in confidence and exploring movement, texture, and energy on the canvas.

Mont Marte Signature Paint Brush Set – Artist Brushes in Easel Wallet 17 pc

A smart, professional-feeling upgrade for artists stepping beyond beginner tools. This 17-piece set includes a versatile range of shapes and sizes, all housed in a clever easel-style wallet that stands upright for easy access while painting. It’s beautifully presented, practical for travel or small studios, and ideal for anyone ready for more precision and variety in their work.

Mont Marte Premium Brush Set – Brush Wallet 15 pc

A refined step up for painters who’ve been honing their skills. The soft yet resilient bristles offer excellent paint control, and the premium wallet keeps everything organised and protected between sessions. It’s a gift that feels quietly luxurious without the premium price tag, perfect for artists ready to elevate their technique and tools.

Luxury & Specialty Brushes

Scott Christensen Paint the Ocean Ultimate Brush Set

Designed in collaboration with renowned Australian artist Scott Christensen, this limited-edition set brings professional craftsmanship straight into the studio. Each brush strikes the ideal balance between softness and strength, making blending, glazing, and textured brushwork feel effortless. It’s the kind of premium toolkit that helps artists step confidently from “experimenting” into truly mastering their medium.

Neef Green Series 95 Premium Stiff Synthetic Bristle Brush – Flat 20

A favourite among seasoned painters who value precision and power. The stiff synthetic bristles offer excellent spring and control, creating sharp edges and bold, confident strokes. Its firmness also makes it perfect for layering thicker, heavier-bodied acrylics without losing definition.

Neef Green Series 95 Premium Stiff Synthetic Bristle Brush – Filbert 18

Beloved for its versatility, this filbert brush combines the crispness of a flat with the softness of a round. The gently curved tip allows artists to blend, contour, and shape with smooth, natural transitions. Durable, reliable, and beautifully responsive, it’s a long-lasting addition to any serious painter’s brush arsenal.

Shop the full Brush Range

Beginner Acrylic Paints

Mont Marte Signature Acrylic Paint Set 18 pc × 36 ml

A standout gift for any new artist. This set includes 18 generously sized tubes filled with creamy, high-pigment acrylics that glide smoothly and layer beautifully. The colours are vibrant, easy to control, and forgiving enough for beginners while still delivering a professional-looking finish. Packed in a sturdy, colourful box that wraps up beautifully, it’s an instant Christmas-morning “wow” for anyone starting their acrylic journey.

Mont Marte Acrylic Paints 24 pc × 12 ml

A compact collection with a whole lot of creative potential. These 24 small tubes offer a wide, well-balanced colour range without overwhelming new painters. The smooth, quick-drying formula is ideal for school projects, weekend crafting, and experimenting with colour mixing. It’s an approachable, affordable way to dive into acrylics with confidence.

Amsterdam Acrylic Paint Set 12 × 20 ml Tubes

Quality European paint in a neat, gift-ready box. Amsterdam acrylics are known for their strong coverage, rich pigmentation, and beautifully consistent flow. This set is a thoughtful upgrade for beginners who are ready to explore mixing, layering, and more refined techniques without stepping into professional pricing. It’s a classy, reliable set that punches above its weight.

Intermediate Acrylic Paints

Atelier Interactive Acrylic Paint Set – 12 × 20 ml

Acrylics with a clever twist. Atelier Interactive paints stay workable for longer, allowing artists to blend, soften edges, and re-open layers in a way that feels almost like oil painting without the fumes or lengthy clean-up. This set is ideal for painters refining their technique, exploring realism, or learning more advanced layer control.

Jo Sonja Creative Possibilities Acrylic Paint Set – 12 × 20 ml

Velvety, smooth, and richly pigmented, Jo Sonja paints are a favourite for illustrators, detailed craft work, and artists who want precision without sacrificing colour quality. They dry to a soft matte finish that looks beautiful on paper, canvas, wood, and decorative surfaces, making this set a versatile and thoughtful step-up gift.

Mont Marte Dimension Acrylic Paint Set – 36 pc × 37 ml

Our go-to mid-range hero for artists ready to add depth and texture to their work. Dimension acrylics have a thick, buttery consistency perfect for bold strokes, impasto techniques, and sculptural effects. The expansive colour range and generous tube sizes make this set feel truly impressive when gifted, a reliable “wow” moment for any painter levelling up.

Luxury & Specialty Acrylic Paints

Winsor & Newton Professional Acrylic Essence of Australia Colour Collection Wooden Box Set
This Australian-exclusive box brings Winsor & Newton’s heritage craftsmanship together with a palette inspired by our country’s landscapes: the burnt reds of the outback, the shimmering turquoise of coastal waters, and the deep greens of eucalyptus.
Each pigment is buttery, vivid, and lightfast, formulated for serious artists who want uncompromising quality. The polished wooden box feels like something passed down through generations, complete with classic brass hardware and a soft, velvety interior. It’s more than paint,  it’s an heirloom waiting to be unwrapped.

Golden OPEN Acrylic Paint Landscape Set 9 pc
For painters who crave the depth and blending of oils without the long drying times or turps smell, this set is a revelation. Golden’s OPEN formula dries slowly, giving artists all the time in the world to blend seamless gradients, soften edges, and work wet-on-wet. Every squeeze of these tubes feels like pure luxury,  rich pigment, silky consistency, and professional longevity that makes each layer glow. The curated landscape palette is perfect for earthy scenes, sunsets, and natural tones, making it a must-have for artists who love to capture the beauty of the outdoors. It’s thoughtful, indulgent, and guaranteed to impress.

Winsor & Newton Galeria Acrylic Paint Set – 20 × 12 ml
The perfect bridge between student-grade and professional brilliance. Galeria acrylics deliver the bold colour Winsor & Newton are famous for, but in an affordable, approachable set. The paints are smooth, strong, and versatile,  thick enough for texture, thin enough for delicate layers, and the 20 colours cover everything from bright primaries to rich neutrals.
This set is ideal for artists who’ve outgrown their starter kits and are ready for their next step. It’s also one of the best-looking boxes on the shelf, compact, sleek, and satisfying to gift.

 Shop the full Acrylic Range

Beginner Surfaces & Pads

Mont Marte Canvas Pad A3 280 gsm 10 Sheets

A practical alternative to stretched canvas, this pad offers thick, durable sheets that handle acrylics beautifully. Each page feels like a mini canvas without the bulk, making it perfect for practice pieces, studies, or casual at-home painting sessions. Portable, reliable, and great for growing artists.

Mont Marte Mini Canvas 8 × 10 cm 2 pc

Small in size but big on charm. These pocket-sized canvases are ideal for testing colours, experimenting with techniques, or creating tiny artworks that make delightful stocking fillers. Affordable, fun, and surprisingly addictive once you start painting on them.

Mont Marte Signature Canvas Single Thick 10 × 10 cm

A neat little canvas with a clean, ready-to-hang finish. Compact and sturdy, it gives beginners a chance to create small artworks that look polished and presentable straight away. A great choice for gift toppers or quick creative sessions.

Mont Marte Discovery Canvas Single Thick Nested 4 Pack

Four canvases in ascending sizes, designed for artists who love variety without complicating their setup. Each canvas is primed, lightweight, and beginner-friendly, making this set an excellent all-rounder for gifting. Easy to wrap, easy to paint, and ideal for experimenting with different scales.

Intermediate Surfaces & Pads

Art Spectrum Acrylic Paint Pad A5 – 400 gsm

A compact, travel-friendly pad designed for artists who love to paint on the go. The heavyweight 400 gsm paper can handle thick, layered acrylic applications without buckling, tearing, or losing its shape. With a subtle surface texture that grips paint beautifully, this A5 pad is perfect for studies, colour tests, plein air sessions, and building confidence in smaller-format work.

Art Spectrum Acrylic Paint Pad A4 – 400 gsm

A versatile, studio-ready pad that brings the strength of canvas into a flat, portable format. The 400 gsm acrylic paper is robust enough for heavy-bodied paint, glazing, and textured techniques, while the lightly toothed surface maintains smooth, even application. Ideal for artists who prefer working flat, creating multiple studies, or painting in spaces where stretched canvases aren’t practical.

Art Spectrum Double Primed Cotton Canvas Pad A3 – 345 gsm (10 Sheets)

A premium choice for artists levelling up from beginner surfaces. Each A3 sheet is made from 100% cotton and double-primed with professional-quality gesso, giving it a buttery-smooth finish that holds colour exceptionally well. At 345 gsm, it’s sturdy enough for palette knife work, impasto, and layered techniques, yet flexible enough to store, transport, or frame without hassle. This pad offers the feel of a stretched canvas in a tidy, space-saving format, practical, portable, and beautifully made in Australia.

Luxury Surfaces & Pads

Mont Marte Artiste 100% Natural Linen Canvas 40″ × 40″

A truly premium canvas for artists ready to showcase their finest work. Made from 100% natural linen with a fine, even weave, this surface offers exceptional durability, beautiful paint absorption, and a subtle natural texture prized by professional painters. It’s the kind of canvas that elevates any artwork instantly, a dream choice for statement pieces and gallery-ready creations.

Mont Marte Premium Canvas Double Thick 36″ × 72″

Made for bold ideas and big, expressive paintings. This large-format canvas features double-thick edges that create a clean, gallery-style profile perfect for displaying without a frame. Sturdy, well-tensioned, and ready for heavy-bodied acrylics, textured techniques, or expansive landscape work, it’s an impressive gift for artists who think (and paint) on a grand scale.

Mont Marte Premium Series Canvas Single Thick

A reliable, well-crafted canvas that delivers consistent quality session after session. With balanced tension, a smooth painting surface, and durable priming, this canvas suits a wide range of techniques and skill levels. It’s an everyday luxury option, polished enough for professionals, approachable enough for motivated beginners.

Shop the full Canvas Collection

Unique Extras & Accessories

Chatty Feet Art Socks

A fun, light-hearted gift for artists who like to express themselves from head to toe. These high-quality socks feature iconic art personalities like Frida and Van Gogh, adding a touch of personality and humour to the creative process. They’re quirky, comfortable, and always a crowd-pleaser.

Mont Marte Twin Compartment Brushwasher Bucket

A practical little upgrade that quietly makes painting life easier. The dual compartments keep clean and dirty water separate, helping brushes last longer and colours stay crisp. It’s simple, sturdy, and surprisingly satisfying to use, a thoughtful addition to any painter’s workstation.

Mont Marte Studio Series Palette Knife Set 5 pc (Stainless Steel)

A must-have set for artists exploring texture, layering, and sculptural paint effects. These polished stainless-steel knives glide through acrylics with ease, offering clean edges, smooth spreads, and dynamic marks that brushes can’t replicate. Durable, versatile, and beautifully made for serious experimentation.

Royal Talens Amsterdam Acrylic Paint Backpack Set – 90 × 20 ml Tubes + Accessories

A portable art studio ready for any adventure. This premium backpack is packed with 90 vibrant Amsterdam acrylic tubes, plus a curated selection of brushes and tools. Everything is neatly organised in a durable, comfortable-to-wear bag, making it ideal for painters who love working outdoors, travelling, or creating wherever inspiration strikes.

Neef Stay-Wet Palette 3 Well with Lid

A clever and genuinely game-changing tool for acrylic artists. This stay-wet palette uses a moisture-retaining system to keep paints workable for hours, even days, preventing waste and reducing the pressure of racing against drying time. It encourages slower, more thoughtful painting sessions and instantly elevates the creative workflow

Luxe / Hero Gifts 

Acrylic Paint Essential Starter Kit – 52 Pieces

A complete, all-in-one creative toolkit that takes the guesswork out of gifting. This generous 52-piece set includes paints, brushes, palettes, canvases, and essential tools, everything an emerging artist needs to dive into acrylics straight away. It’s an inviting, thoughtfully curated treasure chest for beginners or anyone rekindling their artistic spark after time away.

Scott Christensen Surfs Up Acrylic Painting Kit – 20 pc Set

A beautifully curated kit that captures the warmth and spirit of the Australian coastline. Created with renowned artist Scott Christensen, this 20-piece set includes premium acrylic paints, brushes, and tools designed specifically for painting beaches, waves, and luminous coastal light. The kit also comes with free step-by-step instructional videos, allowing artists to paint alongside Scott and learn his techniques in real time. It’s inspiring, hands-on, and irresistibly giftable, a summer escape in a box.

Winsor & Newton Professional Acrylic Essence of Australia Wooden Box Set

The pinnacle of acrylic gifting. Exclusive to Australia, this handcrafted wooden box houses Winsor & Newton’s acclaimed professional acrylics in a palette inspired by our landscapes, from deep bush greens and sunburnt reds to soft coastal turquoise. Each pigment is richly saturated, lightfast, and beautifully responsive, gliding smoothly across canvas with exceptional mixing qualities. Presented in a polished timber case with brass hardware, it’s an heirloom-level gift designed to last a lifetime and guaranteed to impress the moment the lid lifts.

Frequently Asked Questions About Acrylic Gifts

What’s the best acrylic paint set for beginners?

Mont Marte’s Signature Acrylic Paint Set (18 × 36 ml) is the top beginner pick for 2025. The colours are vibrant, creamy, and easy to control, and the larger tube sizes mean they can practice without worrying about running out. It’s affordable, instantly giftable, and forgiving for complete beginners.

What’s a good acrylic gift for an intermediate artist?

The Atelier Interactive 12 pc Set paired with an Art Spectrum acrylic pad is a perfect mid-tier gift. Atelier’s formula lets artists re-open and blend layers longer than standard acrylics, while the Art Spectrum pads cope beautifully with texture, glazing, and thicker paint techniques.

What’s the best premium or luxury acrylic gift?

The Winsor & Newton Essence of Australia Wooden Box Set is the stand-out luxury acrylic gift for 2025. It includes professional-grade pigments in a handcrafted timber case inspired by Australia’s landscapes. It’s beautiful, practical, and heirloom-level — a true showpiece.

Do you need special paper or canvas for acrylic painting?

Yes. Regular sketch paper will buckle, curl, and pill under acrylic paint. Artists should use acrylic-specific pads (like Art Spectrum 400 gsm), canvas pads, primed linen, or stretched canvases. These surfaces are primed to handle moisture, texture, and repeated layering.

Are acrylic paints safe and easy to clean?

Absolutely. Student-grade and craft acrylics are non-toxic and water-soluble, making them suitable for all ages. Brushes, palettes, and hands wash clean with soap and warm water as long as the paint hasn’t fully dried.

Are acrylic paints beginner-friendly?

Yes, acrylics are considered the easiest paint type to learn. They dry quickly, layer well, and the colours look vibrant even with simple techniques. Beginners can start with just a basic brush set, a few canvases, and a small paint set.

What’s the difference between student and professional acrylic paints?

Student acrylics (like Mont Marte Signature or Galeria) use more binder and less pigment, making them affordable and great for practice. Professional acrylics (like Winsor & Newton Professional or Golden OPEN) have richer pigments, better coverage, and stronger lightfastness, ideal for serious artists or gift-giving.

How long do acrylic paints take to dry?

Standard acrylics dry in 5–20 minutes depending on humidity, colour, and thickness. Slow-drying paints (like Golden OPEN) give artists much more working time for blending and gradients. Using a stay-wet palette also helps extend drying time on the palette.

Can acrylic paintings be used on wood, glass, or other surfaces?

Yes, acrylics are extremely versatile. They can be used on canvas, paper, wood, MDF, clay, terracotta, primed metal, and even some plastics. For slick surfaces like glass, a primer or gesso helps the paint stick better.

Do you need varnish for acrylic paintings?

Not always. Acrylics dry to a durable, flexible finish on their own. However, a gloss or matte varnish can protect the artwork from dust, UV light, and scratches, especially if it will be displayed. Varnish is optional but recommended for long-term preservation.

How can I stop acrylic paint from drying too fast on the palette?

Use a stay-wet palette (like the Neef 3-Well Palette). These palettes keep paints moist for days thanks to a special membrane and moisture-retaining system. Artists can stop mid-painting and return later without wasting colour.

Do you ship acrylic paints and art gifts across Australia?

Yes, Art Shed ships Australia-wide from our Moorabbin and Brisbane HQs. Orders are packed with care, ship quickly, and arrive safely no matter where you are in the country.

Wrapping Up

Whether you’re buying for a budding artist, a full-blown painter, or your own creative side, these acrylic gifts will make you the MVP of Christmas morning.
Big colour, cheeky prices, and shedloads of inspiration, that’s the Art Shed way.

Shop the Arty or Nice Christmas Sale now before it all sells out!

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