When it comes to acrylic paint, there’s no shortage of options—but two brands often come up in the “affordable yet reliable” category: Blick Artist Acrylics and Liquitex Basics. Both are beloved by students, hobbyists, and working artists alike. But are they really interchangeable? Or is one quietly outperforming the other in the studio?
I put them head to head to find out.
🎨 Texture & Consistency
Liquitex Basics has a smooth, slightly creamy consistency—great for beginners and forgiving on the brush. It spreads easily and levels reasonably well, making it perfect for flat work, underpainting, and general layering.
Blick Artist Acrylics feel a touch thicker, more buttery. They hold the brushstroke a little more, which some painters love (especially for impasto or visible texture). It’s not as silky as Liquitex, but it feels slightly closer to professional-grade paints.
Winner: Tie, depending on your style—smooth flow or brush-textured grip.
🖌️ Opacity & Pigment Load
This is where things get interesting.
Liquitex Basics is designed to be student-grade, which means more filler and slightly lower pigment concentration. Some colours (like yellow or light blue) can feel a bit translucent and require layering.
Blick Artist Acrylics, despite the price point, pack more punch in the pigment department. You’ll notice stronger coverage and truer colour payoff, especially in dark tones and primaries. One coat goes a bit further.
Winner: Blick, for vibrancy and strength.
🔄 Mixability & Layering
Both paints mix well, but Liquitex Basics has a bit of an edge in smoothness—especially when blending subtle gradients or transitions. It plays nicely with water and mediums, and it’s slightly less prone to over-muddying in mixes.
That said, Blick’s thicker texture makes it build better. If you’re layering over dry paint, Blick feels more confident—less likely to lift or smear under light pressure.
Winner: Liquitex for blending, Blick for layering.
💷 Price & Value
Depending on where you shop, Blick Artist Acrylics often come in slightly cheaper than Liquitex Basics, especially in larger sizes or multipacks. But the real value is in pigment strength—you may need fewer coats, which means less paint used.
Winner: Blick, by a margin.
🧑🎨 Who Are These For?
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Choose Liquitex Basics if: You’re starting out, prefer smooth blending, or like a softer feel under the brush.
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Choose Blick Artist Acrylics if: You want stronger colour, thicker paint, and a closer-to-pro quality experience on a budget.
🧾 Final Thoughts:
Both paints have a place in an artist’s toolbox. But if you’re after bold colour, longer-lasting tubes, and a touch more richness—Blick quietly takes the lead. It may not have the name recognition of Liquitex, but it’s no underdog in the studio.
Paint smarter, not harder—and don’t be afraid to mix brands on your palette.