Art & Craft Paint vs Painting Kit Paint: What's the Difference and Which Should You Choose?

Quick Answer

If you're new to painting or want a foolproof experience, choose a painting kit with pre-mixed paints. For more control and flexibility, craft paint offers a wider color range and can be used in kits, but you'll need to match colors yourself.

When you open a painting kit, you get everything you need: canvas, brushes, and paints. But what if you already have craft paint at home? Or you're wondering if you can swap the kit's paints for your own? Understanding the difference between art and craft paint versus the paint included in painting kits helps you decide what to buy and how to use it.

In this comparison, we'll look at paint quality, consistency, cost, and ease of use. We'll also highlight a few Paintingtogogh kits and how their paints are designed for beginners.

What Is Craft Paint?

Craft paint is a type of acrylic paint made for general crafting, often sold in small bottles. It's water-based, dries quickly, and comes in many colors. You can find it in craft stores, and it's usually affordable, making it a popular choice for DIY projects, school projects, and decorative painting.

Craft paint is versatile, but its quality varies. Some brands are thinner and less pigmented, which means you might need multiple coats for full coverage. Others are thicker and more opaque, but they can be harder to find. Because craft paint is not designed for a specific canvas, you'll need to adjust your technique.

What Is Painting Kit Paint?

Painting kit paint is specially selected to work with the canvas and design in the kit. The colors are pre-mixed to match the image, and the consistency is usually ideal for the painting technique required. For example, a kit like 'Just Hangin' Around' includes paints that are ready to use, so you can focus on painting, not mixing.

In a Paintingtogogh kit, the paints are portioned to match the project. This means less waste and no guesswork. The paint is also formulated to be beginner-friendly, with good coverage and easy blending.

Key Differences: Quality, Consistency, and Cost

Quality: Craft paint can range from student to artist grade, but the included paints in a kit are often chosen for their opacity and lightfastness. They may be more consistent in quality, ensuring your finished piece looks like the sample.

Consistency: Kit paints are usually pre-mixed to the right thickness. Craft paint may need thinning or thickening, and getting the right consistency can be tricky for beginners.

Cost: Buying a kit includes paints, canvas, and instructions. Buying craft paint separately might seem cheaper, but you'll need to buy multiple colors, a canvas, and brushes, which can add up. A kit like 'Aurora Bear-ealis' at $20 (compare at $39.99) offers good value.

When to Use Craft Paint in a Painting Kit

If you have a specific color in mind that isn't in the kit, you can supplement with craft paint. For example, you might want to customize a monochromatic painting like 'You Are My Sunshine' with a different accent color. Craft paint can also be used for touch-ups or to paint the sides of the canvas.

However, be aware that craft paint might not match the kit's paint quality. If you're a beginner, it's safer to stick with the kit's paints to avoid frustration.

The Trade-Offs

• Ease of Use: Painting kit paints are pre-mixed and matched, so you can start painting immediately. Craft paint requires color mixing and consistency adjustments. Choose a kit for stress-free painting.
• Customization: Craft paint offers unlimited color options, allowing you to personalize your artwork. Kit paints are limited to the included colors. Choose craft paint if you want to improvise.
• Cost per Project: A kit provides all necessary paints for one project, often at a lower cost than buying individual craft paints. For example, 'Sssssss... Boom!' is $20 and includes everything. Kits are economical for one-time projects.

How Paintingtogogh Kits Use Paint

• Just Hangin' Around: It’s always tough to find a creature who will hold still long enough to pose while you paint. Fortunately, this friendly sloth is moving slow enough for you to capture on canvas! This kit's paints are pre-mixed to match the sloth's fur tones, so you can focus on painting rather than color matching.
• Aurora Bear-ealis: Join this polar bear pal to watch the dazzling dance of the Northern Lights! Learn how to build this furry friend by stacking simple shapes together, and blend colors from light to dark to create luminous ribbons of light. The kit's paint set is designed for blending, making it easier to achieve the gradient effect of the aurora.

Which Should You Choose?

Best for

• Beginners who want a guided painting experience without color-matching hassle.
• Anyone who wants a complete project in one box, like a family activity or a quick creative session.

Not for

• Experienced artists who prefer to mix custom colors and work with professional-grade paints.
• Crafters who already have a large stash of craft paint and want to use it up.

In the end, the choice between art and craft paint versus painting kit paint comes down to your goals. If you value ease and a guaranteed result, a Paintingtogogh kit is your best bet. If you crave creative freedom and don't mind extra work, craft paint offers flexibility. Either way, you'll enjoy the process of creating something beautiful.