🎨 Affordable Painting Set Up - Get Started Painting for under $50
Setting up a Painting Studio FOR UNDER $50
Budget: Everything You Need Without Breaking the Bank
So you want to start painting, but you’re worried about the cost? I’ve got great news: you can absolutely begin your acrylic painting journey without emptying your wallet. Let me show you exactly how to set yourself up for success with basic supplies that won’t cost a fortune.
The Truth About Starting Out
Here’s what nobody tells beginners: you don’t need expensive materials to create beautiful paintings. In fact, starting with affordable supplies lets you experiment freely without the pressure of “wasting” costly materials. The best paintings come from practice and confidence, not from premium brands.
Your Basic Color Palette: Keep It Simple
You only need a handful of colors to get started. Here’s your essential palette:
The Six Essential Colors:
Titanium White (you’ll use this the most)
Mars Black
Bright Red (or a red hue substitute)
Chrome Yellow
Cobalt Blue
Burnt Umber (this brown is incredibly versatile)
With these six colors, you can mix almost any color you need. Student-grade acrylics from brands like Apple Barrel, Craft Smart, or Artist’s Loft work perfectly fine and cost just a couple dollars per bottle. A complete starter set of these colors will run you about $12-20.
Pro tip: Choose liquid acrylics instead of thick body paint when you’re starting out. Liquid acrylics flow smoothly, blend more easily, and are much more forgiving for beginners. They’re also easier on your brushes and less intimidating to work with.
Optional but helpful:
Orange (saves mixing time for sunsets and fall scenes)
A green (Phthalo or Hooker’s Green saves mixing time)
Brushes That Won’t Break Your Budget
You don’t need a drawer full of expensive brushes. Start with these basics:
The Essential Four:
A large flat brush (3/4 inch to 1 inch wide) for backgrounds
A medium flat brush (size 12) for general painting and blending
A medium round brush (size 6-8) for general painting
A small round brush (size 2-4) for details
Look for synthetic brushes designed for acrylics at craft stores. A basic set of 5-10 brushes costs between $8-15. Yes, they might shed a hair occasionally, but they’ll get you painting right away.
Pro tip: Take care of your brushes by never letting paint dry in them, and they’ll last for months even at this price point. Never let your brushes sit in a cup of water. Paint will get into the ferrule (the metal part of your brush and goop and dry in there leaving you with useless brushes.
Skip the Canvas: The Paper Alternative That Changes Everything
Here’s the game-changer that most beginners don’t know about: acrylic paper.
Canvas boards and stretched canvases can cost $5-15 each, but acrylic paper pads give you 10-20 sheets for the same price. Brands like Canson XL or Strathmore offer acrylic paper pads for around $10-12. That’s literally 20 times more painting opportunities for your money.
Acrylic paper is specifically designed to handle the moisture from acrylic paints without buckling. It’s thick, textured, and works beautifully. Plus, when you’re just starting out, you want to paint frequently without worrying about the cost of each attempt.
Other Affordable Essentials
Keep your supply list lean:
Palette: Use a disposable paper plate, a plastic plate from the dollar store, or a piece of parchment paper. Free to $1.
Water container: Any old jar or plastic cup works perfectly. Free.
Paper towels or rags: For cleaning brushes and correcting mistakes. You probably have these already.
Palette knife (optional): A plastic one costs about $2 and is great for mixing colors.
Your total startup cost: About $30-45 for everything you need to start painting today.
Learning Without the Overwhelm: Why Instruction Matters
Having affordable supplies is only half the battle. Many beginners buy supplies and then feel stuck, unsure where to start or what to paint. That’s where guided instruction becomes invaluable, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune either.
This is exactly why I created Dabble In Color—a painting instruction subscription designed specifically for beginners who want to learn without the overwhelm or the expense.
How Dabble In Color Keeps It Affordable
For just $8.88 per month (and you can cancel anytime), you get:
6 complete video tutorials where we paint together, like I’m sitting right next to you
A specific paint list for each project—no guessing what colors you need
Brush recommendations for each painting—use exactly what you need, nothing more
Tracers included—so you’re not intimidated by drawing; you can focus on learning to paint
Here’s what makes this approach different: every month, 3 videos are removed and 3 new ones are added. This means you’re working with a manageable library of 6 paintings at a time, not hundreds. New painters often feel overwhelmed when faced with endless options and complicated supply lists calling for 15 different brushes. My approach keeps things simple and focused.
You learn proper techniques, build confidence with each painting, and develop your skills step by step—all while using those affordable supplies we talked about. The instruction is clear, the pace is manageable, and the investment is less than a couple of fancy coffee drinks per month.
Ready to start? Visit DabbleInColor.net/join to see what we’re painting this month.
Your Action Plan: Getting Started This Week
Here’s how to begin your painting journey affordably:
Today: Make a list and head to your local craft store or order online. Stick to the basics: 6 colors, 3 brushes, and an acrylic paper pad.
This week: Set up a small painting space (even a corner of your kitchen table works). Gather your water container and paper towels.
This month: Start painting! Whether you follow tutorials, paint from photos, or experiment on your own, the key is to practice regularly.
The Real Secret to Affordable Painting
The most expensive mistake beginners make isn’t buying cheap supplies—it’s buying too many supplies they don’t need yet. That fancy set of 48 colors? You won’t use 40 of them. Those specialty brushes? Not necessary when you’re learning basics.
Start simple. Learn the fundamentals. Paint often. As you grow and discover your style, you can gradually add to your collection based on what you actually need, not what looks impressive in the art store.
Remember: some of the world’s most famous artists created masterpieces with limited palettes and simple tools. Your creativity and practice matter infinitely more than premium supplies.
Final Thoughts
Acrylic painting is one of the most accessible, forgiving, and enjoyable art forms you can learn. With $30-45 in supplies and a willingness to practice, you can create paintings you’ll be proud to hang on your wall or give as gifts.
The barrier to entry is lower than you think. The joy of creating is priceless. And the journey? Well, that’s where the real magic happens.
So grab those affordable supplies, set aside a little time each week, and start dabbling. Your artistic journey begins with a single brushstroke—and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
Happy painting!
Ready for guided instruction that’s as affordable as your supplies? Join Dabble In Color for just $8.88/month and paint along with me. Visit DabbleInColor.net/join to get started today.