10 Best Warhammer Acrylic Paint Sets (March 2026) Expert Reviews

Painting Warhammer miniatures transforms grey plastic sprues into vibrant tabletop armies that look incredible on the battlefield. After testing dozens of paint sets over the past decade, I have learned that the right acrylic paint makes all the difference between frustration and satisfaction. The best acrylic paint sets for Warhammer miniatures offer smooth coverage, intense pigmentation, and bottles that do not dry out after a few uses.

Acrylic paint dominates miniature painting for good reason. It dries quickly, cleans up with water, and adheres well to primed plastic, resin, and metal models. Whether you are assembling your first Space Marine tactical squad or batch painting a Skaven horde for Age of Sigmar, having quality paints organized in a cohesive set saves time and delivers consistent results.

In this guide, I review 10 paint sets suited for Warhammer 40K, Age of Sigmar, and other tabletop wargames. I tested each set extensively, examining coverage, consistency, color selection, and value for money. My recommendations cover beginners building their first paint collection, speed painters looking to finish armies quickly, and advanced painters seeking specialized tones.

Top 3 Picks for Warhammer Miniature Paint Sets (March 2026)

These three sets stand out from the competition based on my testing. Each offers excellent value and quality for different painting styles.

Best Acrylic Paint Sets for Warhammer Miniatures in 2026

This comparison table shows all 10 sets side by side. Compare features, bottle counts, and special inclusions to find your ideal match.

1. Vallejo Game Color Introduction Set – Complete Starter for Fantasy Miniatures

Vallejo’s Game Color Introduction Set earned my Editor’s Choice because it strikes the perfect balance between quality, variety, and value. I have used this set for painting everything from Space Marines to Ork hordes, and the coverage consistently impressed me. Even lighter colors like Sun Yellow cover well over black primer with just two thin coats.

The set includes 16 carefully selected colors that cover the essential spectrum for fantasy and wargame miniatures. You get Dead White, Bone White, Sun Yellow, Orange Fire, Bloody Red, Ultramarine Blue, Goblin Green, Dark Green, Bronze Brown, Leather Brown, Beasty Brown, Stonewall Grey, Black, Silver, Dark Gunmetal, and Polished Gold. The four metallics alone make this set worth considering.

What impressed me most during testing was the self-leveling formula. Brush strokes disappear as the paint dries, leaving a smooth matte finish even when applying layers by hand. The paint spreads evenly across surfaces and flows into recesses without pooling. This forgiving quality makes it ideal for painters still developing their brush control.

The 18ml dropper bottles dispense paint precisely without the mess of paint pots. I appreciate that I can put exactly two drops on my wet palette without wasting paint. The bottles seal tightly, preventing the drying issues that plague pot-style containers. After six months of regular use, my set shows no signs of thickening or separation.

Ideal for Beginners and Intermediates

This set works best for painters with zero to moderate experience who want a solid foundation without breaking the bank. The color selection covers 90% of what you need for most Warhammer factions. You can paint Ultramarines, Blood Angels, Orks, and many other armies using only these colors.

The formulation bridges the gap between beginner-friendly and professional quality. New painters appreciate the forgiving coverage while experienced painters value the blendability and pigment density. I regularly reach for these colors even when I have premium alternatives available.

Best Paint Techniques for This Set

The Game Color formula responds well to thinning with water or Vallejo thinner medium. I recommend a 1:1 paint-to-water ratio for base coating and slightly thicker consistency for layering. The paints layer beautifully, allowing you to build up highlights gradually without chalkiness.

For best results, use a wet palette to keep paints workable for extended sessions. The self-leveling properties improve when the paint has time to settle, so do not rush between coats. Allow each layer to dry completely before applying the next.

2. The Army Painter Warpaints Fanatic Starter Set – Best Value for New Painters

The Army Painter Warpaints Fanatic Starter Set delivers everything a new painter needs in one box. I tested this set with a friend who had never painted miniatures before, and he produced a tabletop-quality model on his first attempt. The included guide walks you through thinning, priming, and shading step by step.

This set includes 11 paints: 7 acrylic colors, 2 metallics, 1 wash, and 1 brush-on primer. The variety covers basic needs without overwhelming beginners with too many choices. You also receive a starter brush and a free miniature to practice on. Everything arrives in organized packaging that doubles as storage.

The new Fanatic formula represents a significant improvement over older Army Painter paints. The pigmentation rivals more expensive brands, and I experienced no clumping even when painting straight from the bottle. Colors flow smoothly from brush to model, settling into details without streaking.

The Flexible Colour Triad System impressed me during testing. Each color belongs to a family progressing from dark to light with consistent hue. This system eliminates guesswork when selecting highlight colors. If you are painting red armor, you automatically know which lighter shade to use for edge highlighting.

Who Should Buy This Set

First-time miniature painters benefit most from this comprehensive package. If you have never held a detail brush or thinned paint, the included guide teaches fundamentals that YouTube videos often skip. The practice miniature lets you make mistakes without ruining prized models.

Painters returning to the hobby after years away also appreciate this set. The modern formula and triad system simplify color selection that felt overwhelming with older paint ranges. You can produce quality results quickly without relearning everything.

What Makes the Triad System Special

The triad system organizes colors into six-shade families sharing the same root color. Within each family, you find colors ranging from deep shadow through midtone to bright highlight. This logical progression creates natural color gradients on miniatures.

Using triads speeds up painting significantly. Instead of mixing highlight colors, you simply select the next lighter shade in the same family. The consistent hue across all six colors ensures your highlights look intentional rather than muddy.

3. The Army Painter GameMaster Adventure Starter Set – Perfect for RPG Players

The GameMaster Adventure Starter Set targets RPG players who want to paint their own character miniatures. This set goes beyond paint by including five detailed snap-fit figures representing classic fantasy archetypes. I tested this set for a D&D campaign and appreciated the thoughtful selection of colors suited for hero characters.

You receive 15 paints in this set: 10 vibrant colors, 2 effect paints, 2 metallics, and 1 versatile wash. The color palette emphasizes flesh tones, clothing colors, and armor shades common in fantasy settings. An included painting guide and adventure starter guide with map add role-playing context to the hobby experience.

The updated Fanatic formula delivers excellent coverage and intense pigmentation. I found the colors mix readily to create custom shades for unique character appearances. The effect paints add weathering and magical effects that make heroes stand out on the tabletop.

Snap-fit assembly means you can start painting immediately without glue. I assembled all five miniatures in under ten minutes. The figures feature enough detail to practice techniques without overwhelming beginners. Quality approaches that of premium metal figures despite the plastic construction.

Perfect for D&D and RPG Enthusiasts

Dungeon Masters and players who want custom miniatures for their campaigns find exceptional value here. Instead of buying prepainted figures that never quite match your character concept, you create exactly what you envision. The included quest provides inspiration for your next adventure.

The adventure guide connects painting to gameplay, making the hobby feel relevant to your RPG sessions. I used the included map as a prop during a session, and players appreciated the extra effort. This integration of hobby and game distinguishes this set from competitors.

Assembly and Getting Started

Snap-fit models require only clippers to remove from sprues. The pieces press together firmly without gaps. I recommend a light plastic glue application at joints for permanent assembly, though the friction fit holds well for painting.

Start with the wash paint to quickly add shadows to all five miniatures. Then pick out details with the base colors. The effect paints work great for magical weapons or weathered armor. Seal your finished work with a matte varnish for durability during gaming sessions.

4. The Army Painter Speedpaint 2.0 Starter Set – Fast Results for Army Painting

Speedpaint 2.0 changed how I approach batch painting armies. These contrast-style paints deliver base coat, shading, and highlighting in a single application. I painted a 20-model squad in one evening using only these colors, achieving results that would have taken three times longer with traditional methods.

The starter set includes 10 carefully selected colors plus a basecoating brush. Each paint combines heavy pigmentation with flow agents that settle into recesses while leaving raised areas lighter. The effect creates natural depth without manual shading or highlighting. One metallic color demonstrates the system works even on special finishes.

Application feels almost magical. Load your brush generously, apply to the model, and watch the paint flow into details automatically. The recesses darken while edges stay relatively light. Within minutes, a flat surface transforms into one with dimension and character. The satin finish looks professional without additional work.

The formula dries faster than Citadel Contrast paints, allowing you to work on adjacent models without waiting. I completed a Space Marine tactical squad in under two hours, including base coating time. The time savings compound when painting 60+ model armies.

Best Uses for Speedpaint

Army painting benefits most from this system. When you need 100 models table-ready quickly, Speedpaint delivers acceptable quality at remarkable speed. Tournament players and those with large collections find the efficiency transformative.

The paints also work well for establishing base colors before traditional highlighting. Apply Speedpaint for quick shadows, then add edge highlights with regular acrylics. This hybrid approach balances speed with display-quality results.

Priming Tips for Best Results

Light primer colors produce the best Speedpaint results. White or Wraithbone primer allows the contrast effect to work properly. Dark primer negates the highlighting effect, leaving you with essentially a wash.

Apply paint generously but avoid pooling. Too much Speedpaint in recesses creates coffee staining and uneven color. Work in sections and move the model to help paint flow smoothly into details before it begins setting.

5. Warhammer 40,000: Paints + Tools Set – Official Starter Package

Games Workshop’s official Paints + Tools Set provides a complete entry point into Warhammer 40K painting. I recommend this set to anyone starting their first 40K army because the paint selection matches specific factions. The included tools eliminate guesswork about what equipment you need.

The set contains 13 Citadel Colour paints covering base, layer, contrast, shade, and technical types. You get Abaddon Black, Corax White, Wraithbone, Naggaroth Night, Macragge Blue, Leadbelcher, Balthasar Gold, Bugman’s Glow, Mephiston Red, Thunderhawk Blue (layer), Magos Purple (contrast), Agrax Earthshade (shade), and Armageddon Dust (technical).

Citadel paints remain the industry standard for a reason. The formulation works reliably across batches, ensuring your Blood Angels red matches the paint pot you bought three years ago. The pot design dispenses paint cleanly, though I prefer transferring to dropper bottles for longevity.

The included starter clippers cut plastic sprues cleanly without damaging parts. The mouldline scraper removes seams effectively. While not professional-grade tools, they serve beginners well through their first few boxes of models. Upgrade later when you know what features matter to your workflow.

What Makes Citadel Paints Different

Citadel pioneered the categorization system other brands now emulate. Base paints cover in one coat. Layer paints provide translucent coverage for highlights. Shade paints flow into recesses. Contrast paints combine base and shade in one. Technical paints add texture effects.

This organization simplifies color selection for beginners. Instead of guessing which red to use, Citadel tells you Mephiston Red bases while Evil Sunz Scarlet layers. The guided approach produces consistent results even for first-time painters.

Essential Tools Included

The clippers handle plastic sprues up to 3mm thick. The cutting edge stays sharp through dozens of model assemblies. For metal or resin miniatures, you will need sturdier cutters, but plastic Warhammer kits work fine with these.

The mouldline scraper features a triangular profile that reaches into corners. Drag it along mold lines to remove plastic flash without gouging detail. The tool lasts indefinitely with proper care and costs less separately than most alternatives.

6. Games Workshop Age of Sigmar Paints + Tools Set – Fantasy Army Essentials

The Age of Sigmar Paints + Tools Set delivers the same quality as the 40K version with colors selected for fantasy armies. I used this set extensively when building my Stormcast Eternals force and appreciated the thoughtful color choices for metallic armor and organic textures.

Thirteen 12ml paint pots cover the fantasy spectrum: Corax White, Abaddon Black, Averland Sunset, Leadbelcher, Kantor Blue, Khorne Red, Rakarth Flesh, Retributor Armour, Waaagh! Flesh, Bugman’s Glow, Steel Legion Drab, Agrax Earthshade, and Astrogranite. Retributor Armour deserves special mention as a stunning gold that covers in one coat.

The 2024 third edition updates the set with the latest Citadel formulations. Colors match the current paint range perfectly, ensuring consistency with other Citadel products you add later. The selection works for Stormcast, Nighthaunt, Seraphon, and most Order factions.

Included tools match the 40K set: starter clippers, starter brush, and mouldline scraper. The clippers handle Age of Sigmar’s softer plastic well. The brush holds a point adequately for base coating and layering, though serious painters will want additional brush sizes.

Color Selection for Fantasy Armies

The palette emphasizes metallics and organic colors common in fantasy settings. Retributor Armour gold creates stunning armor effects on Stormcast and other holy warriors. Waaagh! Flesh provides perfect Orc and Goblin skin tones. Averland Sunset delivers bright yellow that actually covers well.

Agrax Earthshade ties everything together by adding depth to armor, cloth, and skin. This versatile shade works across nearly every model in your collection. The Astrogranite technical paint adds texture to bases, completing your miniatures with minimal effort.

Citadel vs Other Brands

Citadel offers convenience and consistency that alternatives struggle to match. The categorization system guides beginners toward appropriate paint choices. Availability at every Warhammer retailer ensures you can replace colors easily. The price per milliliter runs higher than Vallejo or Army Painter, but the reliability justifies the premium for many painters.

The pot design remains the main drawback. Paints dry faster in pots than dropper bottles, and dispensing precise amounts proves difficult. Consider transferring to dropper bottles if you plan to paint infrequently.

7. Vallejo Model Color Face & Skin Tones Set – Specialized Flesh Painting

The Vallejo Face & Skin Tones Set solves the specific challenge of painting realistic human faces on miniatures. I struggled with flesh tones for years before discovering this set. The carefully curated selection eliminates the frustration of mixing convincing skin from primary colors.

Eight 18ml bottles provide a gradient from pale Caucasian through tanned Mediterranean tones. The set includes Basic Flesh, Light Flesh, Sunny Skintone, Brown Sand, Golden Shadow, Dark Flesh, Bronze Fleshtone, and Rose Shadow. Each color contains professional-grade pigments formulated specifically for skin representation.

The consistency works beautifully with wet palettes. I thin these paints 1:1 with water and blend them directly on the palette surface. The fine pigments allow smooth transitions between tones without visible brush strokes. Faces painted with these colors look alive rather than painted.

Coverage impressed me during testing. A single thin coat covers black primer adequately, though two coats provide the smoothest finish. The matte surface accepts washes and glazes without beading, allowing further refinement of shadows and highlights.

Achieving Realistic Skin Tones

Start with a base coat of the midtone closest to your desired skin color. Apply a wash of darker flesh tone thinned heavily to settle into eye sockets, under cheekbones, and around the nose. Then highlight raised areas with progressively lighter tones mixed on your wet palette.

The Rose Shadow color adds realistic ruddiness to cheeks, noses, and ears. A tiny amount glazed onto these areas brings faces to life. For stubble or five o’clock shadow, thin Bronze Fleshtone with water and stipple onto the jaw area.

Mixing and Layering Techniques

These colors blend seamlessly because they share compatible undertones. Mix any two adjacent shades for intermediate tones. The pigments disperse evenly in mixtures, preventing the muddy appearance that plagues skin mixing with incompatible colors.

Layer thinly for best results. Apply three to four translucent layers rather than two opaque ones. The built-up translucency mimics how light interacts with real skin, creating convincing depth without visible transitions between colors.

8. Vallejo Basic Colors USA Acrylic Paint Set – Premium Quality Essentials

Vallejo Basic Colors USA earns the Top Rated badge through exceptional quality at a competitive price. Over 6,500 reviews averaging 4.7 stars confirm my experience: these paints perform as well as sets costing twice as much. I recommend this set to painters building their first serious paint collection.

Sixteen 18ml bottles cover the essential color spectrum: White, Flat Flesh, Lemon Yellow, Clear Orange, Flat Red, Purple, Azure, Flat Blue, Flat Green, Refractive Green, Buff, Flat Brown, Yellow Ochre, Black, Silver, and Gold. The selection prioritizes primary colors that mix into any shade you need.

Coverage stunned me during testing. White and yellow, traditionally difficult colors, covered black primer in just two thin coats. The Flat Red delivers the kind of opacity other brands require three layers to achieve. Pigment density this high usually commands premium pricing.

The dropper bottles dispense precisely without waste. Each bottle contains an eyedropper stem that meters single drops accurately. This design prevents the dried paint rings that plague pot-style containers and extends usable paint life significantly.

Coverage and Pigment Quality

Vallejo formulates Model Color with permanent pigments originally developed for fine art applications. The pigment load exceeds most miniature-specific paints, resulting in the exceptional coverage I observed. Colors remain lightfast for decades, ensuring your painted armies do not fade over time.

The matte finish provides a perfect surface for additional techniques. Washes settle into recesses without beading. Glazes flow smoothly without crawling. The surface accepts further layers without lifting previous paint. These properties make the set ideal for advanced painters using complex techniques.

Airbrush Compatibility

Thin these paints with Vallejo Airbrush Thinner for excellent airbrush performance. The fine pigments flow through 0.2mm nozzles without clogging. I base coated entire vehicle squadrons with these colors, achieving smooth coverage impossible with brush application.

For brush painters, the consistency works well straight from the bottle for base coating. Add water or medium for layering and glazing. The versatility across application methods extends the set’s usefulness as your skills develop.

9. The Army Painter Warpaints Fanatic Washes Set – Professional Shading Made Easy

The Fanatic Washes Set transformed my approach to shading miniatures. These pre-formulated washes deliver consistent results without the trial-and-error of mixing your own. I achieved better depth in five minutes with these washes than I previously managed in thirty minutes of manual shading.

Ten 18ml bottles cover every shading scenario: Dark Tone, Strong Tone, Soft Tone, Light Tone, Sepia Tone, Dark Red Tone, Military Shade, Dark Blue Tone, Purple Tone, and Strong Skin Shade. The variety ensures appropriate shadows for any color palette. A free painting guide and sticker sheet add value.

Application could not be simpler. Brush the wash over your base coated miniature and watch it flow into recesses automatically. The heavy pigment formulation settles into folds, crevices, and details while leaving raised areas relatively untouched. The result looks like you spent hours on careful shading.

The washes dry with a matte finish that accepts further painting without issues. Unlike some washes that leave glossy spots, these dry uniformly flat. You can highlight over them immediately without waiting extended periods or applying matte medium.

When to Use Washes

Apply washes after base coating but before highlighting. The wash establishes shadows that inform where and how intensely to highlight. This sequence produces more natural results than attempting to add shadows after highlighting.

Use Dark Tone and Strong Tone for general purpose shading across most colors. The colored washes add subtle tinting while shading: Dark Red Tone warms red armor, Purple Tone cools blue surfaces, Sepia Tone ages organic materials. Match wash color to base coat for cohesive results.

Creating Custom Shades

The 100% mixable formulation lets you create custom wash colors for specific needs. Mix Dark Red Tone and Purple Tone for a rich shadow on magenta cloth. Blend Strong Tone with Military Shade for weathered leather. The possibilities expand your shading toolkit beyond the ten included shades.

For softer effects, dilute washes with water or Vallejo Wash Medium. Thinned washes settle more subtly into recesses, creating gentle shadows rather than dramatic contrast. Build up intensity with multiple applications for controlled depth.

10. Micro-Mark Basic Color Model Paint Set – Budget-Friendly USA Quality

Micro-Mark Basic Color Model Paint Set delivers surprising quality at a budget price point. Made in the USA, this set costs significantly less than European alternatives while providing comparable performance. I tested this set expecting compromises and found few meaningful drawbacks.

The 18-piece set includes 16 essential colors plus Acrylic Paint Thinner and Acrylic Paint Cleaner. Each 20ml bottle provides more paint than the 18ml industry standard. The dropper tips dispense precisely while keeping contaminants out. The pre-thinned formula works directly from the bottle without additional preparation.

Coverage surprised me positively. Colors spread evenly and cover well on primed surfaces. The consistency hits a sweet spot between too thick and too thin, requiring minimal adjustment before use. I painted a test model straight from the bottle with acceptable results.

The matte finish dries quickly and accepts additional layers without issues. I applied washes over the base coats without beading or crawling. The paint film adheres well to plastic, resin, and metal miniatures when applied over primer.

Value for Money Analysis

At approximately half the cost per milliliter of premium brands, this set offers exceptional value. The 20ml bottles provide 11% more paint than standard 18ml containers. For painters on tight budgets or those building a collection slowly, the savings add up significantly.

The inclusion of thinner and cleaner eliminates additional purchases. Use the thinner to adjust consistency for layering and the cleaner for brush maintenance. Both products work well and would cost extra with other sets.

Best Projects for This Set

Beginners exploring miniature painting without major investment find this set ideal. The color selection covers basics for most projects. The forgiving formula tolerates mistakes that might frustrate with less flexible paints. Learn fundamentals here before upgrading to premium brands.

Large terrain projects benefit from the economy. When you need to paint buildings, fortifications, or gaming tables, budget-friendly paint makes financial sense. The colors work as well on scenery as on figures, and the larger bottle size suits terrain-scale work.

How to Choose the Best Acrylic Paint Set for Warhammer Miniatures?

Selecting the right paint set depends on your experience level, painting goals, and budget. After testing these sets extensively, I identified key factors that separate adequate paints from excellent ones.

Paint Consistency and Coverage

Good miniature paint covers in one to two thin coats while maintaining smooth application. Test coverage by painting a light color over black primer. If the base shows through after two coats, the pigment density falls below acceptable standards.

Consistency affects how paint flows from brush to model. Too thick and brush strokes appear. Too thin and coverage suffers. The best paints strike a balance, thinning readily with water while maintaining enough body for control. Vallejo and Army Painter Fanatic formulas excel here.

Dropper Bottles vs Paint Pots

Dropper bottles offer precise dispensing and better longevity. You extract exactly the paint needed without exposing the remainder to air. Paints in droppers stay fresh for years with minimal maintenance. Vallejo, Army Painter, and Micro-Mark use this format.

Paint pots like Citadel dispense less precisely but allow brush loading directly from the container. Pots dry faster because the entire surface exposes to air during use. If you paint frequently enough to use paints before they dry, pots work adequately. For occasional painters, droppers extend paint life significantly.

Color Range and Triad Systems

Comprehensive color ranges reduce mixing and save time. Sets with 16+ colors cover most needs without supplementation. Consider whether the included colors match your faction or army scheme. Generic sets work for everything, while specialized sets like the Face & Skin Tones excel at specific tasks.

Triad systems organize colors into light-mid-dark families with consistent hue. Army Painter Fanatic uses this system brilliantly, making color selection intuitive for beginners. Vallejo offers triads across their full range but sells colors individually rather than in coordinated sets.

Beginner vs Advanced Considerations

Beginners benefit from comprehensive sets including brushes, guides, and practice miniatures. The Army Painter Warpaints Fanatic Starter and GameMaster Adventure sets provide everything needed to start painting immediately. Official Games Workshop sets ensure color compatibility with published painting guides.

Advanced painters often prefer building custom collections from individual pots or bottles. Starting with a quality basic set then adding specific colors as needed creates a personalized palette. Vallejo Basic Colors USA provides an excellent foundation for this approach.

Paint Types Explained

Base paints cover in one coat with high opacity. Use these for your first color application on primed models. Layer paints offer translucent coverage for building up highlights gradually. Apply over base coats to create smooth color transitions.

Washes and shades flow into recesses to create shadows automatically. Apply over base coats for instant depth without manual shading. Contrast or Speedpaint types combine base coating and shading in one step, ideal for rapid army painting.

Technical paints add special effects like blood, rust, or texture. These specialty products address specific needs beyond standard colors. Most sets omit technical paints, requiring separate purchase.

Budget Considerations

Price per milliliter varies dramatically between brands. Micro-Mark offers the best value at approximately half the cost of premium alternatives. Vallejo Basic Colors delivers professional quality at mid-range pricing. Citadel commands premium prices for convenience and consistency.

Factor in the total investment including tools, brushes, and primer. Starter sets bundling essentials often provide better value than purchasing components separately. Calculate your cost per painted model rather than focusing solely on paint prices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts on Warhammer Paint Sets

Finding the best acrylic paint sets for Warhammer miniatures transforms the painting experience from frustrating to enjoyable. After extensive testing, Vallejo Game Color Introduction Set remains my top recommendation for most painters. The combination of quality, variety, and value creates an ideal foundation for any miniature collection.

Beginners should start with the Army Painter Warpaints Fanatic Starter Set or the official Games Workshop Paints + Tools Set. Both provide comprehensive packages including brushes, guides, and everything needed for first models. Speed painters building large armies benefit enormously from Army Painter Speedpaint 2.0, which delivers impressive results in a fraction of traditional painting time.

For painters seeking specific capabilities, specialized sets fill important niches. The Vallejo Face & Skin Tones Set solves the challenging problem of realistic flesh. The Army Painter Fanatic Washes Set provides professional shading with minimal effort. Micro-Mark Basic Color offers budget-conscious painters quality without compromise.

Invest in quality paint from the beginning. Cheap craft paints frustrate with poor coverage and unpredictable results. The sets reviewed here deliver reliable performance that supports skill development rather than hindering it. Your painted miniatures will look better, and you will enjoy the process more with appropriate materials.