Artwork The greatest artists know there’s always room to improve, and we think your art supplies should develop with you. That’s why we’ve upgraded our entire paint collection, with new and improved formulas across our acrylic, oil, gouache, watercolour, and metallic sets.
Castle Arts customers have been using and loving our paints for years, but we wanted to make them even better. Our updated formulas offer richer pigmentation, smoother application, and longer-lasting colour, all housed in redesigned tubes made with artists in mind. Every improvement is based on feedback from painters like you and thoroughly tested by our in-house team.
Whether you're blending, layering, washing, glazing, stippling, or sponging, our improved paints make it easier than ever to create your best work. The upgraded formulas deliver even more at no extra cost, giving you professional results without the professional price tag.
Ready to get even better results? Here’s everything you need to know about our upgraded paints.
What’s new across the range
As well as individual improvements to each paint type, we've made some collection-wide upgrades that will make a real difference to your painting experience:
Lightfast-rated pigments
All our watercolour, acrylic, oil, gouache, and metallic paints now feature lightfast-rated pigments – a first for Castle Arts and something our customers have been asking for. High lightfastness ratings mean your work will have the longevity it deserves, with fade-resistant colours that keep your artwork vibrant for years to come. Whether you’re working on a quick study or a piece you plan to frame, your colours will stay bold and true, preserving your creative vision. Look out for lightfastness star ratings on every paint tube.
Easy-squeeze tubes with no-mess screw caps
You already loved our easy-squeeze paint tubes for their precision and convenience. Now they're even better, with new twist-and-seal caps that eliminate leaks and keep your paint fresh for longer. No mess, no waste, no worries.
Vegan-friendly formulas
We’ve updated every formula to be 100% vegan-friendly, so you can enjoy – or gift – our high-quality paints knowing they’re made without any animal-derived ingredients.
Updated tutorials to build your skills
We've created completely new tutorials for our upgraded paints, so even if you've used Castle Arts paints before, there are exciting new techniques for you to try. Follow step-by-step instructions to recreate the featured artwork, plus get expert tips to help you make the most of your paints, a swatch chart, and a new colouring sheet to test out your supplies.
What’s new in each paint set
Acrylic paints
Whether you choose the 24-piece or the expanded 48-piece set, our new and improved acrylic paints deliver smooth, consistent coverage and a professional satin finish. Expect highly pigmented colours, excellent opacity, and minimal colour shift as they dry, for vibrant results that stay true to your creative vision.
Application
Enjoy smoother application across a range of surfaces including canvas, wood, paper, glass, and more. With a buttery consistency, the paints glide on effortlessly with brushes or palette knives. Once dry, they remain flexible to prevent cracking and maintain a flawless finish.
Mixing and layering
Just like our original formula, these new acrylics are ideal for mixing and layering. As a fast-drying medium, they’re perfect for building depth, adding texture, and experimenting with different colour combinations to bring your ideas to life. Our acrylics dry with a soft sheen that strikes the perfect balance between matte and glossy, giving your artwork a polished, professional look.
Techniques
It’s easy to explore all your favourite acrylic techniques. Above, our artists demonstrate brushing, sponging, impasto, and stippling, all made simple with the improved formula.
Oil paints
Our new and improved oil paints feature richer pigments and a buttery texture that blends like a dream. Enjoy vibrant, long-lasting colour with excellent coverage, and a slow drying time that lets you work at your own pace. Developed by our in-house artists, the formula strikes the ideal balance of transparency and opacity, making it easy to explore both glazing and alla prima techniques. And with improved layering, your artwork stays smooth and crack-free.
Application
With a velvety consistency that’s easy to control, our oil paints apply and blend effortlessly with brushes and palette knives. Whether you’re working on fine details or textured brush strokes, you’ll love the results.
Mixing and layering
The new formula mixes beautifully, giving you the flexibility to create any colour or tone you need. It also layers smoothly without cracking thanks to improved fat-over-lean compatibility.
Techniques
Castle Arts oils make it easy to master your favourite techniques. Above, our artists demonstrate sgraffito, sponging, impasto, and flat brushing using the new formula.
Watercolour paints
Loved for their transparency and soft, luminous finish, our watercolours now offer even better vibrancy and permanence. They reactivate easily with water, have a high tinting strength for vivid results, and are perfect for washes, layering, splatter effects, and more.
Application
Enjoy using all your favourite application methods: wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, dry brush, glazing, splattering… the possibilities are endless. With excellent transparency, our best-ever watercolour paints are ideal for creating luminous washes and soft transitions.
Mixing and layering
The new formula makes it easier than ever to layer and mix colours cleanly, without muddiness – so you can achieve the exact results you’re aiming for.
Techniques
There are so many techniques to explore with our improved watercolours. Above, our artists demonstrate washes, splatters, sgraffito, and gradient washes using the new formula.
Gouache paints
Looking for bold, opaque colour with a smooth matte finish? Our upgraded gouache paints are perfect for designers, illustrators, and anyone who loves solid coverage and vibrant results. The high pigment load gives you the flexibility to work with rich, intense colour or dilute for delicate washes, and the flexible formula won’t crack as it dries.
Application
Use straight from the tube for strong, opaque coverage or thin with water to create soft washes. The smooth, creamy consistency spreads evenly across a range of surfaces, with a buttery texture that offers precision and control.
Mixing and layering
Our fast-drying formula makes layering simple, with no unwanted mixing. Apply thickly for bold, ultra-matte layers.
Techniques
Master a variety of gouache techniques in no time! Above, our artists demonstrate two-tone leaves, stippling, wet-on-dry, and washes using the new formula.
Metallic acrylic paints
Our metallic acrylics just got even more shimmery. Made with mica-based pigments for a more radiant, reflective finish, these paints are perfect for adding highlights and sparkle to your work. With richer pigments and improved vibrancy, they stand out beautifully on any surface.
Application
Just like our standard acrylic paints, the metallic range spreads evenly across canvas, wood, paper, glass, fabric, and more. Use them straight from the tube, or apply with brushes and painting knives for controlled coverage.
Mixing and layering
Use on their own for bold, opaque coverage, or blend with standard acrylics for subtle metallic effects. Apply over dark colours to boost their shine, layer to build depth, or mix with acrylic mediums to explore different finishes.
Techniques
These versatile paints are perfect for experimenting with different styles. Above, our artists demonstrate brushing, stippling, sgraffito, and impasto using the new formula.
Still not sure which paint to choose?
We know it’s not always easy to pick a medium, especially if you’re just starting out or unsure which paints will suit your style. If you’re wondering whether acrylic, gouache, oil, or watercolour is the best fit for your goals, check out our handy paint guide to help you decide.
Whichever set you choose, you’ll get high-quality paints developed by real artists that are easy to use and designed for all skill levels. Whether you’re ready to try a new medium or replenishing your go-tos, our updated formulas make now the perfect time to refresh your collection.
Explore our new and improved paints today – we can’t wait to see what you’ll create.
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