WikiCompare live prices on paint across Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, AliExpress, and curated Awin partner merchants. Acrylic beginners: Liquitex Basics or Winsor & Newton Galeria — student-grade but real pigment. Watercolor: Daniel Smith and Winsor & Newton Cotman half-pans. Oil: Winton (student) or Gamblin (professional, less toxic — uses safflower oil). Brushes: Princeton Velvetouch series — synthetic, work for water-based or oil. Canvas: stretched cotton (Blick Studio) for daily work; linen panels (Centurion DLX) for serious pieces. Practice surfaces: cheap canvas pads ($10) — use these for color tests. Always varnish acrylic and oil work after fully cured (4-6 weeks oil; 1 week acrylic). Click any card to open the seller's product page; we earn a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions about paint
What paint is best for interior walls?
Sherwin-Williams Emerald ($90/gallon) — premium washable, hides flaws. Benjamin Moore Aura ($90/gallon) — excellent coverage + color depth. Behr Premium Plus ($35/gallon) — budget pick. Eggshell finish for living areas; semi-gloss for bathrooms + kitchens. Skip 'one-coat' marketing — most paint needs 2 coats regardless.
How much paint do I need?
Approximate 350-400 square feet per gallon. For 12x12 room (8' ceilings): ~400 sq ft of walls = 2 gallons (2 coats). For 12x14 room: 2.5 gallons. Buy extra gallon for touch-ups (paints sometimes discontinued). Most rooms cost $50-120 in paint. Don't skimp on quality.
Best paint colors for selling a home?
Neutral whites: Sherwin-Williams Alabaster, Benjamin Moore Simply White, Behr Polar Bear. Warm beiges: Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray, Revere Pewter. Modern grays: Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray, Pure White. Skip: bold colors, dark colors (intimidate buyers). Painting before selling typically yields 200-400% ROI.
Roller vs brush — which to use?
Roller: large flat areas (walls, ceilings). Faster, smoother finish. Use 3/8" nap for smooth walls, 1/2" for textured. Brush: corners, edges, trim. Use angled sash brush for crisp lines. Use both: roll large areas, brush corners + edges. Skip foam rollers — they leave bubbles.
How long does paint last in storage?
Latex paint: 10 years if sealed properly (no air exposure). Oil-based paint: 15+ years. Store at room temperature (no garages — temperature swings ruin paint). Mark date opened on can. Color matching saves money on touch-ups vs buying new gallons.
Do I need primer?
Yes for: new drywall, dramatic color changes (light → dark or dark → light), bare wood, glossy surfaces. Skip primer for: re-paint same color on existing painted walls (paint quality covers). 'Paint + primer in one' products work for most situations. Tinted primer (Kilz Premium) covers in fewer coats.