Art Sets(0)
Art sets for every creative start
Gifting a first kit, coming back to painting after years off, or setting up a rainy-afternoon activity for the kids? An art set takes the guesswork out of getting started. It's a curated bundle of the core supplies you need to try a technique. Paints, brushes, pencils, pads or markers, all chosen to work together the moment you open the lid.
Our range covers painting, drawing and mixed media, with sets sized for everything from a first try through to a proper weekend project. You'll find gentle starting points like watercolour tins, versatile acrylic kits, sketching bundles with graphite and charcoal, and colourful all-in-one kits made for younger hands. Trusted names sit alongside our own favourites, including Faber-Castell, Crayola, Eraldo Di Paolo and Posca. Pick a set with confidence and spend more time actually creating.
Types of art sets explained
The easiest way to narrow things down is to start with what you'd like to make. A painting set is built around colour and coverage. A drawing set is built around line, shading and detail. Mixed media sets sit in between and reward a bit of experimenting. If you're leaning towards colour work, our broader painting collection shows what's possible beyond a starter kit.
| Set type | What's typically inside | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic painting set | Acrylic paints, brushes, palette, small canvas or board | Beginners wanting a versatile, forgiving start |
| Watercolour set | Pan or tube watercolours, round brushes, mixing area | Soft, layered work, journalling, travel painting |
| Drawing and sketching set | Graphite pencils, charcoal, eraser, sharpener, sketchpad | Portrait practice, studies, everyday sketching |
| Coloured pencil set | Coloured pencils in a tin or case, sometimes a pad | Detail work, illustration, gifting |
| Marker and mixed media set | Alcohol or water-based markers, fineliners, mixed paper | Illustration, lettering, journalling |
| Kids' all-in-one kit | Crayons, pencils, textas, paints, activity paper | Younger artists and holiday activities |
| Gift-ready adult set | Premium case with curated tools for one technique | Birthdays, returning hobbyists, thoughtful gifts |
How to choose the right art set
Start by considering who will use the set and what they want to make. A smaller, well-chosen kit is often more useful than a large box filled with materials they may never touch. Skill level, age, creative interests and included supplies are the main things to check before buying.
Match to skill level. A first-timer does better with a small, focused set than a giant kit with fifty half-used tools. Returning hobbyists usually want a step up in pigment or paper quality.
Match to age. Younger children thrive with washable, chunky supplies. Teens and adults appreciate finer tips and richer colour. For age-appropriate options, browse our kids art and craft range.
Match to the creative goal. Consider the kind of work they want to create. Watercolours suit journalling and softer layered paintings, while graphite and charcoal are better suited to portraits, shading and detailed studies.
Set versus buying separately. Honestly, a set wins when you're starting out or gifting. It saves decision fatigue, everything works together, and the value is usually strong. Once you know what you like, buying separately lets you upgrade the pieces that matter, like better brushes or a heavier sketchpad.
What's inside a beginner art set
A beginner painting set usually includes a small range of paints, a couple of brushes, a mixing palette and sometimes a small canvas or pad. A drawing set typically contains a graded pencil range, an eraser, a sharpener and a sketchpad. Kids' kits lean broader, mixing crayons, pencils, textas and paints in the one box.
One detail is easy to miss when comparing sets: some include the paints or pencils but leave the working surface out. Check whether you will need to add a canvas, sketchpad or extra paper before beginning. The brushes supplied may be perfectly adequate for experimenting, although you might eventually want different shapes or sizes. Our paint brushes range can fill any obvious gaps once you know what the project requires.
Art set questions answered
What’s included in a beginner art set?
Painting sets usually include 8 to 24 colours, one or two brushes, a mixing palette and sometimes a canvas or pad. Drawing sets often contain graded pencils, an eraser, a sharpener and a sketchpad. Check whether the working surface is included before buying.
What’s the best art set for adults returning to art?
Choose a mid-sized set for a familiar technique rather than the largest kit available. An acrylic set with good coverage or a watercolour tin with quality pans provides enough choice without becoming overwhelming. Better brushes or heavier paper can be added later. Go through our acrylic paints range for more options.
Is it better to buy an art set or separate supplies?
Sets are convenient for beginners, gifts and trying a new technique because the materials are selected to work together. Buying separately is better once you know which pigments, paper and brush shapes you prefer.
What’s a good art set for kids by age?
Young children need chunky, washable crayons, pencils, textas and paints. Children aged 6 to 10 can try coloured pencils, watercolours or beginner acrylics, while teens may prefer finer markers, sketching pencils and mixed media supplies. Crayola and Faber-Castell offer options across these age groups.
Can an art set work as a gift for a beginner?
Yes. Choose a set focused on one technique with the materials required for a first project. Acrylic, watercolour and coloured pencil sets are approachable choices. Add a canvas or pad if one is not included.
Are the paints and pencils good quality?
Quality varies by brand and price. Beginner sets generally prioritise variety and value, while premium sets offer stronger pigments, better lightfastness and a more refined finish. Riot stocks brands including Faber-Castell, Eraldo Di Paolo, Posca and Crayola.
Why choose Riot for your art set
We've been helping Australians make things for more than 40 years. That experience shapes the range you see here, from first kits for kids through to considered sets for returning hobbyists and gift-buyers. You'll find trusted brands including Faber-Castell, Crayola, Eraldo Di Paolo and Posca, sitting alongside our broader painting, drawing and mixed media collections.
Order online for Australia-wide shipping. Not sure which set suits the person or project? Our team is genuinely happy to help.
Explore related art supplies
If a set is the starting point, the rest of the range is where you go next. For softer, layered painting effects, browse our watercolour paints. If you'd rather focus on line, shading and detail, explore our full drawing collection or head straight into a wider pencils range for graphite and coloured options. Shopping for a younger artist? Our kids art and craft collection has age-friendly supplies that pair beautifully with a starter kit.