10 Best Tools For Mixed Media Art in 2026

This 152-piece set packs 10 different art media, acrylics, watercolors, soft pastels, pencils, and markers, so you can switch between techniques without rummaging through separate kits. The wooden box doubles as a tabletop easel, keeping everything organized and within reach on any flat surface. It’s a practical choice for mixed-media beginners and hobbyists who want to explore a range of styles without buying multiple individual sets.

The tabletop easel turns any table into a compact studio, but the lower working angle can feel tight for large pieces. The two 8×10 canvases are fine for studies and small works, though you will need to buy bigger supports separately. Compared to the Artbreezing 55-piece set, the Colour Block includes more media types and tools, making it a better starter kit for anyone wanting to try multiple techniques.

With 181 pieces spanning 12 different mediums, from watercolor and acrylic paints to oil pastels, soft pastels, and charcoal sticks, this set gives you the tools to layer, blend, and experiment across techniques without buying separate kits. The sturdy wooden case keeps everything organized and portable, so you can move from studio to coffee shop without losing a pencil. It covers drawing, sketching, and painting for anyone looking to explore mixed media.

The trade-off is that the included watercolor pad gives you only 10 sheets, so heavy practice will have you buying more paper quickly. If you want a broad range of materials in one box, this set delivers.

At just 6.0 pounds and a compact 15.3 by 11.2 inches, this set packs a full painting station into a wooden box you can carry to a park bench or a kitchen table. The adjustable easel lets you tilt your work, and the internal trays keep paints and brushes from rattling around. For someone starting out in mixed media who wants a tidy, grab-and-go kit, it gives you acrylics, watercolors, and a range of brushes without overwhelming choices or a heavy price tag.

If you want a compact, all-in-one art kit, the 55-piece set keeps things simple. It packs acrylic and watercolor paints, brushes, colored pencils, and a wooden easel box that doubles as storage. That easel sits on a tabletop, so you’ll be working at desk height, fine for small projects, but not for standing or large canvases.

With 195 pieces packed into a single wooden case, this set gives you crayons, colored pencils, oil pastels, watercolors, acrylic paints, brushes, sketch pads, canvases, and more. That’s enough variety to jump between drawing, painting, and mixed media experiments without reaching for another box. It suits beginners and hobbyists who want a broad starter kit that covers multiple techniques right out of the gift box. The sturdy pull-out drawer keeps everything organized on a desk or table, so you can grab what you need and put it away quickly.

With 195 pieces, this kit packs more supplies than the 181-piece COLOUR BLOCK set, making it a generous starter bundle for anyone building their first mixed-media stash. The wooden case keeps everything organized and the materials are certified non-toxic under ASTM D4236, so it’s safe for kids and adults alike. If you already own professional-grade brushes, you may find the included ones less refined, but for a beginner the variety covers drawing, painting, and sketching in one box.

Two easels, a floor-standing aluminum tripod and a beechwood tabletop, let you switch between plein air landscapes and detailed studio work without buying separate gear. With 96 paints across acrylic, watercolor, and oil, plus dedicated brush sets for each medium, this kit covers the core mixed-media bases right out of the box. It suits beginners who want one purchase that handles multiple techniques and experienced artists looking for a portable second setup.

Weight is the trade-off: at 19.5 pounds, this is not a grab-and-go set for quick sketching sessions. The included oil paints dry slowly, so layering requires patience. The lighter Artbreezing 55-piece set is easier to move, but this offers far more variety and two easels, though you’ll want a dedicated spot to store it. Best for someone who values versatility over portability and doesn’t mind the heft for the sake of having everything at hand.

A reusable 5×7-inch gel plate that works with watercolor paints means you can start printmaking right out of the box, without hunting for extra supplies. This kit includes a brayer, 12 stencils, 20 sheets of paper, and a full 12-color paint set, so beginners or mixed-media artists can experiment with textures and transfers. The polymer plate is silicone-free and odor-free, which can be a plus for indoor use.

The gel plate measures 5 by 7 inches, which is ideal for cards, tags, and journal pages but too small for large-scale prints. You cannot use oil paints with this plate, so stick with water-based inks or the included watercolor paints. Compared to the COLOUR BLOCK 181-Piece Mixed Media Art Set, this kit is a dedicated printmaking setup rather than a general art supply collection.

Twenty-eight vivid shades from Black and White to Guava and Metallic Mint let you layer, blend, and create gradients on paper, canvas, wood, and fabric. Each acid-free, non-toxic gel stick glides on creamy and creates soft watercolor effects when mixed with water. The included water brush, smudge sticks, and foam blenders make it easy to experiment without hunting for extra tools, and the set pairs easily with acrylics, inks, and pencils for mixed-media projects.

These are crayons, not paints: you need water to unlock their full watercolor potential. Unlike the COLOUR BLOCK 181-piece set, which includes a broader range of traditional art supplies, the Gelatos offer a more focused approach for watercolor effects and mixed media. They are well suited for exploring mixed media techniques where creamy, blendable color and portability matter.

With 20 pieces, this set is built for beginners who want a focused introduction to drawing and mixed media. The colored pencils are made to minimize breakage and blend well, the brush-tip markers can create thick or thin lines in one stroke, and the graphite pencils add detail and depth. That limited range reduces overwhelm, so a new artist can concentrate on learning how each tool works without distraction.

Compared to the 181-piece set from COLOUR BLOCK, this kit offers far fewer tools, no paints, pastels, erasers, or sharpeners. That makes it a targeted starter pack rather than a full studio. Artists who want to explore paint or collage will likely need a larger set soon, but for someone focused on mastering colored pencil, marker, and graphite together, this Prismacolor set delivers exactly those tools. The colored pencils minimize breakage and offer excellent blendability.

With pencils spanning seven different media, colored, watercolor, metallic, pastel, graphite, charcoal, and water-soluble, this set gives you an entire mixed-media toolkit in one fabric case. That variety means you can layer a watercolor wash over a graphite sketch, add metallic highlights, then soften edges with pastel, all without switching kits. It’s ideal for artists who want to experiment freely across techniques, especially those new to combining media, since the included 32-page handbook walks you through a water dragon tutorial step by step.

Weight is the trade-off: at 4.4 pounds, this case isn’t something you’ll toss in a daypack for sketching on the go. The Prismacolor Scholar set focuses on fewer pencil types, whereas Castle Art Supplies demands more commitment to carry. If you prefer working at a desk and love switching between colored, watercolor, and metallic effects in one session, this set’s breadth is hard to beat.

With 192 pieces stored in a wooden case that has dual drawers, you get a wide range of materials to paint, draw, and sketch without needing to buy extras separately. The set includes 24 acrylic paints, 24 watercolor paints, three A4 canvas boards, and three different paper pads, acrylic, watercolor, and sketch, so switching between media is straightforward. Beginners and hobbyists will find it a practical way to explore multiple techniques at home or in a classroom.

Portability is the trade-off: at 9.5 pounds, this is not a lightweight grab-and-go kit for cafes or quick outdoor sessions. The COLOUR BLOCK 181-piece set is slimmer at 3 inches thick, while the Soucolor case is deeper and heavier, so it needs a stable table or shelf. But if you value a sturdy wooden case with drawers that keep crayons, pastels, and paints from rattling together, this delivers that solid feel.