Mont Marte vs Reeves vs Winsor & Newton: Which Acrylic for NZ Beginners?
Three brands dominate beginner-to-mid-range acrylic shelves: Mont Marte (Australia), Reeves (UK), and Winsor & Newton (UK). Most "best paint" articles online are written by overseas reviewers buying from local stores. Here's the comparison from an NZ stockist's perspective — what's actually available, what costs what, and what we'd recommend depending on what you're painting.
A note from the shop floor — I get this question every week from parents shopping for NCEA kids. The honest answer is almost always 'start with Mont Marte Signature' — not because we sell it, but because the lower stakes mean students experiment more. Read the rest of this guide knowing that.
Disclosure: Handy Mandy stocks Mont Marte. We've kept this comparison honest because long-term trust matters more than a single sale. We don't currently stock Reeves or Winsor & Newton in NZ — both are widely available at Gordon Harris and other NZ retailers.
The TL;DR verdict
| For… | Best pick |
|---|---|
| Total beginners + students | Mont Marte Signature |
| NCEA Visual Arts | Mont Marte Premium or Reeves Acrylic |
| Hobbyists wanting better quality | Reeves Acrylic |
| Serious work / gallery sale | Winsor & Newton Galeria or Professional |
| Best value per ml | Mont Marte Signature in 75ml or larger |
| Acrylic pouring | Mont Marte Pouring range (purpose-built) |
Mont Marte (Australia)
What it is: Australian brand, established 1965. Three acrylic ranges — Studio (entry), Signature (workhorse, our most-stocked), Premium Dimension (heavy-body, gallery).
Strengths:
- Best price-per-ml in the comparison
- Wide range of NZ availability
- Pouring formulas are excellent (probably the best beginner pour paints anywhere)
- Colour names match expectations (Cadmium Red looks like cadmium red)
Weaknesses:
- Pigment density of Signature range is lower than premium pro paints — opaque coverage takes 2 coats sometimes
- Lightfastness ratings less rigorously tested than Winsor & Newton
- Some hue colours (like "Cadmium" Red) are actually pigment substitutes, not real cadmium
NZ availability: Excellent. Stocked widely. Free NZ shipping over $75 from us. Same-day dispatch before 11am.
NZ price: Signature 75ml from $2.49 in our store. Premium Dimension 75ml from ~$5.99. Sets typically 30–50% cheaper than Reeves equivalents.
Reeves (UK, owned by ColArt)
What it is: British heritage brand, established 1766. Specifically positioned as "student-grade" — a step up from beginner, a step below professional.
Strengths:
- More pigment per ml than Mont Marte Signature (better one-coat opacity)
- Smoother, creamier consistency for brush work
- Trusted UK heritage
Weaknesses:
- ~30–50% more expensive than Mont Marte Signature for similar volumes
- Smaller range of specialty mediums (no native pouring line)
- Less variety of set sizes
NZ availability: Good. Gordon Harris, Warehouse Stationery, Whitcoulls.
NZ price: 75ml tube ~$8–12 depending on retailer.
Winsor & Newton (UK)
What it is: The professional standard since 1832. Two acrylic lines — Galeria (mid-tier, "student-friendly professional") and Professional (gallery-grade).
Strengths:
- Highest pigment loading of the three — pure colour
- Lightfastness rated and certified (matters for paintings you'll sell)
- Real cadmium and other premium pigments where labelled
- Better colour mixing — predictable, no muddiness
Weaknesses:
- 3–5× the price of Mont Marte Signature
- Overkill for beginners learning fundamentals
- Narrower range of specialty (pouring, fabric, fluorescent)
NZ availability: Specialist art stores only (Gordon Harris, French Art Shop).
NZ price: Galeria 60ml ~$10. Professional 60ml ~$20+. Sets quickly hit $100+.
Side-by-side: a 60–75ml tube of "Cadmium Red"
| Brand | Volume | Approx NZ price | Pigment | Lightfast |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mont Marte Signature | 75ml | $2.49 | Hue (substitute) | Not certified |
| Mont Marte Premium | 75ml | $5.99 | Hue, denser | Not certified |
| Reeves Acrylic | 75ml | ~$10 | Hue | Mid |
| Winsor & Newton Galeria | 60ml | ~$10 | Hue, denser | Rated |
| Winsor & Newton Professional | 60ml | ~$20+ | Real cadmium | Excellent |
Can you mix brands?
Yes. All three are water-based acrylic, dry to similar consistency, and play nicely. The only mismatch is between gallery-grade Winsor & Newton Professional and student-grade — pro paints have more pigment, so the colour shift is noticeable when mixed.
Our honest recommendation
Start with Mont Marte Signature. It's the cheapest way to learn what brushes, mediums, and surfaces work for your style. Once you know what you're doing, you can decide whether Reeves' creamier consistency or Winsor & Newton's professional pigment is worth the upgrade for you. We've seen artists make beautiful gallery-quality work on Mont Marte Signature alone.
Browse our Acrylic Paint collection for the Mont Marte range, with same-day dispatch before 11am NZT and free NZ shipping over $75.
About the author — Namra Shah is the owner of Handy Mandy Craft Store in Morningside, Auckland. We stock Mont Marte across NZ with same-day dispatch before 11am NZT and free shipping over $75. Questions? Email info@handymandy.co.nz or DM us on Instagram @handy_mandy_stores_.