One of the UK's most established acrylic ranges, System 3 has been a go-to choice for students, artists, and muralists since its introduction in 1987. Made in the UK, it offers a genuinely high pigment load for its price point, with versatility across a wide range of surfaces, techniques, and scales of work.
System 3 is a water-based acrylic that can be used straight from the tube or thinned with water to achieve anything from thick impasto marks to pale, wash-like transparency. Each layer dries quickly to a water-resistant, permanent film that can be painted over without lifting — making it well suited to layered working and mixed media. The soft body consistency covers large areas smoothly without excessive brush marks, while the heavier body formulation holds knife and brush marks for textural work.
Most colours in the range are rated 3 to 4 stars for permanence and carry good lightfastness ratings, making finished work durable over time. The full range spans 54 colours including metallic and fluorescent options — though fluorescent shades are not lightfast and are not recommended for outdoor use. All colours across the System 3 range are fully intermixable, and the paint is compatible with the wider System 3 ecosystem of inks, mediums, and surfaces.
System 3 has been tested and used successfully on paper, canvas, wood, plaster, masonry, and brick — including exterior murals. With appropriate priming, it can also be applied to metals and other less conventional surfaces.
Is Daler-Rowney System 3 suitable for beginners? Yes. The consistent soft body formulation, predictable drying time, and easy water clean-up make it an accessible starting point for anyone new to acrylics, while the pigment quality and colour range mean it works just as well for more experienced painters.
What is the difference between System 3 Soft Body, Medium Body, Heavy Body, and Fluid? Soft Body has a creamy consistency ideal for smooth coverage and detailed brushwork. Medium Body offers a balance between coverage and control. Heavy Body is stiffer and holds brush and palette knife marks for textured and impasto techniques. Fluid is a pourable, high-flow formula suited to pouring, dripping, and large-scale or mural applications.
Can System 3 be used outdoors? Yes, most colours are suitable for exterior use including murals, and have been tested on concrete and masonry. Fluorescent colours are the exception — these are not lightfast and should be used indoors only.
What surfaces does System 3 work on? It adheres well to paper, canvas, wood, plaster, and masonry. More absorbent or non-porous surfaces such as raw canvas, metal, or plastic benefit from priming with a suitable gesso or primer first.
Does System 3 need special mediums? No — water alone is sufficient for thinning and clean-up. A full range of System 3 mediums is available for artists who want to adjust gloss, texture, drying time, or flow.
