Best hobby shops in the area?

Hey there...
So, here’s the deal... I’ve got this vision for a piece of art, and my plan is to paint it directly onto a plastic substrate...
What I really need to know from anyone who actually does this kind of work—specifically using those hobbyist acrylics you pick up at a place like Michael's or Hobby Lobby—is how much flexibility do I actually have when it comes to mixing and tinting? I’m trying to avoid a situation where I end up with just one flat shade of blue and one flat shade of yellow; that would look amateurish as hell...
Also, what’s the actual quality like? Is it worth even bothering with these kits, or am I just throwing money away? Are the pigments actually vibrant and punchy, or am I going to end up with some washed-out, lifeless mess?
Thanks in advance...👍

Well, I mean, really? Not even one person...😢😢😢

They’re alive. Or at least they were when I was busy painting those Boeing jets. I didn't mix them up. 🤷 Well, go ahead and try. You learn best by making your own mess anyway. 👍