I've put acrylic paint tubes in my checked luggage on several occasions without problems, though I did put the tubes inside a plastic bag just in case! Neither metal nor plastic tubes have leaked or burst, nor the one small tub of acrylic I once bought.
What I have heard is that you shouldn't pack too many tubes together. Instead you should spread them through your luggage so that they show up clearly in x-ray as tubes of something, rather than a dense mysterious mass. Consider putting the relevant health and safety data sheet with the paint so if a security or customs inspection is done, it's there for the person to know exactly what's in the tubes.
Depending on where you're going, another option could be to order some paint through a mail order company in that country and get it delivered to where you're staying.
