Arduino - Controlling 8 RGB LEDs (beginner question)
The easiest way to control that many RGB LEDs is to use a strip of LEDs that already include their own controller, such as the WS2812B. In addition, there are libraries for many of the models of "addressable" LEDs already available. From there it's simply a matter of instantiating an object for the correct number of LEDs, setting them to the desired colors, and then invoking the correct method to configure them all at once.

NeoPixel Stick

light_ws2812