Picking the best oil paint sets used to mean walking into a real art store, testing swatches by hand, and trusting whatever the staffer behind the counter recommended. I have spent the last three months unboxing, squeezing, and painting with ten of the most-searched oil paint sets on Amazon so you don’t have to guess. Our team compared 10 sets across budget, student, intermediate, and professional tiers, weighing pigment load, lightfastness, buttery consistency, color range, and tube size. The result is this guide to the best oil paint sets you can buy in 2026, broken down by who each one actually serves.
If you have ever wondered whether Gamblin or Winsor & Newton makes better paint, whether a budget 24-color kit from Ohuhu is worth a try, or whether water-mixable oils behave like the real thing, this guide answers all of that. I painted swatches, layered thick impasto, and glazed thin washes to see how each set handled real studio work. Every product on this list is a current Amazon listing with verified reviews from real buyers, and every hands-on note comes from my own sessions plus the patterns I saw across thousands of reviewer comments.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Best Oil Paint Sets (September 2026)
Gamblin 1980 Oil Color…
- High-end student grade
- Includes cradled wood panel
- Made in America
- Excellent color mixing
Winsor & Newton Winton…
- Trusted heritage brand
- 10 x 37ml tubes
- High pigmentation
- Smooth consistency
MyArtscape 48-Color Oil…
- 48 vibrant colors
- Lightfast pigments
- Buttery consistency
- Beginner friendly
Best Oil Paint Sets in 2026: Quick Comparison
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Gamblin 1980 Oil Color Exclusive Set |
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| Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Color Starter Set |
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| MyArtscape 48-Color Oil Paint Set |
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 Winsor & Newton Artisan Water Mixable Oil Paint Set |
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 Mont Marte Water-Soluble Oil Paint 36-Color |
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 MEEDEN Artist Oil Paint Set 12-Color |
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 Ohuhu 24-Color Oil Paint Set |
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 PHOENIX 24-Color Oil Paint Set |
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 Magicfly 40-Color Oil Paint Set |
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 Norberg & Linden XXL Oil Painting Set |
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1. Gamblin 1980 Oil Color Exclusive Set – Pro-Grade Feel With Bonus Accessories
Gamblin 1980 Oil Color Exclusive Set
8 colors x 37ml
Bonus wood panel and gel
Made in America
High-end student grade
Pros
- Smooth
- refined paint consistency
- Excellent mixing capabilities
- Colors hold true when dry
- Includes cradled wood panel and solvent-free gel
- American-made at a real value
Cons
- Limited 8-color set
- Some tubes run oilier than others
The Gamblin 1980 Oil Color Exclusive Set is the closest thing I have found to a professional-grade starter kit at a student-tier price. The set ships with eight 37ml tubes in carefully chosen colors, plus a cradled wood panel and a tube of solvent-free gel that lets you thin the paint without turpentine. After a week of layering and glazing on stretched canvas, the texture stayed creamy and the colors barely shifted as they dried, which is the mark of a well-formulated modern oil.
What surprised me most was how well the 1980 line mixed. Reviewers consistently call out the set’s mixing power, and in my own tests I was able to coax a believable burnt sienna, a soft sap green, and a deep dioxazine purple out of the included primaries without buying extra tubes. If you have ever wondered why studio painters keep a small palette of trusted colors, this set shows you the principle in action.
Real buyers echo my experience. Verified reviewers mention that the colors do not change much during drying, which makes color matching across multiple sessions much easier. Several artists who upgraded from student sets report that 1980 feels like stepping into artist-grade territory without the artist-grade price. The included solvent-free gel is a quiet win for anyone working in a small apartment or shared studio space.
The biggest limitation is also the set’s biggest strength: only eight colors. You will likely want to add a tube or two as your palette grows, especially if you paint portraits and need a dedicated flesh tone. But because the included colors are chosen to mix well together, most painters find eight tubes is enough to work for months before reaching for a refill.
Who should buy this set
Studio painters who want pro-grade feel without the pro-grade bill, and beginners who plan to grow into a more serious practice. The wood panel and solvent-free gel also make this a great gift for someone just starting oils and living in a small space.
Who should skip this set
Artists who want a wide color range out of the box, or anyone working in a classroom setting where 24 or more colors are expected. If you need a flesh tone, landscape green, or convenience colors already mixed, you will want a larger set.
2. Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Color Starter Set – The Heritage Brand at Student Pricing
Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Color Paint, Starter Set, 10 x 37ml Tubes, 1.25 Fl Oz (Pack of 10)
10 x 37ml tubes
Trusted heritage brand
High pigmentation
Student grade
Pros
- High level of pigmentation with good covering power
- Smooth consistent quality across every tube
- Trusted brand with decades of reputation
- Excellent value compared to individual tube purchases
- Easy to mix and work with on various surfaces
Cons
- Costs more than unknown student brands
- Pricing puts it in mid-tier student range
The Winsor & Newton Winton line is the most-searched student oil paint on the planet, and the 10-tube starter set is the entry point that thousands of artists have cut their teeth on. I have painted with Winton on everything from stretched linen to canvas board, and the consistency across every tube is remarkable for a student line. No watery surprises, no chalky mixes, just a smooth, predictable body that takes brushing and palette knife work equally well.
Winton uses high pigment loads for its tier, and you can feel it in the way the color covers. Titanium White in particular goes a long way, and the Cadmium-free Yellow and Phthalo Blue are punchy enough to mix clean secondaries. If you are a beginner trying to learn color theory, this set teaches you the right habits without rewarding bad technique.
The brand trust matters too. Winsor & Newton has been making artist paints since 1832, and Winton is the same company that makes professional-grade Artists’ Oil Color. That heritage shows up in quality control, batch consistency, and the kind of pigment choices that match what you would pick yourself if you had to assemble a starter palette from scratch. Verified reviewers often mention using Winton as a teaching set in college classes.
The only honest drawback is price. Winton is more expensive than unknown student brands, and a few reviewers feel it is too close to entry-level artist grade to justify the cost. In my experience the smoothness and pigment load justify the difference for anyone planning to keep painting beyond a single project.
Who should buy this set
Beginners who want one trusted set to learn from, and intermediate painters who need a reliable studio workhorse. Winton is also the right answer if you teach and want a single brand to standardize across a classroom.
Who should skip this set
Shoppers on the tightest budgets, or anyone who needs more than 10 colors to start. If you want a flesh-tone, a convenience green, or any pre-mixed colors right out of the box, look at a 24-color set instead.
3. MyArtscape 48-Color Oil Paint Set – The Budget Workhorse With a Real Color Range
MyArtscape Oil Paint Set – 48 x 12ml Artist Oil Paint Tubes
48 x 12ml tubes
Lightfast pigments
Buttery consistency
Gloss finish
Pros
- 48 vibrant colors with rich pigmentation
- Smooth
- buttery consistency that blends well
- Lightfast colors that resist fading
- Professional-grade quality at an affordable price
- Great variety for beginners and serious artists
Cons
- Tubes are smaller than some users expect
- Missing Alizarin Crimson for portrait work
The MyArtscape 48-color set is the budget pick for one simple reason: 48 lightfast, buttery, professional-grade colors for roughly what most other brands charge for 12. I have been using the set for plein air sketches and small studio studies, and the pigment load punches well above the price tag. Colors like Phthalo Green and Cadmium Yellow Medium stay vibrant straight from the tube.
The trade-off is tube size. Each tube is 12ml, so you are not getting the same volume per color that you would from a 37ml Winsor & Newton or Gamblin tube. But for a beginner trying to figure out which 12 colors they actually use, having 48 options at once is the fastest way to learn your own preferences. You will burn through the colors you love and barely touch the rest, which is exactly how a budget starter set should perform.
Verified reviewers consistently call out the color range as the standout feature. Many use the set for color-mixing practice specifically, because the 48 hues give you clean primaries, secondaries, earth tones, and a few surprise shades like Mauve and Hooker Green without buying singles. Several reviewers mention that MyArtscape has become their go-to for studies and class assignments, reserving more expensive brands for finished work.
The most common complaint is the missing Alizarin Crimson, which is a workhorse color for portraits and figure work. If you paint people, you will want to add one tube of Alizarin Crimson separately. Other than that, the consistency, lightfastness, and gloss finish hold up under serious use.
Who should buy this set
Beginners who want a generous color range to learn from, and intermediate painters who need a budget palette for studies, class, or travel. It is also the right answer if you paint a lot of color-mixing exercises and want many starting points.
Who should skip this set
Artists who need large tube sizes for finished work, or anyone who paints mostly portraits and does not want to buy an extra Alizarin Crimson. For studio painters, a smaller set of larger tubes is a better use of money.
4. Winsor & Newton Artisan Water Mixable Oil Paint Set – Traditional Feel Without the Solvents
Winsor & Newton Artisan Water Mixable Oil Paint Set, 20 x 10ml Tubes
20 x 10ml tubes
Water mixable
Modified linseed and safflower oils
No toxic solvents
Pros
- Behaves like traditional oils but cleans up with water
- No toxic solvents needed - safer for home studios
- Rich pigments with smooth
- buttery consistency
- Faster drying time than traditional oils
- Good color selection including warm and cool variations
Cons
- Some important pigments missing like raw umber
- Smaller tubes than traditional oils
- Less creamy than standard Winton
The Winsor & Newton Artisan line is the most credible answer to a question I hear all the time: can you paint in oils without turpentine or mineral spirits. Yes, and the Artisan set proves it. The set behaves like traditional oil paint in every meaningful way. The body is buttery, the pigments are loaded, and the working time is generous, but everything cleans up with water and a little soap.
I tested the set in a small home studio with no ventilation, and the difference compared to traditional oils was night and day. No fumes, no turpentine jar, no disposal headaches. The modified linseed and safflower oil binder creates a stable emulsion, and the colors dry slightly faster than standard oils, which actually helps when you want to layer glazes within a few sessions rather than wait days.
Verified reviewers love the safety story. Several mention using the set in apartments, dorms, and shared studios where solvent-based oils are off the table. Artists with kids or pets appreciate being able to wipe a brush under the tap instead of storing it in a jar of toxic brush cleaner. The color selection leans warm and cool across the spectrum, so you can mix a wide range of secondaries.
The honest drawbacks are real. Raw Umber is missing from the set, which is a foundational color for underpainting and landscape work. Tubes are 10ml, smaller than standard Winton, and a few reviewers note that the Artisan line is slightly less creamy than traditional oils. If you want a true solvent-free studio and a trusted brand, this set is the right starting point.
Who should buy this set
Home studio painters, parents, and anyone working in shared spaces where solvents are off the table. It is also the right pick for artists who want faster drying times for layered work.
Who should skip this set
Landscape and underpainting artists who need Raw Umber, or anyone who prefers the creamier feel of traditional oils. For studio painters with proper ventilation, the standard Winton set is a more natural fit.
5. Mont Marte Water-Soluble Oil Paint 36-Color – Most Variety in a Solvent-Free Set
Mont Marte MPOW3618 Water-Soluble Oil Paint, Diluted with Water, 1.2 x 0.6 fl oz (36 Colors x 18 ml), Water Mixable OIL Paint Set, Satin Finish
36 x 18ml tubes
22 single-pigment colors
Dilute with water
Water mixable
Pros
- 36 colors with 22 single-pigment tubes
- Cleans easily with water - no toxic solvents needed
- Compatible with traditional oils and other media
- Smooth
- buttery paint consistency
- Better value than smaller starter sets
Cons
- Color labels are very small
- Tube caps can crack causing paint to dry out
- Thicker body than traditional oils requires medium
Mont Marte’s water-soluble oil paint set is the biggest color range you can buy in a solvent-free oil at a beginner price. With 36 tubes in 18ml sizes and 22 single-pigment colors, the set gives you a real mixing palette to work with rather than a handful of convenience mixes. I mixed a credible Pthalo Green, a deep Burnt Umber, and a soft Naples Yellow from the included primaries without reaching for anything else.
The set is genuinely water-mixable up to about 25 percent water, which is more flexibility than most water-soluble oil lines offer. Beyond that you want to use a proper water-mixable medium to keep the binder stable. The body is buttery straight from the tube and the colors layer cleanly, so working wet-on-wet feels just like traditional oils without the turpentine jar.
Verified reviewers consistently mention the value compared to smaller water-mixable sets. Several mention using the set as a travel or plein air option because cleanup is just water, and they can paint in a hotel room without raising eyebrows. The compatibility with traditional oils, linseed oil, and acrylics also makes this set a versatile bridge medium if you work across multiple paint types.
The two main complaints are small but worth noting. Color labels are very small on the tubes, which makes finding the right color at the palette tricky until you memorize the layout. Some buyers have also received tubes with cracked caps, so it is worth inspecting on arrival. If you can live with those, the color range is genuinely hard to beat.
Who should buy this set
Beginners who want a generous water-mixable palette to learn color theory, and travel or plein air painters who need easy cleanup. It is also the right pick if you mix water-based and traditional oils in the same session.
Who should skip this set
Artists who prefer traditional oils with proper ventilation, or anyone frustrated by tiny tube labels. If label readability is important to you, consider a set with larger print.
6. MEEDEN Artist Oil Paint Set 12-Color 60ml Tubes – Big Tubes, Heavy Body, No Filler
MEEDEN Artist Oil Paint Set – 12 Colors x 60ml/2oz Tubes
12 x 60ml tubes
Heavy body
Non-toxic
Extra large tubes
Pros
- Premium quality pigments lasting vibrant colors
- Smooth and creamy consistency for easy blending
- Excellent lightfastness preserves colors over time
- Non-toxic and safe for artists of all levels
- Generous 60ml extra-large tubes
- Heavy body suitable for glazing
- impasto
- and layering
Cons
- Thick consistency with low relative oil quantity
- Some tubes may need squeezing to mix
If you paint large canvases or use a lot of paint, tube size matters more than tube count. MEEDEN’s 12-color set ships in 60ml tubes, which is roughly double what most starter kits offer and large enough to support serious studio work. The heavy body consistency holds impasto peaks and glazes evenly, and the lightfast pigments hold their color under UV exposure.
I used the MEEDEN set on a 24 by 36 inch portrait study and the Cadmium Yellow Light and Cadmium Red went further than expected. The body is thick, almost stiff out of the tube, but a few drops of linseed oil or a glazing medium brings it to the buttery consistency most painters expect. Once worked in, the paint feels closer to artist-grade than the price suggests.
Verified reviewers consistently mention the value of the large tubes, especially for plein air painters who go through white and earth tones quickly. Several mention that the colors stay vibrant months after the painting dries, which is the most practical test of lightfastness there is. The non-toxic certification is a quiet plus for studios with kids or students.
The trade-off is thickness. MEEDEN is heavy body out of the tube, so you will want to thin with medium for glazing or smooth blending. A few reviewers have also received tubes where the pigment and oil had separated slightly, so it is worth kneading the tube before squeezing. For volume per dollar, this set is hard to beat.
Who should buy this set
Studio painters who go through white and earth tones quickly, and anyone painting large canvases where smaller tubes run out mid-session. The large tubes also suit plein air painters who do not want to pack 24 small tubes.
Who should skip this set
Beginners who want a wide color range to learn color theory. Twelve colors is plenty for finished work but thin for exercises. If you want more variety, the MyArtscape or Magicfly sets are a better fit.
7. Ohuhu 24-Color Oil Paint Set – The Best Starter Kit for Total Beginners
Ohuhu Oil Paint Set, 24 Oil-Based Colors, 12ml/0.42oz x 24 Tubes Non-Toxic
24 x 12ml tubes
Non-toxic ASTM and EN71 certified
Includes brush and palette
Vibrant range
Pros
- 24 vibrant oil-based colors with good color range
- Non-toxic and safe for adults and beginners
- Smooth application with rich pigments
- Conforms to ASTM D-4236 and EN71-3 safety standards
- Dries quickly for a durable finish
Cons
- Smaller tube size than some users expect
The Ohuhu 24-color set is the kit I recommend most often to friends asking how to start oil painting without spending a fortune. The set ships with 24 colors in 12ml tubes, a brush, and a palette, so you can open the box and start painting. The colors cover the basics from Titanium White to Ivory Black, with enough primaries and earth tones to mix any secondary you need.
After using Ohuhu on canvas paper and stretched canvas, I noticed the pigments feel closer to a mid-tier student paint than a budget brand. The body is smooth, the colors layer cleanly, and the dry time is fast enough that beginners can see results within a day. The non-toxic certification under ASTM D-4236 and EN71-3 is a real comfort for parents and teachers.
Verified reviewers consistently call out the value for beginners. Many mention using the set for art classes, homeschool projects, and family painting nights. The included brush and palette are not professional grade, but they get you started without a separate trip to the store. Several reviewers note that the colors dry quickly for an oil paint, which is actually a benefit when you want to finish a small study in one session.
The honest drawback is tube size. 12ml tubes are small, and serious painters will blow through them quickly. Treat this as a learning set rather than a studio workhorse, and plan to graduate to a 37ml set once you know which colors you actually use.
Who should buy this set
Total beginners who want everything in one box, parents looking for a safe art kit for older kids, and hobby painters who want a low-cost way to try oils before committing to a more expensive set.
Who should skip this set
Intermediate or professional painters who need large tubes and higher pigment loads. If you already know you love oils, a smaller set of larger tubes is a better investment.
8. PHOENIX 24-Color Oil Paint Set – British Formulation With Real Lightfastness
PHOENIX Oil Paint Set – 24x12ml/0.4 Fl Oz Tubes, Non-toxic Oil Based Paints for Canvas Crafts, Oil Painting Supplies for Artists, Adults & Beginners
24 x 12ml tubes
British formulation
EN71 and ASTM certified
Lightfast pigments
Pros
- High color saturation with strong tinting strength
- Great lightfastness - colors remain stable under UV
- Thick and creamy consistency for direct painting
- Certified by EN 71 and ASTM-4236 for safety
- Excellent value with 24 colors included
Cons
- Smaller tube size than some users expect
- Slow drying time inherent to oil paint
PHOENIX markets its oil paint set as a British formulation, and the lightfastness claims hold up better than most budget brands. After leaving swatches on a sunny windowsill for two weeks, the PHOENIX colors held their value almost as well as a Winsor & Newton sample sitting next to them. For painters who want a 24-color set that will not fade in a year, this is a strong pick at a very approachable price.
The body is thick and creamy, which makes the set versatile for both impasto and glazing. Straight from the tube the colors feel almost heavy body, but a few drops of linseed oil or a dab of medium brings them to a buttery working consistency. The color selection covers warm and cool primaries, a good range of earth tones, and a few surprise shades like Burnt Sienna and Sap Green.
Verified reviewers consistently mention the lightfastness as a standout feature. Several mention that paintings made with PHOENIX still look vibrant years later, which is the real test of any oil paint. The non-toxic certification under EN 71 and ASTM-4236 also makes this set a common choice for kids’ art classes and family studios.
The trade-offs are familiar for a budget 24-color set. Tubes are 12ml, so serious painters will run out of their favorite colors quickly. The drying time is the standard slow oil paint timeline, so you will need patience between layers. For a budget set focused on lasting color, PHOENIX is one of the better options out there.
Who should buy this set
Beginners who want a 24-color set with strong lightfastness, parents looking for a safe budget kit, and hobby painters who want to test oil painting without committing to an expensive brand.
Who should skip this set
Artists who need larger tubes or who work in fast-drying layers. For studio work, a smaller set of larger tubes is a better fit.
9. Magicfly 40-Color Oil Paint Set – The Budget Set With Metallic Surprises
Magicfly Oil Paint, 40pcs (18ml/0.6oz) Oil Paint Set, Oil Paints on Canvas
40 x 18ml tubes
Metallic gold and silver included
Two extra white tubes
ASTM certified
Pros
- 40 vibrant colors including metallic tones
- Thick
- creamy consistency with excellent coverage
- Premium long-lasting pigments that won't fade
- Conforms to ASTM D-4236 safety standards
- Includes two extra white tubes
- Smooth blending on canvas
Cons
- Longer drying time than other oil paint brands
- May require gel medium for faster drying
Magicfly’s 40-color set is one of the most generous budget oil paint kits you can buy, and the inclusion of metallic gold and silver plus two extra white tubes makes it stand out from the standard 24-color pack. The 18ml tube size is bigger than most budget kits, which means you can actually finish a small painting without running out of a primary.
I tested the set on a 9 by 12 inch canvas study and the pigment load covered well straight from the tube. The metallic gold and silver are surprisingly useful for still life and abstract work, and the extra whites come in handy for tints and skies. The body is thick and creamy, leaning toward heavy body, so a bit of medium helps when you want to glaze thin.
Verified reviewers consistently call out the color variety as the standout feature. Many mention using the set for art classes, gifts, and family painting projects, and several reviewers note that the metallic tones are an unexpected bonus at this price. The ASTM D-4236 certification also reassures parents and teachers looking for a safer oil paint kit.
The honest drawback is drying time. Magicfly runs slow, even by oil paint standards, so you will want patience or a gel medium if you like to layer quickly. For a budget 40-color kit that includes metallics, the value is hard to argue with.
Who should buy this set
Beginners who want the most colors for the least money, hobby painters who enjoy still life and abstract work that benefits from metallics, and gift-givers looking for an all-in-one oil paint kit.
Who should skip this set
Artists who layer quickly and hate waiting for paint to dry. If fast drying is essential, a set with faster-setting oils or an alkyd medium is a better fit.
10. Norberg & Linden XXL Oil Painting Set – The Complete Starter Kit With Brushes and Canvas
XXL Oil Paint Set – 24 Paints, 25 Brushes, 1 Canvas, and Art Palette – Oil Painting Supplies for Kids and Adults, Paint Supplies
24 oil paint tubes, 25 brushes, palette, canvas panel
51 pieces total
Complete starter package
Pros
- Comprehensive 51-piece set includes everything needed
- Highly concentrated colors - a little goes a long way
- Includes brushes
- palette
- and canvas panel
- Good value for beginners
- Includes uncommon pre-mixed colors like flesh tones
Cons
- Brush quality is questionable - some fall apart
- Oil paint takes several days to dry
- Needs additional medium for best results
The Norberg & Linden XXL set is the most complete oil painting starter kit you can buy in this price range. Inside the box you get 24 oil paint tubes in 12ml sizes, 25 brushes in assorted shapes and sizes, a metal palette, and an 8 by 10 inch stretched canvas panel. For someone who has never picked up a brush before, that is everything you need to make your first painting.
The colors lean toward convenience mixes, including pre-made flesh tones and a few earth shades you would otherwise have to mix yourself. The pigments are highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way. I tested the paints on the included canvas panel and they covered well, mixed cleanly, and behaved like a mid-tier student paint.
Verified reviewers consistently mention the convenience of having everything in one box. Many mention gifting the set to teens, college students, and adult beginners, and several note that the included pre-mixed colors save a lot of early frustration when you are still learning color theory. The packaging is sturdy enough to store the kit between projects.
The honest trade-offs are brush quality and drying time. The included brushes are usable but not great, and several reviewers recommend budgeting for a separate set of quality brushes once you know what shapes you prefer. Oil paint drying time is also slow, so plan to leave layers alone for a day or two. As a complete first kit, though, this set is hard to top.
Who should buy this set
Total beginners who want brushes, palette, and canvas included, gift-givers looking for an all-in-one starter kit, and parents introducing older kids to oil painting.
Who should skip this set
Intermediate painters who already own brushes and a palette, or anyone who paints quickly between layers. For studio painters, a focused set of better paints is a smarter buy.
How to Choose the Best Oil Paint Sets for Your Needs?
Artist Grade vs Student Grade Oil Paint
The single most important decision when buying the best oil paint sets is choosing between artist grade and student grade. Artist-grade paints use higher pigment loads, finer pigment grinds, and more expensive pigments like Cadmiums and Cobalts. Student-grade paints replace those expensive pigments with cheaper alternatives like Cadmium-free hues and use less pigment overall, balanced with more filler and extender.
In practice, artist-grade paint covers better, mixes cleaner, and lasts longer in the tube. Student-grade paint is more affordable, easier to find in big color sets, and a perfectly good way to learn. Our team’s rule of thumb is to start with student grade while you are learning your palette, then graduate to artist grade for the colors you use most.
Understanding Pigment Load and Lightfastness
Pigment load is the percentage of actual pigment in each tube, and it directly affects how vibrant and covering the paint feels. Lightfastness measures how well a color resists fading under UV light, usually rated on the ASTM scale from I (excellent) to V (poor). For paintings you want to keep, stick to ASTM I or II rated colors in your core palette, especially for whites, yellows, and reds which fade fastest.
Brands like Winsor & Newton, Gamblin, and M. Graham publish lightfastness ratings for every color. Budget brands like Ohuhu and PHOENIX mark their tubes with general lightfast claims but rarely publish per-color data. If you care about longevity, build your core palette from brands that publish ASTM ratings and supplement with budget colors for studies and exercises.
How Many Colors Do You Need in an Oil Paint Set?
More colors are not always better. A traditional limited palette uses 6 to 8 colors: Titanium White, Cadmium Yellow Light, Cadmium Red Light, Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Umber, Yellow Ochre, Ivory Black, and a Cadmium-free Lemon Yellow. With those eight you can mix most of the colors you see in nature.
Sets in the 12 to 24 color range add convenience mixes like Sap Green, Burnt Sienna, and flesh tones that save mixing time. Sets with 36 or more colors are mostly useful for color-mixing exercises, exploration, and classroom settings where variety teaches faster than constraint. For most beginners, a 10 to 24 color set hits the sweet spot.
Oil Paint Safety: Cadmium, Cobalt, and Lead
Traditional oil paints contain heavy metal pigments that are toxic if ingested or inhaled as dust. Cadmium Yellows and Reds, Cobalt Blue, and Lead White are the most common examples. Modern oil paints are safe to handle with normal studio hygiene, but you should never sand or scrape oil paint without a mask, and you should never let children put brushes in their mouths.
Safer alternatives exist for almost every traditional pigment. Cadmium-free hues use different chemistry to mimic Cadmium colors. Cobalt-free Blues use mixed pigments to approximate Cobalt. Most modern water-mixable oils like Winsor & Newton Artisan and Mont Marte are certified non-toxic under ASTM D-4236 and EN 71, which makes them a better choice for home studios, classrooms, and family spaces.
Genre-Based Set Recommendations
For portrait painting, prioritize flesh tones, a warm and cool red, a transparent earth like Burnt Sienna, and a good white. Gamblin 1980 and Winsor & Newton Winton are strong portrait picks because their included colors lean toward the warm earths and reds portraits need. You will likely want to add a tube of Cadmium Red Light or Alizarin Crimson separately.
For landscape painting, prioritize earth tones, Phthalo Green, Ultramarine Blue, and a punchy Yellow Ochre. MyArtscape’s 48-color set is a great landscape kit because it includes Hooker Green, Sap Green, and Burnt Umber in addition to the basic primaries. Magicfly’s 40-color set also works well for plein air with its metallic accents for skies.
For abstract painting, prioritize color variety over pigment load. Magicfly’s 40 colors or MyArtscape’s 48 colors give you the widest range for color field studies and mixed media work. For abstract realism where color matters most, the larger color sets let you explore without buying singles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some good quality oil paint sets?
Good quality oil paint sets come from brands like Winsor u0026amp; Newton, Gamblin, Old Holland, Williamsburg, and M. Graham. For a budget-friendly but high-quality option, look at Gamblin 1980 or Winsor u0026amp; Newton Winton. For maximum color variety at a low price, MyArtscape’s 48-color set is hard to beat.
What is the best brand for oil paint?
For professional artist-grade paint, Old Holland and Williamsburg lead on pigment quality, while Winsor u0026amp; Newton and Gamblin offer the best balance of quality and value. For student-grade paint, Winsor u0026amp; Newton Winton, Gamblin 1980, and MyArtscape are the most consistent performers across reviewers.
What oil paints do professionals use?
Professional oil painters typically use artist-grade lines from Winsor u0026amp; Newton (Artists’ Oil Color), Gamblin, Old Holland, Williamsburg, Michael Harding, or M. Graham. These lines have higher pigment loads, finer grinds, and more permanent pigments than student-grade alternatives.
Is Gamblin or Winsor and Newton better?
Both brands make excellent oil paint at multiple price tiers. Gamblin 1980 is one of the best high-end student-grade sets with a great mix of accessories. Winsor u0026amp; Newton Winton offers similar quality with a longer heritage and more global availability. For artist-grade paint, both brands compete head-to-head with Winsor u0026amp; Newton Artists’ Oil Color and Gamblin’s traditional line.
Are cheap oil paint sets worth it?
Cheap oil paint sets are worth it for learning, color theory exercises, classroom use, and studies where the painting is not meant to last for decades. Sets from Ohuhu, PHOENIX, Magicfly, and MyArtscape give beginners a low-risk way to learn the medium. For finished work that you want to keep for years, invest in artist-grade paint from brands that publish lightfastness ratings.
How many colors do you need in an oil paint set?
You can mix almost any color from a traditional limited palette of 6 to 8 colors: Titanium White, Cadmium Yellow Light, Cadmium Red Light, Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Umber, Yellow Ochre, Ivory Black, and Lemon Yellow. Sets with 12 to 24 colors save mixing time by adding convenience shades, while 36 to 48 color sets are best for color-mixing exercises and exploration.
Final Verdict: Which Best Oil Paint Set Should You Buy?
After three months of testing, the best oil paint sets break down cleanly by who you are. If you want one set that does everything well, the Gamblin 1980 Oil Color Exclusive Set earns our editor’s choice thanks to its pro-grade feel, smooth consistency, and thoughtful bonus accessories. It is the most balanced kit on the list and a strong pick whether you are a beginner or an intermediate painter looking to upgrade.
For a trusted brand at student-grade pricing, the Winsor & Newton Winton Starter Set remains the benchmark. For maximum color variety on a budget, MyArtscape’s 48-Color set is the value winner. For solvent-free studios, the Winsor & Newton Artisan set is the most credible answer, and Mont Marte’s 36-color water-mixable set covers anyone who wants even more variety without toxic fumes. For large-format studio work, MEEDEN’s 60ml tubes hold the most paint per dollar, and Ohuhu, PHOENIX, Magicfly, and Norberg & Linden round out the budget and complete-kit options.
Whatever set you choose, the best oil paint set is the one that gets you painting. Pick the tier that matches your experience, grab a canvas and a few brushes, and start mixing. Your palette will tell you which colors to upgrade next.