Best Oil Paint Sets for Beginners: Top Picks and Buying Guide

Oil painting is a rewarding but complex art form, and having the right set of paints can make a significant difference in the learning process. The best oil paint set for beginners should offer vibrant colors, smooth blending, and ease of use while remaining affordable.

This guide reviews some of the best oil paint sets for beginners and includes a detailed buying guide to help with an informed choice.

Also Check Out:
The Best Pencils for Drawing & Shedding for Precision
Best Acrylic Paint Ideas for Artists

Best Oil Paint Sets for Beginners

1. Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Color Paint Set

Best for: Overall Quality and Value

Winsor & Newton is a well-known brand in the art world, and the Winton Oil Color Set is a solid choice for beginners. The paints offer rich pigmentation and a smooth texture, making blending easy. They dry at a moderate pace, which is ideal for learners experimenting with layering techniques. Although not artist-grade, these paints provide good coverage and maintain color vibrancy over time

Key Features:

• High-quality pigments with excellent lightfastness
• Buttery consistency for smooth application
• Affordable for students and beginners
• Available in sets of 10 or 20 colors

Pros:

• High-quality pigments
• Smooth and easy to work with
• Good value for money
• Balanced color selection

Cons:

• Some colors take longer to dry
• Slightly more expensive than student-grade options

Conclusion

This set is an excellent choice for beginners seeking high-quality paints at an affordable price. It offers vibrant pigments, smooth application, and a well-balanced color range, making it ideal for those serious about learning oil painting.

---

2. Gamblin 1980 Oil Colors Introductory Set

Best for: Beginners Looking for Professional-Grade Paint

The Gamblin 1980 Oil Colors set is an excellent choice for beginners who want high-quality paints without investing in full artist-grade materials. These paints are made with real artist pigments and contain fewer additives, allowing for better color vibrancy and blend-ability. The lower toxicity levels also make them safer for home use.

Key Features:

• Professional-quality pigments at a beginner-friendly price
• Free from excessive fillers
• Buttery texture for smooth blending
• Comes in a set of nine essential colors

Pros:

• Professional quality at a reasonable price
• Easy to blend and layer
• Lower toxicity than traditional oil paints
• Well-selected colors for beginners

Cons:

• Slightly more expensive than student-grade sets
• Limited number of colors in the set

Check out more inspirational oil paintings

Conclusion

For beginners looking for professional-grade quality without the premium price tag, this set is a great investment. With rich pigmentation, smooth blending, and lower toxicity, it is a solid choice for those planning to advance their skills.

---

3. Van Gogh Oil Colour Set

Best for: Budget-Conscious Beginners
The Van Gogh Oil Colour Set is a great choice for beginners looking for affordable yet reliable paints. Though labeled as student-grade, these paints offer decent pigmentation, a creamy consistency, and good mixability. The colors remain vibrant and have moderate to high lightfastness, making them a durable choice for new artists.

Key Features:

• Student-grade oil paints with high pigment load
• Available in 10 or 20-color sets
• Good lightfastness and durability
• Smooth texture, easy to blend

Pros:

• Affordable with good pigment concentration
• Smooth and blendable consistency
• Ideal for learning basic oil painting techniques
• Works well with brushes and palette knives

Cons:

• Not as richly pigmented as artist-grade options
• Some colors may appear slightly dull when dry

Conclusion

A budget-friendly yet reliable option for beginners, this set provides good pigmentation, smooth application, and excellent blendability. It is an excellent entry point for those exploring oil painting without committing to artist-grade paints.

---

4. Ohuhu Oil Paint Set

Best for: Comprehensive Starter Kit

The Ohuhu Oil Paint Set offers a comprehensive selection of 24 vivid colors, making it an excellent choice for beginners exploring oil painting. The non-toxic formulation ensures safety, and the paints are designed to work well on canvas, providing a smooth application and good blendability. This set is particularly suitable for those starting their artistic journey, offering a broad palette to experiment with various techniques and styles.

Key Features:

• 24 vibrant oil-based colors in 12ml tubes
• Non-toxic formulation
• Suitable for canvas painting
• Ideal for beginners, students, and hobbyists

Pros:

• Affordable and comprehensive color selection
• Non-toxic, safe for all users
• Smooth application suitable for beginners
• Good blendability for mixing colors

Cons:

• Tubes are smaller (12ml), which may require frequent repurchasing
• Not as richly pigmented as professional-grade paints

Conclusion: The Ohuhu Oil Paint Set is a budget-friendly and versatile option for beginners and hobbyists. With a wide range of colors and a non-toxic formulation, it provides a solid foundation for exploring oil painting techniques. While it may not meet the standards of professional-grade paints, it offers excellent value for those new to the medium.

5. Reeves Oil Colour Set

Best for: Absolute Beginners and Hobbyists

Review:
Reeves is known for making art supplies accessible, and their Oil Colour Set is a great starting point for complete beginners. The set includes basic colors that mix well, allowing new painters to explore oil painting techniques without a large investment. The consistency is slightly thicker than premium brands, but it remains manageable for beginners.

Key Features:

• Entry-level oil paints at an affordable price
• Set includes 12 colors
• Works well on multiple surfaces
• Simple and easy to use

Pros:

• Extremely budget-friendly
• Good for learning and experimenting
• Suitable for use on various surfaces
• Beginner-friendly formulation

Cons:

• Lower pigment concentration compared to premium brands
• Not suitable for professional or detailed work

Conclusion

For absolute beginners and hobbyists, this set offers a simple and affordable way to try oil painting. Though it lacks the richness of premium brands, it serves well as a starting point for learning basic techniques and experimenting with colors.

---

Oil Paint Set Buying Guide for Beginners

1. Choosing the Right Grade: Student vs. Artist

• Student-grade paints are more affordable, contain more fillers, and have slightly lower pigment concentration. They are ideal for beginners.
• Artist-grade paints have higher-quality pigments and richer colors, making them more expensive but better for long-term use.

2. Pigment Quality

Look for oil paints with high pigment concentration and good lightfastness. Cheaper paints often contain excess fillers, making colors appear dull or less vibrant over time.

3. Drying Time

Oil paints naturally dry slowly, but some brands add drying agents to speed up the process. Beginners may prefer a medium drying time for better control when layering colors.

4. Color Selection

A basic set of primary colors (red, blue, yellow, white, and black) is enough to mix a wide range of hues. Some sets include additional colors like earth tones, which can be helpful for landscapes or portraits.

5. Consistency & Texture

Beginners should look for paints with a smooth, buttery consistency, which makes blending and layering easier. Some lower-quality paints can be too stiff, requiring additional mediums for better application.

6. Price & Value

Expensive does not always mean better. Many student-grade brands offer great quality at a reasonable price. It is important to find a balance between quality and affordability.

7. Safety & Toxicity

• Some oil paints contain toxic heavy metals like cadmium and cobalt. Beginners may prefer non-toxic alternatives such as Gamblin 1980, which uses safer pigments.
• If using traditional oil paints, ensure proper ventilation since some solvents, like turpentine, can emit strong fumes.

8. Water-Mixable Oil Paints

For those who want the feel of oil paints without the need for harsh solvents, water-mixable oil paints like Winsor & Newton Artisan can be a great alternative. These paints can be thinned and cleaned with water.

9. Mixing & Layering Ability

Some beginner-friendly oil paints contain excessive binders and fillers, which can affect their ability to mix and layer well. Choosing a brand with a good pigment-to-binder ratio will improve the overall painting experience.

10. Lightfastness & Permanence

Lightfastness refers to how well the paint resists fading over time. Most reputable brands provide ASTM lightfastness ratings on their tubes, helping artists choose colors that will remain vibrant over the years.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right oil paint set as a beginner can greatly impact the learning experience. For a balance of quality and price, Winsor & Newton Winton is a solid choice. Those wanting professional-grade results at an affordable price should consider Gamblin 1980. Budget-conscious beginners can opt for Van Gogh or Blick, while absolute beginners may find Reeves to be an accessible starting point.

Frequently Asked Questions