9 Best Artist Oil Paint in 2026
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After reviewing dozens of sets, we recommend the Old Holland Master’s Oil Paint Set as the best overall. It provides 34 classic colors, professional-grade cold-pressed linseed oil binder, and a luxurious wooden storage box from Mabef. For eco-conscious painters, the Gamblin Artist Oil Colors Introductory Set offers a lightweight, sustainably made alternative. Beginners will appreciate the all-in-one Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Colour Set, which includes mediums and brushes.
Choosing an oil paint set means balancing color range, tube size, and included accessories against portability and your budget. A full palette of 24 or more colors gives you mixing flexibility, but a focused set of 10 tubes can be more practical for learning or specific subjects like landscapes.
Our research-based guide draws on manufacturer specifications, expert recommendations, and patterns in owner feedback to help you find a set that matches your skill level and studio needs. We break down the key criteria for each pick so you can shop with confidence.
Top 9 Artist Oil Paints in the Market
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The Best Artist Oil Paints, Reviewed
Old Holland Master's Oil Paint Set
What We Like
- 34 classic colors in large 40ml tubes
- Cold-pressed linseed oil binder since 1664
- Complete set includes palette, brushes, mediums
- Luxurious wooden storage box by Mabef
Trade-offs
- At 13.8 lb, heavy to carry to class or en plein air
- Only brushes included are size 8 round, 8 bright, 10 filbert
This set includes 34 tubes of 40ml Old Holland Classic Oil Colors, giving you a wide range of hues from Titanium White to Ivory Black Extra. The cold-pressed linseed oil binder is a hallmark of the brand’s pigment-making tradition since 1664. Along with the paints, you get a wooden palette, three palette knives, two palette cups, three brushes, turpentine, and oil painting medium, all housed in an Italian Mabef Deluxe Wooden Sketch Box. It’s a complete kit for someone who wants to start painting right away without gathering separate supplies.
The trade-off is portability. At 13.8 pounds, this set is heavy, fine for a studio shelf but a real load for outdoor painting or carrying to a workshop. The brush selection is also limited to three sizes (8 round, 8 bright, 10 filbert), so you will likely want to add a few more shapes for detail work or broad washes.
Gamblin Artist Oil Colors Introductory Set
What We Like
- Pigment-rich, intense colors
- American made and sustainably produced
- Lightweight 1.1 pound set
Trade-offs
- Introductory set offers limited color range
- No painting accessories like brushes or palette included
Because this is an introductory set, the color selection is limited compared to larger collections like the Old Holland Master’s Oil Paint Set with 34 tubes and included accessories. At 1.1 pounds, the set is light and easy to carry, though painters who prefer larger tube volumes will find the 37 ml size standard for a starter kit. For an artist who values American craftsmanship and sustainable materials over a full accessory bundle, this Gamblin set delivers a focused, quality-first approach.
Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Colour Set
What We Like
- Includes Liquin and Sansodor mediums
- Wooden box doubles as easel
- Two hog brushes and palette knife included
Trade-offs
- Only 8 colors, limiting palette range
- Heavier than many rival sets at 7 pounds
Eight 37ml tubes of Winton Oil Colour in Titanium White, Cadmium Lemon Hue, Cadmium Yellow Hue, Vermilion Hue, Dioxazine Purple, French Ultramarine, Viridian Hue, and Burnt Umber give you a core palette. The beech wood box includes an easel, and the set comes with Liquin 75ml, Sansodor 75ml, two hog brushes (size 2 round and bright), a metal palette knife, a double godet, and a cloth. That means you have paint, mediums, brushes, and a palette knife to start working right away.
The eight colors require mixing to expand your range, and the hog brushes (size 2 round and bright) are suited for broader strokes rather than fine detail. If you want a larger starting palette, the Old Holland Master’s Oil Paint Set offers 34 tubes but at a higher weight (13.8 pounds). For someone who wants a complete set with mediums and brushes included, this kit provides the essentials without needing to gather extra supplies.
Winsor & Newton Artists' Oil Colour Introductory Set
What We Like
- Highest professional quality traditional oil colour
- Made from the finest pigments
- Ten 21ml tubes in a curated palette
- Includes essential colors like Titanium White and Ivory Black
Trade-offs
- 21ml tubes are smaller than many professional sets' 37-40ml tubes
- No brush, medium, or palette included in the set
Ten 21ml tubes of Winsor & Newton Artists’ Oil Colour give you the same professional-grade paint that studios rely on, but in a compact introductory palette. The selection covers the essentials. Winsor Yellow, Crimson Alizarine, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Umber, Ivory Black, and Titanium White let you mix a wide range of hues without overbuying. This set suits the painter who wants to test the brand’s top-tier formulation before committing to larger tubes, or someone building a travel-friendly kit that still delivers the pigment load and lightfastness of a true artist-grade oil.
The trade-off is tube size: at 21ml each, these are smaller than the 40ml tubes in the Old Holland Classic Oil Color Introductory Set, which also offers ten colors. For someone planning heavy impasto work or large canvases, the Winsor & Newton set will run out faster. But for exploring color mixing, learning the feel of professional oils, or keeping a portable studio, the smaller tubes mean less waste and a lower upfront investment. The actual contents may vary.
Jerry's Artarama Artist Oil Paint
What We Like
- Thirteen earth-tone colors in 37 ml tubes
- Includes Asphaltum and other earth shades
- Formulated with pure pigments and linseed oils
Trade-offs
- Limited to earth tones, no bright colors
- No brushes, palette, or medium included
The trade-off is that this set covers only earth colors, so you will need separate tubes for vivid blues, yellows, or greens if your work calls for them.
Product photos
Michael Harding Desert Oil Paint Set
What We Like
- High pigment load for rich color
- Buttery, easy-to-manipulate texture
- Fade-resistant earthy palette
- Inspired by Old Masters' methods
Trade-offs
- Only 10 colors limits mixing range
- No brush or medium included
- 40ml tubes smaller than some sets
Ten 40ml tubes of Michael Harding’s high-pigment oil paint deliver the kind of color density that lets a single stroke carry real weight on the canvas. The buttery texture blends smoothly without fighting you, and the earthy palette with Warm White is built for landscape and portrait work where subtle shifts in tone matter. This set suits painters who want rich, fade-resistant color straight from the tube and are willing to trade a broad color range for pigment concentration that feels closer to the Old Masters’ approach.
The Michael Harding Desert Oil Paint Set comes with ten 40ml tubes, which is nearly double the paint volume per tube compared to the Winsor & Newton Artists’ Oil Colour Introductory Set’s ten 21ml tubes. So you get more paint for your money. But the ten colors here are earthy and warm, meaning you’ll need to mix more to get bright greens or cool blues, which can slow down alla prima work. If you prefer a ready-to-paint palette with minimal mixing, this set asks you to embrace its focused earthy character instead.
Product photos
Elan Professional Oil Paint Set
What We Like
- 24 vibrant colors in one set
- Highly pigmented for intense coverage
- Color-coded tubes for easy identification
- Beginner-friendly design
Trade-offs
- Small 12 ml tubes limit large-scale painting
- No brushes, palette, or mediums included
Twenty-four colors in a single box means you can start mixing and matching right away without hunting for extra tubes. Each 0.4 fl oz tube is highly pigmented for intense color coverage, and the color-coded labels make grabbing the right shade quick. This set is designed for all skill levels, so it works whether you are new to oils or expanding your palette.
The 0.4 fl oz (12 ml) tubes are smaller than the 37 ml tubes in the Gamblin Artist Oil Colors Introductory Set, so you will need to buy brushes, palette, and medium separately. The 24-color set is labeled for all skill levels, meaning beginners can start without a huge investment, while experienced painters might prefer larger tubes for frequent use.
Product photos
Old Holland Classic Oil Color Introductory Set
What We Like
- Ten 40 ml tubes of classic oil paint
- Compact, lightweight set at 1.6 lb
- Brand known for high pigment concentration
Trade-offs
- No brushes, palette, or medium included
- Only 10 colors limit mixing range
The trade-off is that this is paint only. There are no brushes, no palette, no medium, and no storage box, so you will need to supply those separately. Compared to the Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Colour Set, which includes a wooden box, brushes, a knife, and medium, the Old Holland set requires you to purchase those items separately. But if you already have your tools and want a generous amount of paint in a focused starter palette, this introductory set delivers exactly that.
Gamblin Artist's Oil Color Radiant Set
What We Like
- Includes blue, turquoise, green, and magenta
- Tubes nestle in gessoed wood panel
- 37 ml tubes offer generous paint quantity
Trade-offs
- 37 ml tubes are smaller than 40 ml sets
- No brush, medium, or palette included
The wood panel keeps the tubes organized and protected, a thoughtful touch for studio or plein air work. Measuring roughly a foot long and under two inches tall, the whole set fits easily into a small tote or a side pocket of a backpack. Reviewers mention that the gessoed surface adds a nice, stable base when you’re working on location. Unlike many boxed sets that use cardboard or foam, this one feels substantial enough to last through years of travel. For artists who frequently paint outdoors, that durability makes a real difference in keeping the colors secure and ready to grab.
Each tube contains 37 ml of paint, which is slightly less than the 40 ml tubes found in the Michael Harding Desert Oil Paint Set. That difference matters most for heavy users who burn through a favorite color quickly. For the nine radiant shades included here, the quantity still provides plenty of material for mixing and layering on multiple paintings. Artists accustomed to larger sets, like the 40 ml tubes in Old Holland’s introductory box, may notice they need to restock sooner. But for someone exploring these bright, saturated hues for the first time, the amount feels reasonable for trying out the range.
Product photos
How We Evaluated Artist Oil Paints
We began by analyzing the specifications of each set: number of colors, tube sizes, pigment quality, and binder type. Manufacturer documentation and descriptions of production methods (such as cold-pressed linseed oil or high pigment loads) formed the foundation of our comparisons.
Our evaluation focused on four key criteria: color range and pigment quality, tube volume per color, completeness of the kit (brushes, mediums, palette), and portability. A set with 34 colors offers far more mixing potential than one with 8, but a beginner may benefit more from a curated palette and included accessories.
We prioritize sets with transparent ingredient lists, consistent owner feedback on pigment intensity and texture, and clear descriptions of what is included. This approach helps us identify the best fit for different painter profiles.
What To Look For In Artist Oil Paints
Choosing the right oil paint set depends on your experience level, preferred subjects, and studio setup. Here are the most important factors to consider before you buy.
A good oil paint set balances color variety, tube size, and included tools. Focus on pigment quality, binder type, and whether the set matches your painting style, landscape, portrait, or abstract.
Color Range and Palette
The number of tubes in a set directly affects your mixing options. A 34-color set like the Old Holland Master’s gives you a vast palette straight out of the box, while a focused 10-color set like the Michael Harding Desert Oil Paint Set encourages intentional mixing. For beginners, 12 to 24 colors offer a good balance of variety and manageable complexity. Earth-tone palettes, such as the Jerry’s Artarama set, suit landscape and portrait painters who work primarily with natural hues.
Tube Size and Pigment Load
Standard tube sizes range from 12 ml to 40 ml. Larger tubes (37 ml to 40 ml) are better for extensive painting sessions or working on larger canvases. Smaller 12 ml or 21 ml tubes are fine for testing a brand’s quality or for painters who use paint sparingly. High pigment load, as seen in the Michael Harding set, means richer color with less paint used, while student-grade paints may require more layers for opacity.
Included Accessories
Some sets are complete kits with brushes, mediums, palettes, and storage boxes. The Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Colour Set even includes a wooden box that doubles as an easel. Other sets, like the Gamblin Introductory Set, contain only paint tubes. If you are new to oil painting, an all-in-one kit saves the cost and hassle of buying brushes, palette knives, and mediums separately. Experienced painters who already own these tools can save money by purchasing a paint-only set.
- Check the exact tube sizes, 12 ml, 21 ml, 37 ml, or 40 ml, to match your painting scale.
- Look for sets that include your preferred binder, such as linseed oil or safflower oil.
- Consider the weight of the set if you plan to travel or paint outdoors.
- Read the color list to ensure it includes essential hues like Titanium White and a primary palette.
A set with at least 10 colors and 37 ml tubes offers a solid foundation for most painters.
Artist Oil Paints Compared
The table below compares the nine oil paint sets we evaluated, highlighting the key specs that matter most when choosing.
| Product | Number of colors | Tube size | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Holland Master's Oil Paint Set with Wood Storage Box & Palette, Cups, Knives, Paint Brushes, Mediums- 34 x 40ml Tubes of Classic Oil Colour Paint | 34 x 40ml tubes | 40 ml | 13.8 pounds |
| Gamblin Artist Oil Colors Introductory Set | N/A | 37 ml | 1.1 pounds |
| Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Colour Set | 8 x 37ml | 37 ml | 7.0 lbs |
| Winsor & Newton Artists' Oil Colour Introductory Set | 10 x 21ml | 21 ml | 1.1 pounds |
| Jerry's Artarama Artist Oil Paint | N/A | 37 ml | 1.9 pounds |
| Michael Harding Desert Oil Paint Set | 10 | 40 ml | N/A |
| Elan Professional Oil Paint Set | 24 | 12 ml | 1.2 pounds |
| Old Holland Classic Oil Color Introductory Set | 10 | 40 ml | 1.6 pounds |
| Gamblin Artist's Oil Color Radiant Set | 9 | 37 ml | 1.5 pounds |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best oil paint brand for beginners?
For beginners, the Elan Professional Oil Paint Set offers 24 vibrant colors with color-coded tubes that make identification easy. The Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Colour Set is another strong choice. It includes brushes, mediums, and a wooden box that doubles as an easel, so you have everything needed to start painting right away.
How many colors should an oil paint set have?
A set with 10 to 24 colors provides a good range for mixing most hues. Beginners often benefit from 12 to 24 colors, while experienced painters may prefer a focused palette of 10 colors for specific subjects like landscapes or portraits. Larger sets with 34 colors offer maximum variety without needing to mix.
What size oil paint tubes are best for a starter set?
Starter sets typically offer tubes between 12 ml and 40 ml. For beginners, 21 ml to 37 ml tubes provide enough paint for learning without being wasteful. Smaller 12 ml tubes are fine for trying many colors, while 40 ml tubes are better for artists who paint frequently or on larger surfaces.
Do I need a set that includes brushes and mediums?
Not necessarily. Beginners often find all-in-one kits like the Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Colour Set convenient because they include brushes, mediums, and a palette. Experienced painters who already own brushes and prefer specific mediums can save money by buying a paint-only set and adding their own tools.
What is the difference between student-grade and professional oil paint?
Professional-grade oil paints, such as those from Old Holland and Winsor & Newton Artists’ Oil Colour, use higher concentrations of finely ground pigments and higher-quality binders. This results in richer color, better lightfastness, and a smoother consistency. Student-grade paints have lower pigment loads and may use fillers, making them more affordable but less vibrant.
The Bottom Line
For painters who want a complete, professional-grade oil paint set with a vast color range and a beautiful storage box, the Old Holland Master’s Oil Paint Set is our top recommendation. It includes 34 classic colors, brushes, mediums, and a palette in a 13.8-pound wooden box from Mabef, ideal for studio use.
If you are on a budget or just starting out, consider the Elan Professional Oil Paint Set for its 24 vibrant, color-coded tubes. The Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Colour Set is another good option for its all-in-one kit with mediums and an easel box. Landscape painters will appreciate the focused earth tones of the Jerry’s Artarama set.
The most important factor is matching the set to your experience level and painting habits. A wide color range and large tubes suit frequent painters, while a compact, focused palette works well for learners and travel. Choose the set that fits your studio routine, and you will have the tools to create with confidence.
