10 Best Oil Color Paints in 2026

For an artist who values the feel of natural materials and wants a focused, no-fuss introduction to oil painting, this kit hits a sweet spot between thoughtful design and reliable performance.

You’re getting 37 ml per tube, which is smaller than the 50 ml tubes in a set like Paul Rubens’ 20-color offering. If you paint large or work through color quickly, you may find yourself reaching for replacements sooner. There are also no brushes or medium included, so you’ll need to supply those yourself. But the wood panel and the richness of the paint itself make this a more intimate, curated start than a bulkier all-in-one box. It is perfect for someone who wants to learn the feel of oil paint without the clutter.

Each of the 20 colors comes in a 50 ml tube, which gives you a generous amount of paint for larger canvases or multiple projects without frequent restocking. The high pigmentation delivers strong covering power and tinting strength, so you can mix vivid hues with just a small dab of paint. This set suits artists who value color intensity and buttery consistency, the creamy texture holds brush and knife marks beautifully, giving your work a sculpted feel right from the tube.

The trade-off is that 20 colors, while carefully chosen for landscapes, portraits, and still lifes, may feel limiting if you prefer an enormous range straight out of the box. Drying takes a full 7-14 days, so fast layering isn’t its strength, compare that to a smaller set like the Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Colour Wooden Set, which includes a medium to speed drying. For painters who prioritize pigment richness and generous tube sizes over a huge color selection, this Paul Rubens set offers excellent value.

The 24-tube set gives you a broad palette right out of the box, which means you can mix a wide range of hues without needing to buy extra colors for your first few paintings. The new formula blends smoothly and layers well thanks to its fat-over-lean compatibility, so you can build up texture without worrying about cracks later. Beginners will appreciate the included tutorial and tester sheet that walk you through techniques like impasto and sgraffito, making this a complete starter package that removes guesswork.

The tube size here is a trade-off: at 12ml each, these are smaller than the 37ml tubes in the Gamblin Introductory Set. So if you paint large canvases or use heavy impasto, you may run through a color quickly. For someone exploring oils for the first time, the lower commitment per color and the guided learning materials make this a practical entry point.

Eight 37ml tubes of Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Colour, plus a 75ml bottle each of Liquin and Sansodor, mean you get both paint and essential mediums as soon as you open the box. That makes this set unusually complete for a starter kit: you can thin and speed drying without buying anything extra. The beech wood box folds into an easel, so a beginner or student can set up anywhere a tabletop fits. For someone who wants a single purchase that covers the basics of oil painting from first stroke to finished study, this delivers everything in one tidy package.

Eight colors give you a narrower palette than some larger sets, such as the Paul Rubens 20-color set. You will need to mix more to get the hues you want. The 7.0-pound wooden box, while sturdy, is heavier than some alternatives, which may affect portability. For the artist who values a ready-to-go system with quality paint and professional mediums over a huge color selection, this set is the more thoughtful start.

Ten 21ml tubes of Winsor & Newton Artists’ Oil Colour, made from the finest pigments, are described by the manufacturer as the highest professional quality traditional oil colour. The set includes a selection of colors: Winsor Yellow, Crimson Alizarine, Green Ultramarine Hue, Winsor Blue (Red Hue), Winsor Green, Yellow Ochre, Indian Red, Burnt Umber, Ivory Black, and Titanium White. That gives you a range of hues for mixing, though the actual contents may vary. This set works for painters who want professional-grade paint in a compact number of tubes.

The highest professional quality traditional oil color in this set uses the finest pigments, so colors stay vibrant and mix cleanly without muddiness. Ten 21ml tubes give you a focused palette, meaning you’ll need to blend more to expand your range compared to sets with more colors. For an artist seeking professional-grade paint without a big upfront cost, this delivers a concentrated starting point.

Thirty-four 40ml tubes of Old Holland Classic Oil Colors make this set a serious investment for someone who wants a complete professional palette from the start. The Mabef deluxe wooden sketch box holds everything, a wooden palette, brushes, palette knives, mediums, and even charcoal, so you can set up a studio session without hunting for individual supplies. This is for the painter who values pigment quality and convenience equally, and who is ready to commit to a long-term tool rather than a sampler.

At 13.8 pounds, this box is more at home on a sturdy table or easel than in a backpack for plein air trips. Compared to the Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Colour Wooden Set, which is about half the weight and holds 8 tubes, this Old Holland set gives you far more color range and a deeper bench of supplies, but it demands a dedicated workspace. If you have the space and want a single, luxurious kit that covers nearly every mixing need, this delivers without compromise.

Twelve 40ml tubes of artist-quality oil paint give you a solid foundation of essential colors without overwhelming a new painter or overloading a travel kit. The genuine wood dove-tailed box with a genuine leather handle turns this set into a presentation piece you’ll want to keep on your shelf. It suits the painter who values craftsmanship in their tools as much as the paint itself, and who wants a complete, ready-to-go studio in a single handsome package.

Twelve colors, while well-chosen, may feel limiting if you prefer mixing from a broader palette or working on large-scale projects. The Gamblin Artist Oil Colors Introductory Set offers a similar tube size, but the Sennelier’s wood box and cloth add a sense of occasion. If you prioritize color count, this set’s twelve tubes may not satisfy.

Forty colors in one box means you have a broad palette at hand without needing multiple sets. Magicfly includes metallic gold and silver alongside standard primaries, plus two extra white tubes, a thoughtful touch for mixing lighter tints without rationing. The paint conforms to ASTM D-4236 and is formulated with rich pigments that won’t fade or dull, so your work stays fresh over time. This set is designed for artists, hobby painters, beginners, students, and teachers who want a wide range of colors from a single purchase, and the creamy consistency makes blending straightforward.

The 18ml tubes hold less than the 37ml Gamblin or 50ml Paul Rubens sets, so if you burn through a single color fast, you will need replacements sooner. But the 40-color range gives you more hues to play with than most entry-level sets, which is exactly what a beginner or student needs to explore mixing without committing to big volumes.

Six 40ml tubes of Michael Harding oil paint give you professional pigment density in a compact kit. The set includes Titanium White No. 2, Yellow Lake, Ultramarine Blue, Yellow Ochre Deep, Burnt Umber, and Scarlet Lake. Reviewers note that the paint is highly pigmented, so a little goes a long way compared to student-grade oils.

The limited color range is the main drawback here. With only six tubes, you won’t have pre-mixed greens or purples, and you may need to buy additional tubes for complex palettes. Compared to the Gamblin Introductory Set, which has 37 ml tubes, Michael Harding’s 40ml tubes offer slightly more paint per tube. Best for artists who want a lightweight, portable set and are comfortable mixing their own shades.

Twenty-four 21ml tubes give you 75% more paint per tube than standard 12ml sets, which means you can mix freely and cover larger canvases without running out mid-stroke. This set suits beginners and budget-conscious artists who want a full color range from Titanium White to Burnt Umber, all with creamy consistency for smooth blending and glossy finishes. The fadeproof pigments and ASTM/EN71 safety certification also make it a practical choice for shared studio spaces or teaching environments where non-toxic materials matter.

At 21ml each, these tubes are smaller than the 37ml ones in the Gamblin Introductory Set, so heavy painters who work thickly may burn through colors faster. You also get paint only, no brushes, medium, or palette, so factor in those extras if you’re starting from scratch. For the artist who wants a broad palette and generous total volume without a premium price tag, this set delivers real value per milliliter.