10 Best Oil Paints For Beginners in 2026

Twenty 50ml tubes of high-pigment oil paint mean you get both variety and volume right out of the box. That generous tube size lets beginners experiment with color mixing and cover larger surfaces without running out mid-project, while the creamy buttery consistency moves smoothly across canvas and holds brush or knife marks clearly. The high-quality pigments deliver strong tinting strength and excellent lightfastness, so your early paintings stay vibrant over time without fading. This set is ideal for anyone who wants a professional-feeling paint that behaves predictably from the first squeeze, giving you room to learn blending and layering without fighting the medium.

Each tube holds 50ml of paint, which is significantly more than the 37ml tubes in a set like Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Paint Set. That means you can work on multiple projects without constantly buying replacements. The downside is that the paint takes 7 to 14 days to dry, so you have to plan ahead before adding new layers. For someone who values generous paint volume and a creamy, high-pigment feel over a fast drying time, this set offers a lot of material to learn with.

Forty colors in one box means you can start mixing and matching without running to the art store every week. Magicfly includes two extra white tubes and metallic gold and silver, so landscape skies, abstract highlights, and portrait skin tones are all within reach from the first squeeze. The creamy, thick consistency blends smoothly on canvas, and the ASTM D-4236 non-toxic label gives beginners peace of mind. If you want to explore color without committing to a huge investment, this set gives you the most variety for the money.

At 18ml per tube, these are smaller than the 37ml tubes in the Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Paint Set or the 50ml tubes in the Paul Rubens Oil Paint 20 Colors set. So you’ll go through popular shades faster. You also have to buy brushes, a palette, and solvent separately, which adds to the initial expense. But for someone who wants to explore a wide range of colors and learn color mixing without spending a lot, the variety here is hard to beat.

A 24-color set with a buttery smooth, velvety texture means beginners can blend and layer without fighting stiff paint. The high pigment load delivers rich, fade-resistant color straight from the tube, and the included tutorial leaflet and tester sheet help you explore techniques like impasto or sgraffito right away. This is a set built for learning: the fat-over-lean compatibility supports stable layering, so you can build depth without worrying about cracking as you practice.

The trade-off is tube size: 12ml per color is smaller than the 50ml tubes from Paul Rubens, so you may run out faster if you paint large areas. And while the Castle Art Supplies set gives you 24 colors, it doesn’t include brushes or a palette knife, unlike some all-in-one kits. For a beginner who wants a smooth, forgiving paint that makes technique practice easy, this is a focused, no-fuss choice. If you prefer bigger tubes or a full starter kit, the Paul Rubens or Winsor & Newton Winton sets are worth a look.

The trade-off is that eight colors demand more mixing confidence than a 24-color set like Castle Art Supplies offers, and the 37ml tubes are smaller than the 50ml tubes in Paul Rubens’ 20-color set.

Twenty-four colors in 12 ml tubes make this set a practical starting point for anyone curious about oil painting without a big upfront commitment. The range includes essentials like Titanium White, Burnt Sienna, and Ultramarine, so you can mix a wide variety of hues right away. Being non-toxic and certified safe means you can focus on learning without worrying about fumes or skin contact, which matters when you’re just getting comfortable with the medium.

Each tube contains 12 ml of paint, so the set is well suited for smaller projects and practice pieces rather than large-scale works. The 24 colors span from Titanium White to Ivory Black, giving beginners and hobbyists a broad palette to work with. Because the paint is non-toxic and conforms to ASTM D-4236 and EN71-3 standards, it is safe for use by adults, children, and anyone in a classroom or home setting. Reviewers often mention that the compact tubes make it easy to carry the set to a park, garden, or studio without taking up much space.

The 10-tube set of Winsor & Newton Artisan Water Mixable Oil Paint gives you the same color depth, lightfastness, and opacity as conventional oils. But you clean your brushes with plain water instead of harsh solvents. That single feature makes this an obvious pick for anyone painting at home, in a dorm, or in a shared studio where fumes and cleanup are real concerns. The included palette covers all ten colors: Lemon Yellow Hue, Cadmium Yellow Hue, Cadmium Red Deep Hue, Permanent Alizarin Crimson, Cerulean Blue Hue, French Ultramarine, Phthalo Green (Blue Shade), Yellow Ochre, Burnt Umber, and Titanium White. So you can start mixing a wide range of hues right away without needing extra thinners or spirits.

The Winsor & Newton Artisan set includes ten 37ml tubes, a smaller total volume than many beginner sets. For more variety, the Paul Rubens 20-color set offers twice the shades in larger 50ml tubes. But if easy cleanup and a solvent-free workspace are priorities, the Artisan set is a practical starting point. These paints clean with water; no solvents needed.

You get eight 37ml tubes of Gamblin 1980 Oil Colors, which is a focused starter palette, plus a free cradled wood panel and solvent-free gel as a bonus. This is a high-end student grade oil paint at a real value, made in America, so you get reliable paint without the cost of professional lines.

A smaller color selection than many competing sets offer means the painter focuses on essential mixing rather than managing a large palette. For a student who values American-made paints and a complete starter package, this is a focused way to begin. The set includes eight 37ml tubes of Gamblin 1980 Oil Colors, which are described as a high-end student grade oil paint at a real value. An added bonus of a free cradled wood panel and solvent-free gel provides everything needed for the first painting session without extra purchases.

The 24-color range in this set gives you a broad palette immediately, so you can mix and match without running to the art store for every new shade. Each tube is 0.4 fl oz (12ml), and the color coding on the tubes helps you quickly identify which shade you’re grabbing. The set is designed for all skill levels, so beginners and experienced painters alike can use it on canvas.

The trade-off is tube size: at 12ml each, these are small tubes. So if you’re planning large canvases or heavy impasto work, you’ll run through them faster than the larger 50ml tubes from Paul Rubens. That said, for a beginner exploring color mixing and building a starter palette, the smaller sizes keep the set affordable and compact. It’s a focused, no-fuss introduction to oil painting that prioritizes color variety and application quality over quantity.

The 24-color range gives you a broad palette immediately, and the excellent lightfastness means your finished work won’t fade easily even after years on a wall. The thick creamy consistency lets you paint directly from the tube to build visible texture, which is a great way to learn impasto effects without needing extra mediums. The set is safety certified for beginners, so you can focus on techniques like glazing and layered painting.

The PHOENIX set includes 24 tubes of 12 ml each, which is a modest amount of paint per color. This makes the set practical for learning color mixing and completing smaller studies, but if you plan to cover large canvases or use a lot of a single color, you’ll need to restock sooner. The paints are certified non-toxic under EN 71 and ASTM-4236, so they’re safe for adults to use in group settings like paint nights or classes.

The beech wood sketchbox easel is the standout feature here, offering a storage drawer and adjustable angle for studio or plein air work. Dual sliding canvas supports hold canvases up to 34 inches, and the whole thing folds compact for portability. With 24 oil paints, 10 bristle brushes, a stretched canvas, five canvas panels, and oil paper sheets, the kit provides a generous starting point for someone who wants an easel-based setup from day one.

The 24 oil paints in this set are non-toxic and meet ASTM D-4236 and EN71 safety standards, so they are safe for artists of all ages and skill levels. The paints require no additional medium, offering good blendability right out of the tube. Compared to the Paul Rubens set, which provides 20 colors in larger 50ml tubes, this VISWIN kit includes an easel, brushes, canvas, and other supplies. That makes it a more complete package for someone who wants a portable studio in one box.