The best oil paint sets make it easier to start a new painting, refresh a limited palette, or try a different brand without buying every color separately. The right kit balances pigment quality, useful color selection, tube size, and price.
We compare 10 oil paint sets ranging from compact beginner assortments to larger artist-focused collections, so you can choose a set that matches your technique, budget, and expected paint usage.
Best 10 Oil Paint Sets Picks for 2026
Best Budget Starter
Winsor & Newton Winton Starter Set
- Ten 37ml tubes
- High pigmentation and good coverage
- Designed for students and amateurs
Best For: Artists wanting larger tubes at a moderate cost
Best Color Variety
Magicfly 40-Color Oil Paint Set
- 40 colors including metallic shades
- Two extra white tubes
- Smooth, creamy texture for canvas
Best For: Beginners and hobbyists seeking a broad palette
Best Solvent-Free Bonus
- Eight 37ml Gamblin colors
- Includes wood panel and solvent-free gel
- High-end student-grade formula
Best For: Artists wanting a compact set with useful extras
Best Large Tubes
Paul Rubens 20-Color Oil Paint Set
- Twenty 50ml tubes
- Creamy, highly pigmented formula
- Stated lightfast and non-toxic
Best For: Artists needing ample paint for extended projects
Best Value Oil Paint Set
- 10 individually formulated colors
- Lightfast and intermixable
- Convenient 21ml tubes
Best For: Beginners seeking a compact, moderate-price set
Largest Palette Oil Paint Set
- 40 colors in 50ml tubes
- Thick, creamy consistency
- Suitable for multiple surfaces
Best For: Classes, paint parties, and broad color experimentation
Best Starter Oil Paint Set
- 20 essential starter colors
- Stiff consistency holds tool marks
- Lightfast and permanent pigments
Best For: Beginners learning general oil painting techniques
High-Volume Studio Pick
Phoenix 20-Color Oil Paint Set
- 20 colors in generous 50ml tubes
- Thick, creamy consistency for texture
- Fade-resistant, highly saturated pigments
Best For: Beginners and frequent painters who want larger tubes
Largest Color Variety
MyArtscape 48-Color Oil Paint Set
- Broad 48-color assortment
- Rich pigments with smooth blending
- Lightfast colors for lasting artwork
Best For: Artists exploring varied techniques and color combinations
Portable Beginner Set
- 24-color palette in portable 12ml tubes
- Includes a brush and palette
- Non-toxic and ASTM/EN71-3 compliant
Best For: Beginners, casual painters, and gift buyers
Best Budget Starter – Winsor & Newton Winton Starter Set
Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Color Paint, Starter Set, 10 x 37ml Tubes, 1.25 Fl Oz (Pack of 10)
Check Price On AmazonFor shoppers comparing oil paint sets, the Winsor & Newton Winton Starter Set offers a practical introduction with ten 37ml tubes. Its high pigmentation is designed to provide useful covering power and tinting strength while keeping the cost moderate.
Best For: Student and amateur artists, or experienced painters who need larger quantities of color on a moderate budget.
Pros:
- Includes ten generous 37ml tubes.
- High pigmentation supports good covering power and tinting strength.
- Suitable for student, amateur, and budget-conscious accomplished painters.
Cons:
- Offers a smaller color selection than larger sets.
- Paint is not waterproof.
This is a straightforward, value-focused choice for building an oil-painting supply. Choose it when tube size and dependable pigmentation matter more than a broad range of included colors.
Best Color Variety – Magicfly 40-Color Oil Paint Set
Among oil paint sets, the Magicfly 40-Color Set stands out for its broad palette and accessible format. It includes primary colors, metallic gold and silver, and two additional white tubes for mixing and repeated projects.
Best For: Beginners, hobby painters, students, teachers, and artists who want many colors for canvas work.
Pros:
- Provides 40 unique oil-based colors in 18ml tubes.
- Includes metallic gold and silver plus two extra white tubes.
- Thick, creamy paint is described as smooth to mix with good coverage.
- Suitable for canvas, abstracts, portraits, landscapes, and wall art.
Cons:
- 18ml tubes provide less paint per color than larger-tube sets.
- Paint is not waterproof.
Magicfly is a versatile pick when palette breadth is the priority. Its generous color count makes it convenient for experimentation, while the smaller tubes can help new painters sample more shades without buying separate colors.
Best Solvent-Free Bonus – Gamblin 1980 Exclusive Set
This Gamblin 1980 set is a focused option among oil paint sets, pairing eight 37ml colors with a free cradled, primed wood panel and solvent-free gel. The student-grade paints are positioned as a value-oriented choice made in America.
Best For: Artists who want a compact Gamblin color set with a panel and solvent-free gel included.
Pros:
- Includes eight 37ml Gamblin 1980 Oil Color tubes.
- Adds a cradled, primed wood panel for a ready surface.
- Includes solvent-free gel.
- Offers high-end student-grade oil colors at a stated value.
Cons:
- Has fewer colors than the 20- and 40-color sets listed here.
- Coverage is listed as medium.
The exclusive bundle is appealing if the included accessories fit your workflow. It is less about maximum palette size and more about combining a compact set of Gamblin colors with a panel and gel for a convenient project setup.
Best Large Tubes – Paul Rubens 20-Color Oil Paint Set
For painters who use substantial amounts of paint, this Paul Rubens collection is one of the more generous oil paint sets available. It combines 20 colors with large 50ml tubes, high pigmentation, a creamy texture, and stated lightfastness for extended painting projects.
Best For: Adults, students, beginners, and professional artists working on landscapes, seascapes, portraits, still lifes, canvas, or painted wood panels.
Pros:
- Includes 20 colors in generous 50ml tubes.
- High pigmentation provides covering power and tinting strength.
- Creamy consistency blends smoothly while retaining brush strokes and knife marks.
- Features stated non-toxic formulation and excellent lightfastness.
Cons:
- Paint is listed with a drying time of about 7–14 days.
- Paint is not waterproof.
Paul Rubens is a strong match for artists prioritizing paint volume and a substantial working palette. The large tubes reduce the need for frequent replacement, while the texture suits both brushwork and palette-knife techniques.
Best Value Oil Paint Set – Winton Basic 10-Color Set
For artists looking for approachable oil paint sets, the Winsor & Newton Winton Basic Set offers 10 individually formulated colors in convenient 21ml tubes. Its lightfast, permanent colors can be intermixed with other brands, making it a practical moderate-price option for general painting.
Best For: Beginners and artists who want a compact, versatile set for indoor or outdoor projects on paper and other surfaces.
Pros:
- Includes 10 assorted oil colors in 21ml tubes.
- Lightfast, permanent, and intermixable with other brands.
- Offers high-quality oil colors at a moderate price.
Cons:
- Provides fewer colors than larger multi-color sets.
- Has smaller tubes than the 50ml format in some competing sets.
This set is a sensible starting point when dependable Winsor & Newton colors and compatibility with other paints matter more than having a very broad palette.
Largest Palette Oil Paint Set – PHOENIX Studio 40-Color Set
Among oil paint sets, the PHOENIX Studio collection stands out for its 40 colors and generous 50ml tubes. The thick, creamy formula provides strong saturation and tinting strength, while its broad surface compatibility supports canvas, wood panels, fabric, and other painting projects.
Best For: Beginners, amateurs, classes, paint parties, and artists who want a large color selection with substantial paint quantities.
Pros:
- Includes 40 colors in large 50ml tubes.
- Offers high color saturation, strong tinting strength, and a thick consistency.
- Designed for good lightfastness and permanence.
- Suitable for canvas, fabric, wood, and other painting surfaces.
Cons:
- The 40-tube set weighs about 4 kg and may be less convenient to store or transport.
- Its slow-drying oil formula may not suit artists seeking quick project turnaround.
Choose this set when quantity and palette breadth are priorities. It is particularly useful for experimenting with color mixing, texture, and different painting surfaces.
Best Starter Oil Paint Set – Winton 20-Color Kit
For beginners comparing oil paint sets, the Winsor & Newton Winton 20-Color Kit provides a broader introductory palette than a basic 10-color set. The slightly stiff consistency retains brush and palette-knife marks, while the quality pigments are suited to canvas, board, and gesso-primed paper.
Best For: Beginners and developing artists who want essential colors for general art painting and larger-volume work.
Pros:
- Includes 20 essential starter colors in 12ml tubes.
- Provides good pigment load and uniform, slightly stiff consistency.
- Retains brush and palette-knife strokes effectively.
- Uses lightfast, permanent colors selected for a durable paint film.
Cons:
- The 12ml tubes hold less paint than the 21ml and 50ml options in this roundup.
- Works best with compatible solvents, mediums, and oils, which may require additional purchases.
This is a well-rounded introductory choice for artists who want more mixing flexibility than a basic set provides while keeping the familiar Winsor & Newton Winton formulation.
High-Volume Studio Pick – Phoenix 20-Color Oil Paint Set
For artists who want generous tube sizes, this oil paint set offers 20 colors in 50ml tubes. Its thick, buttery consistency is suited to direct application, texture-building, and blending with medium across canvas, wood, paper, and other painting surfaces.
Best For: Beginners, amateurs, paint classes, paint parties, and artists who prefer larger paint tubes.
Pros:
- Includes 20 colors in substantial 50ml tubes.
- Highly saturated pigments with strong tinting strength.
- Thick, creamy paint supports textured application and blending.
- Fade-resistant formula is designed for lasting color stability.
Cons:
- Offers fewer color choices than larger assortment sets.
- Slow drying may not suit artists seeking a quick finish.
This is a practical oil paint set for learning color theory or building a studio supply with more paint per tube. Its combination of volume, texture, and lightfastness makes it especially appealing for frequent painting.
Largest Color Variety – MyArtscape 48-Color Oil Paint Set
With 48 artist-grade colors in 12ml tubes, this oil paint set gives painters a broad palette for mixing and experimentation. The smooth, rich-pigment formula is intended for canvas, paper, wood, boards, and panels, making it adaptable for studio and class projects.
Best For: Artists who want the widest color selection for portraits, landscapes, impasto, and wet-on-wet techniques.
Pros:
- Provides 48 colors for extensive palette variety.
- Smooth application and effortless blending.
- Lightfast pigments help colors remain vivid over time.
- Suitable for beginners and professionals.
Cons:
- Each tube contains 12ml, less than the larger Phoenix tubes.
- The set is intended for indoor use and is not water-resistant.
This set stands out when color range matters more than tube size. It is a versatile choice for artists exploring multiple techniques or keeping a broad selection of ready-to-use hues on hand.
Portable Beginner Set – Ohuhu 24-Color Oil Paint Kit
This 24-color oil paint set offers a balanced palette in portable 12ml tubes, with a brush and palette included. The non-toxic, richly pigmented paints are designed for canvas and paper, making the kit convenient for beginners, gifts, and painting at home or on the go.
Best For: Beginning artists, casual painters, travel projects, and gift buyers seeking a ready-to-use kit.
Pros:
- Includes 24 useful colors ranging from white and earth tones to blues, greens, and reds.
- Compact 12ml tubes are convenient for portable painting.
- Includes a brush and palette.
- Non-toxic formula conforms to ASTM D-4236 and EN71-3 (CE).
Cons:
- Provides less paint per tube than the 50ml Phoenix set.
- Not water-resistant.
- The stated approximately 24-hour drying time may not suit artists who prefer extended wet blending.
Ohuhu is a well-rounded entry point for oil painting, combining a practical color selection with basic accessories. Its portable format and safety certifications make it particularly convenient for beginners and casual painting sessions.
How We Picked These Oil Paint Sets
We evaluated each set for the factors that matter most when buying oil paints: color selection, pigment usefulness, tube volume, expected versatility, brand reputation, and overall value. We also considered whether a set is better suited to learning fundamentals, building a working palette, or producing finished artwork regularly.
Because included accessories and packaging can vary, the paint itself remains the priority. A larger set is not automatically better if it contains redundant shades or small tubes that run out quickly.
Quick Comparison
- Best for beginners: Sets with a broad range of colors and manageable tube sizes are useful for learning mixing and basic techniques.
- Best for regular painting: Larger tubes provide better value when you paint frequently or work on bigger canvases.
- Best for artists upgrading quality: Professional-focused sets typically offer more dependable pigment behavior and mixing results.
- Best for variety: Larger 20- to 48-color assortments give you more ready-to-use hues, though a focused palette may encourage better color-mixing skills.
Key Buying Factors for Oil Paint Sets
Color Range and Palette Balance
Look for a practical mix of primary colors, earth tones, white, and dark neutrals. A set with fewer well-chosen colors can be more useful than one filled with near-duplicates. Beginners should prioritize colors that support mixing rather than selecting only bright specialty shades.
Tube Size and Paint Quantity
Tube size affects both cost and convenience. Small tubes are easier to sample and store, while 37ml or 50ml tubes make more sense for frequent painters. White and other heavily used colors may run out first, so check whether the set includes enough of them or plan to buy replacements separately.
Pigment Quality and Consistency
Student-grade paints can be a sensible starting point, but professional-grade colors generally offer stronger tinting behavior, more predictable mixtures, and better control over opacity or transparency. Check the manufacturer’s pigment and permanence information when archival results matter.
Safety and Studio Needs
Oil painting involves more than the paint set. You may also need appropriate brushes, a palette, a medium, an easel, and a well-ventilated workspace. Review the label and manufacturer guidance, especially if you paint indoors or share space with children and pets.
Who Should Buy Which Oil Paint Sets?
New painters should choose an affordable, versatile set with enough colors to practice mixing without committing to large professional tubes. Students and hobbyists may prefer a mid-size assortment that balances variety with dependable quantity.
Frequent painters should prioritize larger tubes and a palette built around colors they use often. Experienced artists may benefit more from a smaller, higher-quality set that complements an existing palette than from a large collection of unfamiliar shades.