The best oil paint sets for mixed media give artists enough color variety and workable texture for combining oils with canvas, collage, texture mediums, and other compatible surfaces. The right set depends on more than tube count: pigment quality, drying behavior, included tools, and value per milliliter all matter.
We compared 10 popular options ranging from compact starter collections to large professional-style tubes. Use the guide below to match your experience level, project size, and preferred balance of convenience and paint quality.
Best 10 Oil Paint Sets for Mixed Media Picks for 2026
Balanced Classic
Winsor & Newton Winton Basic Set
- 10 individually formulated oil colors
- Lightfast, permanent, intermixable colors
- Convenient 21ml tubes
Best For: Artists wanting a compact, mix-friendly oil color set
Color Variety Pick
Magicfly 40-Color Oil Paint Set
- 40 oil-based colors with metallic shades
- Includes two extra white tubes
- Thick, creamy, mixable texture
Best For: Artists seeking broad color variety for canvas and mixed media
Beginner-Friendly Choice
- 24-color palette with earth and skin tones
- Includes a brush and palette
- Non-toxic, portable 12ml tubes
Best For: Beginners and mobile artists painting on canvas or paper
Complete Starter Kit
- 24 oil colors in 12ml tubes
- 25 assorted brushes plus metal palette
- Includes an 8 x 10-inch canvas panel
Best For: New painters needing a ready-to-use all-in-one kit
Color-Rich Foundation
PHOENIX 12-Color Oil Paint Set
- 12 colors in generous 40ml tubes
- Buttery texture with high pigment load
- AP and ASTM D4236 compliant formula
Best For: Artists needing a versatile, blendable canvas palette
Textured Technique Pick
MyArtscape 12-Color Oil Paint Set
- Thick consistency for impasto work
- Supports wet-on-wet, portrait, and landscape painting
- 12 high-pigment, lightfast colors
Best For: Artists practicing textured oil-painting techniques
Palette Variety Choice
- 24 assorted colors for broader mixing options
- Works on paper, canvas, and wood
- Includes a storage box and 0.4 fl oz tubes
Best For: Artists prioritizing color variety and surface flexibility
Best Large-Tube Palette
Paul Rubens 20-Color Oil Paint Set
- 20 colors in generous 50ml tubes
- Highly pigmented, creamy consistency
- Works on canvas and painted wood panels
Best For: Artists needing substantial paint volume for repeated projects
Best for Color Practice
PHOENIX 24-Color Oil Paint Set
- 24-color palette for mixing practice
- Thick, creamy consistency for texture
- Suitable for layering, glazing, and wet-into-wet
Best For: Beginners and classes exploring oil-painting techniques
Best Compact Starter Set
Elan 24-Color Mini Oil Paint Set
- 24 vibrant colors in compact 12ml tubes
- Color-coded tubes simplify identification
- Suitable for canvas and paper
Best For: Beginners and hobbyists building a portable palette
Balanced Classic – Winsor & Newton Winton Basic Set
For shoppers comparing oil paint sets for mixed media, the Winsor & Newton Winton Basic Set offers 10 individually formulated, intermixable colors in convenient 21ml tubes. It is positioned as a moderate-price option with lightfast, permanent colors suitable for indoor or outdoor use on paper.
Best For: Artists who want a compact set of established oil colors for mixing and general painting.
Pros:
- Includes 10 assorted oil colors.
- Colors are lightfast, permanent, and intermixable with other brands.
- 21ml tubes provide a practical amount for regular projects.
- Offers high-quality oil colors at a moderate price.
Cons:
- Provides fewer colors than larger 24- or 40-color kits.
- Does not list brushes, a palette, or canvas among the included components.
This is a focused paint-only set rather than a complete starter kit. Its strongest advantage is the dependable, mix-friendly color selection in larger tubes.
Color Variety Pick – Magicfly 40-Color Oil Paint Set
The Magicfly set is a strong value-oriented choice among oil paint sets for mixed media, with 40 oil-based colors in 18ml tubes. Its broad assortment includes primary shades plus metallic gold and silver, while the thick, creamy texture is designed for coverage and mixing on canvas and other art media.
Best For: Beginners, hobby painters, students, and teachers who want extensive color variety in one package.
Pros:
- Includes 40 rich, vibrant colors, including metallic gold and silver.
- Provides two additional white tubes for extended use.
- Thick, creamy paint offers smooth application and good coverage.
- Suitable for canvas, wall art, abstracts, portraits, and landscapes.
Cons:
- The paints are not water resistant.
- 18ml tubes are smaller than the 21ml tubes in some comparable sets.
Choose this kit when range matters most. It supplies substantially more colors than compact sets while remaining oriented toward broad, accessible painting use.
Beginner-Friendly Choice – Ohuhu 24-Color Oil Paint Set
For oil paint sets for mixed media, the Ohuhu 24-color kit combines a broad palette with portable 12ml tubes. It covers primary colors, earth tones, blues, greens, skin tones, and neutrals, and is listed as non-toxic and suitable for canvas and paper.
Best For: Beginners and traveling artists who want a portable, varied set with basic accessories.
Pros:
- Offers 24 named colors spanning portrait, landscape, and abstract needs.
- Includes a brush and palette.
- Portable tubes are convenient for painting indoors or outdoors.
- Listed as non-toxic and conforming to ASTM D-4236 and EN71-3.
Cons:
- 12ml tubes hold less paint than the 18ml and 21ml options here.
- The paints are not water resistant.
This kit balances color coverage and portability well. The included brush and palette make it more immediately usable than a paint-only assortment, although the tube sizes favor convenience over volume.
Complete Starter Kit – XXL 51-Piece Oil Painting Set
The XXL Oil Paint Set stands out among oil paint sets for mixed media by bundling 24 oil paint tubes with tools and surfaces. Alongside the 12ml colors, it includes 25 assorted brushes, a metal mixing palette, and an 8 x 10-inch stretched canvas panel.
Best For: New painters who need paints, brushes, a mixing palette, and a canvas in one purchase.
Pros:
- Includes 24 assorted oil paint colors in 12ml tubes.
- Provides 25 bristle, nylon, and foam brushes for coverage, blending, and detail work.
- Comes with a metal palette and an 8 x 10-inch stretched canvas panel.
- Packages 51 listed pieces together as a painting supply kit.
Cons:
- The 12ml tubes contain less paint than the larger-tube options.
- The supplied canvas panel is limited to one 8 x 10-inch surface.
- The specific paint color list is not provided in the notes.
This is the most self-contained option in the group. It is especially practical for starting a project immediately, though experienced artists may prefer selecting individual brushes or larger paint tubes.
Color-Rich Foundation – PHOENIX 12-Color Oil Paint Set
For artists seeking oil paint sets for mixed media, the PHOENIX set offers 12 versatile colors in generous 40ml tubes. Its buttery texture, high pigment load, and balanced drying time support both broad applications and detailed work on canvas.
Best For: Artists who want a versatile palette with larger tubes for portraits, landscapes, abstracts, and color mixing.
Pros:
- Buttery, finely milled texture blends and applies smoothly.
- High pigmentation and stated museum-quality light fastness help produce vivid, durable color.
- Includes 12 distinctive colors, including skin tones and contemporary shades.
- Made without cadmium, lead, or other listed toxic heavy metals and meets AP and ASTM D4236 standards.
Cons:
- The palette contains 12 colors, fewer than some larger assortments.
- Designed primarily for canvas, according to the supplied specifications.
Choose this set if tube size, smooth blending, and a curated mix of traditional and modern colors matter more than having the widest possible color count.
Textured Technique Pick – MyArtscape 12-Color Oil Paint Set
Among oil paint sets for mixed media, the MyArtscape set is geared toward artists who value thick, buttery paint for textured brushwork. The 12 x 12ml tubes cover common landscape and portrait colors while supporting impasto and wet-on-wet techniques.
Best For: Beginners and experienced artists practicing impasto, wet-on-wet, landscape, or portrait painting on canvas.
Pros:
- Thick, buttery consistency suits impasto and textured brush strokes.
- High-pigment, lightfast colors are designed for vibrant, lasting results.
- Meets ASTM D-4236 and EN71-3 safety standards.
- Includes a balanced 12-color selection with blues, greens, earth tones, and reds.
Cons:
- 12ml tubes provide less paint per color than the PHOENIX set’s 40ml tubes.
- The paint is listed as not waterproof and has an approximately 24-hour dry time.
This is a practical choice when handling and texture are priorities, especially for artists who want a compact set for thicker techniques rather than a large-volume studio palette.
Palette Variety Choice – ARTEZA 24-Color Oil Paint Set
For shoppers comparing oil paint sets for mixed media, the ARTEZA 24-color kit emphasizes palette variety. Its highly pigmented oil-based paints come in 0.4 fl oz tubes and are specified for use on paper, canvas, and wood.
Best For: Artists who want a broad assortment of colors for detailed pieces and larger projects across several surfaces.
Pros:
- 24 colors offer more starting shades than the two 12-color sets.
- Highly pigmented paint is designed for expressive artwork and solid coverage.
- Suitable for paper, canvas, and wood surfaces.
- Includes a storage box and is positioned as suitable for beginners and professionals.
Cons:
- The supplied details describe coverage as partial, rather than fully specified.
- Each tube holds 0.4 fl oz, so individual colors have less volume than PHOENIX’s 40ml tubes.
- Although listed as fast-drying with a 12-hour dry time, drying conditions can affect results.
Select ARTEZA when color range and surface flexibility are more important than larger tubes or a specifically described buttery consistency.
Best Large-Tube Palette – Paul Rubens 20-Color Oil Paint Set
For artists looking for oil paint sets for mixed media, the Paul Rubens set offers 20 highly pigmented colors in generous 50ml tubes. Its creamy consistency works across canvas and painted wood panels, while the larger sizes suit repeated projects and color mixing.
Best For: Artists, students, and beginners who need a broad palette and substantial paint volume for canvas, painted panels, landscapes, portraits, seascapes, and still lifes.
Pros:
- Large 50ml tubes provide ample paint for extended use.
- High pigmentation delivers strong coverage and tinting strength.
- Creamy paint blends smoothly while retaining brushstrokes and palette-knife marks.
- Excellent lightfastness and vivid colors support long-lasting artwork.
Cons:
- Oil paint may take about 7–14 days to dry.
- The set is intended for indoor use and is not waterproof.
Choose this set when paint quantity matters as much as palette variety. It is a practical option for artists who regularly mix colors or work on multiple oil-painting projects.
Best for Color Practice – PHOENIX 24-Color Oil Paint Set
Among oil paint sets for mixed media, the PHOENIX set stands out for its 24-color selection and thick, creamy consistency. The paints can be used directly for texture or blended with medium for techniques such as wet-into-wet, layering, and glazing.
Best For: Beginners, amateurs, classes, paint parties, and artists practicing color theory and varied oil-painting techniques on canvas, oil-color pads, or wood panels.
Pros:
- 24 colors provide a versatile starting palette.
- High saturation and tinting strength support bold color mixing.
- Thick consistency can create texture or be modified with medium.
- EN 71 and ASTM-4236 certifications are supplied for adult use.
Cons:
- Each tube contains only 12ml, less than larger-tube alternatives.
- The slow-drying formula may require patience between stages.
This is a well-rounded choice for learning and experimentation. Its broad color list and technique-friendly texture make it especially useful when exploring different approaches rather than prioritizing maximum tube size.
Best Compact Starter Set – Elan 24-Color Mini Oil Paint Set
The Elan set is a compact option for shoppers comparing oil paint sets for mixed media. It includes 24 color-coded 12ml tubes with highly pigmented paint for canvas and paper, making the palette easy to identify and suitable for hobby or craft projects.
Best For: Beginners, adult artists, and hobbyists who want a compact, varied palette for painting on canvas or paper.
Pros:
- 24 vibrant colors offer broad palette coverage in a small format.
- Color-coded tubes make paint selection quick and convenient.
- High-quality pigments provide intense color coverage.
- Designed for both beginners and more experienced artists.
Cons:
- 12ml mini tubes provide less paint than large-format sets.
- The supplied details list no additional components, so tools and mediums must be purchased separately.
Pick the Elan set when convenience and palette variety take priority over large quantities. Its compact tubes are a sensible fit for getting started, testing colors, or keeping a smaller art kit organized.
How We Picked the Best Oil Paint Sets for Mixed Media
We evaluated these sets by looking at color range, total paint volume, tube sizes, intended user, included accessories, and suitability for layered artwork. For mixed media, versatility is especially important: a useful set should support underpainting, opaque details, color mixing, and expressive final layers without forcing you to buy essential colors immediately.
We also separated compact beginner kits from larger-value and professional-oriented options. Product descriptions vary in how they report pigment information, so artists seeking archival or gallery-quality results should verify individual pigment codes, lightfastness ratings, and permanence directly with the manufacturer.
Quick Comparison
| Best For | What to Prioritize | Recommended Set Type |
|---|---|---|
| Beginners | Balanced colors, manageable tubes, simple setup | 10- or 12-color starter set |
| Broad experimentation | Many hues and accessories | 20- to 40-piece kit |
| Frequent painting | More paint per tube and strong mixing potential | Large 24- or 50ml tubes |
| Portable projects | Compact packaging and smaller tubes | Mini-tube color set |
Key Buying Factors for Oil Paint Sets for Mixed Media
Color Selection and Mixing
A larger color count is convenient, but a thoughtfully balanced palette can be more useful than dozens of similar shades. Look for titanium white, a dark neutral or earth color, warm and cool primaries, and useful earth tones. Extra colors are valuable when you want to work quickly or avoid extensive mixing.
Tube Size and Value
Small tubes reduce waste and are practical for testing oil painting, while 40ml and 50ml tubes make more sense for large canvases, repeated studies, and heavy-texture techniques. Compare total volume rather than tube count alone; a 24-piece set may contain less paint than a smaller set with larger tubes.
Compatibility and Drying
Oil paint can be combined with compatible oil-based mediums and many traditional mixed-media approaches, but it should not be treated like acrylic or watercolor. Follow the fat-over-lean principle, allow adequate drying time, and avoid placing fast-drying water-based layers over uncured oil unless the technique and materials are specifically designed for that use.
Accessories and Presentation
Brushes, palettes, and canvases can make a starter kit convenient, but accessories should not outweigh paint quality. If you already own tools, put more of your budget toward larger tubes, better pigment transparency information, or a palette suited to your process.
Who Should Buy Which Oil Paint Sets for Mixed Media?
Choose a smaller, balanced set if you are learning fundamentals, testing oils for the first time, or working on small mixed-media panels. Choose a 20- to 24-color set if you want more freedom for portraits, decorative pieces, and color-focused experimentation without purchasing individual tubes.
Artists who paint regularly or cover large surfaces should favor sets with larger tubes, particularly when white and frequently used colors are included. A comprehensive kit with brushes and a canvas is best for convenience, travel, or gifting, while experienced artists should check pigment details and permanence before choosing a set for professional or archival work.