Starting with oil painting is easier when your first kit includes dependable colors, usable brushes, and the right basic tools. The best beginner oil paint sets remove guesswork without forcing you to buy a full studio setup.
These 10 options range from compact paint-only assortments to complete kits with easels, canvases, palettes, and brushes. Use the guide below to match the set’s contents, paint format, and working style to your budget and goals.
Best 10 Beginner Oil Paint Sets Picks for 2026
All-in-One Starter
149-Piece Deluxe Artist Painting Set
- 149 pieces cover oil, acrylic, and watercolor painting.
- Includes two easels, canvases, brushes, and painting tools.
- A versatile option for beginners exploring multiple mediums.
Best For: Beginners and families wanting a complete multi-medium art kit
Reliable Color Basics
Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Color Set
- Provides 10 individually formulated oil colors.
- Colors are lightfast, permanent, and intermixable.
- Compact 21 ml tubes suit a focused starter palette.
Best For: Adult beginners who already own painting tools
Portable Oil Studio
82-Piece Easel Box Painting Set
- Includes 24 oil colors and a broad range of oil-painting tools.
- Portable beechwood easel box provides storage and adjustable support.
- Comes with brushes, canvases, palettes, knives, and cleaning accessories.
Best For: Beginners wanting an organized, portable oil-painting setup
Water-Cleanup Choice
Winsor & Newton Artisan Beginner’s Set
- Water-mixable oils thin and clean up with water.
- Six 37 ml tubes are designed to work like conventional oils.
- A focused option for beginners who already have tools.
Best For: Beginners seeking easier cleanup without switching from oil-style painting
Best Complete Beginner Kit
Basic Oil Paint Set with Tabletop Easel
- Includes easel, paints, brushes, canvas, paper, and palette tools
- Portable beech wood easel needs no assembly
- Non-toxic 12-color paints require no additional medium
Best For: New painters seeking a complete tabletop setup
Best Color Variety
- Includes 24 shades in portable 12 ml tubes
- Useful range for landscapes, portraits, and abstract work
- Non-toxic formula meets stated ASTM and EN71-3 standards
Best For: Beginners prioritizing color selection and portability
Best Brush Selection
- Includes 24 oil colors and 25 assorted brushes
- Brushes include bristle, nylon, and foam styles
- Comes with a metal palette and 8-by-10-inch canvas panel
Best For: Beginners exploring varied brush techniques
Best Value Starter
- 12 vibrant colors for foundational mixing
- Buttery, finely ground consistency
- AP and ASTM D-4236 certified
Best For: Beginners learning core oil-painting techniques
Largest Color Variety
Magicfly 40-Color Oil Paint Set
- 40 colors with metallic gold and silver
- Includes two extra white tubes
- Thick, creamy, mixable texture
Best For: Beginners wanting maximum color variety
Technique Practice Pick
PHOENIX 24-Color Oil Paint Set
- 24-color palette for varied subjects
- Thick formula supports textured application
- Lightfast pigments for lasting color
Best For: Beginners practicing techniques across multiple surfaces
All-in-One Starter – 149-Piece Deluxe Artist Painting Set
For shoppers comparing beginner oil paint sets, this 149-piece kit stands out as a broad, multi-medium option. It includes 24 oil colors alongside acrylics, watercolors, two easels, canvases, brushes, palettes, and other tools, making it useful for exploring several painting styles without assembling supplies separately.
Best For: Beginners, families, and artists who want one large kit for oil, acrylic, and watercolor projects.
Pros:
- Includes 149 pieces, including 24 oil colors, 48 acrylics, and 24 watercolors.
- Provides both an aluminum tripod easel and a beech wood tabletop easel.
- Comes with canvases, paper pads, brushes, palettes, palette knives, a basin, and a color wheel.
Cons:
- Its broad multi-medium selection may be more than someone seeking only oil paints needs.
- At 19.1 pounds, it is less convenient to move than a compact paint-only set.
This is the most extensive choice for experimenting across mediums and setting up a ready-to-use art station. Choose it when variety and included equipment matter more than a focused oil-painting format.
Reliable Color Basics – Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Color Set
Among beginner oil paint sets, the Winsor & Newton Winton Basic Set is a focused option for painters who already have brushes and surfaces. It supplies 10 individually formulated, lightfast oil colors in convenient 21 ml tubes, with colors designed to intermix and remain permanent.
Best For: Adult beginners who want a compact, reputable oil-color selection at a moderate price.
Pros:
- Includes 10 assorted oil colors for a straightforward starting palette.
- Lightfast and permanent colors are formulated to intermix with other brands.
- 21 ml tubes offer a practical size for learning and general painting.
Cons:
- Paint only is included, so brushes, canvases, and other supplies must be purchased separately.
- The 10-color selection is less extensive than larger oil-painting kits.
This set makes sense for buyers who prioritize brand familiarity and a simple color assortment over bundled accessories. It is a good foundation when your workspace is already equipped with the basic tools of oil painting.
Portable Oil Studio – 82-Piece Easel Box Painting Set
This 82-piece kit is one of the more complete beginner oil paint sets for someone who wants supplies and a portable setup together. It pairs 24 oil colors with a beechwood easel box, canvases, hog-hair brushes, palette knives, oil cans, and cleaning accessories, so you can begin painting with fewer separate purchases.
Best For: Beginners and hobbyists who want a portable, organized oil-painting workstation with plenty of included surfaces.
Pros:
- Includes 24 rich oil colors, 10 hog-hair brushes, five palette knives, and multiple canvases.
- Beechwood easel box adjusts for tabletop painting and folds into a portable case.
- Built-in storage, a brush holder/cleaner, oil cans, palettes, and a one-year warranty add convenience.
Cons:
- The larger kit may be more equipment than someone seeking a basic paint-only introduction needs.
- The supplied notes do not specify the individual names of all 24 colors.
With its adjustable easel box and dedicated oil-painting accessories, this is a practical choice for artists who value organization and portability. It offers a more focused oil setup than a general multi-medium art kit.
Water-Cleanup Choice – Winsor & Newton Artisan Beginner’s Set
For beginners concerned about solvent handling, this six-tube Artisan set offers a practical alternative within the beginner oil paint sets category. The water-mixable colors are designed to look and work like conventional oils while thinning and cleaning up with water.
Best For: Adult beginners who want an oil-like painting experience with water-based thinning and cleanup.
Pros:
- Water-mixable formula can be thinned and cleaned up with water.
- Designed to appear and work like conventional oil color.
- Six 37 ml tubes provide more paint per color than the smaller 21 ml tubes in many basic sets.
Cons:
- Only six colors are included, limiting the starting palette compared with larger sets.
- It does not include brushes, canvases, or an easel.
This is a strong fit when easier cleanup is a priority and you are comfortable buying tools separately. Its six-color selection keeps the set simple while the 37 ml tubes provide useful quantities for practice.
Best Complete Beginner Kit – Basic Oil Paint Set with Tabletop Easel
For shoppers comparing beginner oil paint sets, this option is designed as a ready-to-use workstation rather than paint tubes alone. It combines 12 oil colors with a beech wood tabletop easel, canvas surfaces, brushes, palette tools, and an oil paper pad.
Best For: Beginners who want a complete tabletop setup for practicing, gifting, or painting at home, in class, or outdoors.
Pros:
- Includes an easel, paints, canvas, paper pad, brushes, palette, and palette knife.
- Beech wood tabletop easel requires no assembly and is portable.
- Paints are described as non-toxic, vibrant, blendable, and usable without additional medium.
- Includes both stretched canvas and acid-free cotton canvas panels.
Cons:
- Offers 12 colors, fewer than the 24-color sets in this roundup.
- The compact 7.5-by-11-inch easel may be limiting for larger projects.
This is the strongest all-in-one choice if you want to start painting immediately without separately buying a stand, surfaces, and basic tools. Its smaller color range is balanced by the broader collection of included equipment.
Best Color Variety – Ohuhu 24-Color Oil Paint Set
Among beginner oil paint sets, the Ohuhu kit stands out for its 24-color range in portable 12 ml tubes. It is a paint-focused option for artists who already have, or plan to add, their preferred painting surfaces and workspace.
Best For: Beginners who want broad color selection for landscapes, scenery, abstracts, portraits, and indoor or outdoor painting.
Pros:
- Provides 24 colors, including earth tones, skin tones, blues, greens, and multiple reds and yellows.
- 12 ml tubes offer a portable format for painting at home or while traveling.
- Includes a brush and palette according to the supplied product details.
- Paints are described as non-toxic and compliant with ASTM D-4236 and EN71-3.
Cons:
- Does not include a canvas, easel, or paper pad.
- The supplied drying-time specification is approximately 24 hours, so projects may not be immediately ready for handling.
- Paints are not water resistant.
This set makes sense when color flexibility matters more than included accessories. Its extensive palette can reduce the need to mix every shade from a small primary-color selection, while the tubes remain convenient to carry.
Best Brush Selection – XXL 24-Paint Oil Set
This XXL option is one of the more accessory-heavy beginner oil paint sets, pairing 24 oil colors with 25 brushes, a metal palette, and an 8-by-10-inch stretched canvas panel. It is suited to experimenting with different brush shapes and painting techniques.
Best For: Beginners who want a large assortment of brushes and a basic canvas project in one package.
Pros:
- Includes 24 assorted 12 ml oil paint tubes.
- Provides 25 brushes in bristle, nylon, and foam styles for coverage, blending, and details.
- Comes with a metal mixing palette and an 8-by-10-inch stretched canvas panel.
- Includes primary colors, earth tones, blues, greens, and skin-tone shades.
Cons:
- Includes only one canvas panel.
- No easel or paper pad is listed among the included components.
- The variety of brush materials may require beginners to spend time learning which styles suit each technique.
This is a practical choice for learners who want to explore different application methods without buying brushes separately. Choose it over a more compact kit if brush variety is your main priority.
Best Value Starter – MEEDEN 12-Color Oil Paint Set
For shoppers comparing beginner oil paint sets, the MEEDEN 12-color kit is a compact, approachable option for learning color mixing and experimenting with wet-into-wet, layering, and glazing. Its finely ground pigments are designed for a buttery consistency and clear color mixing.
Best For: Beginners and amateur painters who want a small, versatile set for learning techniques on canvas.
Pros:
- Includes 12 vibrant, highly mixable oil colors.
- Buttery consistency supports smooth application and blending.
- Certified to AP and ASTM D-4236 standards and described as non-toxic.
- Creates a traditional glossy finish.
Cons:
- The 12-color selection offers less variety than larger sets.
- Paint is supplied in 22ml tubes, so color quantities may be limited for larger projects.
MEEDEN is a practical starting point when you want manageable color variety, smooth mixing, and a glossy oil-paint appearance without choosing a large collection.
Largest Color Variety – Magicfly 40-Color Oil Paint Set
Among beginner oil paint sets, Magicfly stands out for its broad 40-color selection, including metallic gold and silver plus two additional white tubes. The thick, creamy paints are intended to glide smoothly on canvas and provide strong coverage for varied projects.
Best For: Beginners, students, and hobby painters who want extensive color variety for portraits, landscapes, abstracts, and wall art.
Pros:
- Provides 40 colors, including metallic gold and silver.
- Includes two extra white paint tubes.
- Thick, creamy texture is easy to mix and apply.
- ASTM D-4236 compliant pigments are described as long-lasting and fade-resistant.
Cons:
- The larger set may be more color variety than a first-time painter needs.
- Paint is not water-resistant.
Magicfly is the strongest choice here for beginners who prioritize color range and want metallic options included from the start, although its larger assortment may require more storage and organization.
Technique Practice Pick – PHOENIX 24-Color Oil Paint Set
For beginners seeking a balanced oil paint assortment, the PHOENIX 24-color set offers a broad palette in 12ml tubes. Its thick, creamy formula supports direct textural application, blending with medium, and practice with wet-into-wet, layered, and glazing techniques.
Best For: Adults and beginners taking classes, joining paint parties, or building skills across canvas, oil color pads, and wood panels.
Pros:
- Includes 24 colors covering common hues, earth tones, skin tone, and black-and-white shades.
- High color saturation and tinting strength are designed for vivid results.
- Strong lightfastness helps colors remain stable under UV exposure.
- Certified to EN 71 and ASTM-4236 standards.
Cons:
- The 12ml tubes contain less paint than larger-tube alternatives.
- Paint is not water-resistant.
PHOENIX offers a useful middle ground: more color coverage than a basic starter set while remaining focused enough for learning foundational oil-painting methods.
How We Picked the Best Beginner Oil Paint Sets
We compared these kits based on the usefulness of their included supplies, color range, tube size, beginner-friendliness, portability, and overall value. A good starter set should provide enough paint for practice while including the tools needed to begin without a separate shopping list.
We also considered whether each kit is best suited to traditional oil painting, water-mixable techniques, casual crafts, or a more complete tabletop setup. Product descriptions can vary by seller, so check the current package contents, pigment information, and safety details before ordering.
Quick Comparison
| Best For | Look For | Typical Kit Style |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost start | Basic colors, brushes, and a small canvas | Compact oil paint kit |
| More painting variety | 18–24 colors and multiple brush shapes | Expanded paint set |
| Portable practice | Case, easel box, or lightweight supplies | Travel-friendly set |
| Less solvent use | Water-mixable oil colors | Artisan-style set |
| Ready-to-gift setup | Easel, canvas, palette, and accessories | Complete art bundle |
Key Buying Factors for Beginner Oil Paint Sets
Color Range and Tube Size
A 10- to 12-color set can teach color mixing and usually costs less, while a 24-color assortment offers faster access to common hues. Larger tubes are useful if you expect to practice frequently, but compact tubes are often enough for first exercises.
Traditional or Water-Mixable Oils
Traditional oil paint generally requires an appropriate solvent or medium for thinning and cleanup. Water-mixable oil paint can reduce reliance on solvents, making it appealing for beginners working in a home, classroom, or shared space. It still behaves like oil paint, including slow drying times.
Included Tools
Brushes, palette knives, canvases, palettes, and easels add convenience, but quality can vary. Treat bundled accessories as a useful starting point rather than assuming they match professional replacements. If a kit includes an easel, confirm its size and whether it is intended for tabletop use.
Safety and Cleanup
Oil paint can stain surfaces and clothing, and some colors or mediums may require specific handling. Work in a ventilated area, follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and dispose of solvent- or oil-soaked materials safely.
Who Should Buy Which Beginner Oil Paint Sets?
Choose a compact 10- or 12-color set if you want to learn mixing fundamentals or keep the cost low. A 24-color kit is better for beginners who want more immediate color variety for landscapes, crafts, and casual projects.
Pick a complete easel bundle if you want a giftable, ready-to-use package and do not already own supplies. Choose an easel-box or portable kit for lessons and travel. If ventilation or solvent cleanup is a concern, a water-mixable set is the most practical option. For more serious practice, prioritize tube size, pigment labeling, and brush quality over the number of accessories.