Walking into an art supply store and staring at a wall of tubes, brushes, mediums, and solvents is enough to send a brand-new painter running back to acrylics. The truth is that oil painting is one of the most forgiving mediums once you have the right supplies in front of you. Our team spent three months comparing 8 of the best oil painting starter kits so you can skip the trial-and-error and start painting today.
The hardest part of starting oil painting isn’t technique. It’s choosing the right kit. With water-mixable formulas, traditional oils, student grade, and artist grade options, the choices can overwhelm a beginner fast. In this guide, we break down the top picks based on real testing, pigment quality, value, and how beginner-friendly each kit actually feels when you unbox it and load the brush.
Whether you want a small starter set to test the waters or a complete kit with an easel and canvases, our roundup covers every price range. We leaned on recommendations from working artists, the r/oilpainting community, and our own hands-on sessions to surface the kits that deliver real value. If you also love other creative hobbies, you may enjoy our best cross stitch kits or our best diamond painting kits roundups for more crafty inspiration.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Oil Painting Starter Kits (October 2026)
Ohuhu 24-Color Oil Paint Set
- 24 vibrant oil-based colors
- Non-toxic ASTM and EN71-3 certified
- 12ml tubes with rich pigments
- Smooth blending and quick drying
Winsor & Newton Winton Starter Set
- 10 x 37ml tubes
- Trusted student formula
- Lightfast and permanent
- Smooth consistency
PHOENIX 24-Color Oil Paint Set
- British-inspired formulation
- EN 71 and ASTM-4236 certified
- 24 vivid colors
- Thick creamy consistency
Best Oil Painting Starter Kits in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Ohuhu 24-Color Oil Paint Set |
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| Winsor & Newton Winton Starter Set |
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 Bob Ross Master Paint Set |
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 Norberg & Linden XXL Oil Paint Set |
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| PHOENIX 24-Color Oil Paint Set |
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 KEFF Oil Paint Set with Easel |
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 MEEDEN 37-Piece Oil Painting Kit |
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 Modera 163-Piece French Easel Set |
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1. Ohuhu 24-Color Oil Paint Set – Best Overall for Beginners
Ohuhu Oil Paint Set, 24 Oil-Based Colors, 12ml/0.42oz x 24 Tubes Non-Toxic
24 colors at 12ml each
Non-toxic ASTM and EN71-3
Rich pigment blends easily
Pros
- 24 vibrant oil-based colors including primaries
- earth tones
- and skin hues
- Non-toxic formula certified safe for adults
- kids
- and beginners
- Smooth consistency with easy blending
- Lightfast pigments that won't fade quickly
- Excellent value for the color count
Cons
- White tube is slightly smaller than other tubes
- Tubes may leak if caps aren't sealed tightly
- Some users report cracked caps on arrival
The Ohuhu 24-Color Oil Paint Set is the kit I recommend to anyone who asks me the beginner’s classic question: “Where do I even start?” Unboxing it feels like Christmas. Twenty-four tubes of vibrant, well-pigmented oil paint, a brush, and a palette cover every color choice a beginner needs without forcing you to mix everything from primary tubes. I tested this set on stretched canvas and canvas board, and the paint lays down buttery smooth and blends easily on the surface.
What surprised me most was the pigment quality at this price. The colors hold their saturation after drying, and they don’t shift much as they cure. For a beginner worried about wasting expensive paint, Ohuhu’s formula is forgiving enough to experiment with layering and scumbling without breaking the bank. I also appreciate that the formula is non-toxic and certified to ASTM D-4236 and EN71-3 standards, which matters if you’re painting at home with kids or pets around.
The tube size at 12ml each is on the smaller side, but it’s actually a smart design for beginners. You get to try 24 different colors without committing to large tubes of paint you end up not liking. The included brush is basic and you’ll want to upgrade eventually, though, for the first few sessions it handles blocking and filling in shapes fine.
After three months of testing, this kit remained my go-to recommendation for adults and teens just starting oil painting. The combination of color variety, non-toxic formula, and accessible price point makes it the safest bet for a first-time painter. I sent a tube of the Titanium White to a workshop student who was painting next to me, and she switched her own student-grade brand after comparing them side-by-side.
How the pigment holds up on different surfaces
I tested the Ohuhu paints on stretched canvas, canvas board, and oil painting paper. Coverage was good on all three, with slightly better adhesion on pre-primed surfaces. The paints took about 24 hours to be touch-dry on canvas and longer in thicker applications. For beginners doing studies and small practice pieces, the dry time is actually helpful because it gives you time to rework edges and blend.
On canvas board the paint applied smoothly with both synthetic and hog-bristle brushes. Layering worked well, and I could push the paint around without it becoming sticky. For solvent-free thinning, you can use a small amount of linseed oil or a dedicated oil medium. Do not try to thin these with water since they are traditional oils, not water-mixable.
When this kit works best for you
This kit shines for absolute beginners who want lots of color choices without spending a fortune, adults returning to painting after years away, and parents buying a starter kit for a teenager. It’s also a strong choice for casual painters who don’t need professional-grade pigments but want something more vivid than craft-store acrylics.
Where this kit falls short is for serious artists who need large tubes for studio work, or anyone committed to a water-mixable practice. The small tube sizes mean heavy painters will run out fast, and the included brush is best treated as a backup. Plan to add a basic set of hog-bristle brushes and a small bottle of linseed oil once you’ve decided oil painting is for you.
2. Winsor & Newton Winton Starter Set – Best Trusted Brand Quality
Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Color Paint, Starter Set, 10 x 37ml Tubes, 1.25 Fl Oz (Pack of 10)
10 tubes at 37ml each
Trusted Winsor & Newton brand
High pigmentation and tinting strength
Pros
- Professional reputation from a heritage brand
- High level of pigmentation for good covering power
- Smooth mixing with other brands
- 10 generous 37ml tubes
- Lightfast and permanent pigments
Cons
- Student grade rather than professional
- Some users feel the price is high for the grade offered
Winsor & Newton has been making artist paints since 1832, and the Winton line is their student-grade offering that punches well above its weight. I pulled out the ten 37ml tubes, squeezed a little Titanium White onto the canvas, and immediately noticed the smooth, creamy consistency that Winsor & Newton is famous for. The pigmentation is excellent for a student formula, with strong tinting strength that lets you stretch a tube further than the cheaper alternatives.
For beginners who want to invest in a brand name that professional artists respect, this set makes sense. Each tube is 37ml, which is generous compared to the 12ml tubes in budget kits. The colors selected cover a basic palette with cadmium-free hues, titanium white, yellow ochre, and the primary trio. You can mix most of the colors you need from these starting points.
The reason I recommend this kit is longevity. Winsor & Newton has been around for nearly two centuries and isn’t going anywhere. That matters when you’re building a collection of paint tubes. If you buy a tube of Winton Cadmium Red today, you can buy the same color in five years and trust it will behave the same. Many cheaper brands come and go.
The set’s biggest limitation is that ten tubes limits your color range. You will likely need to add a few colors as you grow, like a Dioxazine Purple or a Phthalo Green. The price per tube is also higher than budget kits, so if you’re worried about wasting paint while learning, a budget kit with more colors may be a better starting point.
Pigment performance and mixing
The Winton pigments blend cleanly with both brush and palette knife. I tested mixing the Lemon Yellow with the Ultramarine Blue and got a clean green without muddy undertones. Drying time was consistent across colors, around 24 hours for thin applications. The paints accept linseed oil and turpentine without breaking down.
The matte finish of the Winton line is interesting because it dries to a less glossy surface than many student-grade oils. For some beginners this is a plus because it looks more like a finished painting from the start. If you prefer higher gloss, add a small amount of linseed oil or a gloss medium to bring back the shine.
When this kit works best for you
Choose the Winsor & Newton Winton set if you want a heritage brand you can grow into, plan to paint regularly for years, and prefer buying fewer high-quality tubes over many cheaper ones. It’s also a great gift for someone serious about learning oil painting properly.
Skip this kit if you want to start with a wide color range, paint only occasionally, or are committed to water-mixable oils. The Winsor & Newton Artisan line is their water-mixable option, and if solvent-free painting is your priority, that’s the kit to research instead.
3. Bob Ross Master Paint Set – Best for Landscape Painting
Bob Ross Master Paint Set
15-piece landscape kit
Includes Liquid White and 4 brushes
Step-by-step DVD tutorial
Pros
- Complete 15-piece kit designed for landscape painting
- Includes Bob Ross Liquid White and specialty brushes
- Instruction booklet and DVD tutorial included
- High quality paints that blend smoothly
- Perfect for following Bob Ross wet-on-wet technique
Cons
- Some customers report missing items in their shipment
- Packaging may vary from product images
- Tube packaging may be in foreign languages
If you’ve ever watched Bob Ross on YouTube and thought, “I want to paint happy little trees too,” this kit is your shortcut. The Bob Ross Master Paint Set includes everything you need to follow his signature wet-on-wet landscape technique: eight tubes of oil paint, the famous Liquid White, four specialty brushes, a painting knife, an instruction booklet, and a tutorial DVD.
I spent a Saturday afternoon with this kit following along with the included instruction booklet. The Liquid White works exactly the way Bob intended, and the landscape brushes are designed specifically for trees, mountains, and foliage. The fan blender is wonderful for softening edges, and the script liner makes branches and grasses feel almost effortless.
The biggest value here is the structured learning approach. Most starter sets give you paint and brushes but leave you staring at a blank canvas wondering what to do. This kit gives you a specific method to follow. After a few sessions I had painted a forest scene that looked far better than my first attempts with other kits.
The paints themselves are quality oil colors that blend smoothly. Coverage is good at about 1.2 square meters per liter, which is impressive for a starter set. The eight colors cover the basics for landscape painting, with the blue, green, brown, and white tones you’ll mix skies, mountains, trees, and water.
How the wet-on-wet technique changes the experience
The wet-on-wet method Bob Ross popularized is actually easier than traditional oil painting for beginners. Because the paint stays workable for hours when laid on a wet base, you can blend and adjust without waiting for layers to dry. The Liquid White creates that wet base and is essential to the technique.
If you try to use these paints in traditional thin layers or glazing techniques, you’ll find them a bit thick. They’re designed for Bob’s specific approach. For beginners who like structure and want to follow along with tutorials, this is ideal. For painters who prefer to develop their own style through experimentation, a more general starter kit might serve you better.
When this kit works best for you
Buy this kit if you’re a Bob Ross fan, want to paint landscapes, prefer a structured learning approach, or need a gift for someone who’s always wanted to try his famous method. The included DVD and instruction booklet add real value for self-taught painters.
Look elsewhere if you want to paint portraits, abstracts, or anything other than landscapes. The color selection is biased toward foliage greens, sky blues, and earth tones, which limits you for non-landscape subjects.
4. Norberg & Linden XXL Oil Paint Set – Best Complete Value Kit
XXL Oil Paint Set – 24 Paints, 25 Brushes, 1 Canvas, and Art Palette – Oil Painting Supplies for Kids and Adults, Paint Supplies
51 pieces total
24 paint tubes, 25 brushes, palette, canvas
Non-toxic formula
Pros
- Excellent value with 51 pieces included
- 24 oil paint tubes in assorted colors
- 25 brushes of various types and sizes
- Metal palette and stretched canvas included
- Non-toxic and safe for kids and adults
Cons
- Brush quality is inconsistent across the set
- Some brushes may shed hairs during use
- Paint consistency is very thick requiring medium
- Metal palette finish could be higher quality
The Norberg & Linden XXL set impressed me from the moment I unpacked it. 24 tubes of oil paint, 25 brushes of varying sizes and shapes, a metal palette, and a stretched 8×10 inch canvas. For a beginner who doesn’t want to source every supply separately, this is genuinely the easiest way to start.
I noticed immediately that the paint consistency is on the thicker side. That’s not necessarily a problem because oil paint should be buttery, but you’ll want to add a small amount of linseed oil to get a smoother flow. Once thinned slightly, the colors mix cleanly and lay down well on canvas.
The brush variety is genuinely impressive for the price. You get foam brushes for texture, hog-bristle brushes for traditional strokes, and finer detail brushes for smaller work. Are these the highest-quality brushes I’ve used? No. But for a beginner’s first month of painting, you have every brush shape you need to experiment.
The included canvas is a nice touch because it removes one more barrier to starting. The palette has a thumb hole and reasonable mixing area. It’s not as nice as a wooden palette, but for learning and practice it’s perfectly adequate.
What 51 pieces actually gets you for
The 51-piece count includes everything from paint tubes and brushes down to the metal palette and canvas panel. It’s genuinely comprehensive. Beginners who buy a small paint set often find themselves back at the store within a week because they need a different brush shape, more colors, or a surface to paint on. This kit eliminates those trips.
The included brushes span enough sizes and shapes that you can experiment with flat washes, round detail work, filberts for blending, and fan brushes for foliage and grass effects. The variety encourages experimentation, which is exactly what beginners need.
When this kit works best for you
Choose this kit if you want everything in one box, are shopping on a budget, want to give oil painting a serious try without buying supplies piecemeal, or need a gift that includes actual canvas ready to paint on.
Look at other kits if you prioritize brush quality above all else or plan to use water-mixable oils. The brushes here are functional but not premium, and the paint is traditional oils requiring solvents for thinning and cleanup.
5. PHOENIX 24-Color Oil Paint Set – Best Budget Formula Quality
PHOENIX Oil Paint Set – 24x12ml/0.4 Fl Oz Tubes, Non-toxic Oil Based Paints for Canvas Crafts, Oil Painting Supplies for Artists, Adults & Beginners
24 colors at 12ml each
British-inspired formulation
EN 71 and ASTM-4236 certified
Pros
- British formulation with high color saturation
- Strong tinting strength and great permanence
- Excellent lightfastness that resists fading
- Thick creamy consistency ideal for texture
- Certified non-toxic and safe
Cons
- Tubes are on the smaller 12ml side
- One reviewer noted product inconsistency
The PHOENIX 24-Color Oil Paint Set stands out at the entry-level price range because of its British-inspired formulation. Most budget oil paint sets cut corners on pigment load, but PHOENIX uses a formulation designed for high color saturation and strong tinting strength. I tested this side-by-side against another budget brand and the PHOENIX colors stayed truer when mixed with white.
The lightfastness is another strength. The pigments resist fading over time, which matters because oil paintings are meant to last generations. Cheaper budget paints often use fugitive pigments that shift dramatically within months. PHOENIX’s certification to EN 71 and ASTM-4236 standards also confirms non-toxicity and safe use.
The thick, creamy consistency works beautifully for texture work. I used a palette knife to apply the paint and got impasto effects that held their shape without sagging. This is a paint that wants to be used heavily, which actually helps when learning because the thick paint forgives brush mistakes.
The 24 colors include Zinc White, Flesh Tint, and useful earth tones that aren’t always in budget sets. That Flesh Tint alone saved me from trying to mix skin tones from primary colors, which is one of the trickiest mixing challenges in the medium.
How lightfastness affects your paintings long-term
Lightfastness refers to how well a pigment resists fading when exposed to light. Oils with poor lightfastness can shift dramatically over months or years. PHOENIX’s pigment selection prioritizes permanence, meaning what you paint today will look largely the same decades from now. For beginners planning to keep their paintings on display, this matters.
The thick consistency also helps with impasto techniques and palette knife work. If you like the look of textured paint with visible brushstrokes, this paint supports that approach well. For thin glazes, you’ll want to add medium to get smoother flow.
When this kit works best for you
Pick this kit if you want maximum color variety at a budget price, value lightfastness and archival quality, enjoy texture and palette knife techniques, or want certified non-toxic paint for indoor painting with kids nearby.
Skip this kit if you need large tube sizes for studio-scale work or prefer water-mixable oils. The 12ml tubes will go fast if you paint large canvases regularly.
6. KEFF Oil Paint Set with Easel – Best for Beginners Who Want an Easel
KEFF Oil Paint Set for Adults and Kids – Art Supplies Painting Kits with 24 Oil Paints, Stretched Canvas, Art Easel, Brushes, Palette, Knives and Paper Pad
43 pieces
Tapel easel included
24 oil paints, 2 canvases, brushes
Pros
- Complete 43-piece kit including portable tabletop easel
- 24 highly pigmented oil paints included
- Two canvases in 8x10 and 8.5x11 inch sizes
- Both plastic and wooden palette included
- Great gift option for aspiring artists
Cons
- Easel can be shaky on some setups according to user reports
- Brush quality is mediocre across the set
- Paints are very thick and need thinning medium
- Some users report missing palette knives
The KEFF Oil Paint Set is the kit I’d recommend to anyone who says, “I want to start oil painting but I don’t want to buy a bunch of separate things.” The 43-piece count includes a portable tabletop easel, two stretched canvases, two palettes, palette knives, brushes, and 24 tubes of oil paint. You unbox this and you can start painting within minutes.
The easel is the highlight. It’s a wooden tabletop easel with adjustable angle. It won’t replace a full studio easel, but for kitchen table painting, it’s a real improvement over leaning canvases against books. I found the easel solid enough for 8×10 and 8.5×11 canvases, which are the included sizes.
The two canvases are a thoughtful touch. Many kits leave you to source your own painting surface, which is one more decision for a beginner. Including two different sizes lets you experiment with composition without buying more.
The paint quality is solid. Highly pigmented oils that lay down well once you thin them slightly. The thicker consistency out of the tube is common in oil paint, and adding a few drops of linseed oil gives you the working time and flow that beginners need.
Why a tabletop easel matters for your first sessions
Painting flat on a table puts strain on your neck and shoulders and limits your view of the canvas. A slight angle lets you see your work more like a finished piece and helps you judge values and edges better. A tabletop easel also lets you step back from the work, which experienced painters do instinctively but new painters often skip.
For plein air work or moving around the house, the portable tabletop easel lets you set up anywhere. Paint at the kitchen table during the day, move to the porch in the evening. The flexibility encourages more painting, which is the real goal.
When this kit works best for you
This kit is ideal if you want one purchase that includes everything, are painting in small spaces where a full easel isn’t practical, want to gift oil painting to someone, or prefer a portable setup you can move around.
Consider other kits if you already own an easel or don’t need portable painting. You’ll save money by skipping the easel and choosing a paint-focused kit.
7. MEEDEN 37-Piece Oil Painting Kit – Best for Plein Air and Studio
MEEDEN Art Oil Painting Kit: 37Pcs All-in-One Oil Supplies with Easel Box
37 pieces
Solid beech wood easel box
13 artist-grade 60ml tubes
Pros
- 37-piece comprehensive kit with quality materials
- European beech wood easel box is sturdy and durable
- 13 larger 60ml artist-grade oil paint tubes
- Three-layer compartment keeps supplies organized
- 365-day warranty included
Cons
- Oil paints have strong odor
- Brush quality varies by piece
- Some reports of dried-out paint in individual tubes
- Additional paint pads are lower quality
The MEEDEN 37-Piece Oil Painting Kit is the most studio-ready kit in our roundup. The European beech wood easel box opens into a complete workstation with three layers for organizing paints, brushes, and tools. The 13 artist-grade 60ml tubes are noticeably larger than the budget kits, giving you real paint to work with instead of tiny samples.
I spent a plein air session using this kit outdoors, and the easel box design is brilliant. Everything closes into a portable wooden box with a handle, opens into a stable easel, and has compartments for everything. After the session, you pack up and the paint stays clean because of the integrated palette surfaces.
The artist-grade 60ml tubes are a step up from student-grade 12ml tubes. More paint per tube means less worrying about running out mid-painting. The colors selected give you a workable landscape and portrait palette, with enough white for mixing and enough color variety for experimentation.
The 365-day warranty is unusual in art supplies and shows MEEDEN’s confidence in their kit. If anything arrives defective, they stand behind it. That’s reassuring for a beginner investing in their first real kit.
Why artist-grade paint tubes matter for serious beginners
Artist-grade paints have higher pigment load than student-grade, meaning you use less paint per stroke and your mixes are cleaner. The 60ml tubes in this kit are three to five times larger than budget 12ml tubes, so even though the price per tube is higher, the cost per painting is comparable.
For painters who plan to commit to oil painting as a long-term practice, starting with artist-grade tubes builds better habits. You learn how quality paint handles, mixes, and behaves. When you eventually upgrade to professional paints, the transition is smoother.
When this kit works best for you
Choose this kit if you want to paint plein air, need an organized portable workstation, prefer artist-grade paints over student-grade, or want a gift that feels substantial and well-made.
Look at budget kits if you’re not sure you’ll stick with oil painting, or look at the Modera kit below if you need a full French easel setup. The MEEDEN easel box is sturdy for plein air but smaller than a traditional studio easel.
8. Modera 163-Piece French Easel Painting Set – Best Complete Deluxe Kit
163-Piece French Easel Painting Set | All-in-One Deluxe Artist Starter Kit w/Wooden Field & Studio Sketch Box Easel for Adult, 100+ Professional Paints, Stretched & Panel Canvases, Brushes, Palettes
163 pieces
French easel with adjustable stand
100+ paint tubes, 8 canvases, 30 brushes
Pros
- Massive 163-piece deluxe painting set
- Hardwood French-style easel with adjustable triangle stand
- 100+ paint tubes across acrylic
- oil
- watercolor
- 8 stretched canvases in various sizes
- 30-piece brush set with multiple hair types
Cons
- Some brushes have loose hairs in isolated units
- Paints included are student grade rather than professional
- Occasional reports of missing parts
- One review noted a cracked easel leg
The Modera 163-Piece French Easel Painting Set is the kit to buy if you want everything and the kitchen sink. The hardwood French easel is the centerpiece: a folding wooden field easel that opens into a complete studio setup with sliding drawer storage, a palette surface, and a carry strap. Then there’s the 100+ paint tubes, eight canvases, three painting pads, and a 30-piece brush set.
I tested this kit’s portability by carrying it to a friend’s house for a paint-along session. The folding easel design is genuinely portable. The sliding drawer held my brushes and small accessories. The strap made carrying it easy. Setup took about five minutes.
The included paints are mostly acrylic with 24 oil tubes included. So while this is technically an oil painting kit in our roundup, it’s really a multi-medium starter set. If you plan to try both acrylic and oil painting, the variety is a real benefit. If you only want oil paint, the 24 oil tubes included are fewer than dedicated oil kits offer.
The French easel itself is the strongest element. Hardwood construction, adjustable angle, sturdy legs, and a real storage drawer. This is the easel component you’d buy separately for serious plein air work, bundled with starter paints and brushes.
What a French easel actually gives you
A French easel is the classic plein air easel design. It folds into a wooden box for transport, opens into a stable easel with adjustable canvas angle, and includes a built-in palette. The sliding drawer stores brushes and supplies. For painters who want to work outdoors, French easels are the standard.
The Modera version includes enough supplies to skip buying anything else for months. The variety of paint types (acrylic, metallic acrylic, oil, watercolor) lets you experiment across mediums. The 30-piece brush set covers virtually every brush shape you’ll want to try.
When this kit works best for you
This kit is ideal if you want a complete portable studio, plan to try multiple paint mediums, need a gift that includes a quality easel, or want one purchase to cover months of painting.
Look at dedicated oil kits if you only want oil painting, prefer artist-grade pigments, or don’t need a French easel. The paint quality in this kit is student-grade across the board, and serious oil painters will eventually replace it with higher-quality tubes.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Oil Painting Starter Kit
Picking the right oil painting starter kit comes down to a few key decisions. The most important factors are your painting goals, your budget, your workspace, and whether you want traditional or water-mixable oils. Here’s what to consider before you buy.
Student grade vs artist grade explained
Student grade paints use less expensive pigments and more filler, making them more affordable but slightly less vibrant. Artist grade paints use higher pigment loads and purer pigments, costing more but producing richer colors. For beginners, student grade is the right call because you will make mistakes, waste some paint, and want to experiment without financial stress. Once you’re sure oil painting is your medium, upgrade individual tubes of artist grade as needed.
The Winsor & Newton Winton line is the gold standard for student-grade oils. The PHOENIX and Ohuhu sets deliver surprisingly good quality at budget prices. The MEEDEN artist-grade tubes in our roundup show what stepping up looks like.
Water-mixable vs traditional oils
Traditional oil paints require solvents like turpentine or mineral spirits for thinning and brush cleanup. These solvents have fumes that require ventilation and proper disposal. Water-mixable oils like the Winsor & Newton Artisan line let you thin with water and clean brushes with soap, eliminating solvent concerns. For home painters, apartments, parents, or anyone sensitive to fumes, water-mixable oils are worth considering. The trade-off is slightly less vibrant pigment than the best traditional oils.
Reddit’s r/oilpainting community frequently recommends water-mixable oils for beginners for exactly this reason. No fume worries, easier cleanup, fewer supplies to buy.
Complete kit vs buying separately
Complete kits like the Modera 163-piece set or the KEFF set with easel save time and often money. They include everything you need to start, often at a discount compared to buying pieces separately. The downside is that kit brushes and palettes are rarely premium quality. Serious painters replace the brushes and palette within months.
Buying separately lets you choose higher-quality individual items but costs more upfront and demands research. For absolute beginners, kits remove decision fatigue. For painters who already know what they want, buying separately is better.
Essential accessories checklist
Beyond the kit itself, beginners need a few basics. Linseed oil or oil painting medium for thinning. A palette or palette paper for mixing. Solvent or brush cleaner for cleanup. Paper towels or rags. A few canvas boards or stretched canvases. Brushes beyond what’s in the kit, particularly a few hog-bristle flats and a round detail brush.
Skip buying everything at once. Start with paint, a few brushes, one canvas, and a paper palette. Add accessories as you discover what you need.
Workspace and ventilation considerations
Oil painting requires more setup than acrylic. You’ll want a dedicated space with good ventilation if using traditional oils. Cover your work surface. Have paper towels ready. Plan for brush cleaning at the end of each session. None of this is hard, but it does require some preparation.
If your space is small or poorly ventilated, lean toward water-mixable oils. If you have a dedicated studio space with ventilation, traditional oils give you the widest range of techniques and pigments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some good oil painting kits for beginners?
The best oil painting kits for beginners include complete sets with paint, brushes, and a surface. Our top picks include the Ohuhu 24-Color Oil Paint Set for best overall, Winsor u0026amp; Newton Winton for trusted brand quality, Bob Ross Master Paint Set for landscape painters, and Modera 163-Piece for a complete studio setup. Each kit we recommend balances pigment quality, color variety, and beginner-friendly features.
What is the best oil paint brand for beginners?
For beginners, Winsor u0026amp; Newton Winton is widely considered the best balance of quality and price. Gamblin is also highly recommended by professional artists for its consistency and lightfastness. For budget-friendly options, PHOENIX and Ohuhu deliver surprisingly good pigment quality at entry-level prices. All four brands produce student-quality oil paints that work for learning and producing finished paintings.
Is Gamblin or Winsor and Newton better?
Both Gamblin and Winsor u0026amp; Newton produce excellent oil paints. Gamblin is often recommended for its high-quality 1980 line and student-friendly starter kits. Winsor u0026amp; Newton has a longer heritage and offers the Winton student line plus the professional-grade Artist line. Beginners often lean toward Winsor u0026amp; Newton Winton because it’s widely available, trusted, and offers consistent quality. Gamblin is favored by artists who prioritize pigment density and lightfastness.
What is the 70/30 rule in painting?
The 70/30 rule is a compositional guideline suggesting that one element should occupy roughly 70% of a painting while the secondary element takes about 30%. This creates visual balance without equal weighting. For oil painting beginners, applying the 70/30 rule to your compositions helps avoid the common mistake of centering every element equally, resulting in dynamic, professional-looking paintings.
Do I need student or artist grade oil paints?
Start with student grade oil paints. You will waste paint while learning, and student grade costs less per tube. Once you know your color preferences and have developed a consistent practice, upgrade individual tubes of artist grade paint as needed. The Winsor u0026amp; Newton Winton and Gamblin 1980 lines are excellent student grade options. For artist grade, Winsor u0026amp; Newton Artist, Gamblin, and Old Holland are top choices.
Final Verdict
After three months of testing and comparing 8 of the best oil painting starter kits, the Ohuhu 24-Color Oil Paint Set earns our EDITOR’S CHOICE recommendation. It combines the most colors, non-toxic certified formula, and beginner-friendly performance at a price that removes the financial barrier to starting.
For painters who want a heritage brand and are willing to invest more in fewer high-quality tubes, the Winsor & Newton Winton Starter Set delivers trusted quality. For landscape enthusiasts following the Bob Ross method, the Bob Ross Master Paint Set is the obvious choice. For complete beginners who want everything in one box including an easel, the KEFF Oil Paint Set is hard to beat. For dedicated plein air painters, the MEEDEN 37-Piece Kit with its beech wood easel box is unmatched.
The right oil painting starter kit is the one that gets you painting. Whether you choose our EDITOR’S CHOICE or one of the other excellent options in our roundup, the most important step is the next one. Pick up a brush, load some paint, and start. You can explore our other creative guides like best studio lighting kits or best airbrush kits as you build your home studio.