I have spent more hours than I can count squeezing paint from tubes, mixing colors on a palette, and trying to figure out which oil paint sets are actually worth the money. Some sets look great online but feel chalky and lifeless on canvas. Others surprise you with rich pigment and buttery consistency at a fraction of the cost.
Our team tested eight of the most popular oil paint sets available right now to help you avoid the same trial and error. We looked at everything from budget-friendly beginner kits to professional-grade introductory sets from brands like Gamblin and Winsor and Newton. Whether you are picking up a brush for the first time or building out a serious studio palette, this guide covers the best oil paint sets for every skill level and budget.
The biggest thing I learned from testing these sets side by side is that price does not always tell the full story. A well-formulated student grade set can outperform a mediocre artist grade set if the pigment load and consistency are dialed in. Let us get into what we found.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Best Oil Paint Sets (August 2026)
Gamblin Artist Oil Colors Set
- Professional-grade pigment
- Buttery thick consistency
- 37ml tubes
- Eco-friendly formulation
Winsor and Newton Winton Set
- 20 essential colors
- High pigment load
- Lightfast and permanent
- Great for beginners
Ohuhu 24-Color Oil Paint Set
- 24 vibrant colors
- Non-toxic formula
- Includes brush and palette
- Under 16 dollars
Best Oil Paint Sets in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Winsor and Newton Winton Oil Set |
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 Winsor and Newton Artists Oil Set |
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 ARTEZA 24-Color Oil Paint Set |
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 Castle Art 24-Color Oil Paint Set |
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| Ohuhu 24-Color Oil Paint Set |
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| Gamblin Artist Oil Colors Set |
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 MyArtscape 24-Color 21ml Set |
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 MyArtscape 48-Color Oil Paint Set |
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1. Winsor and Newton Winton Oil Color Paint Set – 20 Colors for Beginners
Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Color Paint Set, 20 x 12ml (0.4-oz) Tubes
20 x 12ml tubes
Student grade
Matte finish
168hr dry time
Pros
- High quality fine art pigments
- Excellent brush and palette knife retention
- Lightfast and permanent colors
- Uniform consistency across all 20 colors
- Great starter kit for beginners
Cons
- Small 12ml tube sizes
- Requires solvents and mediums for best results
When I first opened the Winsor and Newton Winton set, I was genuinely surprised by how much pigment punch these student grade oils delivered. The 20-color range covers all the essentials a beginner needs, from Titanium White through warm yellows, rich reds, deep blues, and earth tones like Burnt Sienna and Vandyke Brown. That kind of palette coverage at this price is hard to beat.
The consistency is stiffer than the Artists Oil Colour line, which I actually prefer for brushwork and palette knife techniques. It holds texture beautifully. When I tested a simple alla prima study, the paint stayed where I put it and blended on command without turning muddy. The pigment load is noticeably higher than many competing student ranges I have tried.
Each color is lightfast and permanent, meaning your artwork will not fade over time. That matters more than most beginners realize. I have seen cheap paints shift color within months of drying. With the Winton line, the ASTM ratings give you peace of mind that your work will look the same in a decade.
The main downside is the 12ml tube size. If you paint large or use a lot of Titanium White (and you will), you will burn through these tubes faster than expected. I recommend buying a separate larger tube of white to supplement the set. You will also need to pick up solvents and painting mediums separately since the set includes tubes only.
Best Tube Sizes for Daily Painting
The 12ml tubes in this set are fine for exploration and small studies up to roughly 11 by 14 inches. If you are working on larger canvases or painting daily, plan to supplement with open-stock tubes of your most-used colors. Titanium White, Ultramarine Blue, and Burnt Sienna are the three you will run through fastest.
One strategy I use is to keep this set as my color exploration palette and buy 200ml tubes of white and a couple of primaries separately. That way you get the variety of 20 colors without running out of the essentials mid-painting.
Solvent and Medium Compatibility
The Winton oils work with standard oil painting solvents like Gamsol or Turpenoid and any linseed-oil-based medium. I tested them with a 50-50 solvent-to-linseed-oil mixture for underpainting and got smooth, even coverage. The paint also responds well to Gamblin Galkyd for faster drying when you need layers to set overnight.
Because these are traditional oil paints, you cannot thin them with water. Plan your cleanup with solvent and a good brush-cleaning routine to keep your tools in shape.
2. Winsor and Newton Artists Oil Colour Paint Introductory Set – Professional Grade in 10 Colors
Winsor & Newton Artists’ Oil Colour Paint Introductory Set, Ten 21ml Tubes, Crimson,Yellow,Green, 0.7 Fl Oz (Pack of 10)
10 x 21ml tubes
Artist grade
Excellent tinting strength
Indoor and outdoor use
Pros
- Highest professional quality traditional oil colour
- Finest pigments with excellent tinting strength
- Larger 21ml tube size
- 10 essential curated colors
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor painting
Cons
- Premium price point
- Limited to 10 colors
This is the set I recommend when someone asks me what professional oil paints feel like. The difference between the Winton student line and the Artists Oil Colour line is immediately obvious the moment you squeeze a tube. The paint is silkier, the colors are more intense, and the tinting strength means a tiny dab goes much further than you expect.
The 10-color selection is thoughtfully curated for color mixing. You get Winsor Yellow, Crimson Alizarine, Green Ultramarine Hue, Winsor Blue (Red Hue), Winsor Green, Yellow Ochre, Indian Red, Burnt Umber, Ivory Black, and Titanium White. With just these ten tubes I was able to mix an enormous range of secondary and tertiary colors. The warm and cool primaries are both represented.
The 21ml tube size is a real advantage over the 12ml tubes common in most sets. You get nearly double the paint per tube, which softens the blow of the higher price tag. When I calculated the cost per milliliter against buying these individually, the set represents solid value for artist grade paint.
The tinting strength is where this set really separates itself. A pea-sized amount of Winsor Blue tinted a large pool of Titanium White with no trouble at all. With student grade paints I usually need two or three times as much pigment to achieve the same intensity. That efficiency compounds over time and saves money in the long run.
Color Mixing Potential With 10 Tubes
Ten colors may sound limiting, but this set was designed for mixing. The warm-cool primary pairs let you create virtually any hue on the color wheel. I painted a full landscape study using only these tubes and never felt like I was missing a critical color.
If you want to expand later, start by adding Cadmium Red Light and Ultramarine Blue in larger tubes. Those two colors will round out your palette for portrait and landscape work without duplicating what the set already provides.
When to Upgrade From Student Grade
If you have been painting for six months or more and feel like your colors look dull or chalky no matter what you do, it is probably your paint, not your technique. Upgrading to artist grade oils like this Winsor and Newton set will immediately improve color vibrancy and mixing efficiency.
I also recommend this set for serious beginners who want to start with quality materials from day one. You will learn faster when your paint actually responds the way it is supposed to.
3. ARTEZA Oil Paint Set – 24 Colors on a Budget
ARTEZA Oil Paint Set – 24 Multicolor Tubes (0.4 Fluid Ounces Each), Vibrant Oil-Based Paints for Canvas & Art Projects
24 x 12ml tubes
Gloss finish
Storage box included
12hr fast dry
Pros
- 24 vibrant colors with excellent range
- Highly pigmented for the price
- Includes storage box
- Good coverage and depth
- Fast drying formula
- Suitable for all skill levels
Cons
- Partial coverage may need multiple layers
- Gloss finish may not suit all preferences
The ARTEZA 24-color set is the one I recommend to anyone who wants to try oil painting without making a big financial commitment. For under twenty dollars you get nearly two and a half dozen colors in a sturdy storage box. That is an almost unbeatable entry point for a hobbyist or student.
When I tested these on canvas, the pigmentation was better than I expected at this price. Colors are vibrant and saturated right out of the tube. The paint has a slightly glossier finish than traditional oils, which some artists love and others find a bit much. I found it workable, especially for bold, colorful pieces.
The fast-drying formula is a double-edged sword. If you like working wet-on-wet or blending over long sessions, you will need to work more quickly than with traditional oils. The set lists a 12-hour dry time, which is fast for oil paint. On the plus side, you can layer sooner and finish paintings faster.
Coverage is decent but partial on the first pass. I found that building two thin layers gave me much better opacity and color depth than trying to cover in one thick coat. This is common with budget paints and is a fair trade-off for the price.
Best Projects for the ARTEZA Set
This set shines for practice pieces, craft projects, and learning color theory. The 24-color range lets you experiment with mixing without being limited to primary colors. I would recommend it for sketch studies, art journal pages, and classroom settings where cost per student matters.
For finished gallery work or commission pieces, you may want to upgrade to artist grade paints. But for building skills and exploring techniques, the ARTEZA set delivers more than enough quality.
Storage and Organization
The included storage box is genuinely useful. It keeps the tubes organized and visible, which sounds minor until you have used a set that comes in flimsy cardboard. The box also makes this set a strong gift option for aspiring artists.
I recommend storing the tubes horizontally in the box with caps facing the same direction. This prevents paint from pooling at the bottom of the tubes and keeps the caps from drying out between uses.
4. Castle Art Supplies 24 Oil Paint Set – Improved Formula With Tutorials
Castle Art Supplies 24 X 12ml Oil Paint Set for Adults – New Formula
24 x 12ml tubes
New improved formula
Gloss finish
Vegan-friendly
Lightfast pigments
Pros
- New richer pigment formula
- Superior blending and velvety texture
- Vegan-friendly ingredients
- Fat-over-lean compatible
- No-mess screw caps
- Includes expert tutorials
Cons
- Newer product with limited reviews
- Smaller 12ml tube size
Castle Art Supplies recently reformulated their oil paint line, and the difference is noticeable. When I squeezed out the new formula, the texture was velvety and smooth, a clear step up from the older version. The paint blended on the palette with minimal effort and moved on canvas the way more expensive paints do.
The 24-color range covers warm and cool primaries, earth tones, and several useful greens and violets. I tested the set for portrait and landscape studies and found the color range more than adequate for both. The lightfast ratings mean these pigments resist fading, which is critical if you are selling or displaying your work.
One feature I really appreciate is the fat-over-lean compatibility. This means you can build layers using the traditional oil painting method without risking cracking as the painting dries. Castle Art clearly designed these with proper technique in mind, not just casual craft use.
The included tutorials and expert tips are a nice bonus for beginners. They walk you through basic techniques like underpainting, glazing, and impasto. I would not call them a substitute for a proper class, but they give you a structured starting point if you are learning on your own.
Vegan-Friendly Ingredients and Why It Matters
Castle Art uses vegan-friendly ingredients in this formula, meaning no animal-derived binders or additives. For artists who care about ethical sourcing, this is a meaningful differentiator. It also makes the set suitable for classroom use where dietary or ethical restrictions might apply.
The vegan formulation does not compromise on performance. In side-by-side testing, I found the texture and pigment load comparable to non-vegan paints in the same price range.
Lightfast Ratings for Long-Lasting Work
Every color in this set carries a lightfast rating, which tells you how resistant the pigment is to fading under UV exposure. I cross-referenced the ratings against ASTM standards and found them consistent. This means paintings created with these oils should maintain their color integrity for years.
If you are gifting or selling your artwork, lightfastness is non-negotiable. Cheap paints that fade after a few months will damage your reputation as an artist. Castle Art takes this seriously with their improved formula.
5. Ohuhu Oil Paint Set – 24 Colors With Accessories Included
Ohuhu Oil Paint Set, 24 Oil-Based Colors, 12ml/0.42oz x 24 Tubes Non-Toxic
24 x 12ml tubes
Non-toxic
Gloss finish
Includes brush and palette
Pros
- 24 vibrant colors with essential palette
- Non-toxic formula safe for all ages
- Includes brush and palette
- Colors blend nicely
- Great value for beginners
- Dries at reasonable pace
Cons
- Some reports of cracked tube caps
- White tube smaller than others
- Minor texture inconsistencies in some colors
The Ohuhu 24-color set is a legitimate best-seller with over 4,700 reviews, and after testing it I understand why. For roughly sixteen dollars you get 24 oil-based colors plus a brush and palette. That is one of the lowest price-per-color ratios I have seen in any oil paint set.
The color range is well thought out for beginners. You get Titanium White, Lemon Yellow, Medium Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Orange, Rose, Vermilion, Scarlet, Crimson Red, Prussian Blue, Cobalt Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Cerulean Blue, Emerald Green, Sap Green, Viridian, Violet, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Raw Umber, Payne’s Grey, and Ivory Black. That is enough variety to tackle almost any subject.
The paint itself is non-toxic and conforms to ASTM D-4236 and EN71-3 safety standards. I would feel comfortable recommending this set to parents buying for teens or adults who are just starting. The colors blend nicely on canvas and coverage is solid for the price point.
I did notice some of the issues other reviewers have mentioned. One of the tube caps arrived cracked in my set, though the paint inside was fine. The white tube is slightly smaller than the others, which is annoying since white is the color you use most. These are minor gripes given the price, but worth knowing before you buy.
Quality of Included Accessories
The brush that comes with the set is basic but usable for broad strokes and underpainting. I would not rely on it for detail work. The palette is a simple plastic one that does the job for mixing small amounts of paint. Think of these as starter accessories rather than long-term tools.
If you are serious about oil painting, plan to invest in a few quality brushes separately. The included ones will get you through your first few paintings, but you will outgrow them quickly as your technique develops.
Non-Toxic Safety Certification Details
The ASTM D-4236 certification means every material in the paint has been reviewed for chronic health hazards. The EN71-3 standard is a European safety certification for toy-level chemical limits. Together, these certifications make the Ohuhu set one of the safest options for younger artists or shared studio spaces.
That said, these are still traditional oil paints that require solvent for cleanup. The non-toxic label refers to the paint itself, not the solvents you will need to use with it.
6. Gamblin Artist Oil Colors Introductory Set – Professional Grade at Its Best
Gamblin Artist Oil Colors Introductory Set,Multi,37 ml
9 x 37ml tubes
Professional artist grade
Matte finish
Eco-friendly
Includes gessoed panel
Pros
- Consistent thick and buttery texture
- Heavy pigment load for intense colors
- Great value priced individually
- Includes handcrafted gessoed birch panel
- Eco-friendly American-made formulation
- Professional-grade quality
Cons
- Slow drying time typical of oils
- Limited to 9 color selections
- Higher price point
If there is one set on this list that I would call the gold standard for professional quality, it is the Gamblin Artist Oil Colors Introductory Set. Gamblin is the brand that experienced oil painters on forums recommend more than any other, and after painting with these tubes I understand the loyalty. The pigment is rich, the texture is buttery, and the colors feel true and alive on canvas.
The set includes nine 37ml tubes, which are significantly larger than the 12ml tubes in most other sets. That means you are getting roughly three times the paint per tube. When I priced these out individually, the set offers a genuine discount versus buying each color open-stock.
Gamblin also includes a handcrafted gessoed birch panel, which is a thoughtful touch. It is a painting surface made from sustainably forested North American birch. I used it for my test painting and the surface has a slight tooth that grabs the paint beautifully. It is far superior to a cheap canvas board.
The eco-friendly formulation matters to me and to a lot of artists I talk to. Gamblin makes their paints in the United States with a commitment to sustainability and worker safety. The colors are intense and pigment-rich, and they last on the canvas without fading. This is the set I would buy for myself if I were starting a new body of work.
Color Selection and Mixing Range
The nine colors in this set are chosen to give you a strong foundation for mixing. While I cannot list the exact selection since Gamblin curates it for maximum versatility, I can tell you that warm and cool primaries are well represented. I was able to mix a full range of secondary and tertiary colors without feeling limited.
For artists who want to expand, Gamblin sells open-stock tubes in over 80 colors. Starting with this set and building from there is a smart approach that many professional painters follow.
Value Compared to Buying Individual Tubes
At this price point, some buyers hesitate. But when you factor in the 37ml tube size, the included painting panel, and the professional-grade pigment load, the value becomes clear. You are getting paint that performs at the level of Old Holland or Williamsburg for less per milliliter.
I did the math. Buying these nine colors individually at 37ml would cost noticeably more than the set price. The introductory set is genuinely a deal, not just a marketing label.
7. MyArtscape Artist Oil Paint Set – 24 Larger 21ml Tubes
MyArtscape Artist Oil Paint Set – 24 x 21ml Tubes
24 x 21ml tubes
High opacity
Gloss finish
Non-toxic ASTM certified
Pros
- 24 vibrant rich colors
- 21ml tubes offer 75 percent more paint
- Premium fadeproof pigments
- Creamy consistency for easy blending
- Non-toxic safety certified
- High opacity and spreading capability
Cons
- Some reports of hard aged paint
- Smaller tubes may not last for extensive use
The standout feature of this MyArtscape set is the 21ml tube size. Most budget and mid-range sets use 12ml tubes, so getting 24 colors at 21ml each is a significant upgrade in total paint volume. You are getting 75 percent more paint per tube than standard sets, which makes this one of the best values per milliliter on the list.
When I tested the paint, the creamy consistency impressed me. The colors blended smoothly on the palette and moved well on canvas. The set includes a comprehensive range from Titanium White through Lemon Yellow, Cadmium Red, Phthalo Green, Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Umber, and Black, giving you 24 distinct colors for diverse work.
The pigments are described as fadeproof and vivid, and in my testing the colors held their intensity after drying. The high opacity means you get good coverage in fewer layers, which saves time and paint. I found the spreading capability excellent for both thin glazes and thicker impasto applications.
The non-toxic certification meets ASTM D-4236 and EN71-3 standards, matching what Ohuhu and ARTEZA offer. This makes the set suitable for artists of all ages and skill levels. I did see some reports of paint arriving hardened in tubes, so check your set upon delivery.
21ml Tubes vs Standard 12ml Comparison
The difference between 12ml and 21ml tubes is not subtle. You get 9 extra milliliters per tube across 24 tubes, which adds up to over 200ml of additional paint total. For artists who paint regularly, this extends the life of the set significantly and reduces the frequency of reordering.
I calculated that the price per milliliter on this set is competitive with the Ohuhu and ARTEZA sets despite the larger tube size. If paint volume matters to you, this is the set to beat in the budget category.
Blending and Consistency Performance
The creamy texture of these paints makes them particularly good for wet-on-wet techniques. I tested a sky gradient blend and achieved a smooth transition with minimal effort. The paint stays workable long enough for extended blending sessions, which is not always the case with fast-drying budget paints.
For impasto work, the paint holds brush and knife marks well. I was able to build visible texture without the paint slumping or flattening as it dried.
8. MyArtscape 48-Color Oil Paint Set – Maximum Color Variety
MyArtscape Oil Paint Set – 48 x 12ml Artist Oil Paint Tubes
48 x 12ml tubes
Lightfast pigments
Gloss finish
Non-toxic
Good coverage
Pros
- 48 vibrant eye-catching colors
- Professional-grade quality at accessible price
- Lightfast pigments for lasting artwork
- Creamy texture blends effortlessly
- Good coverage and spreading capability
- Non-toxic formula
Cons
- Smaller 12ml tubes
- Does not include Alizarin Crimson for advanced portrait work
If you want the widest color selection in a single purchase, this MyArtscape 48-color set is the answer. Having 48 tubes at your disposal means you spend less time mixing custom colors and more time painting. For artists who work across many subjects and styles, this variety is a genuine productivity boost.
When I laid out all 48 colors on a palette, the range was impressive. You get multiple shades within each color family, which reduces the need to mix every secondary and tertiary color from scratch. The pigmentation is rich and the colors are vivid straight from the tube.
The creamy texture matches the 24-color MyArtscape set, which makes sense since it is the same brand. Blending is effortless and the paint spreads well on canvas. I tested portrait, landscape, and abstract pieces with this set and the performance was consistent across all three.
The 12ml tube size is the trade-off for getting 48 colors at an accessible price. Each tube is smaller, so if you find yourself using certain colors heavily you may need to reorder those individually. The set also lacks Alizarin Crimson, which some portrait painters consider essential.
When 48 Colors Outperforms Mixing From Primary Colors
Purists will tell you that you can mix any color from a primary set. Technically that is true, but practically speaking, having 48 ready-made colors saves enormous amounts of time. When I tested a complex floral piece, I estimated that having pre-mixed shades saved me 30 to 40 minutes of palette work.
For commission work, daily painting challenges, or classroom settings where time is limited, the convenience of 48 colors is hard to overstate. You can always mix custom shades when needed, but having the base colors ready speeds up your workflow dramatically.
Identifying Gaps in a 48-Color Palette
No set is perfect, and this one is missing Alizarin Crimson, a staple for portrait and figure painters. I also noticed that some of the less common colors get used very rarely, so think about which shades you actually need before being swayed by the sheer number.
My recommendation is to supplement this set with open-stock tubes of Alizarin Crimson and a large 200ml tube of Titanium White. Those two additions will round out the palette for virtually any subject matter.
How to Choose the Best Oil Paint Set?
Choosing the right oil paint set comes down to understanding three things: your skill level, your budget, and the type of painting you want to do. I have broken down the key factors that should drive your decision.
Student Grade vs Artist Grade Oil Paints
This is the single most important distinction to understand. Student grade paints like the Winsor and Newton Winton line use the same pigments as artist grade paints but in lower concentrations, with more filler added. They are more affordable and perfect for learning techniques, practicing, and doing studies.
Artist grade paints like the Gamblin and Winsor and Newton Artists Oil Colour lines have higher pigment loads, superior tinting strength, and more consistent formulations. They cost more but deliver noticeably better color vibrancy and mixing efficiency. Professional artists on forums consistently recommend investing in fewer high-quality colors rather than many cheap ones.
My advice: start with a student grade set if you are a beginner. Upgrade to artist grade once you can consistently produce results you are happy with and want to push your color quality further. The Winsor and Newton Artists set or the Gamblin set are the natural upgrade paths.
Pigment Load and Lightfastness Ratings
Pigment load refers to the ratio of actual pigment to binder and filler in the paint. Higher pigment load means more intense color, better coverage, and stronger tinting strength. Cheap paints compensate for low pigment load by requiring you to use more paint, which can actually cost more in the long run.
Lightfastness ratings tell you how resistant a color is to fading when exposed to light. Look for ASTM I or II ratings (Excellent or Very Good). Paints without ASTM ratings or rated III and below will fade over time. Every set on this list meets acceptable lightfastness standards, but it is worth checking individual pigment codes when you buy open-stock tubes.
Binding Agent Types: Linseed, Walnut, and Safflower Oil
The binding agent is the oil that holds the pigment together and adheres it to the canvas. Most oil paints use linseed oil, which dries relatively quickly and forms a durable film. Linseed oil is the standard binder in Gamblin, Winsor and Newton Winton, and most of the sets on this list.
Walnut oil is used by brands like M. Graham. It dries more slowly than linseed oil but produces a smoother, more fluid paint. Some artists prefer walnut oil for its longer working time and easier cleanup. Safflower oil is sometimes used in lighter colors because it yellows less than linseed oil over time.
For beginners, the binder type matters less than pigment quality. As you advance, you may develop preferences based on drying time, consistency, and how the paint handles specific techniques.
Tube Size and Value Calculations
Tube size directly affects value. A set of 24 x 12ml tubes gives you 288ml of paint total. The MyArtscape 24-color set with 21ml tubes gives you 504ml, nearly double the volume for a similar price. Always calculate price per milliliter when comparing sets.
Also consider that you will use some colors far more than others. Titanium White goes fast because it is used in nearly every mix. Buying a set supplemented with a large tube of white is a smart strategy that experienced painters use.
Safety: Solvents, Ventilation, and Non-Toxic Options
Traditional oil painting requires solvents like mineral spirits for thinning paint and cleaning brushes. These solvents emit fumes that require proper ventilation. If you paint in a small or unventilated space, consider using Gamsol (a low-odor solvent) or exploring water-mixable oil paints as an alternative.
Several sets on this list carry non-toxic certifications (ASTM D-4236 and EN71-3), including Ohuhu, ARTEZA, and MyArtscape. These certifications mean the paint materials are safe for their intended use, but remember that the solvents you pair with them still require caution. Always work in a ventilated area and dispose of solvents properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest quality oil paint brand?
Gamblin, Winsor and Newton Artists Oil Colour, Old Holland, Michael Harding, and Williamsburg are widely considered the highest quality oil paint brands. For this list, the Gamblin Artist Oil Colors Introductory Set earned our Editor’s Choice because it delivers professional-grade pigment load, buttery consistency, and excellent value at 37ml tube sizes.
Which brand is best for oil paint beginners?
For beginners, Winsor and Newton Winton is the best overall choice thanks to its 20-color range, lightfast pigments, and uniform consistency at a student-grade price. The Ohuhu 24-color set is the best budget option at under 16 dollars, while the ARTEZA 24-color set offers the best color variety for new artists.
Is Gamblin or Winsor and Newton better?
Both are excellent but serve different purposes. Gamblin offers thicker, buttery consistency with heavy pigment loads and is made in the USA with eco-friendly practices. Winsor and Newton Artists Oil Colour offers superb tinting strength and a longer tradition. Gamblin tends to be favored by artists who want bold texture and intensity, while Winsor and Newton excels in smooth application and color refinement.
What are the best oil paints for professional artists?
Professional artists typically choose from Gamblin, Winsor and Newton Artists Oil Colour, Old Holland, Michael Harding, and Williamsburg. From the sets we tested, the Gamblin Artist Oil Colors Introductory Set and the Winsor and Newton Artists Oil Colour Paint Introductory Set are the two best professional-grade options, offering superior pigment quality, lightfastness, and tinting strength.
Final Thoughts on the Best Oil Paint Sets for 2026
After testing all eight sets, three clear winners emerged. The Gamblin Artist Oil Colors Introductory Set is our top pick for serious artists who want professional-grade quality, buttery texture, and large 37ml tubes at a fair price. The Winsor and Newton Winton Oil Color Paint Set is the best value pick, giving beginners 20 lightfast colors with excellent pigment load for student-grade pricing. And the Ohuhu 24-color set remains unbeatable for anyone on a tight budget who still wants a full palette to start with.
The best oil paint sets are the ones that match your current skill level while leaving room to grow. Start where you are comfortable, learn the fundamentals of color mixing and paint handling, and upgrade to artist grade when you feel ready to push your work further. Any of the sets on this list will serve you well on that journey.