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Oil Painting For Beginners: What To Buy
Starting your journey with oil painting can feel exciting and confusing at the same time. Many beginners wonder, “What do I really need? ” The art shop is full of supplies, but not all are necessary. You want tools that make learning easy, not overwhelming.
This guide helps you find exactly what you need as a beginner oil painter—so you can focus on creating, not shopping.
Essential Oil Painting Supplies
Choosing the right materials is important for both your results and your enjoyment. With smart choices, you’ll avoid common problems like muddy colors or frustration with cheap brushes. Let’s look at the must-have items.
Paints: Student Vs. Artist Quality
Oil paints come in two main grades: student and artist quality. Artist paints have more pigment and richer color, but they cost more. For beginners, student-grade paints are usually fine. They let you experiment without spending too much.
Here’s a comparison of popular starter brands:
| Brand | Grade | Price (Set) | Color Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winsor & Newton | Student | $25-40 | Good |
| Rembrandt | Artist | $50-100 | Excellent |
| Gamblin | Student | $30-50 | Good |
Start with a basic set of 6–10 colors. You don’t need every shade. Choose primary colors, white, black, and earth tones. Many beginners buy too many colors, which can make mixing confusing.
Brushes: Types And Sizes
Brushes are critical for oil painting. Cheap brushes shed hairs and make painting harder. Invest in medium-quality brushes—not the most expensive, but not the cheapest.
You need brushes in different shapes:
- Flat – For broad strokes and blending
- Round – For detail and lines
- Filbert – For soft edges and curves
- Fan – For texture and effects
A beginner’s set usually has 5–8 brushes. Sizes range from small (#2) to large (#12). Synthetic brushes work well for oil paint and are easier to clean than natural hair.
Painting Surfaces: Canvas Vs. Alternatives
The classic surface is stretched canvas. However, canvas boards and paper are cheaper and good for practice. Choose pre-primed surfaces so you don’t have to add primer yourself.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Surface | Price (per piece) | Durability | Recommended for Beginners? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stretched Canvas | $8-20 | High | Yes |
| Canvas Board | $3-8 | Medium | Yes |
| Oil Painting Paper | $1-5 | Low | Yes (for practice) |
Buy a few small canvases or boards (8″x10″ or 9″x12″) to start. Large surfaces use more paint and take longer to finish.
Palette: Mixing Made Simple
You need a palette to mix colors. Wooden palettes are classic but need oiling. Plastic palettes are lighter and easier to clean. Some artists use disposable paper palettes, which are convenient and save cleanup time.
Choose a palette with enough space—about 12″x16″ is ideal.
Palette Knives: Mixing And Effects
A palette knife helps you mix paint on your palette and apply interesting textures to your canvas. Buy one or two—metal knives are best. Look for a rounded tip and a comfortable grip.
Mediums: Adjusting Paint Texture
Oil painting mediums change the paint’s thickness, drying time, and finish. For beginners, start with:
- Linseed oil: Makes paint smoother and glossier
- Turpentine or odorless mineral spirits: Thins paint and cleans brushes
Use mediums sparingly. Too much can make paint sticky or cause problems with drying.
Cleaning Supplies
Oil painting requires careful cleaning. You’ll need:
- Odorless mineral spirits for brush cleaning
- Soap (gentle hand soap or brush soap)
- Rags or paper towels to wipe brushes
Never pour mineral spirits down the drain. Let paint settle, then pour off clean spirits to reuse.
Easels: Do You Need One?
An easel holds your canvas upright. Tabletop easels are affordable (about $20–$40) and work well for small canvases. Floor easels are better for larger work, but not essential at first.
If you don’t have an easel, you can paint flat on a table, but it’s less comfortable for your back and arms.
Other Useful Tools
Some extra items make painting easier:
- Apron or old shirt to protect clothes
- Gloves (optional) for sensitive skin
- Charcoal or pencil for sketching outlines
- Sealant or varnish for finished paintings (not needed right away)
Beginner Oil Painting Supplies on Amazon
If you would rather order your first kit than assemble it piece by piece in a store, the five products below cover paint, brushes and cleanup. They were selected from Amazon listings checked in October 2026, based on what each listing includes, how well that matches the essentials above, and how widely buyers review it. We have not used them ourselves, so the notes stick to listing details and general oil painting practice.
| Product | Best For | Key Spec | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norberg & Linden XXL Oil Paint Set | All-in-one starter kit | 24 x 12 ml oils, 25 brushes, palette, canvas | $$ |
| ARTALLY 188-Piece Kit with French Easel | Kit plus an easel | French easel, 24 oils plus acrylic and watercolor | $$$ |
| Fuumuui 25-Piece Brush Set | Learning brush shapes | 24 brushes in 9 shapes, palette knife | $$ |
| ARTIFY 25-Piece Expert Series Brushes | Durable synthetic brushes | 25 nylon brushes, secured ferrules | $$ |
| Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits (128 oz) | Thinning and cleanup | 128 oz odorless mineral spirits | $$$ |
1. Norberg & Linden XXL Oil Paint Set — Best All-in-One Starter Set
This set bundles 24 oil paint tubes of 12 ml each with 25 brushes, a metal palette and one 8 x 10 inch stretched canvas panel. The listing says the colors include primaries, earth tones, blues, greens and skin-tone shades, and the brushes mix bristle, nylon and foam types.
That covers most of the “Essential Oil Painting Supplies” list above in one box. You still need a medium and a solvent or oil for cleanup, plus more painting surfaces.
Best suited for: beginners who want to start painting the day the box arrives.
Key features:
- 24 oil paint tubes, 12 ml each
- 25 brushes in assorted sizes and styles
- Metal palette
- One 8 x 10 inch stretched canvas
Pros:
- Paint, brushes and palette in one purchase
- Wide color range including earth tones
- Mid price tier
Limitations:
- 12 ml tubes run out quickly, especially white
- Foam brushes are of limited use in oil painting
- Only one canvas included
Buying consideration: Buy an extra large tube of titanium white alongside this set; beginners use far more white than any other color.
2. ARTALLY 188-Piece Kit with French Easel — Best Kit if You Also Need an Easel
ARTALLY’s kit is built around a beechwood French-style sketchbox easel that, per the listing, converts between studio and outdoor use and stores supplies. It includes 96 paints across acrylic, watercolor and oil, with 24 of them oils, plus brushes, an apron and a brush basin cleaner.
It is far more than a beginner strictly needs, but if you already know you want an easel, it bundles one with a starter range of oils.
Best suited for: beginners who want a French easel and are curious about trying other media too.
Key features:
- French easel in German beechwood
- 24 oil paints among 96 total paints
- Brush basin cleaner and apron included
- About 29.5 lbs shipped
Pros:
- Easel plus paints in one purchase
- Easel works indoors and outdoors
- Lets you compare oil with acrylic and watercolor
Limitations:
- Highest price tier on this list
- Most of the paints are not oils
- Heavy and bulky to store
Buying consideration: If you only plan to paint in oils, a paint set and a separate tabletop easel, as suggested in the “Easels: Do You Need One?” section, will cost less.
3. Fuumuui 25-Piece Brush Set — Best Brush Variety for Learning Shapes
Fuumuui includes 24 synthetic brushes in nine shapes, including wide flat, flat, filbert, fan, dagger, cat tongue, round, angle and rigger, plus a palette knife and a waterproof canvas roll. The listing rates them for acrylic, oil and watercolor and describes birch wood handles.
Having flats, filberts and rounds in several sizes lets you practice the brush types covered in the “Brushes: Types And Sizes” section before investing in better individual brushes.
Best suited for: beginners who want to try many brush shapes before settling on favorites.
Key features:
- 24 brushes in 9 shapes
- Palette knife included
- Synthetic bristles, birch handles
- Waterproof canvas roll
Pros:
- Broad range of shapes
- Roll keeps brushes organized
- Works with oil and acrylic
Limitations:
- Synthetic hair is softer than hog bristle for thick oil paint
- Some shapes, such as dagger and cat tongue, are rarely needed early on
- Listing performance claims are not independently verified
Buying consideration: Clean these with a little oil or solvent, then soap and water, and reshape the tips before they dry.
4. ARTIFY 25-Piece Expert Series Brushes — Best Durable Synthetic Brushes
ARTIFY’s Expert Series set contains 25 nylon brushes in shapes including liner, flat and angular, with a palette knife and a cloth roll. The listing focuses on build quality: chrome-plated copper ferrules secured with glue at the wood-bristle junction, and nylon chosen to minimize shedding.
Loose ferrules and shedding hairs are two of the most common frustrations with cheap brush sets, so this one targets the right problems.
Best suited for: beginners who want a set that holds together through solvent cleaning.
Key features:
- 25 synthetic nylon brushes
- Chrome-plated copper ferrules
- Palette knife included
- Nylon cloth roll
Pros:
- Construction aimed at preventing shedding
- Rated for oil, acrylic, watercolor and gouache
- Portable roll
Limitations:
- Nylon is less springy than hog bristle in heavy paint
- Listing does not break down exact sizes
- Mid price tier for a set
Buying consideration: Choose between this and the Fuumuui set by priority: shape variety there, construction and durability here.
5. Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits (128 oz) — Best Solvent for Cleanup and Thinning
Gamsol is Gamblin’s odorless mineral spirit. The listing describes it as safer than turpentine and harsh mineral spirits, and as a solvent for thinning mediums, general painting and brush and studio cleanup.
Odorless does not mean fume-free, so keep a window open or a fan running while you work. It is the “odorless mineral spirits” item from the cleaning list above, in a size that will last well beyond your first few paintings.
Best suited for: beginners who plan to use a solvent rather than a fully solvent-free routine.
Key features:
- 128 oz container
- Odorless formula
- For thinning mediums and cleaning brushes
- Made by Gamblin Artist Colors
Pros:
- Large supply lasts a long time
- Less odor than turpentine
- From an established oil paint maker
Limitations:
- A gallon is a lot to store for a casual beginner
- Still needs ventilation and careful disposal
- Highest volume, so the upfront cost is high
Buying consideration: Pour a small amount into a lidded jar for daily use, let pigment settle and reuse the clear solvent rather than pouring it away.
How To Choose Quality Over Quantity
Buying too many supplies can be a trap. Beginners often fill their studio with tools they rarely use. Focus on quality basics—a good brush, reliable paints, and a solid surface.
What Matters Most
- Paints: Choose brands known for stable colors.
- Brushes: Avoid bargain packs that shed.
- Canvas: Pre-primed saves time and ensures paint sticks well.
Common Mistakes
- Buying large sets of cheap paints—colors look weak and muddy.
- Using brushes meant for acrylics or watercolors—they don’t handle oil paint well.
- Picking unprimed canvas—you’ll struggle with paint soaking in.
Credit: www.reddit.com
Budget Planning For Beginners
Oil painting can be expensive, but you can keep costs down. Here’s a typical budget for basic supplies:
| Item | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Student-grade paint set | $30 |
| Brush set (5–8 brushes) | $25 |
| Canvas boards (5 pieces) | $25 |
| Palette | $10 |
| Palette knife | $7 |
| Mediums & cleaning supplies | $18 |
| Tabletop easel | $30 |
Total: $145 (approximate). You don’t need to buy everything at once. Start with paint, brushes, and a canvas, then add extras as you learn.
Practical Tips For Buying Supplies
- Test before buying: If possible, try brushes or paints at the store.
- Read reviews: Look for feedback from beginners, not just professionals.
- Buy small quantities: Start with small tubes and small canvases.
- Shop sales: Art stores often offer discounts for beginners.
- Avoid “all-in-one” kits: These often have low-quality items.
Non-obvious insight: Many beginners ignore the importance of palette knives and mixing. Using a knife keeps colors clean and prevents muddy results. Another common oversight: surface size. Small canvases help you finish projects faster, which builds confidence.
Credit: www.reddit.com
Where To Buy Oil Painting Supplies
Most art stores have beginner sets. Online shopping offers better prices and reviews. Look for stores that specialize in art supplies, not general craft shops.
A reliable source for painting materials is Dick Blick Art Materials. They offer both student and artist-grade products, plus reviews and guides.
Building Your Starter Kit: A Simple Checklist
To sum up, your beginner oil painting kit should include:
- 6–10 tubes of student-grade oil paint
- 5–8 synthetic brushes (flat, round, filbert, fan)
- 2–3 small pre-primed canvases or boards
- One palette (plastic or paper)
- One palette knife (metal)
- Linseed oil and odorless mineral spirits
- Rags, soap, and paper towels
- Tabletop easel (optional)
- Old clothes or apron
Everything else can wait until you gain more experience.
Credit: evolveartist.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Best Oil Paint Brand For Beginners?
Winsor & Newton and Gamblin are popular brands for student-grade oil paints. They offer strong colors, easy mixing, and affordable prices. Avoid unknown brands with very low prices—colors may fade or look dull.
Do I Need To Buy A Lot Of Colors?
No. Start with primary colors (red, blue, yellow), white, black, and a few earth tones (brown, ochre). You can mix many shades from these. Buying too many colors can confuse you and waste money.
How Do I Clean Oil Paint Brushes?
Use odorless mineral spirits to remove most paint, then wash with gentle soap and warm water. Never leave brushes soaking for long—it damages the bristles. Dry brushes flat to keep their shape.
Can I Use Acrylic Brushes For Oil Painting?
It’s better to use brushes made for oil paints. Acrylic brushes are often too soft and don’t hold thick oil paint well. Synthetic brushes designed for oil painting are best for beginners—they’re tough and easy to clean.
Is Oil Painting Safe For Beginners?
Oil painting is safe if you use ventilated spaces and handle solvents carefully. Avoid skin contact with paint and solvents. Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin, and never eat or drink near your painting area.
Starting oil painting is about learning by doing. Buy only what you need, and focus on quality basics. As you gain experience, you’ll discover which tools suit your style. The right supplies make painting more enjoyable and help you grow as an artist.
