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A 12-color oil paint set is the classic way to start oil painting, and for good reason. Twelve well-chosen colors give you a warm and cool version of each primary, a couple of earth tones, white and black, which is enough to mix nearly anything you will paint in your first year. The best oil paint set with 12 colors balances three things: tube size (white runs out first), pigment quality and consistency, and safety labeling for home studios.
We compared five 12-color sets and two close alternatives, from compact 12ml student tubes to a 60ml artist set, and explain which colors matter most, what tube sizes mean in practice, and how to make a small palette go further.
Quick answer: The MEEDEN 12 x 22ml Oil Paint Set is the best 12-color oil paint set for most beginners, with finely ground pigment, a buttery consistency, AP and ASTM D-4236 certification and tubes nearly twice the size of typical 12ml student sets. If you want generous 60ml tubes for larger canvases, choose the MEEDEN Artist 12 x 60ml set. For a trusted brand name at a modest step up, Winsor & Newton Winton’s 10-tube starter set is the alternative, though it has 10 colors rather than 12.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
- MEEDEN Oil Paint Set, 12 x 22ml — Best overall 12-color set
- MEEDEN Artist Oil Paint Set, 12 x 60ml — Best for large canvases
- MyArtscape Oil Paint Set, 12 x 12ml — Best budget set for impasto and wet-on-wet
- PHOENIX Oil Paint Set, 12 x 12ml — Best low-cost set with a classic color list
- Winsor & Newton Winton, 10 x 12ml — Best brand-name alternative (10 colors)
- Ohuhu Oil Paint Set, 24 x 12ml — Best if you want more than 12 colors
| Product | Best For | Key Spec | Key Strength | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEEDEN 12 x 22ml | Beginners | 12 tubes, 22ml each, gloss | Fine grind under 35 microns, AP certified | $$ |
| MEEDEN Artist 12 x 60ml | Large canvases | 12 tubes, 60ml each | Extra-large heavy-body tubes | $$$ |
| MyArtscape 12 x 12ml | Impasto, wet-on-wet | 12 tubes, 12ml, gloss | Thick, buttery body per listing | $ |
| PHOENIX 12 x 12ml | Budget learning | 12 tubes, 12ml, matte | EN71 and ASTM D-4236 | $ |
| Winsor & Newton Winton | Brand-name starter | 10 tubes, 12ml | Stiff, stroke-holding consistency | $$ |
| Ohuhu 24 x 12ml | Wider palette | 24 tubes, 12ml | Includes flesh tint and ochre | $$ |
How We Chose
We compared each set’s Amazon listing details and specifications checked in October 2026: tube count and volume, stated pigment grind and consistency, finish, lightfastness claims, safety certifications and color lists where given. We also considered how widely each set is reviewed by Amazon buyers. We did not paint with these sets, so handling notes come from the listings and from well-established oil painting practice.
- Twelve useful colors (or a clearly noted alternative)
- Tube size relative to typical beginner canvas sizes
- Consistency: buttery, stiff or soft
- Safety: AP, ASTM D-4236, EN71
- Value per milliliter
Why 12 Colors Is the Right Starting Palette
Oil painting rewards learning to mix. With too few colors, some hues are impossible to reach; with too many, beginners never learn how colors relate. Twelve sits in the middle. A typical 12-color set includes a white, a black, a lemon and a warm yellow, a warm and cool red, one or two blues, a green, and earths such as yellow ochre, burnt sienna and burnt umber.
Earth colors are especially important for landscapes and portraits. Many skin tones start from a mix of burnt sienna, yellow ochre, a red and white. Muted greens for foliage often come from blue plus ochre rather than a tube green. A good 12-color set gives you those building blocks.
Tube size matters more than you think
White is used in nearly every mix, so in a 12ml set it can run out before any other color. Sets with 22ml or 60ml tubes last much longer. Many painters buy a separate large tube of titanium white alongside any starter set.
Best Oil Paint Sets With 12 Colors Reviewed
1. MEEDEN Oil Paint Set, 12 x 22ml — Best Overall 12-Color Set
MEEDEN’s 12-tube set offers 22ml (0.74 oz) tubes, nearly double the 12ml common in this price range. The listing describes repeated grinding to particle sizes under 35 microns for a buttery consistency and clarity, and says colors stay vivid even when mixed. It is positioned for beginners learning color theory and techniques like wet-into-wet, layering and glazing.
Safety is clearly stated: AP and ASTM D-4236 certified, solvent-free and acid-free. The finish is glossy. For home studios, that certification is reassuring, though you will still need ventilation for any solvents or mediums you use.
Best suited for: Beginners and hobby painters who want a quality starter palette with useful tube sizes.
Key features:
- 12 colors, 22ml each
- Fine pigment grind under 35 microns
- AP and ASTM D-4236 certified
- Glossy finish, highly mixable
Pros:
- Larger tubes than budget rivals
- Clear safety certification
- Good for glazing and layering
Cons/limitations:
- Color list not detailed in listing excerpt
- Still worth adding a large white
Buying consideration: Check the set photo for the exact colors so you know which earth tones are included.
2. MEEDEN Artist Oil Paint Set, 12 x 60ml — Best for Large Canvases
If you paint on 16 by 20 inch canvases or larger, small tubes become a constant frustration. MEEDEN’s Artist set provides 12 colors in 60ml (2 oz) tubes, described in the details as extra large and heavy body. The listing highlights smooth, creamy texture, excellent lightfastness and suitability for glazing, impasto and layering.
The finish is listed as matte. With 720ml of paint in total, this set lasts a long time and represents good value per milliliter.
Best suited for: Painters working larger, using impasto, or painting frequently.
Key features:
- 12 colors, 60ml each
- Heavy body, smooth and creamy
- Excellent lightfastness per listing
- Non-toxic
Pros:
- Most paint in this guide
- Suited to impasto and big canvases
- Strong value per milliliter
Cons/limitations:
- Highest price tier here
- Big tubes can be wasteful if you paint rarely
Buying consideration: Wipe the tube necks before recapping and store tubes flat or upright; clean threads keep caps from sticking and paint from drying at the opening.
3. MyArtscape Oil Paint Set, 12 x 12ml — Best Budget Set for Impasto and Wet-on-Wet
MyArtscape’s set includes 12 tubes of 12ml high-pigment, lightfast oil paint with a thick, buttery consistency suited to impasto and wet-on-wet techniques. The listing describes a glossy finish and archival-quality positioning, and states conformity to ASTM D-4236 and EN71-3 (CE).
It is a widely reviewed budget set and a practical choice for trying oils before committing to larger tubes.
Best suited for: Budget-conscious beginners and those following wet-on-wet tutorials.
Key features:
- 12 colors, 12ml each
- Thick, buttery body
- Glossy finish
- ASTM D-4236 and EN71-3
Pros:
- Low price tier
- Holds texture
- Established buyer base
Cons/limitations:
- Small tubes
- White will run out fast
Buying consideration: Pair with a large titanium white and an odorless solvent for cleanup.
4. PHOENIX Oil Paint Set, 12 x 12ml — Best Low-Cost Set With a Classic Color List
PHOENIX’s set provides 12 tubes of 12ml and lists colors starting with zinc white, lemon yellow and scarlet lake. The listing describes high saturation, strong tinting strength, good lightfastness and a thick, creamy consistency that can be used straight for texture or with medium for other effects. It is certified to EN71 and ASTM D-4236.
Note that zinc white is more transparent and slower drying than titanium white, which can be helpful for tints and glazes but less so for strong opaque highlights.
Best suited for: Learners who want a cheap, classic palette for practice.
Key features:
- 12 colors, 12ml each
- Zinc white, lemon yellow, scarlet lake and more
- Matte finish per details
- EN71 and ASTM D-4236
Pros:
- Lowest price tier
- Clear color list
Cons/limitations:
- Small tubes
- Zinc white is less opaque than titanium
Buying consideration: Add titanium white for opaque highlights.
5. Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Color Set, 10 x 12ml — Best Brand-Name Alternative
Winton is Winsor & Newton’s long-running student oil range. This set has 10 colors rather than 12, but the list is excellent for learning: titanium white, cadmium lemon hue, cadmium orange hue, cadmium red deep hue, magenta, French ultramarine, cerulean blue hue, viridian hue, burnt sienna and lamp black.
The listing describes a stiffer, more uniform consistency than the brand’s Artists’ Oil Color, with excellent retention of brush and knife strokes, a high pigment load and permanent pigments selected wherever possible.
Best suited for: Beginners who want a recognized brand and a well-planned limited palette.
Key features:
- 10 colors, 12ml each
- Includes titanium white and burnt sienna
- Stiff, stroke-holding body
- Lightfast, permanent pigments where possible
Pros:
- Trusted maker
- Thoughtful color selection
Cons/limitations:
- Only 10 colors
- No yellow ochre or burnt umber
Buying consideration: Add yellow ochre and burnt umber to turn it into a complete 12-color palette.
6. Ohuhu Oil Paint Set, 24 x 12ml — Best If You Want More Than 12 Colors
If you decide 12 colors feels limiting, Ohuhu’s 24-tube set doubles the palette with colors including titanium white, lemon yellow, medium yellow, yellow ochre, flesh tint, orange, rose, vermilion and scarlet. It is very widely reviewed and pitched at beginners painting landscapes, abstracts and portraits.
The finish is glossy, and the listing describes non-toxic paints for adults and novices alike.
Best suited for: Beginners who prefer more ready-made colors over mixing.
Key features:
- 24 colors, 12ml each
- Includes ochre and flesh tint
- Glossy finish
Pros:
- Wide palette at a low tier
- Large buyer base
Cons/limitations:
- Small tubes
- More colors can slow learning to mix
Buying consideration: Try limiting yourself to six of the 24 colors for a few paintings to build mixing skill.
Making a 12-Color Oil Palette Go Further
Arrange your palette consistently
Lay out colors in the same order every session, typically white in a corner, warms along one edge and cools along another. Muscle memory speeds up mixing.
Mix a value string first
Before painting, mix three to five values of your main colors with white. This saves time and keeps values consistent.
Use earth colors to neutralize
Instead of black, try burnt umber with ultramarine for rich darks, and add a touch of a complement to tone down bright hues.
Follow fat over lean
Early layers should be thinner and contain less oil, later layers more. This prevents cracking as the painting dries.
Keep paint workable
Oils dry slowly, so leftover paint on the palette can often be used the next day. Covering the palette or storing it cool helps.
A Practical 12-Color Oil Palette, Explained
Not every set lists its colors, so it helps to know what an ideal 12-color palette looks like. Use this as a checklist when comparing sets, or to fill gaps with single tubes.
- Titanium white: opaque and bright; the most-used color on any palette.
- Lemon or cadmium lemon yellow: a cool yellow for fresh greens and light tints.
- Cadmium yellow medium or a warm yellow hue: for sunlit oranges and warm lights.
- Yellow ochre: a muted earth yellow essential for landscapes and skin tones.
- Cadmium red or a warm red hue: for bright warm reds and oranges.
- Alizarin crimson, magenta or a cool red: for purples, pinks and deep reds.
- Burnt sienna: a warm, transparent earth for underpainting and skin.
- Burnt umber: a dark brown that mixes rich darks with blue.
- French ultramarine: a warm, deep blue for shadows and skies.
- Cerulean or phthalo blue: a cooler blue for skies and turquoise mixes.
- Viridian or phthalo green: a cool green to adjust mixed greens.
- Ivory or lamp black: useful in small amounts for grays and darkest accents.
Winsor & Newton’s Winton set covers most of this list in 10 tubes and lacks only ochre and umber. PHOENIX lists zinc white, lemon yellow and scarlet lake among its colors. When a set leaves out ochre or umber, those two single tubes are the most valuable additions you can make.
Buying Guide: How to Choose an Oil Paint Set With 12 Colors
Tube volume
12ml suits trial and small studies. 22ml is a sensible beginner size. 60ml suits larger canvases and frequent painters.
Color selection
Look for at least one warm and cool of each primary, white, and two or three earth colors. Check whether white is titanium (opaque) or zinc (transparent).
Consistency
Stiff paint holds brush marks and suits impasto; softer paint blends and glazes more easily. Listings often describe this.
Lightfastness
Student sets vary. Look for lightfastness claims and, ideally, pigment information on the tubes.
Safety and ventilation
AP and ASTM D-4236 labels address paint safety labeling, but solvents and some mediums need ventilation. Consider odorless mineral spirits or solvent-free cleanup methods.
What else you will need
Brushes, a palette, canvas or panels, a medium such as linseed oil, and a cleanup solvent or oil. Most 12-color sets include only paint.
Learn to Mix Your Colors
A 12-color set comes alive once you understand mixing. Start with our guide to mixing oil paint colors, then move on to mixing colors in oil painting for realistic effects. For a small first subject, try painting a seashell in oil.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Running out of white mid-painting; buy a large tube up front.
- Using too much solvent in later layers, breaking the fat-over-lean rule.
- Squeezing out every color every session, wasting paint.
- Muddying mixes by adding too many colors at once.
- Painting in a closed room with solvent fumes.
- Cleaning brushes with water only; oil paint needs oil or solvent first.
FAQs
Is a 12-color oil paint set enough for beginners?
Yes. Twelve colors cover the primaries, earths, white and black, enough to mix almost any hue while learning color relationships.
What colors should be in a 12-color oil set?
Ideally white, black, a lemon and a warm yellow, a warm and a cool red, one or two blues, a green, yellow ochre, burnt sienna and burnt umber.
What size tubes are best for beginners?
22ml tubes are a good balance. 12ml tubes are fine for small studies but white runs out quickly.
Do I need solvent for oil painting?
Not necessarily. You can thin with oil mediums and clean brushes with oil and soap. Solvents speed cleanup but need ventilation.
Are student oil paints lightfast?
Many are reasonably lightfast, and listings like MEEDEN and Winton describe lightfast pigments. Check each tube’s information where available.
How long does oil paint take to dry?
Thin layers may be touch-dry in a few days; thick layers take much longer. Drying time also varies by pigment and medium.
Final Recommendation
The MEEDEN 12 x 22ml set is the best oil paint set with 12 colors for most beginners, offering larger tubes and clear safety certification. Painters working large should choose the MEEDEN Artist 60ml set. MyArtscape and PHOENIX are budget options for practice, Winsor & Newton Winton is a brand-name 10-color alternative worth completing with two earths, and Ohuhu’s 24-color set suits those who want more ready-made hues.
