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You do not need professional paint to learn oil painting. You need enough colors to practice mixing, paint that moves under a brush without fighting you, and tubes you will not be afraid to use up. A good oil paint set for beginners that is cheap enough to squeeze generously is worth more than an expensive set you ration. The trick is telling the difference between a budget set that is honest about being student grade and one that is simply poor.
We went through the current Amazon listings and picked the sets that state real information: tube sizes, color lists, safety certifications, lightfastness claims. Every set here sits in the low or mid price tier. One includes brushes, a palette and a canvas for a complete first kit; the rest are paint only, which is usually the better value if you already own a few brushes.
Quick answer: The PHOENIX 24 x 12 ml Oil Paint Set is the best cheap oil paint set for beginners: 24 colors, a stated lightfastness claim, EN 71 and ASTM certification and a thick consistency that teaches proper brushwork. If you want fewer, larger tubes, the MEEDEN 12 x 22 ml Set gives you nearly twice the paint per color. For an all-in-one first kit with brushes and a canvas, the Norberg & Linden XXL Set is the one box to buy.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
- PHOENIX 24 x 12 ml Oil Paint Set — Best overall cheap oil paint set for beginners
- MEEDEN 12 x 22 ml Oil Paint Set — Best for bigger tubes of fewer colors
- Castle Art Supplies 24 x 12 ml Oil Paint Set — Best for lightfast, layer-friendly paint on a budget
- Ohuhu 24 x 12 ml Oil Paint Set — Best value 24-color set for first experiments
- Norberg & Linden XXL Oil Paint Set — Best complete starter kit with brushes, palette and canvas
- RoseArt Premium 24-Color Oil Paint Set — Best lowest-cost set from a long-established brand
- Magicfly 40 x 18 ml Oil Paint Set — Best for the widest color range including metallics
| Product | Best For | Key Spec | Key Strength | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHOENIX 24 x 12 ml | Most beginners | 24 tubes x 12 ml, EN 71 and ASTM D-4236 | Stated lightfastness, thick consistency | $$ |
| MEEDEN 12 x 22 ml | Fewer, bigger tubes | 12 tubes x 22 ml, AP and ASTM D-4236 | Fine grind for buttery mixing per listing | $$ |
| Castle Art 24 x 12 ml | Layering practice | 24 tubes x 12 ml, lightfast rated pigments | Fat-over-lean compatible, screw caps | $$ |
| Ohuhu 24 x 12 ml | First experiments | 24 tubes x 12 ml, non-toxic | Broad named color range at low cost | $$ |
| Norberg & Linden XXL | Complete kit | 24 x 12 ml paints, 25 brushes, palette, 8 x 10 canvas | Everything in one box | $$ |
| RoseArt Premium 24 | Lowest cost | 24 tubes x 0.4 oz | Established brand, buttery texture per listing | $ |
| Magicfly 40 x 18 ml | Widest range | 40 tubes x 18 ml incl. metallic gold and silver | Two extra white tubes | $$ |
How We Chose
These recommendations are based on the Amazon listing details and specifications checked in October 2026, on how well each set’s tube size, color count and stated properties suit a beginner learning to mix and layer oil paint, and on how widely each set is reviewed by Amazon buyers. We have not painted out these specific sets for this article, and we do not repeat claims about pigment quality that the listings do not support.
- Paint volume per color: 12 ml tubes run out fast on white and earth tones; 22 ml tubes last longer.
- Named colors: a set that lists titanium white, a lemon and a warm yellow, two reds, two blues and earths teaches mixing properly.
- Safety certification: ASTM D-4236, EN 71 or AP labels are stated in several listings.
- Lightfastness claims: stated by PHOENIX and Castle Art; absent from others.
- Extras: brushes and canvases add convenience but rarely quality.
Best Cheap Oil Paint Sets for Beginners Reviewed
1. PHOENIX 24 x 12 ml Oil Paint Set — Best for most beginners
PHOENIX gives you 24 colors in 12 ml tubes and, unusually for a budget set, makes specific claims: high color saturation, strong tinting strength, good lightfastness and a thick, creamy consistency that can be used straight from the tube for texture or thinned with medium. The set is certified to EN 71 and ASTM D-4236, and the color list includes zinc white, zinc titanium white, flesh tint, lemon yellow and more.
A thick paint is a good teacher. It holds brush marks, shows you what a loaded stroke looks like and does not run. The two whites are a bonus, since white is the color every beginner runs out of first.
Best suited for: Beginners who want a conventional, well-labeled 24-color set to learn mixing, wet-into-wet and glazing on canvas or oil paper.
Key features:
- 24 tubes x 12 ml
- EN 71 and ASTM D-4236 certified
- Lightfastness claimed in listing
- Thick, creamy consistency
- Includes two whites and a flesh tint
- Suited to canvas, oil pads and wood panels
Pros:
- Clear, specific listing claims
- Thick body suits brush and knife work
- Low price tier for 24 colors
Cons and limitations:
- 12 ml tubes are small for backgrounds
- Student grade, so mixes may be less intense than professional paint
- No medium included
Buying consideration: Buy a separate larger tube of titanium white and a small bottle of linseed oil or solvent-free gel, and this set will carry you through your first twenty paintings.
2. MEEDEN 12 x 22 ml Oil Paint Set — Best for fewer, bigger tubes
MEEDEN takes the opposite approach: twelve colors in 22 ml tubes, nearly double the volume per color of the 12 ml sets. The listing claims a fine grind (particle size under 35 microns) for buttery consistency and clean mixes even with three or more colors, a glossy finish, and AP and ASTM D-4236 certification with a solvent- and acid-free formula.
Twelve well-chosen colors are plenty to learn with, and a beginner who mixes rather than reaching for a pre-mixed tube learns faster. Larger tubes also mean you can afford to paint boldly.
Best suited for: Beginners who would rather have more paint in fewer colors, and anyone planning to practice mixing from a limited palette.
Key features:
- 12 tubes x 22 ml (0.74 oz)
- AP and ASTM D-4236 certified
- Fine particle grind per listing
- Glossy finish, highly mixable
- Listed for wet-into-wet, layering and glazing
Pros:
- Almost twice the paint per tube
- Encourages learning to mix
- Clear safety labeling
Cons and limitations:
- Only 12 colors
- No earth-tone variety beyond the basics listed
- Glossy finish may not suit everyone
Buying consideration: Choose this over a 24-color set if you have read anything about limited palettes and want to practice them. Add a large white.
3. Castle Art Supplies 24 x 12 ml Oil Paint Set — Best for layering practice
Castle Art’s reformulated set emphasizes properties beginners should care about: lightfast-rated pigments, a buttery consistency for brushes and palette knives, a high pigment load, and fat-over-lean compatibility for stable layering without cracking. The listing also highlights leak-proof screw caps and vegan-friendly ingredients.
The fat-over-lean note is useful. It tells you the maker expects you to layer, which is the technique most beginner sets quietly ignore. Screw caps that seal properly are a small thing that saves a lot of dried-out tubes.
Best suited for: Beginners who intend to learn traditional layered oil painting and want paint labeled for lightfastness.
Key features:
- 24 tubes x 12 ml
- Lightfast-rated pigments per listing
- High pigment load claimed
- Fat-over-lean compatible
- No-mess screw caps
- Vegan-friendly formula
Pros:
- Labeled for lightfastness and layering
- Caps that actually seal
- Suits knife as well as brush work
Cons and limitations:
- Mid price tier, slightly above the cheapest sets
- 12 ml tubes
- New formula means less long-term track record
Buying consideration: Worth the small premium over the very cheapest sets if you plan to keep your early paintings.
4. Ohuhu 24 x 12 ml Oil Paint Set — Best for first experiments
Ohuhu’s 24-color set lists a full range of named colors (titanium white, lemon yellow, yellow ochre, flesh tint, vermilion, crimson, Prussian blue and more), describes the paint as gliding smoothly on canvas, and states it is non-toxic and safe for adults and children. The listing is less specific about lightfastness than PHOENIX or Castle Art.
For a first set of experiments, color studies and learning how oil feels compared with acrylic, that is enough. Treat it as paint to learn with rather than paint for work you intend to sell.
Best suited for: Absolute beginners, teens and anyone who wants a low-stakes first encounter with oil paint.
Key features:
- 24 tubes x 12 ml (0.42 oz)
- Named color range including two yellows and multiple reds and blues
- Non-toxic per listing
- Suited to canvas, landscape and portrait practice
Pros:
- Broad color selection at low cost
- Safe for shared households
- Smooth handling per listing
Cons and limitations:
- No lightfastness claim
- Listing copy is partly generic
- Small tubes
Buying consideration: A good set to ruin canvases with while you learn. Upgrade the white and a couple of earths once you know what you use most.
5. Norberg & Linden XXL Oil Paint Set — Best for a complete kit
This is the only kit here. The listing itemizes 24 oil paint tubes of 12 ml (primaries, earths, blues, greens and skin tones), 25 brushes in bristle, nylon and foam, a metal palette and one 8 x 10 inch stretched canvas. Nothing in the listing claims lightfastness or certification; the pitch is completeness.
If you own nothing, that completeness has real value: you can paint the evening the box arrives. The brushes in kits like this are usually basic, so expect to replace a few favorites once you find out which shapes you reach for.
Best suited for: Gift buyers and complete beginners who have no brushes, palette or canvas and want one purchase.
Key features:
- 24 oil paints x 12 ml
- 25 brushes: bristle, nylon and foam
- Metal mixing palette
- 8 x 10 inch stretched canvas
- All packaged together
Pros:
- Nothing else to buy for a first painting
- Good gift presentation
- Mid price tier for the whole kit
Cons and limitations:
- Only one small canvas
- Brush quality in kits is usually basic
- No medium or cleaning supplies
Buying consideration: Buy this as a gift or a one-box start. If you already own brushes, a paint-only set gives you more paint for the money.
6. RoseArt Premium 24-Color Oil Paint Set — Best for the lowest cost
RoseArt is a long-established American art-supply brand, and its Premium set packs 24 colors in 0.4 oz tubes. The listing describes maximum-strength pigment, a rich buttery texture and smooth coverage on canvas, wood and paper, with a color list that includes sap green, yellow ochre, alizarin rose and cadmium red (as named by the maker).
The listing text is inconsistent in one spot, referring to the tubes as acrylic in a line about colors; the product title and remaining bullets describe oil paint. At the lowest price tier here, it is a sensible set for a first try.
Best suited for: Budget-conscious beginners and parents buying for a teenager’s first oil painting attempts.
Key features:
- 24 tubes x 0.4 oz
- Buttery texture per listing
- Suited to canvas, wood and paper
- Long-established brand
Pros:
- Lowest price tier
- Recognizable brand
- Wide color list
Cons and limitations:
- Listing has a copy inconsistency
- No certification or lightfastness statement
- Small tubes
Buying consideration: Fine for learning; not the set to choose if you want labeled lightfastness.
7. Magicfly 40 x 18 ml Oil Paint Set — Best for the widest color range
Forty colors in 18 ml tubes, including metallic gold and silver and two extra tubes of white, with ASTM D-4236 conformance stated. The listing describes a thick consistency with good coverage and claims the colors will not fade or dull.
Forty colors is more than a beginner needs, and many will be convenience mixes you could make yourself. But the 18 ml tubes and the extra whites make this a lot of paint for the money, and the gift box presentation is a plus.
Best suited for: Beginners who want every color available without mixing, and gift buyers who want an impressive box.
Key features:
- 40 tubes x 18 ml (0.6 oz)
- Includes metallic gold and silver
- Two extra white tubes
- ASTM D-4236 conformance
- Gift box packaging
Pros:
- Largest total paint volume here
- Extra white is genuinely useful
- Metallics for decorative work
Cons and limitations:
- Too many colors can slow learning to mix
- Highest price tier of the paint-only sets
- No lightfastness rating stated
Buying consideration: Pick this if quantity matters more than a disciplined palette; otherwise a 12 or 24 color set teaches better habits.
Buying Guide: How to Choose a Cheap Oil Paint Set as a Beginner
Tube size
12 ml tubes are standard in budget sets and fine for most colors, but white disappears quickly. Either choose a set with larger tubes (MEEDEN at 22 ml, Magicfly at 18 ml) or budget for a separate large titanium white.
Color count
Twelve carefully chosen colors teach mixing; twenty-four add convenience; forty add decoration. A beginner learns fastest with fewer tubes and more mixing, so do not assume more colors equals better value.
Lightfastness
Student paints are not always rated for fading. PHOENIX and Castle Art state lightfastness in their listings. If you want early paintings to survive on a wall, favor those.
Safety labels
Look for ASTM D-4236, EN 71 or AP marks in the listing. They indicate the maker has had the paint evaluated for chronic health hazards and labeled accordingly.
Consistency
Thick, buttery paint teaches brushwork and knife work; very soft paint can feel like coloring. Listings that say thick or creamy are a good sign for beginners.
Kits versus paint only
Kits save a first shopping trip but spend part of the price on basic brushes and a single canvas. If you own a few brushes, paint-only sets put the money into paint.
What else you need
A medium (linseed oil or a solvent-free gel), a palette, rags, a brush soap and a surface. None of the sets except Norberg & Linden includes any of these.
Your First Projects
With a set in hand, start simple. How to oil paint flowers teaches mixing greens and soft edges with a limited palette. Oil painting in a sketchbook shows how to practice on cheap paper without wasting canvases. When you are ready for fur and feathers, try how to paint animals in oil. If you have never opened a tube before, read how to start oil painting for beginners first.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying 40 colors and never learning that most of them can be mixed from eight.
- Rationing paint because it was cheap to buy but feels precious; thin, timid layers are the hallmark of beginner oils.
- Skipping a medium and thinning with nothing, or thinning everything with solvent.
- Expecting student-grade tinting strength to match professional paint when mixing with white.
- Using kit brushes for everything; one decent filbert will change your experience.
- Judging oil paint by its first day; it stays wet for days, and that is the point.
FAQs
What is the best cheap oil paint set for a complete beginner?
The PHOENIX 24 x 12 ml set is the best balance of price, color range and stated quality (lightfastness and certification). If you want a full kit with brushes and a canvas, the Norberg and Linden XXL set is the one-box option.
Are cheap oil paints good enough to learn with?
Yes. Student-grade sets have less pigment than professional paint but handle the same way. Learning to mix, layer and clean up is identical, and you will waste less worrying about cost.
How many colors do I need to start oil painting?
Twelve is plenty: a white, two yellows, two reds, two blues, a green, two or three earths and a black. Sets of 24 add convenience colors you can also mix yourself.
Do beginner oil paint sets include a medium?
None of the sets here include one. Buy a small bottle of refined linseed oil or a solvent-free gel medium separately; you will also need rags and brush soap.
Which cheap oil paints are lightfast?
PHOENIX and Castle Art Supplies state lightfastness in their listings. The other sets do not make that claim, so treat them as practice paint.
Can kids use these oil paint sets?
Several listings (Ohuhu, MEEDEN, PHOENIX) state non-toxic formulas with ASTM or EN certification. Oil paint still requires supervision for clean-up and should not be used with solvents around young children.
Final Recommendation
For most beginners, the PHOENIX 24 x 12 ml Oil Paint Set is the smartest cheap buy: it tells you what you are getting and the paint is thick enough to teach good habits. If you prefer to learn from a limited palette with bigger tubes, take the MEEDEN 12 x 22 ml Set. Choose Castle Art for lightfast layering practice, Ohuhu or RoseArt for the lowest-stakes first try, Norberg & Linden when you need the whole kit in one box, and Magicfly only if sheer color count is what excites you.
