For artists seeking a high-end oil paint set, I’d put the Winsor & Newton Artists’ Oil Colour Introductory Set first for its focused range of artist-grade colors, while the Rembrandt Basic Set stands out for a compact premium palette and the M. Graham set for its included mediums. The main tradeoff is between pigment quality and palette control on one side and tube count or generous volume on the other. Large assortments can offer more immediate color choices, but they do not automatically provide better paint or a more useful working palette. Read on for how the 12 sets compare and which makes the most sense for your practice.
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Key Takeaways
- Winsor & Newton Artists’ Oil Colour Introductory Set leads for a focused artist-grade starting palette; its 10 tubes are a different proposition from the 20-tube Winton set, which prioritizes quantity.
- Rembrandt’s 10-tube set offers a compact premium-format choice, while its smaller 15 ml tubes suit palette exploration better than frequent high-volume painting.
- Gamblin’s Artist Oil Colors sets target specific needs: the introductory set is a general-purpose selection, while the Seascape Set organizes color around a particular subject.
- Paul Rubens’ 40-color, 50 ml assortment emphasizes breadth and large tubes, but artists should compare its assortment-first appeal with the more focused artist-color sets.
- R&F pigment sticks and M. Graham’s set with walnut mediums are specialist choices, not direct substitutes for conventional tube-only assortments.
| high end oil paint set for artist | Brand | Paint type | Tube size |
|---|---|---|---|
| R&F Handmade Paints Profession | R&F Handmade Paints | — | — |
| Paul Rubens Oil Paint Set | Paul Rubens | Oil | 50 ml |
| Winsor & Newton Artists’ Oil C | Winsor & Newton | Oil | 21 ml each |
| Gamblin Artist Oil Colors Intr | Gamblin | Oil | 37 ml each |
| Gamblin 1980 Oil Color Exclusi | Gamblin | — | 37 ml |
| Winsor & Newton Tate Collectio | Winsor & Newton | Oil | — |
| Gamblin Artist Oil Paint Seasc | Gamblin | Oil | — |
| Charvin Extra Fine Professiona | Charvin | Oil | 20 ml each |
| Rembrandt Oil Colour Basic Pai | Rembrandt | Oil | 15 ml each |
| Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Col | Winsor & Newton | Oil | 12 ml each |
| M. Graham & Co. 5-Color Oil Pa | M. Graham & Co. | Oil | — |
| Charvin Extra Fine Professiona | Charvin | Oil | 20 ml |
More Details on Our Top Picks
R&F Handmade Paints Professional Oil Pigment Sticks, Painter’s Dozen, 12 Colors
R&F’s Painter’s Dozen is the most hands-on alternative here: its twelve solid oil sticks let artists draw, layer, and paint directly on a surface, without setting out brushes, a palette, or solvents. The set also includes an Ampersand Gessobord, giving you a ready surface rather than just materials to source separately. Each 38 ml stick is made with pigment, linseed oil, and natural waxes, a format that makes marks more immediate than the tube paints in the Winsor & Newton Artists’ Oil Colour Introductory Set. That freedom comes with narrower use: sticks won’t suit painters who depend on conventional brush mixing and tube handling. They also take about 24 hours to dry and are not waterproof, so this is a distinctive toolset, not the most versatile all-purpose oil palette.
Pros:- Twelve handmade, highly pigmented oil sticks offer direct mark-making.
- Can be applied without brushes, palettes, or solvents.
- Includes an Ampersand Gessobord for a ready-to-use painting surface.
- Works on canvas, paper, wood, and primed fabric.
Cons:- The solid-stick format is less suited to conventional brush techniques and palette mixing.
- Not waterproof.
- The stated drying time is 24 hours.
Best for: Artists who want to draw and paint directly on canvas, paper, wood, or primed fabric without brushes or solvents.
Not ideal for: Painters who rely on brush-based mixing, need waterproof finished work, or want a conventional tube-paint set.
- Brand:R&F Handmade Paints
- Paint format:Solid oil pigment sticks
- Quantity:12 sticks
- Stick size:38 ml each
- Included component:Ampersand Gessobord
- Suitable surfaces:Canvas, paper, wood, and primed fabric
- Dry time:24 hours
- Made in:USA
Our verdict“Choose this set if direct, solvent-free mark-making matters more to you than the familiar flexibility of tube oils.”
Paul Rubens Oil Paint Set, 40 Colors, 50 ml Tubes
Forty colors in 50 ml tubes give the Paul Rubens set the broadest ready-made palette in this group, with 2,000 ml of paint overall. That range can reduce the need to mix every secondary hue from a smaller starter palette, while the creamy texture is described as suitable for blending and retaining brush or knife marks. By comparison, the Gamblin Artist Oil Colors Introductory Set has nine colors and a birch panel, so it offers a more focused starting point with a surface included; Paul Rubens prioritizes color choice and tube volume instead. The tradeoff is uncertainty around drying: the listing gives a 250-hour dry-time figure but also describes paintings taking 7–14 days. I’d choose it for palette breadth, not for predictable turnaround or a tightly curated introductory selection.
Pros:- Forty colors provide the widest stated selection among these five sets.
- Large 50 ml tubes add up to 2,000 ml of paint.
- Creamy consistency is described as suitable for smooth blending.
- Texture retains brush strokes and palette-knife marks.
Cons:- The listing gives conflicting drying guidance: 250 hours and 7–14 days.
- No painting panel or other work surface is listed as included.
- The broad palette may be less useful to painters who prefer learning to mix from a limited set.
Best for: Artists who want a large assortment of tube colors and substantial paint volume for varied canvas or painted-wood projects.
Not ideal for: Painters who need clearly specified drying behavior or prefer a compact, deliberately limited palette with a panel included.
- Brand:Paul Rubens
- Paint type:Oil
- Color count:40
- Tube size:50 ml
- Total volume:2,000 ml
- Container type:Tube
- Finish:Matte
- Listed dry time:250 hours; description also states 7–14 days
- Full cure time:7 days
Our verdict“Pick Paul Rubens if color variety and generous tube volume outweigh the uncertainty in its drying-time information.”
Winsor & Newton Artists’ Oil Colour Introductory Set, 10 x 21 ml Tubes
Winsor & Newton’s ten-tube set is the compact choice for artists seeking professional-quality oils in a familiar tube format. Its palette combines hues such as Winsor Yellow, Ultramarine, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Umber, and Titanium White, giving painters a practical base for mixing without the commitment of a large assortment. The tubes are only 21 ml each, so this set takes up less space than the 37 ml tubes in the Gamblin Artist Oil Colors Introductory Set; Gamblin, however, includes a pre-primed birch panel and larger tubes. Winsor & Newton’s individual pigment formulation is aimed at color stability, but the set contents may vary, which matters if you’re selecting it to replace specific colors. It also lacks an included painting surface and is not waterproof, making it a focused paint purchase rather than a ready-to-start kit.
Pros:- Ten professional-quality oil colors provide a compact working palette.
- Selected pigments are individually formulated to support color stability.
- The listed selection includes useful mixing colors such as Ultramarine, Yellow Ochre, and Burnt Umber.
- Small 21 ml tubes are easy to store and carry.
Cons:- Actual set contents may vary from the listed selection.
- At 21 ml per tube, it contains less paint per color than the Gamblin introductory set’s 37 ml tubes.
- No painting panel is included, and the paint is not waterproof.
Best for: Artists who want a space-conscious selection of professional-quality tube oils for mixing and studio painting.
Not ideal for: Buyers who need guaranteed tube contents, larger paint quantities, or an included primed panel.
- Brand:Winsor & Newton
- Paint type:Oil
- Set size:10 tubes
- Tube size:21 ml each
- Listed colors:Winsor Yellow, Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine (Green Shade), Winsor Blue (Red Shade), Winsor Green, Yellow Ochre, Indian Red, Burnt Umber, Ivory Black, Titanium White
- Dry time:24 hours
- Waterproof:No
- Finish:Matte
- Model number:1290139
Our verdict“Choose this set for a compact professional-color palette, provided variable contents and smaller tubes suit your plans.”
Gamblin Artist Oil Colors Introductory Set, 9 Colors, 37 ml
Gamblin’s nine-color set pairs artist oil paints with a pre-primed birch panel, so a painter can start with both a considered palette and a surface in one purchase. Its selection moves from Cadmium Yellow Light and Yellow Ochre through Alizarin Crimson and Ultramarine Blue to Ivory Black and Titanium White, giving beginners and experienced painters a straightforward range for mixing. Compared with the Winsor & Newton Artists’ Oil Colour Introductory Set, it has one fewer color but larger 37 ml tubes and an included panel; Winsor & Newton is the more compact option when the surface is already covered. This set’s limitation is its narrow scope: nine colors may not satisfy artists who want many ready-made hues, and the listing specifies indoor use and no waterproofing. I’d rank it for a balanced start, not maximum variety.
Pros:- Nine artist oil colors form a practical mixing palette.
- 37 ml tubes provide more paint per color than the Winsor & Newton introductory set.
- Includes a pre-primed birch painting panel.
- The listed palette covers yellows, earth colors, reds, blues, green, black, and white.
Cons:- Nine colors offer less ready-made variety than the 40-color Paul Rubens set.
- Listed for indoor use only.
- Not waterproof.
Best for: New oil painters or returning artists who want a focused artist-color palette and a primed panel in the same set.
Not ideal for: Artists who want a broad selection of premixed hues, need outdoor-use guidance, or require waterproof paint.
- Brand:Gamblin
- Paint type:Oil
- Number of colors:9
- Tube size:37 ml each
- Included colors:Cadmium Yellow Light, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Umber, Cadmium Red Light, Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine Blue, Viridian, Ivory Black, Titanium White
- Included panel:Pre-primed birch
- Finish:Matte
- Waterproof:No
- Recommended use:Indoor
Our verdict“Choose Gamblin’s introductory set if you want a focused artist-grade palette with a primed panel, rather than a large assortment.”
Gamblin 1980 Oil Color Exclusive Set
Gamblin 1980 Exclusive Set is the practical entry point in this group: it includes eight student-grade oil colors, a cradled primed wood panel, and solvent-free gel. That combination makes it more of a small project kit than a paint-only set, especially for artists who want to start with a prepared surface and a medium on hand. The distinction matters beside the Gamblin Artist Oil Colors Introductory Set, which offers nine artist oil colors and a birch panel; the 1980 set gives up professional-grade positioning and one color in favor of its included gel and a cradled panel. Its eight-color palette will also ask more mixing of the painter than Paul Rubens’ 40-color assortment. I’d choose it for accessible practice and a contained setup, not when professional-grade paint is the main requirement.
Pros:- Includes eight oil colors in 37 ml tubes.
- Comes with a cradled, primed wood panel.
- Includes solvent-free gel for use alongside the paints.
- Made in America.
Cons:- Gamblin 1980 is described as student-grade, not professional-grade.
- Eight colors provide less ready-made variety than the Paul Rubens 40-color set.
- The supplied product information does not identify the eight colors.
Best for: Beginners and budget-conscious artists who want a small oil-paint setup with a primed panel and solvent-free gel included.
Not ideal for: Artists seeking professional-grade paint, a wide range of ready-made colors, or documented detailed pigment information.
- Brand:Gamblin
- Paint line:1980 Oil Color
- Paint grade:Student-grade
- Number of colors:8
- Tube size:37 ml
- Included components:Solvent-free gel and cradled primed wood panel
- Dry time:24 hours
- Made in:America
Our verdict“Choose this set for a ready-to-start practice kit with a panel and solvent-free gel, but pick Gamblin Artist Oils if professional-grade paint is your priority.”
Winsor & Newton Tate Collection Oil Paint Set, 12 Pieces
The Tate Collection is the most ready-to-start option here: it combines eight 21 ml Winton colours with two flat brushes, an A4 oil paper pad, and a guide to Sargent-inspired techniques. That makes it more useful as a first painting kit than the Rembrandt Basic Paint Set, which supplies paints but no working materials. The tradeoff is a smaller palette: Gamblin’s Seascape set has 11 colours, while this kit has eight, and its two brushes offer limited choice for varied marks. The included pad holds only 10 sheets, so regular painters will need more support material soon. I’d choose it for guided practice and convenience, not for building a broad professional palette.
Pros:- Combines paint, brushes, and paper in one kit
- Eight 21 ml tubes provide more paint per colour than the Winton 20-tube set’s 12 ml tubes
- Includes guidance on Sargent-inspired techniques
- A4 oil paper offers a convenient surface for studies
Cons:- Only two brushes limit mark-making options
- The 10-sheet pad is likely to run out quickly with regular practice
- Eight colours offer less mixing range than the Gamblin Seascape set’s 11
Best for: New oil painters who want paints, a small brush selection, paper, and technique guidance in one coordinated kit.
Not ideal for: Artists who already own brushes and surfaces or need a broad colour range for sustained studio work.
- Brand:Winsor & Newton
- Paint type:Oil
- Oil colour tubes:8 tubes, 21 ml each
- Brushes:2 short flat brushes: Azanta no. 2 and no. 8
- Paper pad:A4, 230 g/m², 10 sheets
- Number of pieces:12
- Additional feature:Guide to Sargent-inspired techniques
Our verdict“Choose this kit for guided, all-in-one practice; pick a larger paint-only palette if colour range matters more than included tools.”
Gamblin Artist Oil Paint Seascape Set, 11 Colors, 37 ml Tubes
For artists who repeatedly paint water, sky, or coastal light, this set’s 11-colour seascape palette is more focused than the broad starter range in the Winsor & Newton Winton 20-tube set. Its blues and blue-greens—including Phthalo Blue, Cobalt Teal, Radiant Turquoise, and Ultramarine Blue—give painters several routes to vary temperature and intensity without building the palette from scratch. Each tube is 37 ml, and the paints are described as using pure pigments and refined linseed oils for smooth working and lasting colour. That specialization is also the main limitation: the palette is less suited to subjects needing a wide spread of earths or mixed hues, and the water-resistant finish is not waterproof. I’d rank it highest for deliberate seascape work, not as an all-purpose set.
Pros:- Eleven colours are curated specifically for seascape painting
- 37 ml tubes offer more paint per colour than the smaller-tube Rembrandt Basic set
- Includes several distinct blues and blue-greens for water and sky
- Paints are formulated with pure pigments and refined linseed oils
Cons:- Subject-specific selection is less versatile for varied painting genres
- Water resistant does not mean waterproof
- The supplied palette contains no brushes or painting surface
Best for: Oil painters focused on seascapes, marine subjects, and blue-green colour mixing who want larger tubes for ongoing work.
Not ideal for: Artists seeking a general-purpose palette with a wider selection of reds, yellows, and earth colours.
- Brand:Gamblin
- Paint type:Oil
- Colour count:11
- Tube volume:37 ml each
- Included colours:Phthalo Blue, Yellow Ochre, Radiant Green, Cobalt Teal, Radiant Turquoise, Radiant Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Umber, Burnt Sienna, Titanium White, Mars Black
- Formulation:Pure pigments and refined linseed oils
- Water resistance:Water resistant
Our verdict“Pick this set if seascapes dominate your work; choose the Winton 20-tube set for a broader general-use colour selection.”
Charvin Extra Fine Professional Oil Paint Set, Bonjour Colors, 9 Tubes
Charvin’s Bonjour set takes a more specialized, slow-working route than the brighter, broader palettes in the Winsor & Newton Winton 20-tube set. Its nine earthy colours, from ochres and sienna to sepia, suit tonal studies, portrait underpainting, and restrained palettes. Triple milling is intended to give the paint a smooth, creamy texture, while the poppy oil binder dries more slowly than linseed oil; that can give painters extra working time, but it also asks for patience before layers are ready. The concentrated pigments can be thinned for luminous glazes, though these 20 ml tubes provide less paint per colour than Gamblin’s 37 ml Seascape tubes. One caveat matters when planning a palette: included colours may vary with manufacturer stock. I’d choose this for controlled earth-colour work, not for a dependable, broad-spectrum set.
Pros:- Triple-milled paint is described as smooth and creamy
- Poppy oil binder dries more slowly than linseed oil, allowing longer working time
- Concentrated pigments can be thinned for luminous glazes
- Colours are described as permanent and lightfast
Cons:- Poppy oil’s slower drying can delay layered work
- Included colours may vary with manufacturer stock
- Nine earth-focused colours give less range for bright, varied subjects than the Winton 20-tube set
Best for: Experienced painters who favor earth-tone palettes, luminous glazes, and extended blending time for studies or underpainting.
Not ideal for: Artists who need a predictable colour lineup, faster-drying layers, or a broad range of vivid colours.
- Brand:Charvin
- Paint type:Oil
- Set size:9 tubes
- Tube size:20 ml each
- Binder:Poppy oil
- Texture:Smooth, creamy
- Colourfastness:Described as permanent and lightfast
- Included colours:Yellow Ochre Light, Yellow Ochre, Golden Ochre Light, Raw Sienna, Transparent Orange Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Sanguine Brown, Mummy Brown, Sepia; colours may vary
Our verdict“Choose Charvin for slow-working earth palettes and glazing; skip it if you need a consistent, all-purpose colour assortment.”
Rembrandt Oil Colour Basic Paint Set, 10 x 15 ml Tubes
Rembrandt keeps this set compact: 10 colours in 15 ml tubes cover a basic mix of yellows, reds, blue, green, earth, white, and black without asking buyers to store a large collection. It is a better fit for portability or occasional studies than the Winsor & Newton Winton 20-tube set, whose extra colours make it more adaptable but also expand the kit. Rembrandt’s finely ground pigments and compatibility with canvas, paper, and board give painters flexibility over their surface choice. The smaller tubes limit its appeal for artists who paint often or work at scale, and the product data describes it as intended for indoor use and not water resistant. I’d treat it as a compact practice palette rather than a high-volume studio supply.
Pros:- Ten colours cover a useful basic palette
- Finely ground pigments suit controlled colour mixing
- Can be used on canvas, paper, or board
- Compact tubes are easier to carry than the Gamblin 37 ml tubes
Cons:- 15 ml tubes provide less paint per colour than the 21 ml Tate Collection tubes
- Not water resistant and specified for indoor artistic use
- The 10-colour range is less expansive than the Winton 20-tube set
Best for: Artists who want a small, portable palette for indoor studies across canvas, paper, or board.
Not ideal for: High-volume painters or artists who want larger tubes, an expanded colour selection, or water-resistant paint.
- Brand:Rembrandt
- Paint type:Oil
- Colour count:10
- Tube size:15 ml each
- Binder:Linseed or safflower seed oil
- Recommended surfaces:Canvas, paper, and board
- Use:Indoor artistic use
- Water resistance:Not water resistant
Our verdict“Choose Rembrandt for compact indoor practice on multiple surfaces, but choose a larger-tube set for sustained studio painting.”
Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Color Paint Set, 20 Tubes
The Winton set earns its place through palette breadth: 20 colours give beginners more starting points for mixing than the Rembrandt Basic set’s 10, while the 12 ml tubes keep the range compact. Its slightly stiff, uniform paint consistency can help preserve brush and palette-knife marks, making it a sensible match for artists who want visible texture rather than a very fluid feel. Winsor & Newton also describes the colours as formulated for lightfastness and permanence. The compromise is that no individual tube is large, so frequent painters may use favourite colours quickly; painters who prefer softer paint may also find the stiffness less comfortable. It works on canvas, board, or paper primed with gesso, but it is not waterproof. I’d choose it as a versatile entry palette, not as a high-volume supply set.
Pros:- Twenty colours offer a wider starting palette than the Rembrandt Basic set
- Stiff consistency retains brush and palette-knife strokes
- Formulated for lightfastness and permanence
- Suitable for canvas, board, and paper primed with gesso
Cons:- 12 ml tubes may run short for frequent or large-scale painting
- Stiffer paint may not suit artists who prefer a softer consistency
- The product is not waterproof and is specified for indoor use
Best for: Beginning oil painters who want a varied colour selection for learning to mix and experiment with textured brushwork.
Not ideal for: Artists who paint frequently and need larger tubes, or those who prefer a softer, more fluid paint consistency.
- Brand:Winsor & Newton
- Paint type:Oil
- Tube count:20
- Tube size:12 ml each
- Surface compatibility:Canvas, board, and paper primed with gesso
- Consistency:Slightly stiff and uniform; retains brush and palette-knife strokes
- Colour permanence:Formulated for lightfastness and permanence
- Waterproof:No
Our verdict“Pick Winton for learning with a broad palette and textured paint handling; choose larger tubes if you expect heavy use.”
M. Graham & Co. 5-Color Oil Paint Set with Walnut Alkyd and Walnut Oil Medium
What sets this apart is the included medium pair: walnut oil and walnut alkyd give artists options for adjusting handling and drying without making the set depend on traditional solvents. Its five artist-pigment colors—Azo Yellow, Naphthol Red, Ultramarine Blue, Phthalo Green, and Titanium White—cover useful mixing foundations, though the limited palette calls for more color mixing than the broader Winsor & Newton Artists’ Oil Colour Introductory Set. Each paint tube holds 1.25 fluid ounces, and both mediums come in 4-ounce bottles, so the set’s value is concentrated in its painting system rather than color variety. The walnut-oil binder is intended to help colors retain clarity, while compatibility with other oils and mediums leaves room to expand. The tradeoff is a compact palette and a listed 12-hour dry time; this suits methodical painters better than anyone seeking many ready-made hues or rapid layering.
Pros:- Artist-quality pigments with increased pigment loads
- Walnut oil binder is intended to help colors retain clarity
- Includes both walnut oil and walnut alkyd mediums for different handling needs
- Intermixable and compatible with other oils, varnishes, and mediums
Cons:- Only five colors are included, limiting ready-made color choices
- The listed 12-hour dry time may not suit painters seeking rapid layering
Best for: Artists seeking a solvent-free oil-painting setup with artist-quality pigments and included mediums, especially painters comfortable mixing colors from a small foundational palette.
Not ideal for: Painters who want a wide range of ready-to-use colors or need faster drying for quick successive layers.
- Brand:M. Graham & Co.
- Paint type:Oil
- Color count:5
- Colors:Azo Yellow, Naphthol Red, Ultramarine Blue, Phthalo Green, Titanium White
- Paint tube size:1.25 fluid ounces each
- Included mediums:4-ounce walnut alkyd medium and 4-ounce walnut oil medium
- Dry time:12 hours
- Made in:USA
Our verdict“Choose this set if you want a focused artist-pigment palette with two walnut-based mediums, and skip it if broad color variety is your priority.”
Charvin Extra Fine Professional Oil Paint Set, Bonjour Colors, 9 Tubes
Charvin’s distinction is its paint character, not sheer palette size: nine concentrated, triple-milled colors are designed for a smooth, creamy feel, and the poppy oil binder dries more slowly than linseed oil. That slower pace can give painters more time to blend, while the binder is described as helping resist yellowing. The palette pairs familiar options such as Titanium White and Yellow Ochre Light with several blues, including Cobalt Blue Light, Lagoon Blue, and Royal Blue. Compared with the M. Graham & Co. 5-Color Set, Charvin offers four more colors but does not include painting mediums; M. Graham’s set may better suit artists seeking an accompanying solvent-free medium system. Charvin’s concentrated pigments can also be thinned for glazes, though slow drying can hold up layered work. Its nine-color selection remains specialized, particularly for painters looking for a balanced, broad-spectrum starter palette.
Pros:- Triple-milled paint is described as smooth and creamy
- Concentrated pigments can be thinned for glazing
- Poppy oil binder dries more slowly than linseed oil and is described as helping resist yellowing
- Paints are described as permanent and lightfast
Cons:- Poppy oil dries more slowly than linseed oil, which can delay layered work
- Nine-color selection is limited compared with larger palettes
- No mediums are included, unlike the M. Graham & Co. set
Best for: Oil painters who value smooth, creamy paint, extended blending time, and a palette weighted toward blues and nuanced light colors.
Not ideal for: Artists who need quick-drying layers, included mediums, or a broad set of basic hues for mixing many color families.
- Brand:Charvin
- Paint type:Oil
- Set size:9 tubes
- Tube size:20 ml
- Binder:Poppy oil
- Texture:Triple-milled
- Colors:Titanium White, Deep Shell, Yellow Ochre Light, Caraibes, Lagoon Blue, Saint Remy Blue, Light Linen, Royal Blue, Cobalt Blue Light
- Item weight:7.04 ounces
Our verdict“Pick Charvin for creamy, slow-drying paint and a distinctive blue-rich palette, but choose another set if rapid layering or included mediums matter more.”
How We Picked
I compared the 12 listings by paint line and intended use, palette usefulness, tube size or set contents, and how well each set supports a clear kind of buyer. A higher-end set should offer more than a large color count: the paints should suit an artist’s working methods, and the selection should make sense as a palette rather than simply add variety. I also distinguished conventional tube paints from pigment sticks and sets that include painting mediums, since those change how an artist works.
The order gives priority to artist-focused sets that balance a recognizable paint line with a practical selection for general painting. More specialized or introductory options rank lower for broad use, not because they lack a purpose. Sets centered on larger assortments, student-oriented lines, a specific subject, or a particular medium are useful when those features match the buyer’s needs, but they are less universal as a single high-end set. Where two listings describe the same Charvin Bonjour set, I treat them as one distinct option, not two different recommendations.
Factors to Consider When Choosing High End Oil Paint Set For Artists
Before choosing a set, I’d match its contents to the way you paint, not just the label or number of tubes. These broader factors help separate useful investment from colors and extras that may not fit your studio routine.
Choose a paint line before chasing tube count
A set with many colors can save mixing time, but it can also leave you with several similar hues and few of the pigments you rely on. Start with the paint line and its intended level, then check whether the included colors cover the roles you need, such as warm and cool versions of primary colors, earth tones, and a useful white. A focused set can be a stronger foundation than a much larger assortment if its colors mix well into your usual palette. One common mistake is treating the word “professional” or a large tube count as proof that every included color will suit your work. If you already own core colors, prioritize a set that fills gaps instead of duplicating them.
Compare tube size with how you actually paint
Tube volume matters most when it matches your paint consumption. Artists who work on large canvases or use a lot of white may value larger tubes, while someone trying a new line may prefer smaller tubes that reduce the commitment to colors they might not use. A broad set of large tubes can feel wasteful if most colors remain untouched, and a compact set can run short quickly for a painter who uses the same palette every day. Check whether the listed quantity refers to every tube and compare that with your existing supplies. I’d pay for volume only when it supports a color you use regularly, rather than treating more paint as an automatic upgrade.
Decide whether you want a ready-made palette or a subject set
A general introductory palette gives more flexibility across subjects, while a set organized around seascapes or a named collection can make sense for a narrower body of work. Subject sets may speed up color selection, but they do not replace the ability to mix outside their intended range. Consider whether the selection includes colors you can reuse across different paintings or whether its appeal depends on a particular motif. Artists who paint varied subjects usually benefit from a balanced palette and can add specialty colors individually. The mistake to avoid is buying a themed set as your only palette without checking whether it covers your everyday mixing needs.
Account for format and included mediums
Oil paint sticks are not simply tubes in another shape: they offer a direct application format that may suit drawing-like marks or painting away from a traditional palette, but they change handling and workflow. A set that includes walnut oil or an alkyd medium also asks you to make choices about paint consistency and drying behavior. Those additions can be useful if you already know how you want to use them, but extra materials are not automatically a benefit to every painter. Check whether the included medium is meant to support your technique and whether you are comfortable adding it to your routine. If you want a straightforward tube-paint set, keep specialist formats and medium bundles in a separate comparison.
Plan for color mixing and replacement
A set is a starting point, not a guarantee that every tube will become a permanent part of your palette. Before buying, look for the colors you can replenish individually and note any unusual shades that may be harder to replace with your preferred line. A smaller, familiar palette is often easier to maintain than a large collection that depends on many rarely used colors. If you are learning to mix, a restrained selection can teach you more about color relationships than relying on a ready-made tube for every hue. Choose a set that leaves room to add the pigments you use most, rather than one that dictates your palette indefinitely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a larger oil paint set automatically better for a serious artist?
No. A large assortment provides more ready-to-use colors, but it may include shades you rarely reach for and can make it harder to learn how your core pigments mix. The Paul Rubens 40-color set is the broadest listed option, while smaller sets such as the Winsor & Newton Artists’ introductory set focus on a more limited selection. For serious work, I’d judge the palette by whether its colors suit your subjects and whether you can replace the tubes you use often. A compact set can be the better purchase when it has a coherent range and matches your established practice.
Which set makes more sense if I already own basic oil colors?
I’d avoid buying another set based only on its total number of tubes. First compare the included colors against your current palette and note missing roles, such as a particular earth color, a subject-specific hue, or a preferred white. Gamblin’s Seascape Set may suit someone deliberately adding colors for marine subjects, while a general introductory assortment may duplicate common basics. If the gap is only one or two colors, buying those individually may make more sense than adding another full set. Also check tube sizes so you do not accumulate more paint than you can use comfortably.
Should I choose professional-line paint or a larger, more economical assortment?
That depends on what you want from the set and how often you paint. A professional-focused line is a sensible priority when you value a particular paint range and want a compact palette suited to sustained studio work. A larger assortment can be more useful for experimentation or for artists who want many colors immediately available, but its size alone says little about how well the colors suit your technique. Compare the paint line, color selection, and tube volumes together rather than using assortment size as a shortcut. If you paint regularly, a smaller set that fits your practice may be more useful than a broad selection that sits unused.
Are oil paint sticks a good substitute for tube paints?
They can be a useful alternative format, but I would not treat them as a direct replacement for every tube-paint workflow. R&F’s pigment-stick set is aimed at artists interested in applying oil color in stick form, which may suit direct marks and a less conventional approach to the palette. Tube paints remain the more straightforward choice for artists who depend on familiar mixing and brush application. Think about how you apply paint, how you prefer to mix colors, and whether the format fits your studio habits before choosing. If you are unsure, keep a stick set as a specialized addition rather than making it your only oil paint supply.
Does a set with painting mediums make a better starter purchase?
Not necessarily. M. Graham’s set includes walnut alkyd and walnut oil medium, which may appeal to painters who want to explore changes to paint handling as part of their setup. A beginner who has not settled on a working method may find it simpler to start with paint alone and learn how the colors behave before adding mediums. Extra materials help only when you understand why and when you will use them; otherwise, they add choices without solving a clear need. If you choose a bundle, read the included contents carefully and make sure the mediums fit your preferred approach.
Conclusion
For most artists seeking one versatile, artist-focused set, I’d start with the Winsor & Newton Artists’ Oil Colour Introductory Set. The best value by breadth is the Paul Rubens 40-color assortment for buyers who want many ready-made colors and larger tubes, while Rembrandt is a strong premium-format option for artists who prefer a compact set. Beginners who want a conventional starting palette can compare the Winsor & Newton introductory set with Gamblin’s introductory set; those seeking a lower-commitment introductory line can look at Gamblin 1980 or Winton. For specific needs, I’d choose R&F pigment sticks for stick-format work, Gamblin Seascape for a marine-focused palette, or M. Graham when the included walnut mediums suit the way I paint. The two Charvin listings describe the same Bonjour set, so I would count them as one choice.
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