For a professional oil paint set for professional artists, I would put the Gamblin Artist Oil Colors Introductory Set first for its focus on artist-grade colors in substantial tubes. The Winsor & Newton Artists’ Oil Colour Introductory Set is a strong alternative for painters who want a compact selection from an established artist-color range, while ZenART’s Portrait Palette is tailored to portrait work. The main tradeoff is between a focused, higher-grade working palette and a larger assortment that offers more colors but may include smaller tubes or a studio-oriented range. Tube size, pigment transparency, and the colors you actually use matter more than a set’s total color count. Continue reading for the full breakdown and buying advice.
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Key Takeaways
- Gamblin Artist Oil Colors Introductory Set leads this roundup for artists seeking a focused selection in 37 ml tubes rather than a large, small-tube assortment.
- ZenART Portrait Palette stands apart by organizing its eight-color set around portrait painting, making it more specialized than general introductory palettes.
- PHOENIX Artist Oil Paint Set offers 24 colors in 40 ml tubes, balancing a broad range with more paint per tube than the 12 ml MyArtscape set.
- MyArtscape’s 48 colors provide the widest listed color count, but its 12 ml tubes make it a different proposition from sets built for sustained studio use.
- Rubens and PHOENIX Studio sets feature large tubes and broad palettes, while Gamblin and Winsor & Newton sets place more emphasis on established artist-color ranges.
| professional oil paint set for professional artist | Brand | Paint type | Number of colors | Tube size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rubens Oil Paint Set | Rubens | Oil | 15 | 2 oz (60 ml) |
| MyArtscape Oil Paint Set | MyArtscape | Oil | 48 | 12 ml |
| Gamblin 1980 Oil Color Exclusi | Gamblin | — | 8 | 37 ml |
| Gamblin Artist Oil Colors Intr | Gamblin | Oil | — | 37 ml each |
| PHOENIX Artist Oil Paint Set | PHOENIX | Oil | 24 | 40 ml each |
| ZenART Portrait Palette Profes | ZenART Supplies | Oil | 8 | 50 ml (1.7 fl oz) each |
| Winsor & Newton Artists’ Oil C | Winsor & Newton | Oil | — | — |
| PHOENIX Studio Oil Paint Set | PHOENIX | Oil | 20 | — |
| Rubens Oil Paint Set | Rubens | Oil | 15 | 2 oz (60 ml) each |
| Paul Rubens Oil Paint Set | Paul Rubens | Oil based | 20 | 50 ml each |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Rubens Oil Paint Set, 15 Colors, 2 oz Tubes
For artists who use generous paint loads or build visible impasto, this Rubens set’s 15 large 60 ml tubes are its clearest advantage. Its thick, buttery consistency is described as holding brushstrokes and palette-knife marks, making it a better fit for textured passages than the MyArtscape 48-color set, which prioritizes breadth of color in much smaller tubes. The Rubens palette is more limited, so artists who rely on many ready-mixed hues may need to mix more often. It can be used on canvas, wood, and stone, though canvas is the recommended surface. The listed 5–7 day drying time calls for patience between layers, and the stated coverage is only 20 square inches, so I would not choose it for fast production or large areas that need dependable coverage estimates.
Pros:- Thick texture is suited to retaining brush and palette-knife marks
- Large 60 ml tubes provide more paint per color than the 12 ml MyArtscape tubes
- 15 colors can be mixed into custom tones
- Listed for use on canvas, wood, and stone
Cons:- Five-to-seven-day drying time may slow layered workflows
- 15 colors offer less ready-made variety than MyArtscape’s 48
- Listed coverage of 20 square inches may be limiting for larger projects
Best for: Oil painters who apply paint thickly, use palette knives, or want larger tubes for sustained work on canvas and other listed surfaces.
Not ideal for: Artists who need a broad ready-to-use palette, fast layer turnaround, or clearly documented high coverage for large paintings.
- Brand:Rubens
- Paint type:Oil
- Number of colors:15
- Tube size:2 oz (60 ml)
- Drying time:About 5–7 days
- Recommended surface:Canvas
- Other suitable surfaces:Wood and stone
- Listed coverage:20 sq in
Our verdict“Choose this Rubens set for substantial paint volume and textured application, but skip it if fast drying or extensive color choice matters more.”
MyArtscape Oil Paint Set, 48 Colors, 12 ml Tubes
MyArtscape makes the most sense for artists who want many hues on hand rather than a few large workhorse tubes. Its 48 colors give painters more starting points for portraits, landscapes, and experiments with color relationships than the eight-color Gamblin 1980 Exclusive Set. The tradeoff is tube size: at 12 ml each, these are much smaller than the 37 ml Gamblin tubes or the 60 ml Rubens set, which may matter for artists who paint often or in large formats. The product is described as artist-grade, with rich pigments, smooth blending, a glossy finish, and lightfast colors. Its listed 24-hour drying time differs from Rubens’s five-to-seven-day figure, but drying can vary with paint thickness and conditions. I would treat this as a color-choice-led set, not a bulk supply for heavy application.
Pros:- 48 colors provide the broadest palette among these five sets
- Smooth blending and rich pigments are specified
- Lightfast colors are intended to resist fading
- Compact 12 ml tubes suit artists who want many colors without large containers
Cons:- 12 ml tubes hold substantially less paint than the Gamblin and Rubens sets
- Not described as water resistant
- The listed 24-hour drying time may not match every painting condition or layer thickness
Best for: Artists building a varied palette for studies, color mixing, or smaller paintings who value having many hues available in compact tubes.
Not ideal for: Professional painters who use large quantities of paint, need larger tubes, or require water-resistant paint.
- Brand:MyArtscape
- Paint type:Oil
- Number of colors:48
- Tube size:12 ml
- Total volume:19.48 fluid ounces
- Finish:Gloss
- Dry time:24 hours
- Water resistance:Not water resistant
- Recommended surface:Canvas
Our verdict“Pick MyArtscape when immediate color variety matters more than tube volume or water resistance.”
Gamblin 1980 Oil Color Exclusive Set
This Gamblin package is the most self-contained choice here for an artist setting up a first oil-painting session: it combines eight 37 ml colors with a primed, cradled wood panel and solvent-free gel medium. That makes it more immediately usable than the nine-color Gamblin Artist Oil Colors Introductory Set, which includes a panel but no listed medium. Gamblin 1980 is described as high-end student-grade paint, so the appeal is a quality-focused entry point rather than a claim to professional-grade formulation. The limited palette means more mixing and fewer ready-made options than the MyArtscape 48-color set; painters who already own supports and mediums may get less benefit from the bundled extras. The stated 24-hour dry time can also constrain rapid layering. I’d rank it for practical setup value, not for the widest palette or highest professional specialization.
Pros:- Includes eight 37 ml tubes, a primed cradled wood panel, and solvent-free gel
- High-end student-grade formulation is positioned above basic entry-level paint
- The included support and medium help make the set ready for a first session
- Made in America
Cons:- Eight colors provide less palette range than MyArtscape’s 48 or Gamblin Artist’s nine
- Student-grade positioning may not suit professionals seeking a dedicated artist-grade set
- Listed 24-hour dry time can slow work that depends on quick layering
Best for: Artists moving into oil painting who want a small, usable paint palette together with a primed panel and solvent-free gel medium.
Not ideal for: Established professionals seeking a broad palette or artists who already have painting panels and medium and want paint-only value.
- Brand:Gamblin
- Paint line:1980 Oil Colors
- Number of colors:8
- Tube size:37 ml
- Included components:Solvent-free gel and cradled primed wood panel
- Dry time:24 hours
- Origin:Made in America
- Item weight:127 g
Our verdict“Choose this bundle if you want paint plus a panel and medium in one package, but look to a broader artist-grade set for a long-term professional palette.”
Gamblin Artist Oil Colors Introductory Set, 9 Tubes, 37 ml Each
Among these five options, this Gamblin set is the clearest fit for painters who want a focused artist-oil palette rather than a high color count or a bundle of extras. Its nine named colors cover warm and cool primaries alongside earth colors, black, and white, giving an experienced painter a practical base for mixing. Compared with the eight-color Gamblin 1980 Exclusive Set, it offers one additional tube and is identified as Gamblin artist oil colors rather than student-grade 1980 paint. A pre-primed birch panel is included, but brushes and other tools are not, so the kit is less complete than the 1980 bundle with its solvent-free gel. The 37 ml tubes suit considered studio work better than MyArtscape’s smaller tubes, though nine colors will feel restrictive to painters who prefer an expansive premixed palette.
Pros:- Nine specified colors form a practical mixing palette
- 37 ml tubes offer more paint per color than MyArtscape’s 12 ml tubes
- Includes a pre-primed birch painting panel
- Made in the USA
Cons:- No brushes or other painting tools are included
- Nine colors offer less ready-made variety than MyArtscape’s 48
- Waterproofing is listed as no
Best for: Experienced painters who want a compact, named-color artist-oil palette for mixing and a primed birch panel for a small project.
Not ideal for: Artists who need brushes, medium, a large choice of ready-mixed colors, or a complete all-in-one painting kit.
- Brand:Gamblin
- Paint type:Oil
- Paint tubes: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 painting panel
- Finish:Matte
- Made in:USA
Our verdict“Choose this Gamblin set for a compact artist-oil palette built around mixing, provided you already have brushes and any medium you need.”
PHOENIX Artist Oil Paint Set, 24 Colors, 40 ml Tubes
PHOENIX sits between the small, mixing-led Gamblin sets and the unusually broad but small-tubed MyArtscape collection. Its 24 colors in 40 ml tubes offer a more balanced combination of palette range and working volume for painters who want enough color choice without stepping down to 12 ml tubes. The described buttery texture and cold-pressed linseed oil point toward smooth application and blending, while the stated lightfast colors are aimed at lasting work. That makes it a more direct fit for canvas painting than the Gamblin 1980 bundle, which is explicitly student-grade and includes fewer colors. However, the supplied information does not name the individual pigments, give a drying time, or describe included tools, so artists who need detailed pigment selection or a predictable layer schedule may prefer a better-documented set. Safety standards are listed, with handling cautions still noted.
Pros:- 24 colors provide more range than either Gamblin set in this group
- 40 ml tubes offer more paint per color than MyArtscape’s 12 ml tubes
- Buttery texture and cold-pressed linseed oil are described for application and blending
- Lightfast colors and AP and ASTM D4236 safety standards are listed
Cons:- Individual pigment names are not provided in the supplied product details
- No drying time is specified
- No brushes or other painting accessories are listed, and handling cautions still apply
Best for: Canvas painters who want a medium-to-large selection of colors in substantial tubes and value buttery handling and stated lightfastness.
Not ideal for: Artists who need named pigment details, a specified drying schedule, or included brushes and painting accessories.
- Brand:PHOENIX
- Paint type:Oil
- Number of colors:24
- Tube size:40 ml each
- Oil:Cold-pressed linseed oil
- Recommended surface:Canvas
- Safety standards:AP and ASTM D4236
- Manufacturer:PHOENIX ARTS GROUP
Our verdict“Choose PHOENIX for a substantial, varied canvas palette, but favor a more fully specified set if pigment identity or drying behavior is central to your practice.”
ZenART Portrait Palette Professional Oil Paint Set, 8 Colors, 50 ml Tubes
I’d choose the ZenART Portrait Palette when portrait and figure painting matter more than having a broad all-purpose assortment. Its eight selected colors, including Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, and Raw Umber, give artists a focused starting point for mixing skin tones and muted passages. Each 50 ml tube provides more paint per color than the Winsor & Newton introductory set’s 21 ml tubes, a practical advantage for repeated studies or larger canvases. The buttery consistency is ready for wet-on-wet work, while the non-toxic, vegan formulation will appeal to artists seeking those specific attributes. The tradeoff is a narrow palette: landscape painters wanting more ready-made color choices may prefer the PHOENIX Studio set’s 20 colors. These oils also require a surface primed for oil painting and are not water-mixable.
Pros:- Eight complementary colors support realistic skin-tone and figure mixing.
- 50 ml tubes provide substantially more paint per color than Winsor & Newton’s 21 ml tubes.
- Buttery consistency is described as ready for wet-on-wet painting.
- Non-toxic, vegan, cruelty-free formula conforms to ASTM D4236.
Cons:- Eight colors offer less ready-made variety than the PHOENIX Studio 20-color set.
- Not water-mixable.
- Requires a surface prepared for oil painting.
Best for: Portrait and figure painters who want large tubes of a compact, skin-tone-friendly palette for oil-primed surfaces.
Not ideal for: Artists seeking a wide range of ready-made hues, water-mixable oils, or paint for unprimed surfaces.
- Brand:ZenART Supplies
- Paint type:Oil
- Number of colors:8
- Colors:Zinc-Titanium White, Yellow Ochre, Vermillion, Permanent Red, Chromium Oxide, Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Blue, Raw Umber
- Tube size:50 ml (1.7 fl oz) each
- Dry time:24 hours
- Surface compatibility:Paper, metal, canvas, board, and primed artist surfaces
- Safety and standards:Non-toxic, vegan, cruelty-free; conforms to ASTM D4236
Our verdict“Choose ZenART for a portrait-focused palette with generous tube sizes, but pick a larger assortment if you need broader color coverage.”
Winsor & Newton Artists’ Oil Colour Introductory Set, 10 Tubes
The Winsor & Newton Artists’ Oil Colour Introductory Set is the most compact choice here for artists who want a recognizable, balanced selection without committing to large tubes. Its 10 colors in 21 ml tubes include two blues, two greens, earth colors, and basic mixing colors, offering more hue variety than ZenART’s portrait-oriented eight-color palette. The manufacturer describes its pigments and oils as selected to preserve each color’s characteristics, which suits painters who value a traditional, curated assortment over sheer volume. Compared with PHOENIX Studio’s 20 large tubes, though, this set gives less paint and fewer options for direct color selection. The listed contents may vary, so I wouldn’t choose it when an exact palette is essential. It makes more sense as a compact professional-quality starting set than as a bulk studio supply.
Pros:- Ten-color assortment includes useful warm, cool, green, and earth colors.
- Individual formulations are described as preserving each pigment’s characteristics.
- Compact 21 ml tubes suit travel and limited storage.
- Professional-quality pigments offer a more focused alternative to larger general-purpose assortments.
Cons:- 21 ml tubes contain less paint than ZenART’s and PHOENIX Studio’s 50 ml tubes.
- Set contents may vary, making the exact palette uncertain.
- The 10-color selection offers less direct hue variety than PHOENIX Studio’s 20 colors.
Best for: Professional artists who want a compact, familiar color selection for travel, studies, or a secondary studio palette.
Not ideal for: Painters who need large quantities, guaranteed exact color contents, or a wide range of ready-mixed hues.
- Brand:Winsor & Newton
- Paint type:Oil
- Tube count:10
- Tube volume:21 ml each
- Total volume:7.1 fluid ounces
- 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
- Finish:Matte
Our verdict“Pick this set for a compact, curated professional-quality palette, not for maximum paint volume or a guaranteed fixed assortment.”
PHOENIX Studio Oil Paint Set, 20 Colors, 50 ml Tubes
For artists who want to reach for more premixed hues and spend less time building every color from a limited palette, PHOENIX Studio’s 20 colors make this the broadest assortment among these five products. Its 50 ml tubes also match ZenART’s tube size while offering far more colors, so it is better suited to varied subjects and color-rich work. The described thick, creamy consistency can hold body for expressive application, and the listed fade resistance and lightfastness support work intended to retain its color. Compared with the more compact Winsor & Newton set, PHOENIX provides twice the color count and much larger tubes; the tradeoff is that its paints are described as slow drying. That extended working time may help with blending, but it can complicate layered workflows or a studio schedule built around quicker turnarounds.
Pros:- Twenty colors provide broader ready-made variety than the Winsor & Newton 10-color set.
- 50 ml tubes offer substantial volume per color.
- Thick, creamy paint supports textured application.
- Described as fade resistant and suitable for several painting surfaces.
Cons:- Slow drying can delay layering and completion.
- The 20-color assortment may be more than artists seeking a focused palette need.
- Product data does not identify individual colors in the set.
Best for: Artists painting varied subjects who want a broad, saturated palette in full-size tubes and are comfortable with slow-drying oils.
Not ideal for: Painters who need a compact kit, fast layer turnaround, or a portrait-specific selection rather than 20 general colors.
- Brand:PHOENIX
- Paint type:Oil
- Number of colors:20
- Tube volume:50 ml (1.69 fl oz) each
- Total volume:33.8 fl oz
- Finish:Matte
- Suitable surfaces:Canvas, wood, paper, and other painting surfaces
- Certifications:EN 71 and ASTM-4236
Our verdict“Choose PHOENIX Studio if broad color choice and large tubes matter more than a quick-drying workflow.”
Rubens Oil Paint Set, 15 Colors, 2 oz Tubes (Series B)
The Rubens 15-color Series B set earns its place for painters who want the paint itself to contribute visible texture. Its thick, saturated consistency is described as retaining brushstrokes and palette-knife marks, making it a more direct fit for impasto than Winsor & Newton’s smaller introductory set, which is better framed as a compact color palette. The 2 oz (60 ml) tubes are also the largest listed per tube in this group, giving texture-focused artists more material to work with before replacing a favorite color. Its 15 hues sit between Winsor & Newton’s 10 and PHOENIX Studio’s 20, so it balances variety with substantial tube sizes. The main compromise is drying time: about 5–7 days can slow layering and make this a poor match for painters who want to finish work quickly.
Pros:- Thick texture is suited to retaining brushstrokes and palette-knife marks.
- 60 ml tubes are larger than the 50 ml tubes in ZenART and PHOENIX Studio sets.
- Fifteen colors provide more variety than Winsor & Newton’s 10-color set.
- Compatible with canvas, wood, and stone.
Cons:- About 5–7 days of drying time can slow layered work.
- Fifteen colors offer fewer ready-made choices than PHOENIX Studio’s 20.
- Listed coverage is 20 sq in, which may constrain coverage expectations.
Best for: Impasto and palette-knife painters who want large tubes of thick paint that can retain visible marks.
Not ideal for: Artists working in fast layers, needing a compact travel set, or prioritizing a wide selection of ready-made colors.
- Brand:Rubens
- Paint type:Oil
- Number of colors:15
- Tube size:2 oz (60 ml) each
- Drying time:About 5–7 days
- Recommended surface:Canvas
- Other compatible surfaces:Wood, stone
- Coverage:20 sq in
Our verdict“Pick Rubens Series B for large tubes and mark-making texture, but skip it if your process depends on rapid drying.”
Paul Rubens Oil Paint Set, 20 Colors x 50ml Professional Tubes
The Paul Rubens 20-color set is aimed at painters who want a broad palette with a smooth, blendable feel and full-size tubes. Its refined linseed-oil formulation and high pigmentation are described as supporting covering power and color mixing, making it a useful fit for landscape, portrait, and still-life work. Compared with the similarly sized PHOENIX Studio set, it also offers 20 colors in 50 ml tubes, while the product description specifically highlights blending and long-lasting freshness. It is less suited to painters whose workflow relies on quick layers: the stated 7–14 days refers to full cure, not necessarily when a surface is ready for every next step, but it signals a patient drying cycle. The listing also cautions that the paint is not fully waterproof, so I would not choose it for work requiring that property.
Pros:- Twenty vivid colors support varied subjects and color mixing.
- 50 ml tubes provide ample paint per color.
- Smooth, creamy consistency is described as blending easily.
- High pigmentation and lightfastness are listed features.
Cons:- Full cure is listed at 7–14 days, which can extend project timelines.
- The paint is described as not fully waterproof.
- A 20-color set may be excessive for artists who prefer a compact palette.
Best for: Studio painters working across portraits, landscapes, and still lifes who want 20 colors, full-size tubes, and blendable paint.
Not ideal for: Artists who need fast full curing or fully waterproof paint, or who prefer a small, tightly focused palette.
- Brand:Paul Rubens
- Paint type:Oil based
- Number of colors:20
- Tube size:50 ml each
- Surface recommendation:Canvas, painted wood panels
- Dry time:7–14 days for full cure
- Features:Non-toxic, high pigmentation, lightfast
- Age range:Adult
Our verdict“Choose Paul Rubens for a broad, blend-friendly studio palette if a long full-cure period and limited water resistance fit your workflow.”
How We Picked
I compared these sets through the needs of working oil painters: the stated color range, tube size, intended palette, and whether the set appears geared toward a focused artist-color practice or a broader studio assortment. I gave more weight to useful tube volume and a coherent working palette than to color count alone, since a professional painter can mix many colors but may quickly use up small tubes of essential pigments.
The ranking favors sets whose stated format aligns clearly with professional studio needs, then separates them by specialty and flexibility. The Gamblin Artist Oil Colors set ranks first for its combination of a focused range and 37 ml tubes; portrait specialization gives ZenART a distinct role, while Winsor & Newton and Gamblin 1980 offer alternatives for buyers prioritizing their respective ranges. Larger or more numerous sets can be better value for painters who need breadth, but I rank them lower when size and color count alone do not show that they suit a specific professional workflow. Product details here are based on the listed set configurations, not hands-on testing.
| professional oil paint set for professional artist | Paint type |
|---|---|
| Rubens Oil Paint Set | Oil |
| MyArtscape Oil Paint Set | Oil |
| Gamblin 1980 Oil Color Exclusi | — |
| Gamblin Artist Oil Colors Intr | Oil |
| PHOENIX Artist Oil Paint Set | Oil |
| ZenART Portrait Palette Profes | Oil |
| Winsor & Newton Artists’ Oil C | Oil |
| PHOENIX Studio Oil Paint Set | Oil |
| Rubens Oil Paint Set | Oil |
| Paul Rubens Oil Paint Set | Oil based |
Factors to Consider When Choosing Professional Oil Paint Set For Professional Artists
Before choosing, I would match the set to the way you paint rather than treating “professional” as a tube-size or color-count label. These factors help clarify which tradeoffs matter for your studio and which features are less useful once you already have a working palette.
Choose a working palette, not the biggest color count
A large set can save mixing time, but it can also leave you with several near-duplicates and little of the pigments you use every session. Start by listing your regular palette—often a white, a few earth colors, and a small group of warm and cool primaries—then compare the set against that list. A focused set such as a portrait palette can make sense when you paint one subject repeatedly, while a broader set suits artists who shift between subjects or teach. A common mistake is to assume more included colors automatically means better studio value. If you already own specialist pigments, a smaller, coherent set may be more useful than a large assortment.
Compare tube volume with how quickly you use each color
Tube size affects how often you need to replenish paint, but equal tube sizes do not mean every color will be used at the same rate. White and frequently used mixing colors may run out well before less common hues. Sets with 40–50 ml tubes can suit painters who want a steady studio supply, while small tubes may work for testing a palette or carrying a compact range. Avoid choosing solely by total milliliters: check whether the volume is distributed across colors you actually need. For a long-term setup, it can be more practical to buy a set for palette coverage and replace high-use colors individually.
Check pigment information before relying on color names
Color names alone do not tell you how a paint will mix, cover, or behave in a layered painting. Before buying, look for pigment identification and information about opacity, transparency, and permanence on the manufacturer’s product details or tube labels. These details matter when you need repeatable mixtures, want to glaze, or are matching a color across multiple sessions. A broad set can still leave gaps if its pigments do not suit your methods. If technical pigment data is missing or unclear, treat that as a reason to verify details before making the set your primary palette, not proof that the paint will perform poorly.
Distinguish an artist-color range from a studio-oriented set
“Professional” on a product listing does not by itself describe the paint’s pigment load, formulation, or intended use. Compare the manufacturer’s stated range and technical details rather than relying on packaging language. A set designed around an established artist-color line may appeal to painters who want a consistent palette from that range; a studio-oriented set may offer more colors or larger tubes for general use. Neither format is automatically right for every professional. If archival work, specific handling properties, or consistent color matching matters to your practice, confirm the relevant product specifications before prioritizing assortment size or presentation.
Decide whether a specialist set fits your subject
A purpose-built palette can remove guesswork when your work centers on a subject such as portraiture, but it may be restrictive for landscape, still life, or abstract work. Think about the colors you repeatedly mix, not just the subject named on the box. A specialist palette can serve as a reliable starting point while you add individual colors for your own approach. The tradeoff is that a narrowly planned set may contain colors you rarely reach for outside that subject. If your practice changes from project to project, a more general palette may leave you with fewer gaps.
Plan for restocking and studio compatibility
A set is only a starting inventory; long-term usefulness depends on whether you can replace the colors you use most. Check whether individual colors are sold within the same range and note any pigments you rely on that are not included. Keep your existing paints, mediums, and working habits in mind, since a new set may not match the handling or color behavior of supplies already on your palette. Buying a large kit can appear convenient but may create waste if several colors go unused. For a mature studio, a smaller set plus deliberate single-color purchases can be a smarter way to build a dependable palette.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a set with more colors a better choice for a professional painter?
Not automatically. A larger assortment can reduce the time spent mixing particular hues, but a smaller palette can support consistent color relationships and may give you more of the pigments you use frequently. Compare the included colors with your own routine rather than counting tubes. MyArtscape lists 48 colors, while the Gamblin Artist Oil Colors set is a more focused option with larger listed tubes. If you already have a working palette, filling specific gaps may be more useful than buying many colors at once.
Should I choose large tubes or a compact introductory set?
Choose according to how often you paint and how much of each color you use. Larger tubes can reduce restocking for high-use pigments, while compact sets are easier to store, carry, or use to explore a range before building a larger palette. Tube size alone does not tell you whether the colors fit your methods, so compare the palette and technical product details too. The 12 ml MyArtscape tubes prioritize breadth in a compact format, while sets such as PHOENIX Studio list 50 ml tubes. A hybrid approach—set for core colors, individual tubes for frequent use—can work well for established studios.
Can a portrait palette work as my only oil paint set?
It can if portraiture dominates your work and the included colors support the skin tones and shadow mixtures you use. For landscape, still life, or subjects requiring a wider range of greens, blues, and other hues, a specialized portrait set may need additions. Before relying on it as your sole palette, check the exact colors and their pigment details rather than assuming the label covers every portrait method. ZenART’s eight-color set is the most explicitly specialized option in this roundup. Treat it as a focused starting palette unless its contents match your full practice.
How can I tell whether an oil paint set is genuinely suited to professional work?
Look beyond the word “professional” in a listing. Check the manufacturer’s information for pigment identities, permanence, opacity or transparency, and the intended paint range; these details help you judge whether colors suit repeatable studio work. Also check tube sizes and whether individual colors can be replaced, since reliable restocking matters once a set becomes part of your regular palette. A high color count cannot substitute for clear technical specifications. When the listing leaves important details unanswered, confirm them with the manufacturer before making the set your main supply.
Is it better to stay within one paint brand or mix brands?
Many painters use paints from more than one brand, but mixing brands does not guarantee identical handling or color behavior. If consistency matters for a particular palette, beginning with one range can make it easier to learn how its colors mix; you can then add individual paints where your existing set has a gap. Compare product specifications and test unfamiliar colors in small quantities before building a large palette around them. This roundup includes distinct options from Gamblin, Winsor & Newton, Rubens, and PHOENIX, so the right choice depends on the specific colors and range details you need. Brand loyalty is less useful than a palette that supports your practice and can be replenished.
Conclusion
For the best overall fit, I would choose the Gamblin Artist Oil Colors Introductory Set for its focused palette and 37 ml tubes. For best value in a broad assortment, the PHOENIX Artist Oil Paint Set pairs 24 colors with 40 ml tubes; painters who value maximum color variety over tube volume may prefer MyArtscape’s 48-color set. The best premium-minded pick is the Winsor & Newton Artists’ Oil Colour Introductory Set for buyers who specifically want that artist-color range, while beginners moving toward studio work can start with Gamblin 1980 as a more approachable range option. For a specific need, choose ZenART for a portrait-led palette or a large-tube Rubens or PHOENIX Studio set when volume and assortment take priority. Match the set to your pigments, painting habits, and restocking plan rather than choosing by tube count alone.
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