As cooler days roll in and outdoor plans start to fade, there’s something special about finding joy indoors — especially when that joy involves creativity and color. Oil painting has a timeless charm — the richness of the pigments, the slow-drying texture, and the way every brushstroke feels alive. Whether you’re completely new to oils or returning after years away, 2025 is the perfect time to dive in.
Below, you’ll find everything you need to begin — plus five of the best beginner-friendly oil paint sets on Amazon to help you create your first masterpiece.
🖌️ Why Oil Painting Is Worth Trying
Oil paints are forgiving and deeply satisfying to work with. They blend beautifully, allowing you to take your time — perfect for cozy afternoons or creative weekends at home. Unlike faster mediums, oils let you slow down and enjoy the process, layer by layer. You don’t need to be an expert; you just need curiosity and a few basic tools.
🪶 What You’ll Need to Get Started
Starting oil painting is easier than most people think. Here’s your simple checklist:
- Oil paint set (a variety of colors to mix and experiment with)
- Brushes (different sizes for texture and detail)
- Canvas or painting surface
- Palette (for mixing)
- Linseed oil or water (depending on the paint type)
- Cloth or paper towels for cleanup
That’s it — a small creative setup that fits right on your table.
🏆 Top 5 Oil Painting Sets for Beginners (All on Amazon)
1️⃣ Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Colour Set
A classic starter option from one of the most trusted art brands. The Winton line offers vibrant, student-grade colors that are easy to blend and long-lasting — perfect for your first canvases.
💰 Around $30 | 10 colors | Great for new artists
- This set contains 10 essential starter colors for beginners, made from quality fine art pigments. It offers excellent re…
- Great pigment load – Winton Oil Color’s pigment load is higher than many artists’ ranges. Exceptional for general use an…
- Uniform consistency – The Winton range has a more uniform consistency than Artists’ Oil Color and is a slightly stiffer …
2️⃣ Winsor & Newton Artisan Water Mixable Oil Studio Set
Love the idea of oil painting but not the smell of solvents? This set is a game-changer. These are real oil paints, but you can clean them up with water. No turpentine needed.
💰 Around $60 | 10 large tubes | Easier cleanup
- Specifically developed to appear and work just like conventional oil color
- Ideal for artists who share a work space, schools or painting at home
- Includes: Lemon Yellow Hue, Cadmium Yellow Pale Hue, Cadmium Red Hue, Permanent Alizarin Crimson, Cerulean Blue Hue, Fre…
3️⃣ Ohuhu Oil Paint Set (24–36 Colors)
Perfect for beginners on a budget, Ohuhu’s paints are rich in color and blend smoothly. With 24–36 shades, you’ll have plenty of room to experiment without feeling limited.
💰 Under $25 | 24–36 colors | Great value
- 24 VIBRANT OIL-BASED COLORS: This oil painting set provides a good range of oil colors includes Titanium White, Lemon Ye…
- BEST VALUE OIL PAINTING SUPPLIES SET: The perfect oil paint for painting out scenery, abstract, landscape and fine portr…
- PORTABLE OIL PAINTING TUBES: Pay homage to the sights and sounds around you by painting it on paper. This travel waterco…
4️⃣ Royal & Langnickel Essentials Oil Paint Pack
If you’re testing the waters or just want a fun weekend project, this compact set is ideal. The paints are student-quality and come in all the basics you’ll need to explore your first piece.
💰 Under $20 | 12 colors | Affordable and simple
- Model RSET-ART3101 is a collection of the basic fine art materials you’ll need to create stunning oil paintings
- Clear View, see-through plastic case with snap closures and recessed handle
- Includes 12 (12ml) tubes of Essentials brand oil paint, 3 brushes specifically suited to working with oils, 1 graphite p…
5️⃣ Gamblin Artist’s Oil Colors Introductory Set
For those who want quality from day one, this set from Gamblin offers professional-grade colors in smaller sizes — rich pigments and buttery texture that make blending a dream.
💰 Around $100 | 9 colors | Artist-grade pigments
- Wood panel handcrafted in North America from sustainable forested birch
- Luscious – intense – pigment-rich colors that last
- American made – sustainably produced – quality set
💡 Before You Begin
- Start small. A single canvas is all you need to practice blending and layering.
- Experiment with mediums. Linseed oil adds gloss; others can speed or slow drying.
- Be patient. Oils take longer to dry — that’s part of the magic.
- Clean as you go. A touch of soap and warm water (for water-mixable oils) or mild solvent keeps brushes fresh.
- Have fun with it. Painting should relax you — not stress you.
✨ Your Creative Invitation
You don’t need a studio to feel like an artist — just a bit of space, a few good colors, and the willingness to create.
This season, trade your scrolling time for brushstrokes and let your imagination breathe.
🎨 Click your Amazon link above, grab a set that inspires you, and start your oil painting journey today.
Wait! There’s More — You’ll Need a Canvas to Bring Your Art to Life
You’ve got your paints picked out — now all that’s missing is the perfect canvas! Whether you’re testing colors, exploring new techniques, or starting your first masterpiece, the right surface makes all the difference.
Here are three great Amazon options to fit every creative setup:
🎨 Small Canvas – Arteza Classic 12″ × 12″ (Pack of 8)
Perfect for beginners or quick studies. These compact canvases fit anywhere and are great for experimenting with color and brushwork.
- 100% Cotton Art Canvases for Painting: Our canvas boards for painting can be used with oil, acrylic paints, tempera, and…
- Painting Canvas in Bulk: This canvas set includes 12 stretched canvases 8 x 8 inches. The profile of each canvas for pai…
- Sturdily Constructed: These square canvases for painting are stretched and stapled onto pinewood bars that create a firm…
🖌️ Medium Canvas – ESRICH 12″ × 16″ Panel Board (Pack of 10)
A step up in size that gives you room to play with composition and layering — ideal for both acrylic and oil paints.
- Paint Canvas: The paint canvases for painting set comes with 10 packs 12 x 16 canvas value pack for daily practice and c…
- Large Canvas 12×16: Blank canvases for painting are great for oil paints, watercolor paints, acrylic paints, tempera and…
- Premium Quality: Each cotton 12×16 large canvas for painting is pre-coated acid-free acrylic gesso. Primed weight 8 oz.E…
🖼️ Medium/Large Canvas – ArtSkills 16″ × 20″ Stretched Canvas
Ready to create something you’ll want to display? This larger format helps you express bigger ideas with confidence.
- 100% PURE COTTON CANVAS: Cotton Makes the Ideal Art Surface. It is made of cotton without rinsed with any alkaline chemi…
- PINEWOOD STRETCHED BARS: These stretched canvases are stretched & stapled onto pinewood bars which create a firm frame. …
- TRIPLE PRIMED GESSO: Cotton surface unprimed weight – 4 oz & primed weight – 8 oz. This stretched canvas keeps the paint…
No matter which size you choose, each brushstroke will feel more satisfying on a smooth, sturdy canvas.
✨ Grab the one that fits your space — and let your creativity flow!
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.