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10 Best Oil Paints for Beginners and Professionals

By Jessica Stewart on April 6, 2018

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Photo: Nietjuh
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Whether you’ve just started painting or are a professional, chances are you’ve considered
using oil paint. From Rembrandt to Monet, oil paint is the hallmark of the Old Masters,
its slow drying time allowing artists to manipulate the medium over an extended period.
In one form or another, oil paint has existed since ancient Greece, though it came into
popular use during the Northern Renaissance.
Consisting of pigments suspended in a drying oil—most often linseed—oil paint can be
mixed with different mediums like turpentine to change the consistency and sheen of the
paint. Some of the more common natural pigments you’ll find are zinc oxide, sienna,
umber, and cadmium. As some pigments do have levels of toxicity, it’s always wise to
take safety precautions, though synthetic pigments have become increasingly reliable in
their lightfastness.

While many beginning painters are intimidated by oils, it’s a medium that can open up a
world of possibilities. From Alyssa Monks’ hyperrealistic canvases to Joshua
Miels’ palette knife portraits, oil paint is one medium that transitions from historical
painting to contemporary art without missing a beat.

So if you are thinking about putting down your acrylics in favor of oil paint or are just
curious to try a new brand, we’ve pulled together our list of the best oil paints to get you
started on the path to becoming the next Van Gogh.

Looking for other mediums? Check out our guides to the   best acrylic paint  and  best
watercolor sets.

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Photo: bilgecangurer
What to Consider When Selecting Oil Paint

C OS T

One of the biggest differences between acrylic and oil paint is the cost. Due to the use of
pure pigments, you’ll find that oil paints are priced at a premium. In fact, you’ll quickly
notice differences in the prices of tubes depending on which pigment—and how much of
it—is inside. When speaking of artist grade paints, manufacturers will often label their
colors on a number or letter scale, with the higher number or letter signifying a higher
price due to the type of pigment used.

If you are looking to save on money, student grade oil paints will give significant
savings, but at a price. In order to cut costs, fillers and stabilizers are incorporated with
the pigment and oil. While this makes student grade paints cheaper, it can also have an
effect on the color, which can sometimes come out murky when mixed. In general,
student grade oil paints use synthetic hues instead of pure pigment, which can lead to
discrepancies in color.

Artist grade oil paints are created to be as vibrant and permanent as possible, with the
purest paints made solely of pigment and linseed—or poppy—oil. While they can be
more costly, starting with smaller tubes or a limited color palette will allow you to
experiment with professional quality paints without overspending. And because the
pigment load is higher, you’ll need less paint to get the vibrant colors you’re after.

Photo: Lee_seonghak
T EXT URE AND C ONSI STENCY

Each brand will have its own unique texture, it’s up to the individual artist to decide what
works for them. Some oil paints will be buttery and easy to spread with a palette, others
will have a slight grain to them. Each can provide interesting results depending on what
you are looking for.

Consistency also makes an impact on drying time. Keep in mind that oil paintings can
take anywhere between 3 months and a year for all the layers of a painting to completely
dry. Generally, stiffer paints will dry more quickly than runnier paint. Also, keep in mind
that certain colors can have longer drying times. For instance, whites tend to take longer
to dry, as they are mixed with poppy oils. This slower drying oil is used as an alternative
to linseed oil, which can yellow over time.

 
Best Student Grade Oil Paint

WI NSOR & NEWTON

Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Colors 10 Tube Set (21 ml Tubes) | $25.49
Found in almost any art store, Winsor & Newton’s Winton Oil Colour is the brand’s
student grade oil paint. They are priced well for the amount of pigment and also make a
great choice if you need a high volume of color. Winton Oil Colours are known for how
mixable they are, and they’re a nice introduction to oils if you are switching from
acrylics. Their 10-tube starter set will provide you with a nice range of colors for most
projects—from cadmium red deep hue and french ultramarine to burnt sienna and
titanium white. They also have a fast drying time of 2 to 7 days. For a step up, you might
also try Winsor & Newton Artists’ Oil Colors.

 
VAN GOGH

VanGogh Basic Set of 10 Colors (20 ml Tubes) | $35.99

This mid-range line from Talens comes in 66 colors and is known for its high quality
even as a student grade paint. With a consistency on the thinner side, they are specially
adapted for those painting in a wet-on-wet style.
 

GAMBL IN 1980
Gamblin 1980 Oil Color Exclusive Set (37 ml Tubes) | $32.97
Gamblin is an American paint manufacturer known for its high-quality oils with a focus
on safety. For instance, they don’t use lead in their white and have a line of solvent-free
mediums, which makes it safer to work in the studio. 1980 Oil Color is Gamblin’s
student grade line, which is another option for those looking for an introduction to oil
painting. The range has 40 colors to select from and are creamy and easy to mix.

Best Professional Oil Paints

B OB ROS S

Bob Ross 14-Color Landscape Oil Paint Set (150 ml Tubes) | $221.98
Don’t be fooled by the name, this isn’t a gimmick. Bob Ross oil paints aren’t just a fun
novelty named after The Joy of Painting master, they’re also a great mid-price oil paint
option. The pigment load isn’t as high as some other artist grade paints, but they are
priced well and available in large, 150 ml tubes. And, of course, the consistency is perfect
for Ross’ wet-on-wet technique.
 

WI LL IAMSBU RG

Williamsburg Oil Traditional Colors Set (one 37 ml Tube, eight 11 ml Tubes) | $45.35
With its thick, gritty consistency and extremely high pigment load, many professional
artists swear by Williamsburg. Started by a painter based in Brooklyn in the 1980s, the
company was bought by Golden in 2009, but the quality has remained high. Though
costly, Williamsburg oil paints are well worth it for their quality of color. As one
reviewer notes, “When you want to be able to see expressive brush strokes, it really helps
to use one of the best.”

 
S ENNE LI ER

Sennelier Artist Oils Wood Box, Set Of 12 (40 ml Tubes) | $185

Sennelier has been in operation since 1887 and prides itself on being the paint of choice
for artists like Cezanne, Matisse, and Picasso. Sennelier oil paints are made
with safflower oil rather than linseed, which gives a satin finish and prevents yellowing.
It also increases the drying time slightly. There are 144 colors in the range, and if you
ever find yourself in Paris, you can pop into the original Sennelier store just across the
street from the Louvre.

 
B LOCKX

Blockx Oil Paint (35 ml Tubes) | from $18.90

A top tier oil paint at top-tier prices, Blockx has been manufactured in Belgium since
1865. Hand grinding pigments on stone mills, Blockx paints are known for their buttery
consistency and are guaranteed to be perfectly lightfast. Iron oxides, earths, and blacks
are made with linseed, while all others are combined with poppy oil to prevent yellowing.

MICHAEL HA RDIN G

Michael Harding 6-Color Starter Set (40ml Tubes) | $73.91

This British brand was developed by an artist in London, with the premium prices
reflecting the high pigment load that provides intense color. The good news is, the lack of
fillers means that a tube goes a long way. They also mean that the paint shouldn’t flake or
crack over time. If you want to dip your toe in the water, try out a single tube and see
how it compares. You may never turn back.

 
SC HMINC KE MUS SINI
Schmincke Mussini Boxes Introductory Wooden Set of 8 Color (15 ml) | $119.75
Schmincke Mussini oil paints use a highly traditional resin and linseed oil combination
which is said to dry more evenly and prevent wrinkling. They also have a nice range of
transparent and semi-transparent colors, which is wonderful for artists who work in
glazes.

OLD HOLLA ND

Old Holland (40 ml Tubes) | from $12.75 per tube

One of the most reliable names in oil paint, Old Holland has been around since 1667 and
prides itself on carrying on the heritage of great Dutch masters like Rembrandt and
Vermeer. Like Blockx, all their pigments are ground with a stone, which is a big part of
the reason for the heavy price tag for these pigment-rich paints. Thick and stiff, the
saturation of color is unparalleled.
 

Related Articles:

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13 YouTube Channels to Teach You How to Paint for Free

8 Best Colored Pencil Sets for Coloring Book Enthusiasts and Professional Artists

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