Oil Paint Sets for Depth, Blendability, and Timeless Results
Oil paint has a reputation for a reason. Its slow drying time, rich pigmentation, and unmatched blendability give artists the freedom to build depth, refine detail, and work at a considered pace. Art Shed’s range of oil paint sets brings this classic medium together in curated collections designed to make starting, or expanding, your oil practice simple and rewarding.
This category features thoughtfully selected oil paint kits and oil paint sticks from trusted artist brands including Mont Marte, Winsor & Newton Winton, Art Spectrum, Sennelier, and Reeves. The range spans beginner-grade through to professional artist quality, giving you access to luminous colour, smooth consistency, and the timeless handling oil paint is known for.
Whether you’re exploring oils for the first time or refreshing your colour range, this is a definitive destination for oil paint sets suited to every creative need.
Why Choose an Oil Paint Set Over Individual Tubes?
Oil paint sets are built for balance. Rather than guessing which colours to buy individually, curated sets provide a well-considered mix of primary and secondary colours that form a strong foundation for colour mixing. This makes it easier to learn how colours interact and reduces the need to purchase multiple extra tubes just to fill gaps.
Sets are also more economical, especially for beginners. Options range from compact 6-colour kits for learning the basics, through to 12- and 24-colour sets that offer greater flexibility for regular painting and more complex palettes. Whether you prefer a minimal setup or a broader colour range, there’s a set size to suit how you work.
Quality level matters too. Student-grade oil paint sets are designed for accessibility and learning, offering good workability at a lower price point. Artist-grade sets use higher pigment loads and refined binders, resulting in stronger colour intensity, smoother blends, and better longevity for finished artworks.
If you’re looking to simplify your setup and get painting sooner, shopping oil paint sets is the most practical way to start.
The Essential Oil Mediums and Solvents for Beginners
Oil paints are incredibly versatile on their own, but a small number of supporting mediums can make the experience far more approachable, especially when you’re starting out.
For most beginners, linseed oil is the first medium worth adding to your setup. It improves paint flow, increases gloss, and helps colours feel smoother and richer on the canvas. Some oil paint sets already include linseed oil, which makes them a great all-in-one option when learning the basics.
A low-odour or odourless solvent is also essential. It’s commonly used for cleaning brushes and lightly thinning paint, and choosing a low-odour option makes oil painting more comfortable and safer to work with at home or in shared spaces.
As you gain confidence, additional mediums can be introduced to adjust drying time or transparency, but starting with linseed oil and an odourless solvent gives you everything you need to understand how oil paint behaves without overcomplicating the process.
Using the right mediums from the beginning helps you control texture, drying time, and finish, allowing you to focus on technique rather than troubleshooting.
Explore the Versatility of Oil Paint Sticks and Sets
Oil paint sticks offer a more immediate, expressive way to work with oils. Made from real oil paint in solid form, they allow you to apply colour directly to the surface without the need for palettes or brushes.
They’re ideal for sketching, underpainting, blocking in shapes, and working quickly. Because they behave like traditional oil paint once applied, they can be blended, layered, and worked into wet paint just like tube oils.
Many artists enjoy combining oil paint sticks with traditional brushwork, using them to loosen up early layers or add bold, textural marks. If you’re curious about a more hands-on approach, ordering oil paint sticks is a great way to explore oils with less setup and more spontaneity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oil Paint Sets
How long does it take for oil paint to fully dry?
Oil paint dries slowly. It may feel touch-dry within days or weeks, but full curing can take several months depending on thickness, pigments, and mediums used.
What is the main difference between student and artist-grade oil paint sets?
Student-grade sets prioritise affordability and learning, with slightly lower pigment concentration. Artist-grade sets use higher-quality pigments for richer colour, better blending, and improved lightfastness.
Can I mix different brands of oil paints together?
Yes. Most oil paints are compatible across brands, and mixing them is common practice among artists.
What are the most essential oil painting brushes for beginners?
A small selection of flat, filbert, and round brushes made for oil painting is ideal for beginners, covering basic application, blending, and detail work.