The abundance of oil paint brands can be overwhelming for beginners to painting, or even anyone wanting upgrade from their first student paint set. This guide covers a selection of the best oil paints for different uses, from the best student quality oil paints for beginners on a budget, to professional quality paints for more experienced artists to create finished pieces with.
Student paints tend to be more affordable, but generally contain less pigment or use cheaper alternatives to more expensive pigments. More expensive oil paints tend to have far better longevity and vibrancy than their student counterparts, as they will contain more pigment and use authentic pigments.
Of the paints in this list, we selected Michael Harding as the best oil paint for all-round performance, and balancing cost with high quality. Winton paints are a great student option, being affordable and performing very well for their price point. For those who are concerned about the fumes and toxicity of oil paints, Cobra water-mixable oils offer a safer alternative to traditional oils.
If you are new to painting, consider checking out our best art supplies for painting guide to complete your set up, and find a surface to paint on with our best oil paint canvases. Our oil painting for beginners guide also has some great tips to get you started.
The best oil paints
The best oil paint to balance high quality with cost
+ High quality
+ No fillers
- Smaller range
- Pricey
The richness and texture make these paints a delight, and the consistency flows well. While the feel varies slightly between colours, with some 'stiffer' browns, this is standard in highly pigmented paints. The colour range is smaller than some but has the most useful pigments and a variety of whites.
The best oil paint for a wide variety of quality earth colours
+ Excellent range
+ Unique colours
+ Good consistency
- Pricey
- Small tubes
- Texture varies
Boasting a large range of professional-grade oil paints, Williamsburg offers an excellent selection of unique earth colours. The texture can vary, but is generally rich and smooth, sometimes with a slight, gritty bite. Colours are intense and high-coverage, and the quality and light-fastness of the pigment is excellent.
The best oil paint for high quality with ethical standards
+ High quality
+ Eco-friendly
- Variable consistency
Gamblin's paints include traditional and modern colours, plus convenience mixtures. These can have a variable consistency, which is normal in high-quality paints, but earths can be particularly 'stiff' and matte. Gamblin is particularly conscious of health and environmental standards, and recycles pigment from its filtration systems to reduce pollution.
The best oil paint based on overall quality and pigment content
+ High quality
+ Large range
- Very expensive
- Variable quality
- Cheaper pigments
Old Holland produces intense, high-quality oil paint spanning a wide range of colours and convenience mixtures with artist-quality pigments, but there are a few containing cheaper pigments. These paints feel pleasantly dense but tend to need extra medium to flow smoothly. Consequently, they go a long way with good coverage.
The best oil paint range for students and beginners
+ Good quality
+ High permanence
- Cheaper pigments
- Smaller range
Winton is an excellent starting point for trying out oil paints. For a student range, the quality of paint is good, with reasonably good colour and consistent texture, but it's a relatively small selection. The pigments in this range have a high permanence as well, so your paintings will last.
The best oil paint range for low toxicity
+ No solvent fumes
+ Easy to clean
- Paints occasionally separate
- Slightly tacky feel
If you are sensitive to odours given off by traditional oil paints, or want to reduce the hazards of toxic solvents in your studio, water mixable oils are a good alternative. The Cobra range are a more affordable, beginner level range of water mixable oils that still have a good amount of body to them. Water mixable oils can be used in a similar way to traditional oils, as they have a slow drying time, and match the body oils have well. They can be mixed with water, or you can purchase water-based mediums to use with them to achieve different consistencies.
FAQs
What brands are considered reputable for oil paints?
Top quality oil paint brands include Winsor & Newton, Michael Harding, Gamblin, Old Holland, Sennelier, and Williamsburg. These brands are known for their high pigment concentration, consistency and colour brilliance.
What consistency should oil paints be?
The consistency depends on your painting style and technique. If you prefer thin layers, choose paints with a more fluid consistency. For impasto techniques, opt for stiffer paints. Many artists use a mix of consistencies, thinning paints with mediums as needed.
How do student-grade and pro-grade oil paints differ?
On the whole, professional-grade paints have higher pigment concentration, better lightfastness, and purer ingredients. That means that in practice they offer more vibrant colours and better permanence. Student-grade paints are less expensive but may contain fillers and have lower pigment loads, resulting in less intense colours.
What is the golden rule for oil paints?
The golden rule of working in oil paint is fat over lean. This means that 'fatty' layers of paint that contain more oil, must sit on top of 'leaner' layers with less oil. The more oil paint contains, the slower it is to dry. Slow drying paint must be layered over fast drying paint, as if a top layer dries before the one below it, it is likely to crack and damage the painting.
Oil paints contain oil, such as linseed oil, and can be thinned out with solvent or mediums to make them more workable. Some oil paint mediums can add in more oil, slowing the drying time, and that way we can layer more paint on top.
Whilst oil paints become dry to the touch relatively quickly, often within a few hours to a few weeks depending on various factors, they take much longer to fully dry and cure, sometimes taking years to do so. So even if a layer feels dry, you should still make sure that you use a slower drying layer on top.
How to choose the best oil paints
To find the best oil paints for your needs, there are several factors to consider. First, decide between student-grade and professional-grade paints. While student-grade is more affordable, professional-grade offers higher pigment concentration and better permanence. Secondly, consider the pigment quality. Look for paints with single pigments rather than mixtures, as they produce cleaner colors when mixed. Check the lightfastness rating, which indicates how well the color resists fading over time.
Thirdly, evaluate the paint's consistency. Some artists prefer a stiffer paint for impasto techniques, while others like a more fluid consistency for glazing. Many brands offer a range of consistencies. Fourthly consider your color palette. Start with essential colors and gradually expand. Some brands offer starter sets that can be a good introduction.
Price is a factor, but remember that higher-quality paints often go further due to their pigment concentration. Balance your budget with the quality you need. Finally, consider any health concerns. Some pigments can be toxic, so check labels and opt for safer alternatives if needed. Experimenting with different brands and types will ultimately help you find the paints that best suit your style and needs.
How we test the best oil paints
Testing oil paints involves several key aspects. Colour intensity is evaluated by comparing the paint's hue and saturation to a standard. Lightfastness is assessed through accelerated ageing tests, exposing samples to intense light over time. Consistency and texture are examined for smoothness and workability.
Drying time is measured under controlled conditions. Adhesion tests check how well the paint bonds to various surfaces. Yellowing tendencies are observed over time. Pigment concentration is analyzed to ensure proper ratios.
Chemical composition is tested for purity and to identify any harmful substances. Mixing behaviour with other colors and mediums is evaluated. Finally, real-world application tests are conducted by artists to assess overall performance and handling characteristics.
