Oil Paints For Beginners: The Real Cost Might Shock You
- 01. Oil Paints Cost Comparison: The Bottom Line for Beginners
- 02. Understanding Oil Paint Price Tiers
- 03. Detailed Price Comparison Table
- 04. Top Beginner Oil Paint Brands Ranked
- 05. Complete Beginner Kit Cost Breakdown
- 06. Smart Money-Saving Strategies
- 07. Historical Context: Paint Pricing Evolution
- 08. Final Recommendation for 2025 Beginners
Oil Paints Cost Comparison: The Bottom Line for Beginners
Beginner oil paintings cost between $35 and $120 for a complete starter kit, with student-grade paints ranging from $4 to $8 per 37ml tube while artist-grade paints start at $12 per tube and can exceed $30 for premium pigments. A typical beginner palette with 6 colors in student grade costs approximately $25-$40, whereas the same colors in artist quality runs $75-$180. The smartest approach is starting with student-grade paints for $30-50, then gradually upgrading individual colors as you develop your technique.
Understanding Oil Paint Price Tiers
Oil paints fall into two distinct quality categories that dramatically affect pricing: student grade and artist grade. Student paints use less expensive pigments with more fillers, while artist paints contain higher pigment concentrations and premium materials. The price difference isn't arbitrary-it reflects actual material costs in the manufacturing process.
Based on March 2017 retail data from major suppliers, student brands maintain consistent pricing across colors, while artist brands vary significantly by pigment. For example, Daler Rowney Georgian student paint costs £0.98 per 10ml regardless of color, whereas Winsor & Newton artist paint ranges from £2.09 for yellow ochre to £13.06 for cerulean blue. This pigment-based pricing means cobalt and cadmium colors cost 3-5x more than earth tones even within the same brand line.
Detailed Price Comparison Table
| Brand | Grade | Titanium White | Yellow Ochre | Cerulean Blue | Avg per Tube |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daler Rowney Georgian | Student | $4.90 | $4.90 | $4.90 | $5.00 |
| Winsor & Newton Winton | Student | $5.30 | $5.30 | $5.30 | $5.50 |
| Maimeri Classico | Student | $4.80 | $4.80 | $4.80 | $5.00 |
| Winsor & Newton Artists' | Artist | $10.45 | $10.45 | $26.00 | $15.00 |
| Old Holland Classic | Artist | $10.30 | $10.30 | $65.30 | $25.00 |
| Gamblin 1980 | Artist | $9.50 | $8.75 | $18.50 | $12.50 |
These per-tube costs assume 37ml tubes, the standard beginner size. When calculating cost per ounce, low-end conventional oil paint averages $1.97/oz while high-end reaches $7.11/oz, showing how volume pricing favors larger tubes for serious practitioners.
Top Beginner Oil Paint Brands Ranked
- Winsor & Newton Winton - Best budget-friendly professional quality at $5.50/tube; excellent for learning
- Daler Rowney Georgian - Most consistent student pricing at $5.00/tube; widely available
- Maimeri Classico - Italian student grade at $5.00/tube; strong pigment load for the price
- Gamblin 1980 - Entry artist grade at $12.50/tube; perfect upgrade path from student paints
- Winsor & Newton Artists' - Mid-tier artist quality at $15/tube average; reliable color consistency
Reddit's oil painting community specifically recommends Winsor and Newton as "perfectly fine and reasonably priced" for beginners who want to buy only a few colors. Most experts suggest starting with a minimal Zorn palette or split complementary scheme rather than buying 20 colors you won't use.
Complete Beginner Kit Cost Breakdown
A realistic initial investment includes paints, brushes, canvas, and mediums. Video documentation from practicing beginner artists shows starter costs starting at $6.55 for minimal setups, with full kits reaching $51 at craft stores like Michaels. The complete kit average remains around $120 including canvas, palette, and solvents.
- Paints (6 colors student grade): $30-$40
- 3 brushes (synthetic/sable mix): $15-$25
- Canvas (3 pack 8x10): $12-$18
- Palette and palette knife: $8-$12
- Odorless solvent or medium: $10-$15
- Linseed oil (optional): $8-$12
This $83-$122 total represents a complete starter setup that won't compromise your learning experience. Upgrading to artist-grade paints immediately could double your paint costs while you're still mastering basic techniques.
Smart Money-Saving Strategies
Professional artists recommend a gradual upgrade approach: start with student paints, then replace colors one-by-one with artist quality as you finish tubes. White deserves priority upgrade since it comprises 40-60% of most mixed colors. Buy large 200ml tubes of titanium white for $15-$20 instead of small tubes for better value per ounce.
Look for starter packs on eBay or craft store sales containing Georgian Rowney in large tubes. Avoid misleading "graduate oils" marketing-these are often inferior formulations. Natural Earth Paint offers economical natural pigments at $2.12/oz, only few cents above $1.97/oz low-end conventional paints while avoiding toxins.
Craft store pricing shows individual colors at $4.99-$5.99 during normal sales, which brings the grand total for basic needs to approximately $51 including all essentials. Timing purchases around back-to-school or holiday sales can save 20-30% on supplies.
Historical Context: Paint Pricing Evolution
Oil paint pricing has evolved significantly since the 17th century when artists ground their own raw pigments. The March 2017 pricing charts from Lin Kerr show how series numbering (1-5) standardized cost classification by pigment expense. Today's industrial manufacturing has reduced costs by 40-60% compared to 1980s prices when adjusted for inflation.
The permanence rating system (stars or AA-C letters) helps beginners identify quality without price confusion. AA-rated pigments last centuries while C-rated "fugitive" colors fade quickly, making them waste of money regardless of price. Always check lightfastness ratings before purchasing expensive tubes.
Final Recommendation for 2025 Beginners
Start with Winsor & Newton Winton or Daler Rowney Georgian student paints totaling $30-$40 for your initial palette. Add a complete kit for $83-$122 including brushes, canvas, and mediums. Upgrade sequentially to Gamblin 1980 artist paints as your skills develop, prioritizing white first. This save money without regret strategy lets you master fundamentals before committing to premium pigments you may not fully utilize as a beginner.
Helpful tips and tricks for Oil Paints For Beginners Cost Comparison
Are student-grade oil paints good enough for beginners?
Yes, student-grade paints are perfectly adequate for beginners and recommended by experts to determine if you enjoy oil painting before investing $150+ in artist materials. Student paints let you practice color mixing and technique without wasting expensive pigments while you learn.
How much do oil paints cost per tube for beginners?
Beginner oil paints cost $4-$8 per 37ml tube in student grade, with artist-grade starting at $12-$15 per tube and ranging up to $30+ for premium colors. The average beginner spends $30-$40 on a 6-color student palette.
Which oil paint brand is best value for money?
Winsor & Newton Winton offers the best value for money at $5.50/tube with professional-quality results, followed by Daler Rowney Georgian at $5.00/tube. Gamblin 1980 provides the best entry artist grade at $12.50 average per tube for upgrades.
Can I start oil painting with under $50?
Absolutely-minimal starter kits cost $35-$50 including 6 student-grade colors, basic brushes, small canvas, and solvent. Video breakdowns confirm beginner costs start at $6.55 for paints alone, with full kits at $51. You can even spend under $30 by buying sale items and limiting colors to 4-5.
When should I upgrade from student to artist paints?
Upgrade gradually as you finish tubes, starting with titanium white since it's used most heavily. Most artists upgrade after 3-6 months of regular painting once they understand their color preferences and need higher pigment concentration. Priority order: white first, then your primary colors, then accent colors.