You’ve finally decided to start oil painting! Excited, you start researching - only to realize just how many supplies there are. Do you need premium paints? Which brushes actually matter? And what about solvents—are they even necessary?

It’s easy to get ahead of yourself and splurge on expensive supplies, only to feel guilty about using too much or wasting good materials while learning. On the other hand, going too cheap can backfire—low-quality paints and brushes make the experience frustrating, leaving you wondering if the problem is your skills when it’s really your tools.

The good news? You don’t need professional-grade supplies to start. There are plenty of affordable, high-quality student-grade materials that work beautifully for beginners. We can help you choose the essentials, so you can start painting with confidence.

"You don’t need the best materials to make great art. What matters is understanding how to use what you have.” - James Gurney, an Illustrator & Author

1. Oil Paints

Oil paints come in two main types: traditional and water-mixable. Traditional oils are better for a rich, smooth blending experience but require solvents for cleanup. Water-mixable oils, on the other hand, thin and clean with water. So, they are safer and more convenient.

Traditional Oil Paints

Pros:
✔ Rich, buttery texture and smooth blending
✔ Used by professional artists for centuries
✔ Wide range of colors and brands available

Cons:
✖ Requires solvents (like turpentine or odorless mineral spirits) for cleaning and thinning
✖ Takes longer to dry, requiring proper storage between sessions

Best for: Artists who want the full traditional oil painting experience and don’t mind using solvents.

Water-Mixable Oil Paints

Pros:
✔ Can be thinned and cleaned with water (no need for solvents)
✔ Easier cleanup and less toxic
✔ Works well for artists painting in small or home studios

Cons:
✖ Slightly different texture—can feel stickier or dry faster
✖ Fewer brands and color selections compared to traditional oils

Best for: Beginners who want to avoid solvents and prefer a more convenient, beginner-friendly option.

Tip: You can mix water-mixable oils with traditional oils, but doing so removes their ability to be thinned with water.

Student-Grade vs. Artist-Grade Paints: What’s the Difference?

Tip: If you're starting with student-grade paints, you can slowly upgrade one color at a time to experience the difference in quality. Avoid ultra-cheap brands—they can make learning more frustrating.

Starting with a Limited Palette

Instead of buying dozens of colors, start with a limited palette to build your color-mixing skills. Many professional artists recommend:

✔ Basic Palette:

• Titanium White
• Cadmium Yellow or Yellow Ochre
• Cadmium Red or Alizarin Crimson
• Ultramarine Blue or Phthalo Blue

Tip: The Zorn Palette (Titanium White, Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Red, Ivory Black) is a great limited palette for portrait painting.

Andrew Tischler, professional oil painter & YouTuber - “Your color selection should be based on versatility. A warm and cool version of each primary gives you unlimited mixing possibilities.”

2. A Palette for Mixing Colors

Once you have your oil paints, you’ll need a palette to mix them. A good palette should be flat, non-absorbent, and easy to clean so you can blend colors smoothly. While some palettes are reusable, others are disposable for quick cleanup.

Best Palette Options for Oil Painting

Tip: If you choose a glass palette, place gray or neutral-toned paper underneath to see colors more accurately while mixing.

3. Brushes – What You Really Need

With so many brush types, sizes, and materials available, choosing the right ones can feel overwhelming. But the truth is, you don’t need an entire collection to start painting. A few well-chosen brushes will do the job while keeping things simple and affordable.

Best Brush Types for Beginners

Tip: If you're just starting out, a set of Filberts and Rounds in different sizes will cover most painting needs.

Natural vs. Synthetic Brushes

Tip: Synthetic brushes are great for beginners because they last longer and don’t require special care. Hog hair brushes work well for thicker applications and textured strokes.

4. Painting Surfaces – What Works Best?

Choosing the right surface for oil painting is just as important as picking the right paints and brushes. The texture, absorbency, and durability of your surface can affect how your paint applies and how your final piece looks. While canvases are the most popular choice, there are budget-friendly and DIY alternatives that work just as well—sometimes even better!

Best Surfaces for Oil Painting

Tip: Avoid regular sketchbook paper—it’s too absorbent and won’t hold oil paint well.

What is Gesso & Do You Need It?

Gesso is a primer that preps a surface for oil paint by preventing paint from soaking through. Most store-bought canvases come pre-primed, but if you're using wood, MDF, or raw canvas, you’ll need to apply a few coats of gesso first.

✔ Acrylic Gesso – Most common, dries quickly, works for oils & acrylics
✔ Oil Gesso – Traditional option, takes longer to dry but gives a richer feel

Budget vs. Professional Choices

• On a budget? Try canvas paper, student-grade canvas panels, or DIY gessoed MDF boards.
• Want a professional feel? Upgrade to linen canvas or custom wood panels.

5. Solvents & Mediums – What You Need (and What You Don’t)

When starting oil painting, you might hear a lot about solvents and mediums. Some artists swear by them, while others paint without them entirely. So, do you actually need them?

The short answer: No, you can paint straight from the tube without using solvents or mediums. However, they can help with certain techniques, like thinning paint or speeding up drying time. Let’s break it down simply.

Solvents – Do You Need Them?

Solvents are mainly used for cleaning brushes and thinning paint. Some artists use them, but others avoid them because they can be strong-smelling and toxic.

Tip: If you want to avoid solvents, clean your brushes with oil (like linseed oil) followed by soap and water.

Mediums – What Do They Do?

Mediums are used to change how the paint feels and dries. If you’re just starting out, you don’t need them, but they can help as you experiment.

Tip: If you want to try a medium, start with linseed oil—it’s the easiest to use.

6. Do You Need an Easel?

While an easel isn’t absolutely necessary, it makes painting much easier. Working upright helps with perspective, reduces strain on your neck and back, and prevents dust or debris from settling on your painting. If you paint flat on a table, colors may look distorted, and your arm movements will be more restricted.

For beginners, a simple tabletop easel (around $20–$40) is a great starting point. If you have more space, a standing H-frame or A-frame easel offers better support. However, if you’re on a budget, even propping your canvas against a wall works—it’s just less stable. The key is to find a setup that’s comfortable and lets you paint freely! 

Optional but Useful Oil Painting Supplies

While you only need a few essentials to start oil painting, some extra tools can make the process easier, cleaner, and more enjoyable. These aren’t must-haves, but they can help improve your painting experience as you progress.

Tip: You don’t need to buy everything at once. Start with the basics, and add tools as you discover what works best for you! ????

Budget vs. Premium: Where to Invest Your Money

Not everything in oil painting needs to be high-end. Some supplies are worth splurging on, while others can be budget-friendly without affecting your results.

Where to Save:

• Canvas & Surfaces – Use canvas panels, canvas paper, or gessoed MDF boards instead of expensive stretched linen.
• Solvents – If you use them, Gamsol is affordable and lasts a long time. You can also skip solvents altogether and clean brushes with oil and soap.
• Easel – A budget tabletop or A-frame easel works fine in the beginning.

Where to Invest:

• Paints – Student-grade is fine to start, but upgrading to artist-grade paints over time gives richer colors and better mixing.
• Brushes – A few high-quality synthetic or natural brushes last longer and perform better than cheap sets.
• Palette Knives – A good metal palette knife makes mixing paint much easier and doesn’t wear out like brushes.

Tip: If you’re going to splurge on one thing, choose better paint—it makes the biggest difference!

Conclusion

Starting oil painting can feel overwhelming—there are endless supplies, conflicting advice, and the constant worry of wasting money or using the "wrong" materials. But the truth is, you don’t need the most expensive tools to create great art. What matters most is finding reliable, beginner-friendly supplies and focusing on practice.