I may be way too ahead of the gift giving season, but I just love Christmas and giving gifts so much that I am already preparing! (And maybe there's even a birthday coming up before then!?) Regardless, I want to share a few gift guides I put together with the beginner oil painter in mind.

When I was 8 years old I got an "artist's perfect Christmas" with a set of oil paint. It wasn't just a set of oil paints though, it was the gift that set me on a path to become an artist. It allowed me to be ambitiously creative. Now, a number of years later, it's more often than not that I get an email or phone call from someone who wants to start painting or has a child, friend, niece/nephew, spouse, or grandparent interested in art, but doesn't know quite where to start. Maybe this scenario sounds familiar even to you! I always get very excited to hear of these budding artists and want to do all I can to help foster those artistic dreams.





Below you will find three guides: Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Each set is for the beginner oil painter ranked in terms of quality and price. (ex. Gold, high quality - higher price.) Of course, you can mix and match and splurge where you'd like, but you won't go wrong with any of these three sets. Happy gift giving to you and happy painting to the new artist!

Gold Set: (1) SoHo Urban Artist H-Frame Studio Easel from Jerry's Artarama. | (2) Blick Premier Traditional 7/8" Profile Cotton Canvas - I prefer standard sizes like 8x10, 9x12, 11x14, 16x20, and 20x24 (very large). | (3) Gamblin Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits | (4) M. Graham Walnut Oil | (5) Grafix Dura-Lar Matte | (6) Holbein Brush Washer | (7) New Wave Wooden Palette -Palette should be held in the hand opposite your dominate hand. | (8) Williamsburg Handmade Oil Paint Sets - Set of 13. | (9) Blick Studio Tote | (10) Blick Masterstroke Pure Interlocking Bristle Brush -I like Filbert sizes 2, 4, 6, 8 & 10.

Silver Set: (1) SoHo Urban Artist Wooden A-Frame Lyre Easel from Jerry's Artarama. | (2) Winsor & Newton Artists' Oil Color Sets - Introductory Set of 10. | (3) Winsor & Newton Liquin Medium - I prefer Liquin Original 75 ml. | (4) Silicoil Brush Cleaning Tank | (5) Masterson Sta-Wet Palette Seal 12x16. | (6) Gamblin Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits | (7) Blick Studio Traditional 3/4" Profile Cotton Canvas - I prefer standard sizes like 8x10, 9x12, 11x14, 16x20, and 20x24 (very large). | (8) Winsor & Newton Monarch Brushes - I like Filbert sizes 2, 4, 6, 8 & 10.

Bronze Set: (1) Blick Studio Oil Color Start Set Of Ten | (2) Blick Crafter's Tote | (3) Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits 4 oz. | (4) Fredrix Canvas Pad | (5) Blick Studio Aluminum Tabletop Easel | (6) Winsor & Newton University Bright Long Handled Brushes -I like sizes 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. | (7) Silicoil Brush Cleaning Tank | (8) Richeson Wooden Palette -I like 12x16 rectangle.


Note: This post originally was not a sponsored or affiliate post, but I am now a Dick Blick affiliate. All links here are now affiliate links.