If you're new to oil painting, choosing the right materials can be overwhelming—especially when you encounter terms like artist grade and student grade paints. At first glance, the differences might not be obvious, but they can significantly impact your painting experience and results. This guide will walk you through the key differences, pros and cons of each type, and help you decide which is right for you.

What are oil paints made of?

• Pigment: The colorant, often derived from natural or synthetic sources.
• Binder: Usually linseed oil, which holds the pigment together and helps it spread on your canvas.

The quality of these ingredients, and the ratio between them, determine whether a paint is artist or student grade.

Read more about what oil paints are made of in our essential guide here.

What is artist grade oil paint?

Also known as professional grade, artist oil paints are made with the highest quality pigments and contain minimal (if any) fillers. Here’s what makes them stand out:

High pigment load: More pigment means richer, more vibrant colours that cover better and mix beautifully.

Lightfastness: Artist paints are more resistant to fading over time, making them ideal for long-term work or sale.

Consistency: The texture and drying time are more reliable across different colours and brands.

True colour names: Often use genuine pigments (like Cadmium Red or Ultramarine Blue), not imitations.

Best for: Professional artists, serious hobbyists, or anyone creating work to exhibit or sell.

What is student grade oil paint?

Student grade paints are made to be more affordable. They use less pigment and more binder or fillers to lower costs, and often substitute expensive pigments with cheaper alternatives.

Lower pigment load: Colours may appear less intense and require more layers to achieve depth.

Colour shifts: Some colours may dry slightly darker or differently than they look when wet.

Less expensive pigments: Many premium pigments are replaced with “hue” alternatives (e.g., Cadmium Red Hue instead of genuine Cadmium Red).

Affordable price: Great for practicing, learning, or painting in bulk.

Best for: Beginners, students, and casual painters who are still developing their skills or experimenting.

Should you start with student or artist grade?

However, if you're ready to take your work to the next level, investing in a few key artist-grade colours (like a good Cadmium Red, Ultramarine Blue, and Titanium White) can make a noticeable difference. Some artists even use a mix, student grade for large areas, artist grade for detail work.

Final tips

• Look at the labels. Good student brands often list pigment info and lightfastness, pay attention to those.
• Buy quality white. Since white is used a lot, having a high-quality artist grade white (like Titanium or Zinc White) is worth the investment.
• Upgrade gradually. As you improve, you can slowly build a palette of artist grade colours. (Read our guide to building your palette of colours here) 

Understanding the difference between artist and student grade oil paints helps you make smarter choices with your art supplies. Whether you're painting for fun or aiming to go professional, there's a paint grade that suits your goals, your budget, and your creativity.