Marie’s Oil Colours: Building an Oil Painting Palette

Posted by

Haanz Team

2026-10-19

On 2026-10-19

Haanz Art GuideFree, practical advice from the team at Haanz Art & Craft Materials

Marie’s oil colour tubes are a popular way to build an oil painting palette one colour at a time. Marie’s oil paints have good adhesion and a smooth, buttery consistency that blends well. This Haanz Art Guide explains the 50ml and 170ml tubes, which shades to buy first, and how Camel Artist and Pebeo oils fit in.

50ml and 170ml tubes

50ml tubes suit most colours. You can try many shades without big tubes sitting unused.

170ml tubes are for the colours you use the most. Almost every oil painter goes through white, earth browns and a favourite blue much faster than other colours. We stock Marie’s 170ml in Zinc White, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Yellow Ochre, Sap Green, Prussian Blue, Ultramarine, Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Red Medium, Cerulean Blue and Crimson Red.

A starter palette of Marie’s 50ml colours

You can mix almost everything from a small, well-chosen set:

Yellows: Lemon Yellow (cool) and Cadmium Yellow (warm).
Reds: Scarlet or Cadmium Red Medium, plus Crimson Red.
Blues: Ultramarine and Prussian Blue.
Earths: Raw Sienna and Burnt Sienna.
Black: Mars Black or Lamp Black, used sparingly.
White: a large tube of Zinc White.

Why two of each primary? A cool and a warm version of each colour lets you mix both clean, bright colours and soft, natural ones. For example, Lemon Yellow with Prussian Blue gives a fresh green, while Cadmium Yellow with Ultramarine gives a warmer, earthier green.

Extra colours worth adding

Greens: Viridian, Olive Green, Emerald Green and Yellowish Green for landscapes.
Blues: Cerulean Blue, Sky Blue, Cobalt Blue and Peacock Blue Light.
Warm accents: Chrome Yellow Deep, Chrome Yellow Medium, Naples Yellow and Vermilion.
Pinks and purples: Rose and Brilliant Purple.

See every tube in Oil Colour Individuals. Prices change, so see each product page for today’s price.

Camel Artist and Pebeo oils

Camel Artist Oil Colours from Camlin come in 40ml tubes and are made with a high pigment content. We stock Lemon Yellow, Cadmium Orange, Crimson Lake, Ultramarine Blue, Prussian Blue and Sap Green.

Pebeo Studio oils are smooth, supple French oil paints in 37ml tubes. We stock Cadmium Light Red and Ultramarine Blue.

Oils from different brands can be used together on the same painting.

Simple palettes for different subjects

Landscapes: Lemon Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Ultramarine, Prussian Blue, Sap Green, Burnt Sienna and white.
Portraits: Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Red Medium, Raw Sienna, Burnt Umber, Ultramarine and white.
Seascapes: Cerulean Blue, Prussian Blue, Ultramarine, Viridian, a touch of Burnt Sienna and lots of white.

Our earth colours guide explains why ochres and siennas are so useful.

Tips for oil colours

Oil paint dries slowly, which gives you time to blend.
Paint “fat over lean”: early layers thin, later layers richer, so the painting doesn’t crack.
Use separate brushes for oil, and clean them with a suitable brush cleaner or solvent, then soap and water.
Work in a well-ventilated room.
Lay out colours in the same order on your palette every time, so you can find them quickly.

New to oils? Start with Oil Colours for Beginners.

Frequently asked questions

Which white should I buy?

Zinc White is a common choice for mixing and tinting. Buy it in the 170ml size, because white is used in most mixes.

How long do oil paints take to dry?

Thin layers can be touch-dry in a few days, while thick layers take much longer, depending on colour and weather.

Can I mix Marie’s with Camel or Pebeo oils?

Yes. They are all oil paints and can be mixed on the same palette.

Do you deliver islandwide?

Yes. We deliver across Sri Lanka in 2–5 working days, with cash on delivery, card or bank transfer. You can also visit our shops in Boralesgamuwa and Horana, open every day from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Not sure what to choose? WhatsApp the Haanz team on 0711 515 515 and we’ll help you build your oil palette.

More Haanz Art Guides