Painting is an old, beautiful form of art. Like all other types of art, painters have many mediums and choices by which they can express themselves. Many say those beginner painters are better off using acrylic paints, instead of oil paints.
Oil painting has been around for many years. The majority of the old masterpieces were created in oil paint. Painters like Da Vinci and Monet would use oil paint on canvas to create their art. But that is not to say that acrylic paint is not a good option.
You can use acrylic paint on different surfaces. Many artists do feel more comfortable using this type of paint.
You must weigh your options and choose the kind of paint you think is best used. Or, you could alternate between them, use both and test them out.
What Is The Difference Between
Acrylic and Oil Paint?
As you will see below, both types of paints have their pros and cons. Some will be better for more patient artists, while others are perfect for those who want to get it done quickly.
Certain paints are better for certain types and themes of art. It is a matter of judgment for the artist in question. Let’s look at the characteristics of acrylic paint vs. oil paint.
Colour
Typically, acrylic paints give a much less vivid color than oil paints. When painting with acrylics, it would be best to remember that your colors will be more muted. If that is what you are going for, then go ahead and use acrylics.
But if you want vivid, bright, warm colors, it would be best to stick to oil paint.
Mixing
Acrylic paints usually are quite tough to mix. Chances are, your paint will start drying as soon as you start mixing. So it is tough to take your time and combine different colors.
Oil paints, on the other hand, are very easy to mix. You can take your time and experiment or combine different colors for various shades. It will make your work more comfortable, especially if you are going for details.
Durability
Acrylic paints, however, don’t get discolored too easily. You will want to use this type of paint if you wish for your painting and its colors to last.
Oil paints are more prone to discoloration over time. Many old paintings have gotten darker over the years, and they had to be maintained and cleaned properly to be restored to their original colors.
When using either option, you may want to consider how each one holds up to time and pollution.
With acrylic paint, you get something more promising. Your color will last a while, and the maintenance cost and human resources are not so high. Oil paintings may be beautiful, but they are a little more expensive to keep.
Drying Time
Acrylic paints take a few hours to dry. They are very viscous fluids, and at times, you might find that they are drying out while you work. This can be a good thing and a bad thing.
For one, quick-drying paints will smudge less. So, even if you mistakenly touch your painting, chances are, you won’t do any damage.
However, this same quality could be a bad thing for slow painters. Paint that dries quickly will be harder to work with. If there are any mistakes, they will be quite severe to fix if the paint has already dried.
Thus, oil paints could be the way to go in these cases. Especially for beginners who take some time to learn and perfect, oil paint will be a big help.
They usually take a few days to dry completely, so mixing and painting with them will be a breeze. Therefore, paint that can be easily manipulated is much better for a rookie.
Prices
The expense behind the painting is a big deal for students and even hobbyists. For lower rates, you can get premium acrylic paints. They are available in most art supplies stores. Well, oil paints are too, but they are kind of on the pricey side.
Cleaning up
Since they dry very quickly, acrylic paints tend to form lumps of color on the brushes. For these reasons, you will have to wash the brushes immediately after use. Otherwise, the paint might make the bristles brittle, and the brush could be ruined.
A stiff brush is no use to any painter. That is why, in this case, oil paints are much more preferable. They are less likely to solidify into lumps of paint.
Brushes will stay soft for a longer time. You can leave them lying around and come back to a brush that is still usable.
Concluding Words
As an artist, experimentation is always an option you could go for. Now, I think you have a clear idea about oil paint vs. acrylic paint and what type of color will suit your needs perfectly.
Of course, you may ask around for advice on which to choose. If you are a student, you can ask your teacher or classmates. If you are a hobbyist, find a fellow artist, or you can always opt for the internet.
But the main decision lies with you. You get to choose which type of paint makes you feel comfortable. Judging by the kind of art, the themes you work with, and the time you take, you can make an informed decision.
Research a little more about the colors. Look around for paintings that were done in both oil paint and acrylic. You will have to analyze and differentiate between them, and you will know which works best for you.
