Many beginner painters have difficulties choosing in which medium to paint. There are many to choose from - oil, acrylics, watercolors, and pastels just to name a few. But before you can choose you must know the differences. In this article we'll focus on the main differences between oils and acrylics.
Most artists have a favorite medium which they find works best for them. If you're just starting out, it's important to know what is available so that you too can try things out and decide what works best for you. Because there is no good or bad medium, they are just different, you have to experiment with them and decide for yourself.
The most popular painting mediums are definitely oils and acrylics. Neither is better than the other, they both have advantages and disadvantages. Okay then, let's take a look at their differences.
The first big difference is historical. Oil paints have been around for centuries, while acrylics only appeared in the middle of the twentieth century. No wonder there are so many classical masterpieces in oils.
The biggest practical difference between the two is in drying time. Oils take much longer. This depends on the thickness, but it can range from days, weeks, months, or in some cases even years. Acrylics take only minutes or hours.
Then we have the odor. Oil paints smell quite strongly and some people just can't stand it. On the other hand, acrylics don't smell as much. There are also cleaning issues - acrylics are much better in this department, because they are soluble in water. Another difference is also in price. Oils can be quite costly.
Those would be the main differences between the two most widely used painting mediums. Remember, neither is better, but they are different. Try them both and see which one works best for you.
For more info, visit oil painting lessons and also don't forget to check out acrylic painting lessons.