Hey there, fellow artists!

Have you ever stood in front of those mesmerizing paint aisles at the art store, unsure of which paints to choose? Trust me, I totally get it. I've been in your shoes, contemplating the age-old question: "Should I go for oil paints or acrylic paints?" Well, today I'm here to be your artistic compass and help you navigate this decision. In this blog post I will share for you the pros and cons of both mediums.

Towards the end of this blog, I've got something extra special lined up for you. I'll be introducing a bunch of awesome paint brands that are perfect for beginners and even those who want to dive straight into the professional scene. Yep, you heard it right! So, Let's start our artistic adventure!

 

 

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Understanding the Basics

 

Let's start with a quick breakdown of oil paints and acrylic paints. Oil paints have been around for centuries, cherished for their rich colors and slow drying time. On the other hand, acrylic paints are relatively new but have gained popularity for their versatility and fast drying nature. But wait, before you make your decision, let's address some common myths surrounding these mediums. Many believe that oil paints are only for experienced artists due to their complexity, while acrylic paints are seen as more beginner-friendly. However, let me tell you that both oil and acrylic paints can be mastered by artists of all skill levels. It all comes down to personal preference and the desired artistic effects you wish to achieve.

 

 

 

 

Vibrant Colors and Blending

 

One of the key factors that differentiate these two paints is their color vibrancy and blending capabilities. Oil paints offer a depth and richness that can be hard to replicate, allowing for seamless blending and smooth transitions. Acrylic paints, on the other hand, offer vibrant and bold colors straight from the tube, making them perfect for creating eye-catching artworks.

 

Oil Paints:

Pros: Oil paints offer a wide range of vibrant colors that can bring depth and intensity to your artwork. They blend beautifully, allowing you to create smooth gradients and intricate details.

 

Cons: Achieving the desired color intensity may require multiple layers and longer drying times between each layer. Blending can take time and practice to master due to the slow drying nature of oil paints.

 

 

Acrylic Paints:

Pros: Acrylic paints come in a vast array of vibrant colors, offering versatility and a wide range of options. They blend well, especially when using techniques like wet-on-wet or using a retarder.

 

Cons: Due to their quick drying nature, blending with acrylic paints requires faster brushwork and may be challenging for beginners. Colors can dry slightly darker than when wet, so you'll need to make some necessary adjustments.

 

 

 

 

Drying Time and Techniques

 

When it comes to drying time, oil paints take their sweet time. This slow drying property allows artists to work on their piece for extended periods, making it ideal for techniques like glazing and layering. On the flip side, acrylic paints dry quickly, allowing for faster completion of artworks and layering techniques that build texture and depth.

Guess what? I've got a little secret to share with you at the end of this blog post. I'll be sharing some fantastic tips on how to slow down the drying time of acrylic paints. So, keep reading until the end, where I'll also introduce you to some amazing acrylic brands that will take your artistic journey to the next level. Exciting stuff, right?

Stay tuned!

 

 

Oil Paints:

Pros: The slow drying time of oil paints allows for more flexibility in working with the paint. You can blend colors, make adjustments, or rework areas over an extended period.

 

Cons: It can take days, weeks, or even months for oil paints to fully dry, which may require patience and planning. Varnishing or framing the artwork should only be done once the paint is completely dry.

 

 

Acrylic Paints:

Pros: Acrylic paints dry quickly, allowing for a faster working process. You can layer colors, apply glazes, or complete a painting within a shorter timeframe.

 

Cons: The fast drying time of acrylic paints means less time for blending or making adjustments. It's important to work efficiently and plan your painting process accordingly.

 

 

 

 

Cleanup and Safety:

 

If you're someone who prefers an easier cleanup process, acrylic paints might be your best bet. These water-based paints can be easily cleaned up with soap and water, making them convenient for artists who value efficiency. Oil paints, however, require solvents like turpentine for cleaning, which can be a bit more time-consuming and require proper ventilation for safety.

 

 

Oil Paints:

Pros: Cleaning oil paints requires the use of solvents, which can effectively remove paint from brushes and palettes.

 

Cons: Solvents like turpentine or mineral spirits can be toxic and require proper ventilation. They also require additional time and care for cleanup.

 

 

 

Acrylic Paints:

 

Pros: Acrylic paints are water-based, making cleanup easy with just soap and water. No additional solvents are necessary.

Cons: While acrylic paints are generally safer to use, it's still important to handle them responsibly and avoid ingesting or inhaling the paint.

 

 

 

 

Longevity and Preservation:

 

When it comes to the longevity of your artwork, oil paints have proven to stand the test of time. The slow drying process and chemical makeup of oil paints result in durable and stable artworks that can last for generations. Acrylic paints, while also long-lasting, may require proper care and preservation techniques to ensure their longevity.

 

Oil Paints:

Pros: Properly cared for oil paintings can last for generations. The slow drying process allows for better layering and creates a rich, textured surface that stands the test of time.

 

Cons: Oil paintings may require varnishing and protection to prevent yellowing and cracking over time. They can also be more susceptible to damage from moisture and temperature changes.

 

 

Acrylic Paints:

Pros: When handled and preserved correctly, acrylic paintings can have a long lifespan. They are less prone to yellowing and are more resistant to moisture and temperature changes.

 

Cons: Acrylic paintings may be more susceptible to surface scratches and fading if not varnished or protected. It's important to follow proper preservation techniques.

 

 

 

 

Alright, folks, as I promised in the beginnning of this post, it's time to dive into the exciting world of art supplies and materials for both oil and acrylic mediums.

Now, I have to confess, I'm a big fan of acrylics myself. It's my go-to medium, and I can't get enough of it. So, in addition to sharing some fantastic options for oils, I'll also recommend a few little secrets to help you keep your acrylics from drying too fast. 

 

 

 

 

My favorite Oil Paints:

 

Rembrandt Extra Fine Oil Painting

These paints are very good to start with, they known for their exceptional quality and vibrant pigments. They bring your artwork to life with rich and captivating colors.

 

Pébéo XL Oil Boxes

This set contains 20ml tubes of creamy and fine oil paints. Good to start with. The XL Studio fine oil is perfect for contemporary styles, allowing you to experiment with different techniques like glazing and heavy work.

 

Sennelier Extra-Fine Oil

If you're an art beginner looking for something extra fine, these oil paints are a must-try. They offer outstanding quality and a wide range of colors.

 

Winsor & Newton Extra Fine Oil Paint

These oil paints are truly exceptional, known for their high pigment concentration and ability to resist fading over time. They are not just my personal favorites but also a preferred selections among professional artists who demand the best quality. When you use these paints, you'll experience the delightfully smooth and creamy consistency, and the captivating aroma of linseed oil.

 

 

Old Holland Wooden Box Oil Paints

For a touch of luxury and exquisite quality, the Old Holland wooden boxes is the way to go. Although these paints are a bit pricier, their exceptional performance and color intensity make them worth every penny.

 

 

 

 

My favorite Brushes for Oil Paints:

 

Kevrin+ Raphael paintbrush

These brushes are perfect for capturing details in your oil paintings. They offer precise control and help you bring out the finer elements of your artwork.

 

Lasur Brush with Round and Domed Tip

If you're into glazing techniques and want to achieve seamless color blending, this brush is a have-to-have. Those brushes are both easy to work with and blend colors in a very pleasant gesture.

 

 

 

 

My favorite Acrylic Paints:

 

Amsterdam Acrylics

This high-quality acrylic paint is a favorite among many professional artists, including myself. It's perfect for fluid art and can be easily mixed. I love the matte finish it provides, which makes it ideal for capturing photographs of the artwork.

 

Winsor & Newton Acrylics

Known for its professional quality, Winsor & Newton acrylics offer an incomparable shine. They have a pleasant satin finish that adds a beautiful sheen to the artwork. The thick and creamy consistency of these acrylics allows for smooth application, and the special formulation extends the drying time, giving you more time to enjoy the painting process.

 

Golden Heavy Body Acrylic

This brand has stolen my heart from the first try. The consistency of Golden Heavy Body Acrylic is exceptional, both thick and buttery. It offers excellent lightfastness and aging resistance. It's important to note that each color in the range is formulated differently based on the pigment used. Some colors dry to a more opaque, matte finish, while others dry with a glossy finish and tend to be more transparent.

 

 

 

 

My Favorite Acrylic Brushes:

 

I Love Art Domed Worn Tip Brush

This brush is perfect for glazing and finishing touches. I absolutely adore this brush because it allows me to form a fine point, giving me great precision in my lines, depending on the techniques I'm using.

 

Set of 3 I Love Art Spalters

These brushes are made of excellent synthetic fibers that are very flexible, providing finesse and elasticity. They are ideal for applying fluid paints like acrylic. I use these brushes daily and they never disappoint.

 

Set of 3 Royal & Langnickel Goat Hair Spalters

These brushes are another favorite of mine for acrylic paint. They add a touch of texture to the paint, especially when I use them in a dry-on-dry technique. They give my brushstrokes some interesting texture. The best part is that these brushes don't break the bank, making them a great choice for artists on a budget.

With these brushes, I can achieve the desired effects in my acrylic paintings without any hassle. They are reliable, versatile, and provide excellent results.

 

 

 

 

 

My Favorite Mediums for Acrylic Paints:

 

Lefranc & Bourgeois Liquid Retarder

This fantastic medium extends the drying time of acrylic colors, giving you more time to work and manipulate the paint. It's perfect for those who enjoy taking their time with their artwork. Another great option is the Winsor & Newton Professional Fluid Retarder, which serves the same purpose. So, folks, here they are – the little secrets: mediums that keep your acrylics from drying too fast.

To be more detailed so "Drying retarder" is a type of medium used in painting, specifically with acrylic paints. It is an additive that slows down the drying time of acrylic paint, allowing artists more time to work with the paint and manipulate its texture and blendability. By extending the drying time, a drying retarder helps prevent the paint from drying too quickly on the palette or canvas, giving artists greater control over their techniques.

This medium is particularly useful for artists who prefer to work slowly, blend colors extensively, or create subtle transitions in their artwork. It can be mixed with acrylic paints directly or applied on top of dried layers to reactivate the paint and facilitate further blending or modifications.

 

Royal Talens Protective Spray

This spray works wonders for acrylic paintings too. I love using it to protect my marks made with Posca pens or Woody Stabilo Pensils before varnishing. It ensures that the marks stay on the surface and don't get smudged. You might need to apply it 2-3 times, before you varhish the artwork, allowing each layer to dry before reapplying. The Royal Talens protective spray effectively safeguards watercolors, gouache, and India ink, and the best part is, it dries quickly and doesn't turn yellow.

 

Schmincke Universal Varnish

This is a longtime favorite of mine. I've been using this spray for years, and it never disappoints. I usually go for the matte version, but there are also satin and brilliant options available. The Schmincke universal varnish is perfect for protecting the surface of your acrylic paintings, giving them a beautiful, long-lasting finish.

 

Liquitex Matte Varnish

Another must-have for me is the Liquitex Matte Varnish. It's one of my favorite varnishes to use as a final coat over dry acrylic paint. I like to apply the Royal Talens Protective Spray varnish first and let the painting dry before applying the final varnish. It's important to ensure that the surface to be varnished and the environment are clean, dry, and dust-free. Wait for the acrylic paints to dry completely (48 to 72 hours) before applying the varnish. The Liquitex Matte Varnish provides a protective layer and a beautiful matte finish to your acrylic artwork.

 

 

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

 

So folks, oil paints or acrylic paints? Well, the answer depends on your personal preferences, artistic style, and the specific effect you're trying to achieve. Both mediums offer unique qualities and advantages that can enhance your artistic journey. Why not just try both! It is always exciting to experiment and explore, and find what works best for you. Happy painting, my friends!

 

If you enjoyed this blog post and found it inspiring, there's more artistic goodness waiting for you!

 

 

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