After many years of using water based paints (acrylic and watercolour) I had forgotten how lovely it is to use oil on linen. I have started this above painting in oil to enter into the 2010
Waterhouse- natural history art prize.
This got me to thinking about the debate of using acrylic paints vs. oil paints and whether one is better than the other. Both acrylics and oils have their pros and cons. I've used both and I must admit I am a bit of a fence sitter, because they both have their advantages and disadvantages.
Here is a list of pros and cons:
Acrylic Pros
- Acrylics can be cleaned with soap & water
- Acrylic paints dry fast
- Acrylic paints can be saved in jars for future use
- Water can be added to thin acrylic paints
- Acrylics are not as strong in odor as oil
- Acrylics can be made to mimic oil, gouache and watercolor
- Certain mediums can be added to slow drying speed
- Acrylics can be thinned or thickened easily from water to cream cheese consistency
Acrylic Cons:
- Not as versatile
- Fast drying/hard to mix
- Hard on brushes; may be better to use inexpensive brushes for acrylics
- You must keep brushes and knives wet while painting to avoid ruining
- In many cases, a special acrylic palette may be needed to stop paint from drying out
- You cannot paint over oil or oily surfaces with acrylics
- In some instances, acrylics perform much like an adhesive, making handling difficult
Oil Pros:
- Oil paint is known for its vibrant and diverse color spectrum
- Oil is time tested
- Oils offer a slow drying time so you don’t have to rush
- Oils have a very strong smell that some artists like (possibly for inspiration)
- Oils are easily cleaned with turpentine or mineral spirits
- Oils may be cleaned with vegetable or certain nut oils
- Oils are easy on brushes
- Oils cut down on the need for mediums (good for plein air painters especially)
Oil Cons:
- Messy/tough to clean up
- Strong chemical odor
- More expensive generally than acrylic
- Hard to work in layers as the drying time is so long
- Also hard to work wet-in-wet or “Alla Prima” if working in more than one session
I'd love to know if you prefer one over the other and why.
Still undecided?
Take the oils vs acrylics quiz.
