Oils vs Acrylics

Really...?!! The two paints are completely different! However many artists will choose one over the other and here are some of the reasons why.

Believe it or not, there are traditionalists out there who believe that painting with oils is more professional and for serious painters! I've always believed that art is for everyone and anyone who wishes to explore paint, should be encouraged to do so. That is why I believe in art education and sharing the knowledge.

I started exploring oil painting when I was a teenager at school and always loved the way it blends, as well as the many possibilities that can be achieved with this wonderful medium. Even though I still use oils today, I also paint with other media and have recently been exploring acrylic painting techniques and have found that there are things I can do with acrylics, but would struggle to achieve with oils easily and vice versa. I can definitely see the difference between the two.

The pros and cons

Firstly the major advantage of using acrylics is that it dries quickly. When used to painting with oils that dry slowly, acrylics can seem like a game changer when it comes to layering. Results can be achieved within minutes, rather than waiting for paint to dry, as one would with oils (even with a fast drying medium). Water, plus mediums can be used with acrylics to thin the paint and for other desired effects, whereas, unless you choose water mixable oils, traditional oils rely on solvents to thin the paint down which can be very smelly. With acrylics, there is also no need to follow special rules such as the fat over lean rule with oil painting.

There are a vast range of acrylic paint brands that offer all sorts of specialist mediums, such as fluid mediums for flow enhancing, 3D gels, various finishes such as matte/gloss, glazing, texture and pouring mediums to name just a few. Acrylics can be purchased as metallic, pearlescent and glitter paints and much more, as well as acrylic paint pens which can be used with the paints for finer detail and mark making. Although oil painting mediums can be purchased, such as impasto, glazing etc., as well as some more recent additions such as metallic oil colours, the ranges available are not as broad as what is available for acrylics. The fairly recent trend for paint pouring using acrylics has also broadened the ranges that are available furthermore.

So, if acrylics are so great, why use oils at all? From a personal perspective, I would say that the finish is different: oils dry with a sheen and luminosity that in my opinion cannot be achieved using acrylics. Acrylics can often dry slightly duller than how it looks when wet. If you are hoping to achieve a level of realism with your painting and are relying on blending techniques, oils will allow for much more time for this and you can decide whether it is necessary to use a fast drying medium or not. Although retarders are available to keep the paints wet for longer when using acrylics, I personally find that I have to work a bit harder to get the paints to blend well, as compared to oils. In this respect, I would say that painting using oils is easier!

I paint using the indirect method and use glazing techniques, which relies on the layer underneath to be dry. It can be time consuming, however I cannot achieve the same glazing result using acrylics in the same way. Perhaps I am just fussy, but I do not feel it to have a clear and seamless finish. I also find that oils will allow for a softer line/edge which I cannot easily achieve with acrylics either.

Conclusion

I would not say that one paint is more superior than the other and when it comes to creating art, choosing the right paint for the job is very important. Oils are great for a more soft focus edge, with luminous colours and building up layers of intense depth. Ideal for use when there is more time and a need for more thought during the process. An artist can have an oil painting "on the go" over a length of time and whilst layers of paint are drying, they can be getting on with multiple acrylic paintings! Oils are ideal for the type of detail that is intricate and may require more care and time.

Acrylics on the other hand are great for expression and experimentation, perfect for abstract and semi-abstract painting, where the artist wishes to move on with each layer quickly. It is also versatile in the way it can be used on almost any surface and can be applied in so many ways to achieve a range of mark making.

Between the two I would recommend acrylics for those who are just starting out with painting and wish to explore the notion of creating art and find their voice. There is much more available in the way of fun and exciting colourful acrylic painting materials and ranges for those with less experience. That does not mean that I would ever discourage anyone form trying out oil painting! I do recommend however that some form of tuition is necessary for oils, even if it is just a step by step book, as there are certain rules that oil painters need to adhere to and it is always best to start with the right information from the start.

So, if you are asking the question, should I use oils or acrylics? I hope that you are clearer about which one suits your painting needs the most and this information has been of help! And remember that you do not need to stop at one forever, why not try them both and see which one works best for you!