Which costs more?
Do they look different once they've dried on canvas?
Which do you prefer? why?
2007-01-02 08:43:49 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Painting
Acrylic paint dries very quickly...within minutes. Oil paint dries very slowly. Depending on the paint color and how thickly it is applied, it can take from one day to one week or more to dry to the touch, but months to dry completely. Acrylic paint looks a little different once it has dried, but oils retain the same appearance. Acrylics are much cheaper than oils and they clean up easier because they're water soluble, but brushes used with oils have to be cleaned with a solvent such as turpentine (although I would recommend using one of the newer non-toxic solvents). The price range of oils varies but they are much more expensive than acrylics. If you're just experimenting you might want to buy cheaper oils to start off with, but there is a vast difference between the quality of a cheaper brand or line and the quality of a more expensive brand or line. The colors are less vibrant, but amazing things can still be done with the cheaper ones. I started out working with acrylics but I didn't like the quick drying time so I started experimenting with oils. They are more expensive and a lot harder to clean up, but I prefer the slower drying time and the assurity that my colors won't change once they're dry. I also like the way oils allow me to do layering effects when mixed with different solvents.
There are also many people who prefer acrylics; you really can't know until you start experimenting. If you can afford to, you might want to buy just a basic set of colors of acrylics and oils from a cheaper line and play around to see which one you like better. Have fun!
2007-01-02 09:24:46 · answer #1 · answered by Kristi 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Oil generally costs more . . .
I paint using a palette knife and apply the paint very thickly, thus acrylic is nice for dry time as has been noted. However, I prefer the workability and opacity/transparency of oils.
I've actually tried combining the two with no short-term adverse effects.
If you're looking for some impasto, go with oils. Acrylic will probably dry too fast.
2007-01-02 14:51:01 · answer #2 · answered by The Aesthetic Elevator 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have worked with both and prefer acrylic because of its quick dry time. Acrylic paint can look very close to oil paint when dried depending on how thick it is applied. Acrylics are said to have more vivid color as well. I like the versatility of acrylics in that it can be applied thin or mixed with thickening medium for heavier application.
2007-01-02 09:02:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oils are more expensive because of the binding used to manufacture them. Oils have a much richer look than acrylics because of the oils used. Acrylics look like what they are, plastic. Acrylics are great for modern, hard-edged abstract paintings because they dry quickly and you can use tape to create the hard edges. Personally, I prefer oils. I love the smell, the feel, and the richness of oil paint, it is unlike any other medium.
2007-01-03 20:31:24 · answer #4 · answered by susan g 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
acrylics cost a little less, dry faster
oils cost more, dry slower and have more blend/correct time.
I don't paint much these days but there's no real preference just what evers there and handy... but I'm not great at painting so I do other stuff mostly.
2007-01-02 08:52:18 · answer #5 · answered by Chele 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yogurt vs. Toothpaste.
2007-01-04 15:31:21 · answer #6 · answered by Gary P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you master both mediums, you will achive the same results when varnished.
thats IF you master the mediums
2007-01-02 09:31:10 · answer #7 · answered by Dimitris C. Milionis - Athens GR 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋