Acrylic vs Oil Paint

Painting is a form of expression that has flourished for thousands of years and is

one of the most cherished art forms. In its most basic form, the definition of painting is the

practice of applying paint, pigments, or other mediums to a solid surface, most commonly with a

brush. While there are many varieties of paint, acrylic and oil are some of the most common

paint mediums used today, despite all of their differences. Although both mediums do not

determine the quality and talent of an artist, they can change the outcome of the art immensely.

However, the two mediums could never be mistaken for being the same because of their

differences. The cost and use of each are aberrant, the paints’ production processes are unique,

and the history of their service is contrary.

Every artist has their preference in their painting mediums, and because of the two paints’

immense differences, it is seldom seen that an artist works with both acrylic and oil paints with

similar technique and talent. The most significant differences show through exponentially when

working with them. Acrylic paints are relatively cheap and affordable, so they are shared

amongst all age groups, but they can be used professionally. A tube of professional quality

acrylic paints can cost roughly $5 to $11 CAD; cheaper quality acrylics can cost as little as $2.

However, oil paints in a tube of the same size typically cost $7 to $15; a larger tube of oil paints

can cost upwards of $25 per tube. The vast differences between the two are incredibly unique

when in use. Oil paints can take 6-12 months to dry, depending on how thick the painting is, and

acrylics take 20-30 minutes. Acrylic paints tend to be much runnier in consistency than oils. Oils

have a more paste-type texture; this is great for giving artists a wide variety in how they want

their piece to look and feel. Acrylic paint can be diluted as long as it is watered-based, but this

will not work in oil paints. Since the oil paint binder consists of linseed oil, it repels the water.
Instead, artists use painter’s turpentine. The gathering of turpentine is done through the

distillation tree’s resin; this fluid can then break down the linseed oils giving the paint a much

thinner and smoother texture. When the paints dry, the finish of both appear incoherent, acrylics

have a matte finish while oils tend to have a glossy finish. The finishes and ingredients of the

paint are important when understanding what varnish to use, as it can destroy a painting if not

careful. Oil paintings require linseed oil for varnish, and acrylic paints need a polymer varnish.

Varnishes are vital in the longevity and protection of an artist’s work. Without varnish, the

painting is vulnerable to the environment around them. Paintings naturally suffer when their

climate changes, and the varnish adds a layer of protection. When being an artist, it is essential to

remember it is not necessary to spend more money on materials, as they do not equate to superior

talent or quality.

The process of producing paint varies with every paint type, but the technique used to

create acrylic and oil paints are remarkably diverging. Every paint consists of a binder and a

pigment that is then mulled to incorporate the two substances. The binder attaches to the

pigments forming a solid bond into a continuous film; the ingredients vary on the paint. Once a

binder and pigment are mixed by hand, the paint maker will use a mull. Mulls are made of glass

with a flat bottom and a handle to mix the paint further. The paint is ground down and mulled

between a glass sheet and the mull in circular motions. This binds the pigment to the binder and

makes the paint smoother and less grainy, giving it a clean finish. Acrylic paint uses acrylic

polymer as its binder, and once the water evaporates, it produces a film, leaving the artist with

the finished product. It is important to remember not to mull acrylic paint for longer than ten

minutes because eventually, dried paint will also be mulled into the paint. It is also imperative to

store acrylic paints in an airtight container to prevent drying. The binder for oil paints is made
with linseed oil extracted from a flax plant. The pigment and oil then need to be mulled for two

hours or more, depending on the pigment choice. It is essential to store your paints in an airtight

container to maintain their longevity. Each paint follows its own process due to its main

components, although each paint gives an equally beautiful finished product.

Every paint type has its history of development, and although acrylic and oils paints are

some of the most used paints today, their histories are distinct from their own. After acrylic resin

dispersion was invented in Germany during the 1930s, two artists named Leonard Bocour and

Sam Golden adapted it into the paint known now. Oil paints are still used today and were

invented in the 15th century, although some of the earliest forms of oil paintings discovered are

from 650 AD in Bamiyan, Afghanistan. A famous Belgian artist, Jan Van Eyck, during the 15th

century, mixed linseed oil and various nuts with high pigmentation and a range of colours

together to create the oil paints still used today. They are just some of the many pioneers of these

creative mediums.

Although acrylic and oil paints are some of the most well known paint types used today

the differences between the two are immense, the cost and use are highly contrasting, the

production processes differ, and the history of both are distinctly unique. Although they are

different in respect to those qualities, neither is better than the other; both fulfil their purposes

with great effectiveness and quality.

Works Cited

"What Is Acrylic Paint." Liquitex, www.liquitex.com/us/knowledge/

 what-is-acrylic-paint/

#:~:text=Acrylic%20paint%20has%20acrylic%20polymer,it%20creating%20a%20polymer%20

emulsion. Accessed 20 Apr. 2022.

Piper, P.E., James. "Basic Paint Components and Their Role in Quality,

Performance." Facilities Net, 4 Aug. 2015, www.facilitiesnet.com/

paintscoatings/article/

Basic-Paint-Components-and-Their-Role-in-Quality-Performance--16071#:~:text=Paint

%20binders%20are%20used%20to,adhesion%2C%20and%20resistance%20to%20cracking.

Accessed 22 Apr. 2022.

Create, Ali Means. "A Brief History of Acrylics." Opus, 8 Dec. 2016,

opusartsupplies.com/articles/a-brief-history-of-acrylics/. Accessed 25 Apr.

2022.

"What Makes Oil Paints to Be the Most Unique." Artsy.net, 8 Sept. 2014,

www.artsy.net/article/gucwa-vivienne-what-makes-oil-paintings-to-be-the.

Accessed 26 Apr. 2022.