Express beauty with oil and acrylic painting.
The first element that separates acrylic and oil painting is time. Oil painting brings with it the heritage and richness of classic art, and acrylic represents the versatility of the modern world. Familiarity of both forms can help you extend your expertise in painting. Regardless of the medium you adopt, it should allow you to express beauty with freedom, comfort and happiness
Background
Oil painting has been around for almost 500 years. It was immortalized and perfected by Italian and Venetian artists in the Renaissance period. Oil paints are made of mainly vegetable oil, which includes linseed oil and other pigments.
The earliest from of acrylic is acrylate, which was formulated by Otto Rohm in 1880. It was patented to be used as a substitute for drying oils in industrial paints. Acrylic painting became popular among young, innovative artists in mid-20th century. Acrylic paint is a man-made polymerized paint that is water-based.
Artistic Appeal
Oil painting has been highly respected throughout centuries because it exudes realism that is incomparable to any other art form. It provides bright colors and vivid images as well as rich and intense layering. The most prominent and unforgettable paintings are oil portraits.
Acrylic painting produces a shiny look with a unique blend of colors. It carries a more flat texture regardless of the layering. When acrylic paints dry, the colors become slightly darker. Overall, it creates a smooth, transparent finish and an illuminating appeal that seem to match the dynamics of mainstream art.
Characteristics
Acrylic paint dries faster than oil. It dries in the span of 15 minutes to an hour. Once dried, the paint stain cannot be washed off. Oil paint's surface needs a couple of days or a week to dry. Mixing colors with acrylics is harder than oil. Oil painting allows easy mixing of colors, thus producing more variations. Acrylic's chemical composition are designed to make them resistant to chemical changes, reactions with oxygen and ultraviolet light exposure. Acrylic can easily be diluted in water, thus allowing you to produce paintings similar to oil and water coloring. When acrylic dries, it becomes resistant to water, therefore making it more protected from deterioration.
Considerations
Oil paints dry slower, so it's ideal for beginners who want to take time and might make many corrections while painting. Oil paint's composition can be toxic, so you need appropriate painting clothes and a spacious work room with natural ventilation. Acrylic paints are generally cheaper than oil, however, you have to buy additional retarders, pastes and gels to slow down the drying rate of acrylic. You only need to quickly wash your hands and tools to wash off acrylic paints. Oil paint requires turpentine for you to remove it completely.
Longevity
Oil paints have the tendency to crack and discolor over time. Oil paints' chemical nature deteriorates upon continued exposure to moisture. However, it has been proved that they survived through centuries. Acrylic paints, based on its scientific design, are expected to last longer than oil paints. However, it has just been around for 50 years. It is difficult to know for certain through experience if it will surpass the durability of its counterpart.
