Difference between oil and acrylic paint on canvas

Colours play a very significant role in defining the expression of the artist on the canvas. They bring life to the emotions of a painting and tell an array of stories without saying a word. Now, we all know that different colours evoke different emotions e.g. blue has a more calming tone while the colour red has more passion and energy in its pigment.

But, these differences are not just limited to their shades. There are different types of paint designed for different types of painting. And, in this blog, we are about to discuss the difference between the two most prime paints, oil and acrylic, with a focus on their effects on the canvas.

Oil Paints

These paints are among the most popular types, and why wouldn’t they be?:

• They are available in vibrant hues
  Oil paints are made with high-quality pigments and leave a denser shade on a canvas compared to other paints. Additionally, the linseed oil used as a binder maintains the vibrancy of the pigment for a longer period without getting cracked.
• The oily texture adds richness to the painting
  An artist can use oil paints to create a versatile range of textures, from smooth to rough. And by layering oil paints they can bring depth to the painting and make it look more realistic to the point that it seems as if the painting is soon going to jump out of the canvas.
• They offer seamless blending
  Oil paints have a slower drying time. This feature of oil paint allows artists to blend the pigments of every detail before it sets completely. With a longer drying period blending the colours without disturbing the underlying layers is a piece of cake.
• And, they are perfect for portraits
  I mean who is not aware of the world-renowned oil painting of ‘Mona Lisa’ created by the legendary – Leonardo Da Vinci? Or the classic ‘Starry Nights’ by Vincent Van Gogh?

Oh! This reminds me to ask you, do you know that such iconic portraits that are richer than reality can also be created digitally?

If you did not before, you do now, and I am sure that you will be astonished to see the results a digital oil painting brings.

Next on our list of exploring the effects of oil and acrylic paints is of course:

Acrylic Paints

These paints are another classic choice for many modern paintings because:

• They dry quickly
  Which makes them perfect for outdoor paintings and artists can experiment with blends without worrying about the paint drying prematurely. Quick drying also erases the risk of smudging and smearing the paint.
• They also offer a vibrant range of hues
  This vibrant range hands out the versatility of creating shades ranging from subtle transparent washes to bold opaque colours. One thing always needs to be ensured with acrylic paints ‘never expose them to direct sunlight’, as it results in the fading of colours.
• They can create depth
  By experimenting with different textures an artist can also create a depth on the canvas with acrylic paints. The only constraint is the quick drying time, it limits the chances for manipulation.
• They can be cleaned easily
  Every artist creates some mess while designing something great, but cleaning the aftermath becomes a task. Not with acrylic paints though, with a simple solution of water and soap, any mess can be wiped off.

You must now be wondering, what is the right choice of paint for a canvas?
The answer is pretty simple: both of them. While acrylic paints are perfect for pop art, illustrations, abstract, collage and stencil paintings, oil paints are more suitable for realistic, portraits, still life, historical and expressive paintings.

We have addressed the differences here so you can compare:

The painting style you have
The time you take to design a painting
The feel you want to attain through the textures
The strength of the colours you need

And every other important thing that aligns with the idea you have in mind, and then make the choice of which paint is ideal for you.

With that being said, we hope that you found this article helpful. Don’t forget to check out our exceptional digital portrait paintings and keep doing art.