Oil Paintings Vs Acrylic Paintings

Posted: Aug 04, 2010 |Comments: 0 |

Oil paint is made up of particles of pigment suspended in a drying oil, and takes much longer to dry relative to other kinds of paint. Acrylic paint is a paint that includes pigment suspended in an acrylic polymer emulsion with an added quality of fast drying. Acrylic paint, even after being diluted with water, becomes water resistant once dry. Depending on the proportion of dilution with water, gels, or pastes, a finished acrylic painting can have the look of a watercolor or an oil painting, or some other unique blend

Linseed oil is the main ingredient that binds oil paint; on the contrary, water is the main ingredient that binds acrylic paint. Hence, we can say that oil paint is "oil based" and acrylic paint is "water based."

Acrylic paint and oil paint require different lengths of time to dry. Oils take relatively more time to dry, typically several weeks, depending on the ingredients used. This is because oils do not undergo the same process of evaporation that water does when exposed to air. Rather, oil paint oxidizes into a dry solid. This property causes oil paint to dry very slowly, giving the artist time to blend colors and adjust the final product.

On the other hand, acrylic paint remains the choice of those artists who believe in quick results, since only a couple of hours are required for the paint to dry. Nevertheless, a slower drying version of acrylic paint was developed by Golden Artist Colors in 2008, which combined the qualities of acrylic paint with the longer drying duration of oil paint, allowing the paint to remain wet for a few more hours on the canvas under normal conditions.

When we use oil paint, we need a solvent such as turpentine to thin the paint and clean up the work space, which has its disadvantages because turpentine has toxic qualities. An additional step that is required is that the canvas must be thoroughly primed before being painted on, and afterward a removable protective layer of varnish should be applied to the finished product.

During the passage of time, oil paint can look yellowish and turn brittle and crack, which makes it wise to apply the principle of "fat over lean" to maintain a smooth surface - each coat of paint should have a higher oil to pigment ratio.

Acrylic is typically more versatile in nature to use for the average artist, although because of its faster drying time, the painter is not able to blend colors or use the wet-in-wet technique available to oil paint. Retarders can be added to acrylic paint to slow the drying process, allowing water to be added to make the paint more workable.

Questions and Answers

Ask
200 Characters left
Rate this Article
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 0 vote(s)
    Feedback
    Print
    Re-Publish
    Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/art-articles/oil-paintings-vs-acrylic-paintings-2963297.html

    Article Tags:

    oil paintings

    ,

    acrylic paintings

    ,

    paintings

    ,

    art

    Painting Books has all types of various medium for doing decorative tole painting is wood, fabric, clay, tin, glass, concrete and many more.

    By: Anna Josephsl Arts & Entertainment> Musicl Jun 15, 2006 lViews: 549
    Julie Shoemaker

    Acrylic paints are very versatile. With acrylics, you can vertically paint on any surface. Painting on canvas, is a fun hobby that produces lasting works of art for you to display, sell or give as gifts.

    By: Julie Shoemakerl Arts & Entertainment> Artl Nov 07, 2010

    It can be a thrilling experience on learning to paint. Over the due course, you will come across the art myth, taking your talent to paint. Please do not believe in this. You desire to learn painting together with enthusiasm is what you need than anything else.

    By: gedet basumataryl Arts & Entertainment> Visual Artl Sep 21, 2010

    Experience our museum quality fine art reproduction oil paintings in your office or home. Treat yourself with a masterpiece oil painting reproductions.

    By: Alisha Neuronl Arts & Entertainment> Artl May 25, 2011

    Glass Painting Ideas Glass Painting Ideas,Modern Glass Painting Ideas,Glass Painting Ideas and Tips,Glass Painting Pictures.

    By: ashokvinetal Arts & Entertainment> Artl Nov 19, 2010
    Wayne Smith

    Painting plaster walls are most important painting walls to get right. Part 1 of interior wall painting and what interior house paint to use when painting plaster walls. Find more interior painting tips for home painting from Wayne at Paint Rescue.

    By: Wayne Smithl Home Improvement> DIYl Sep 19, 2009 lViews: 343

    This article is about learning. The way of learning how to use these powerful tools to dominate or just have fun online.

    By: thomasl Arts & Entertainment> Artl May 25, 2012

    Painting for sale and Art reproduction are in demand from different occasion period. Besides that there is a special time and appeal ,to network with all of them. There is no preplanned to obtain them:- On line or form a shop . You have to be keep in touch with some pointers that can directly lead you there and must provide the relevant material for which you are searching.

    By: robertmoore1l Arts & Entertainment> Artl May 23, 2012
    Ton Pascal

    "Leda And The Swan", by Leonardo da Vinci, is one of history's great art losses. From the surviving copies we can see its beauty, the masterly composition, and the complex emblematic symbolism. Leonardo went beyond the sexual act portrayed until then about this mythic story. The great popularity of this subject in the sixteenth century was due to the fact that it was then more acceptable to depict a woman having an act of copulation with an animal than with a man.

    By: Ton Pascall Arts & Entertainment> Artl May 23, 2012

    Art Reproduction tend to be terrific concept for decorating as they'll immediately provide beauty, add color and can enhance the actual overlook associated with home, office or even library whilst admire the very best quality duplication of unique artwork.

    By: architecturepaintingsl Arts & Entertainment> Artl May 23, 2012

    Oil paintings comes in all shapes and sizes and generally based on a variety of themes that appeal to all tastes. For oil painting, different painting materials are used like canvas and cardboard. Original oil paintings are most valuable art among other existing art, out of them some are valued at millions of dollars.

    By: robertmoore1l Arts & Entertainment> Artl May 22, 2012

    Discuss this Article

    Author Box
    Articles Categories
    All Categories
    Quantcast