Oil vs. Acrylic Painting
Art Related
Name: Andrea
Comments: I am torn between mastering oil or acrylic. I have the option to buy one full set of paints but because they are both very expensive I can only purchase one set, not sure which one I should buy as an investment for my skills. I will love suggestions.
Why not try both, that is if you can afford it. Acrylic drys faster and can go on most any medium including household items but oils give a different feel and can be more easily mixed. I personally like working with acrylic but used it in the past for painted t-shirts more than anything else.
Oil paint is the most rewarding and the most frustrating medium I have ever tried. It's seductive, with the way it blends and the way you can lay down thin, jewel-like glazes or build up heavy textures.
And it's maddening with it's eternal drying time. Oil forces you to take your time. Even if you knock out a painting in one sitting, you'll wait at least a week before you can frame it.
If you have the patience and the time, and some space to hang your paintings while they're drying, I'd say go with oils. If you want something you can paint and frame in the same day, choose acrylics.