subject: Which Paint Should You Use? [print this page] As a beginning painter, the amount of paints available can become overwhelming if you're not sure what type of paint to use. Acrylic versus oil, water based versus oil based. The varieties available can not only be confusing, but could discourage someone just starting. Before you put down the brush and walk away, here are some good guidelines for picking the right paint for the job.
First, there are three main types of paint available for users to use:
Acrylic
Oil
Watercolor/water based
Each of these paints can be used across jobs but may not yield the same result. It's important to note that other paints are also available, such as Gouache, Casein, and Tempera. We will briefly touch on these, but our main focus will be Acrylic, Oil, and Watercolor.
To start, the most common paint for artists tends to be Acrylic paint. Acrylic paint gives vibrant colors and is easily blended to create other color options. The paint is water soluble with a polymer binding. This is great for painters that may not want a thick paint on their work. Combining a small amount of water to acrylic paint provides for thinner paint that still offers full coverage. Additionally, painters can use Acrylic paint for texturing as the paint contains a thicker consistency. Acrylics dry fairly quickly, but once dry, acrylic paint cannot be modified or removed in ways that other paints can.
Oil paint is a deeper toned paint, typically known for the deep, gorgeous colors it produces. Oil paint is perhaps the oldest paint of the three listed, and dates backs several centuries in its use. Oil paint is not recommended for children as it is a more chemical based paint, and even requires the use of other chemicals (turpentine for example) to thin it. The benefit of oil paint is the length of time it takes to dry. Artists are able to manipulate their piece for as long as month in some instances before the paint fully dries. Typical oil paints take between one and two weeks to fully dry.
Watercolor is a popular choice for beginners and children due to its ease of use and easy cleanup. Watercolor is a water based paint that is thinner than other paint options. It yields beautiful colors, but may require multiple coats to obtain the deep tones that oil or acrylic paint produce. For those just beginning, watercolor is the perfect choice to explore colors and experiment with styles. If there is an error in your work, blotting the area with water helps to easily remove the error. Watercolor paint is not recommended for works that are intended to last for a longer length of time (several years for instance) as they are easily removed from paper with just water.
As for the other paint options (Gouache, Casein, Tempera, and Encaustic), each has their own place when it comes to creating beautiful artwork. Gouache is a more difficult paint to use and is somewhat chalky and opaque. Casein is often used under paintings as a form of base, and is typically opaque in its coloring. Tempera is easier to use and offers a matte finish and can be found in bright or fluorescent colors.
