What is the difference between oil paint and acrylic paint? Oil, enamel and acrylic paints

If you need a painting, then the thought immediately comes to mind: buy works painted in oil on host. This has been an association since school, that the most beautiful masterpieces painted in oil.

But now there are also paintings done in acrylic. The technique of acrylic painting is similar to oil painting. A person who is not professionally involved in art is unlikely to distinguish between a painting painted in acrylic or oil.

Which painting should I buy? We will look at the pros and cons of both paints.

Acrylic painting

Acrylic paint is new technology. This paint went on sale no more than 15-20 years ago. Acrylic dries quickly and is odorless - for artists it is a much more convenient material to work with.

On the other hand, there are advantages for the buyer of an acrylic painting. The finished painting is bright and has a characteristic acrylic shine. Unlike oil, acrylic does not crack or fade over time.

Acrylic is considered a more reliable material because it is a polymer, plastic. Paintings painted with acrylic are much less susceptible to factors external environment: sun and humidity.

Oil painting

Oil paints will be used by artists for a long time, if only because oil paintings are in great demand.

But unlike acrylic, working on canvas with oil is much more time-consuming. First, the artist applies the first layer of paint: usually the background and underpainting. Further work is possible only after 2-3 days - we wait until the paint dries. Then a new layer - again waiting. This continues until all the layers of paint have been applied and the intended plot has been written.

Of course, oil paintings have a deep, rich structure and a play of colors. But oil paintings require restoration after a certain time.

conclusions

It is difficult for an amateur to distinguish an oil painting from an acrylic painting, so feel free to take the one you like best. Oil is a classic, acrylic is a more modern and durable paint.

You can always buy paintings by the artist in a modern design. Look at our website, order a painting with free delivery throughout Russia.

Oil paints have been on the art media market for hundreds of years, but in the mid-20th century a formidable opponent arrived on the scene. Acrylic paints have since joined oil and watercolor paints as one of the most popular paint materials in the world. If you love to draw, you will love painting with acrylics.

Victoria Sukhasyan, an artist, mother and wife, shares her advice.

Acrylic is a water-based paint that dries quickly, does not depend on any toxic solvents, and can be used on a wide range of surfaces. Acrylic dries easily and quickly, and the surface becomes strong and flexible. Acrylics can be cleaned very simply with soap and water. You can use acrylics on wood, canvas, leather and many other surfaces. Acrylic can be applied with a roller brush, spatula, sprayed with an airbrush, poured, splashed. You can also change the consistency of acrylic paint using a bewildering variety of gels and pastes.

Due to the properties of its polymer base, acrylic paint can be used in thick formulations similar to oils, and paints can also be thinned with water. When mixed with gels, pastes, acrylic can create effects that are unattainable with oil or watercolor. In fact, acrylic lends itself to so many different painting techniques, the possibilities are almost endless.

Takashi Murakami

FAQ: How to paint with acrylic?

Regardless of whether you are a beginner or an expert in this medium, knowing how acrylic works with other materials is already a no-brainer.

Can you mix oil and acrylic paints over water?
No, they are chemically incompatible.

Can you paint with oils over acrylic?

Yes, but paint layers may become unstable because the oil may not adhere to the acrylic base. Additionally, oils and acrylics will react differently to conditions environment, such as humidity and temperature, which can cause the layers to separate.

Can you use traditional oil painting techniques with acrylic paints?

Fast drying acrylic paints will require you to slightly change your application methods. It is more difficult to apply acrylic paints with a wet brush, so it is important to find the right consistency.

Can you use traditional watercolor techniques with acrylic paints?

Most traditional watercolor techniques can be used with acrylic paints because both paints dry relatively quickly. Just as watercolors with the same name from different manufacturers produce different staining or granulating effects, acrylic colors will differ from traditional watercolors.

Eat 2 useful tools that can be used:

A retarder is mixed with acrylic paints to slow drying time. Excessive use can cause the paint to never dry properly. Varnish is applied to finished acrylic works to provide a protective, dust-resistant film, some even protect against damage ultraviolet radiation. Varnishing with a non-acrylic material, such as mineral alcohol acrylic varnish, allows the layer to be removed later if necessary. Many other additives are available, offering the artist a lifetime of experimentation and discovery:

Rainbow colors

Metallic colors

Gel with glass beads, etc.

Tools and accessories
Brushes: Synthetic materials such as nylon are the best choice for acrylic brushes. Stiff brushes are good for applying thick paint; soft and flexible, well suited for applying thinned paint. Acrylic is more difficult to use in animal hair brushes, which can swell and lose shape when soaked in water.

Palette: An acrylic painter needs a palette that is flat and waterproof. There are plastic palettes designed for acrylic products; some have lids or sealed compartments to prevent drying out. Enamel trays also work well, aluminum trays in a pinch. Avoid wooden palettes, which absorb water.

Surfaces

One of the advantages of working with acrylic paints is that you can use them on almost any medium. Water-absorbent surfaces such as wood should be sealed in advance. Preferred painting surfaces include: artist's canvas, fiberboard, fiberboard, and watercolor paper prepared using a quality acrylic dispersion primer.

Water container: A large, unbreakable water container is a must. Change the water frequently to avoid contaminating the colors on your palette.

And finally, some tips...

Acrylic should not be diluted with more than 30% water. Use professional grade accessories. Major manufacturers are good choice when using acrylic paints for the first time, but as your skill improves, move on to professional paints. Do not apply high-quality paint to low-quality surfaces. Start with one manufacturer. Take a look at one manufacturer's line of acrylic paints and related products to see how they work together; then experiment with other brands.
Good luck!

You can see all of Victoria’s works on the website www.vikiart.com

It's all about the unique properties of acrylic paints. Firstly, due to the high degree of coverage, they are very convenient for painting on canvas. The paint perfectly covers the porous structure of the canvas and does not leave unnecessary unpainted dots and holes in the picture. But most importantly, you can be absolutely sure that the paint will never crack, fade in the sun or fade.

Secondly, made with acrylic paints, it can have a wide variety of textures. For example, if you add to paint more water, then acrylic, like watercolor, will lie on the canvas in light transparent layers. In its normal state, the paint will apply in dense, rich strokes, characteristic of oil painting.

In general, it is worth especially noting the amazing purity and richness of acrylic paints. The bright blue of the sky, the transparent jade of the tropical sea, the blue-white peaks of the mountains, the hot sand of the desert - with acrylic paints you can convey any shade and halftone, and the colors remain pure and beautiful even when mixing several paints.

Another feature of acrylic is the drying speed of the layers. This paint dries from a few minutes to 3-4 hours, depending on the thickness of the layer. Agree, compared to oil paints, this drying speed seems simply incredible. This is very convenient, because you can continue to create without stopping and finish your work very quickly.

After the acrylic paint has completely dried, a transparent protective film is formed on the painting, very elastic and absolutely indelible with water. Comfortable? Yes, but if you leave an unfinished painting for a week, you won’t be able to add new layers. New paint it just won’t “catch” on the painting and will quickly peel off.

All this, and also the fact that acrylic paint has an almost imperceptible odor, makes this material incredibly popular in the artistic environment. So why not try to paint your own masterpiece with these wonderful colors. Be sure that you will get great pleasure from both the creative process and the result!

Our store offers a wide selection

The simplest option isoil paints .

The vast majority of oil paints are a pigment (for example, for black it is soot) ground with linseed oil until smooth. Sometimes a different type of oil is used.

Oil paints often use natural metal oxide pigments: ocher, umber, sienna, titanium oxide, zinc oxide. Being natural, these pigments are very suitable for simulating natural rust, sand, soil, and dirt.

The problem is that the pigment used in the paint can vary greatly in the coarseness of the grain, so not every one is suitable for different purposes.oil.

The selection principle is extremely simple: expensive paints from well-known manufacturers have the finest pigment.

Oil paints are used mainly in painting and automodeling only in auxiliary roles: for washing and when working with a dry brush. The consumption of the paint itself is negligible - a 30 ml tube will last for many years, and it costs much less than branded model enamel, there is more pigment, the paint is thicker. The solvent for oil paints is white spirit or turpentine.

However, there are subtleties that are unknown to many modellers, but are well known to artists.

The colorful base of oil paints is (surprise!) oil.

When working with highly diluted paint, the oil is washed out by the solvent much faster than the pigment.

Therefore, at the beginning of working with an oil wash, it has very good spreadability, ideally seeps into small cracks, and fills the lines of the panels.

As the oil is washed away, which happens after 15-20 minutes, or after 20-30 dips of the brush into the mixture, only the solvent and pigment remain in the palette.

The spreadability of such a suspension is significantly worse; it tends to break up into fractions and must be constantly stirred.

The oil-free remover in it concentrates on the surface in sort of local flakes, not very evenly.

Therefore, when working with oil, you should regularly add a drop or two of linseed oil to the mixture, which you need to have on hand. Flaxseed oil is also useful when working with enamels to improve spreadability, so it’s worth buying it sometime. A small 75 ml bottle lasts for many, many years.

When working with a dry brush, adding linseed oil to the paint increases gloss, but also significantly increases the drying time.

Enamel paints(the word “enamel”, strictly speaking, cannot be used; this is a different type of coating, but let’s not quibble) not oil is used as a base, but alkyd varnish.

In classic enamels, a pentaphthalic base is most often used; the common household paints of the PF series are an analogue.

The pigments often used are synthetic and finely dispersed.

Enamel paint itself is an emulsion of an alkyd base and a thinner. The same turpentine or white spirit with the addition of approximately 10% toluene is used as a thinner to improve spreadability. Branded solvents for alkyd enamels and domestic solvent No. 651 have approximately the same composition.

Enamel paints provide a durable coating with very good hiding power (that is, a thin layer covers the previous one well), but is not resistant to various oils (including fats on fingerprints) and various non-polar hydrocarbons. Therefore, the enamel coating must be covered with a finishing varnish. Enamels take quite a long time - 4-6 hours - to dry, but a completely dried coating is resistant to water and alcohol of typical concentrations, including acrylic solvents.

Absolute alcohols and dehydrates dissolve the enamel coating, be careful!

Solvents with a high content of toluene or dichloroethane (640 series airbrush cleaner) will also dissolve enamel paints. Acetone in typical concentrations has almost no effect on the dried coating, but with pressure it can remove the surface layer and also matt the surface, which can be used.

A special feature of enamel paints is a very finely dispersed pigment that integrates well into the emulsion of the base varnish, which is typically finer than the pigment of acrylic and oil paints. The pigment concentration in enamel paints is almost 2 times higher than in acrylics. This makes enamels especially suitable for dry brushing metallics. The resulting strokes are visually almost impossible to distinguish from, say, graphite; They are very thin, the grain is almost invisible. You can get a glossy finish. The spreadability of enamel paints is significantly higher than acrylic paints and is comparable to oil. Unlike oil, alkyd emulsion is not washed out by the solvent, although separation into fractions is present in all enamel paints; they must be thoroughly mixed before use.

Enamels can be used with equal success for any purpose: as a main coating or for auxiliary tasks. I use enamel metallics both on their own and for dry brushing, as well as for local glossing and sometimes washes.

As a basic tone, it is highly not recommended to place enamels on bare plastic; they do not stick in the best possible way. The surface must have some roughness: cleaned or primed. This is the very reason why I don’t use enamels as main coatings: I’m too lazy to prime them again.

Acrylic paints are more common than any other for a number of reasons, and one of the main ones is short drying time. Everyone in the household knows water-based paints; acrylic paints are one of their varieties.

Acrylic paints are a homogeneous mixture of an emulsion of acrylic polymer (most often polymethylacrylate), pigment and thinner. Please note that the pigment in them is separated from the paint base, this is an important feature.

The thinners used are extremely varied: from simple water to a complex mixture of alcohols and ethers for better spreadability and quick drying. Manufacturers often use 60% isopropyl alcohol.

Acrylic paints almost always also contain a retarder: an additive that slows down the evaporation of the thinner. Various glycols are most often used as a retarder; For paints intended for indoor use, non-toxic propylene glycol is used. At home, it can be completely replaced with glycerin.

Branded thinners for acrylic paints are 60-70% solutions of alcohol in distilled water with the addition of a retarder.

Acrylics can be dissolved with plain water, but this impairs the drying speed and has a bad effect on spreadability, which is lower for water than for alcohols. In fact, any polar solvent will work (about the difference between polar and non-polarsee post about solvents).

Ordinary vodka is good as a home-grown solvent, if it does not contain large quantity fusel oils. True, acrylic diluted with vodka will dry faster than acrylic diluted with a proprietary solvent due to the absence of a retarder, and the spreadability will also deteriorate slightly. This can easily be treated by adding a small amount of glycerin.

A large percentage of retarder is needed to obtain high-quality gloss on acrylic paints, so that the layer has time to “calm down” before drying, forming an even film. Without adding a retarder, the layer is fixed in 15 minutes maximum, and the total drying time rarely exceeds an hour.

The retarder itself is a clear, almost odorless liquid. However, art retarders for acrylics work in the same way with any acrylic paints, and are sold for significantly lessmoney.

Feature of acrylic paints (except high speed drying) is a pigment that exists separately from the particles of acrylic emulsion.

In addition, acrylics have a lower proportion of paint pigment than enamels or oils, so their hiding power is worse. This doesn't cause problems for typical tones, but does have a negative impact on metallics.

Acrylic metallics typically have a larger grain than enamel paints, and when cured they form a distinctive-looking "two-layer" finish, which is a layer of metal powder and a layer of varnish on top of it, rather than a uniform film like enamels.

The shine of such a coating is very specific: if the layer on which you laid it was uneven, then the layer of metal powder will be just as rough, although the layer of varnish on top of it can be completely glossy. This can be partly combated by using acetone (or Lacquer Thinner, a proprietary solvent for varnishes and metallics) as a solvent.

Acetone, as it were, “disperses” the particles of metal powder, promoting uniformity of its distribution.

For a more or less adequately even coating, it is recommended to apply acrylic metallics to a glossy surface so that the metallic layer is as even as possible. But nothing can be done with a coarser pigment. It is most often impossible to obtain a realistic metal coating on acrylics.

Using acetone or branded Lacquer Thinner as a solvent, acrylic paints can be applied to bare plastic without primer, which allows you to obtain a thin coating while preserving all the details of the jointing. Before this, of course, the surface of the plastic must be thoroughly cleaned by washing in warm water with dishwashing liquid, or wiping with any pure alcohol. True, acrylics have worse hiding power than enamels (less pigment), so the coating will be slightly thicker than a similar enamel coating, but still thinner than enamel + primer. Acrylic with acetone does not “weld” to plastic, as many people mistakenly claim. Simply, the acetone in the paint mattifies the surface it is adjacent to, thus adding to it the roughness necessary for good paint adhesion. And all this in one pass.

The spreadability and hiding power of acrylic paints is much worse than that of enamels and oils. You can get a gloss, but you will need several layers, with intermediate drying; it is recommended to add a retarder. As a result, such gloss will hide subtle details, so it is better to use enamel paints for a glossy finish.

An obvious application for acrylic paints is basic tones.You can work without primer, or use the paint itself (matte) as a primer for subsequent coating. Acrylics can be used for fine brush work, but specialized emulsion grades are better suited for this. Typical acrylics with a brush do not produce the most even layer of paint, which can be partially combated by using acetone as a solvent.

Would like to note important fact: Howenamel, so acrylicpaints belong toemulsion.

The fundamental difference between them is thatenamelsnon-polar solvents are used as the basis for the emulsion, andacrylics- polar (about the difference, again, see.post about solvents). It follows from this, in particular, that these paints can be diluted with other polar and non-polar solvents, respectively.

For example, for enamelsGasoline, kerosene, benzene, etc. will work.

For acrylicsAlcohols, aldehydes and ethers work; they dissolve in water, although after drying they are completely waterproof.

Absolute alcohols (isopropyl 97% or higher or ethyl dehydrate) can wash away both.

Many novice artists wonder which paint is best to choose for their work. People who decide to renovate their home face the same problem. Often the choice is between oil and acrylic paint. It can be difficult for a person who has not encountered them before to make a decision, because he does not know all the intricacies of working with these paints and varnishes. This article will tell you about the main characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of these types, as well as their differences.

Features of oil products

Oil paints are made on the basis of natural drying oil or its synthetic analogue. A coloring pigment is added to the base and ground in drying oil until a homogeneous base is obtained.

Literally 20-30 years ago, this group of paints and varnishes occupied a leading position in the market. Oil paints were used to paint literally everything both outside and inside buildings. However, gradually they began to fade into the background. First they were replaced by nitro enamels, and then by water-dispersed paints.

An artist can work with oil much longer than with any other material, because it remains wet for quite a long time.

Before starting work, you must carefully prime the canvas. After the drawing dries, the paint will not change its color or fade.

The multi-layer nature of oil painting allows you to convey a special depth of image. Only this type of artistic materials helps the artist use complex combinations, creating the illusion of reality.

Canvas primer

The advantages of this group of paints are obvious.

• Low price category. This factor is very important for many buyers, especially if we're talking about about processing large areas.
• The product is moisture resistant. It does a good job of protecting wood, concrete and metal from water. This property allows the paint to be successfully used both outside and inside.
• Ease of use. Many people doubt whether it is possible to apply a layer of acrylic coating over an old oil layer and therefore opt for what is already available. This means that many problems with preparing the surface for painting will be avoided.
• There are no additional instructions for working with the product. You just need to add the solvent and mix the composition well.
• The consumption of this group of paints and varnishes is significantly less than that of other products, since it has high degree occupancy.

They have oil paints and a number of disadvantages.

• This type of material is very toxic. It is not advisable to stay in the room until the painted surface has dried.
• This group of paints is not characterized by high coating strength. Layers need to be updated regularly, which requires additional time and expense. Over time, the coating begins to peel off, which also leads to damage to the materials on which the paint was applied.
• The color palette is limited.
• The applied paint takes a very long time to dry (1-2 days).

Features of acrylic compositions

The main components of this group are acrylic composite and water. During the drying process, not only moisture evaporates, but also polymerization of the components occurs, resulting in the formation of a highly durable coating.

Acrylic is suitable for working with glass, metal, wood, canvas, linen and other materials that have a non-greasy base. Fresh stains of this type of paint can be easily washed off using ordinary water. However, if the stain has already dried, you have to resort to using a solvent.

When working with this group of paints and varnishes, you should remember that the surface to be painted must first be thoroughly cleaned of dirt and dust, and also degreased. You cannot work with these paints at temperatures below 10°.

Advantages of acrylic paints.

• The products are non-toxic and considered environmentally friendly. They are practically odorless and do not contain harmful substances.
• A wide color palette allows you to choose an option for every taste. In addition, you can prepare the shade you need in a special machine.
• Acrylic paints are resistant to ultraviolet radiation, high humidity and temperature changes. They can be used for finishing both indoors and outdoors. Also, this group of paints and varnishes has a vapor-permeable coating layer, which eliminates the accumulation of moisture in the walls.
• Acrylic coating is durable (it remains in excellent condition twice as long as oil coating).

Wide color palette

The paints are non-toxic and safe for humans

• The layers dry very quickly. There are brands whose compositions dry in 1 hour.
• Quality and aesthetics appearance painted surface will satisfy the most demanding customers. After drying, the layers do not crack.
• The paints are frost-resistant (freeze at temperatures below – 40°). However, it should be remembered that thawing should be gradual, even if it takes several days. This process cannot be accelerated by using heating devices, hot water etc. After the paint has thawed, it is necessary to check whether thickened particles have appeared in it or whether it has peeled off. Then you should thoroughly stir the composition and dilute it with water, if necessary.

Layers dry very quickly

After drying, the layers do not crack

Quality and aesthetics of appearance

The disadvantages of this group of paints and varnishes include their high cost. Also, acrylic paints will not allow the artist to work “raw”. They cannot convey the full depth of the work, but skillful handling of them allows you to work on a quickly drying layer.

Comparison of two groups of paints and varnishes

The similarities and differences are as follows:

• Acrylic materials are more expensive than oil ones, but they do not have to be renewed every year, wasting additional money and time.
• Both groups allow you to perform work both indoors and outdoors. They are resistant to high humidity and protect the material they cover well.
• Unlike acrylic paints, oil paints are very toxic.
• Oil paints take much longer to dry than acrylic paints.
• The color palette of acrylic is much wider (compared to oil). However, the colors of oil paints tend to be brighter and more expressive after drying.

The paints have completely different compositions. The advantage of acrylic paints is that their solvent is water. Even an allergic artist can easily create masterpieces with them. Oil paints and varnishes can also be available for artists with allergies, but only if they are diluted with linseed oil, and this is an expensive proposition. Most often, such paints are diluted with turpentine, white spirit and other strong-smelling solvents.