The Difference Between Oil vs. Acrylic Paint

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In the great art debate, few topics have spilled more ink (or paint, more appropriately) than oil paints versus acrylics. 

Of course, it’s no real debate. Most artists, both amateur and professional, are happy to switch between the two depending on the type of work they’re producing and even their mood that day. Still, that hasn’t stopped people from arguing the relative merits, attributes, and best uses of these two common paint types. 

This article is here to cut through the noise and give artists an honest appraisal of the differences. Below, explore the contrasts between oil and acrylic paints based on material composition, style, use and cost. 

Differences in Composition

Probably the most obvious difference between the two – and the reason they belong in separate categories – is their material composition. 

Oil-based paints, perhaps intuitively, are made by dispersing colour pigments in some kind of “drying oil” binder (typically linseed, poppy, safflower or walnut oil). On the other hand, acrylic paints are water-based; they involve mixing colour pigments with water using an acrylic polymer emulsion.  

All the differences below follow from this fundamental, categorical distinction. 

Differences in Style

Because oil paints are made from, well… oil, they feature a thicker consistency, a more natural and subdued pigmentation, and they enable artists to seamlessly blend colours to create nuanced blends. Meanwhile, acrylic paints feature a vibrant colour palette, thinner consistency, and generous lightfastness (i.e., they do not discolour with light exposure).

For artwork where clean edges, vibrancy, and easier brushstrokes are preferable, an artist might reach for acrylic paints. For artwork where blending, nuance, and texture are prized, an artist might opt for oil paints. In either case, if you want stunning results, get high quality supplies; search “artist grade” paints from a reputable art supply store, and ask the experts for their recommendations. 

Differences in Use

As mentioned, acrylic paints are thinner and, therefore, feel lighter across the canvas. Oil paints are thicker and, unless thinned with solvents, will grab and cluster across the canvas. Neither is better than the other in this regard; just chalk it up to variations in effect and style. 

That said, most people find acrylic paints easier to clean. Since they are water-based, a simple rinse through the Masterson Fresh Water Rinse Well and a gentle scrub with a brush cleaner will do the trick. Oil paints are a tad more intensive, requiring brush cleaners specifically designed to treat oil paints. 

Differences in Cost (with Caveats)

Lastly, you might notice a difference in price between the two. Since oil paints are more costly and labour-intensive to produce, they tend to command a higher price. 

However, there are caveats. The highest-quality artist-grade acrylics will still set you back more than student-grade or beginner oils. Likewise, wide variations in brand, materials and specificity make comparing the prices between the two as fruitful as comparing apples to oranges. Just choose the paint that’s right for your purposes. 

To summarize the long-running debate, acrylic paints and oil paints do have quantitative differences. However, that shouldn’t necessarily translate to a “this type is better than that type” mentality. Each paint has its place in the artist’s workshop for different reasons.