Oils vs. Acrylics - a timeless battle

Choosing between oil and acrylic is tough, and the art community is split on which one is better/easier. I paint in oils. I've heard people say that oils are harder to use and master, but for me it's the opposite. I really found acrylics hard to use, mostly because they dry so fast. There's something about the feel of oils that I just love
Oils-
Pros: bright, vibrant colors that you can mix into any color under the sun
you can add thinkeners, thinners, impastos, and other mediums to really achieve the look you want. They take a loooong time to dry which means you can really play around with the paint and don't have to worry about making a mistake. This also makes blending a lot easier. You can use the differences in the transparent vs. opaque paints to create different layers which can add richness and depth. Overall, I just like the feel of oils...it's hard to describe.

Cons: they are more expensive than acrylics, I spent about $150 just to get a set of basic student level paints and brushes. They are toxic, you should work in a well ventilated area (i am not good at doing this but I think my brain is still good, haha). They are more difficult to clean up, you need to use a paint remover like turpentine, white spirit, etc to clean the brushes and yourself. This can be a bit of a pain. They take a loooong time to dry (pro and con) some people get annoyed because you have to let the piece dry before you can work on it again without blending the color.

Acrylics -
Pro: also bright, vibrant color and the option to add a thickener but it's more likely to just use the paint straight from the tube. Dries VERY quickly so you can work fast and finish a whole painting quite quickly. You can also layer but these paints are mostly opaque. Relatively cheaper, water soluble so cleanup is very easy, just rinse in some water.

Con: They dry too quickly! Even mixing colors on a palette is harder because you have to mix the right amount for the whole painting once or it will harden and you'll have to mix all over again making sure to try and match the color! You also have to keep you brushes wet while working, if it dries, your brush is finished. You can't really achieve the deepness and richness of color that you can with oils.

And the debate will continue!

The Evolution of a Painting

One thing about oil painting I had to learn is that the first layer of an oil painting can look nothing like the final product. There are a few different ways to begin a painting and each artist will have their own preference.

The way I was taught was to use the "old masters' method. This typically means that the base painting will look similar to the one above. You start with the basics, only a monochrome base and the basic shapes and forms of your subject. As you can see, even though only one color is used, the painting still has depth and form. The great thing about oil is
layer after layer of paint can cover up mistakes and change the painting as you go along.

The next step is to add the local color. This can be done by with regular painting, washes, glazes, using a palette knife or many other options. Adding the color allows you to see how the objects will look in relation to each other and the background. Ideally, the colors should be complimentary. As more and more layers of color are added, the painting will look richer and more vibrant. There are many options for paint brand, color, and medium that are added to the paint and all will give the painting a different effect. There's so much more I still have to learn about using the right paints and mediums.

For the final image there's really no limit to how many layers you put on, as long as you're adding more and more oil to each layer. In order for a painting to be stable and not crack or peel, you have to practice the rule "fat over lean". This means each layer of paint added has to have more oil. The painting on the left is not completely finished but you can see how different it looks from the first layer.

The last step is to varnish the painting if desired. This will keep the paint safe from moisture and dust. Unfortunately you have to wait until the paint is dry before varnishing and this can take up to 6 months to a year! Again there are many different types of varnish from glossy to matte, Damar varnish to beeswax varnish. So many choices! Familiarizing myself with all the different options will take time, but I find my paintings are getting better and better as I discover new materials and techniques.