Acrylic and oil paintings can both be museum-worthy, but they’re made with different materials—and that affects everything from surface texture to colour depth, drying time, and even how the artwork may age over decades. Understanding the basics can help collectors choose works that suit their taste, budget, and home environment.
Acrylic paintings (water-based)
Acrylic paint is a modern medium (popular from the mid-20th century onward) that dries quickly and can be used in many styles—from flat, graphic colour to thick, expressive texture.
What acrylic paintings tend to look like
Acrylics often have a clean, contemporary finish, with:
Bold colour blocks
Sharp edges and crisp detail
A surface that can appear matte, satin, or glossy depending on the artist’s materials
Texture ranging from smooth to thick, sculptural brushwork
Why artists choose acrylic
Because acrylic dries fast, artists can:
Work in layers quickly
Paint large areas of colour efficiently
Build up a finished piece in a shorter timeframe
This makes acrylic ideal for modern, graphic, or high-energy styles.
What collectors should know
Acrylic can be more prone to attracting dust over time because the surface can remain slightly “grabby” compared to oils
Acrylics can sometimes look flatter or more matte, unless the artist uses gloss mediums or varnish
Acrylic is generally stable and durable, and is a popular choice for contemporary works
Acrylics are generally a cheaper medium to work with, so as a broad generalisation these works will be cheaper than an oil painting of the same comparison. Pleas note though this is totally dependant on the artist and may not necessarily apply to all of them.
Oil paintings (traditional oil-based)
Oil paint is the classic medium of many historical masterpieces. It dries slowly, allowing artists to blend colours seamlessly and build incredibly rich depth.
What oil paintings tend to look like
Oil paintings are known for their lushness and dimensionality, often featuring:
Soft transitions and realistic blending
Deep, layered colour
A surface that can feel luxurious, luminous, and textured
A richness that can look almost “lit from within” due to the oil binder
Why artists choose oils
Because oils stay wet longer, artists can:
Blend for hours (or days)
Rework areas and refine details
Build subtle layers and transparent glazes that create depth
This is why oil is often associated with portraiture, realism, classical technique, and richly layered contemporary painting.
What collectors should know
Oils can take weeks to fully dry, especially in thick areas
Very new oil paintings may still be delicate while curing
Oil works are traditionally long-lasting, but they’re best kept out of extreme heat, humidity, or direct sun
Oils are generally more expensive medium to work with, and especially with the time that needs to be invested by the artist. However yet again this is just a generalisation and may not necessarily apply to all artworks.
How to choose as a collector
Both mediums are excellent—it comes down to what you love visually, and what suits your space.
Choose an acrylic painting if you love:
Crisp, modern colour
Flat or graphic shapes
Contemporary finishes
A cleaner, more immediate surface presence
Choose an oil painting if you love:
Soft blending and realism
Rich colour depth
A more traditional or “classic” feel
Visible brushwork and layered texture
Read this blog to hear from a few different artists about why they choose one medium over the other.