Oil vs. Acrylic: Which Medium Should You Try First?

When I first decided to try painting, I did what a lot of beginners do—I walked into the art supply store, stared at the shelves of paints, and thought: Where the heck do I start?

There were tubes of oil paints promising rich texture and deep color, and acrylics boasting fast drying times and easy cleanup. I felt torn. I didn’t want to buy the “wrong” thing or waste money on materials I’d regret.

So, I did what any overwhelmed creative would do: I bought both.

What followed was a lot of trial and error—some good paintings, some bad ones, and a whole lot of learning. Looking back, I wish someone had sat me down and given me a clear, honest breakdown of the two. So today, that’s what I’m going to do for you.

If you’re trying to decide between oil and acrylic paints as your first medium, here’s what I’ve learned—up close, personal, and with plenty of paint on my hands.

First, What’s the Difference?

Before we get into pros and cons, it helps to know how these two mediums actually differ at a technical level.

• Oil paints are made with pigment suspended in an oil base, usually linseed oil. They take a long time to dry—anywhere from a few days to several weeks—and have been used by artists for centuries.
• Acrylic paints are made with pigment in a water-based acrylic polymer. They dry quickly—sometimes within minutes—and are a relatively modern invention (first developed in the 1950s).

The feel, finish, and working time of each medium are very different—and so is the experience of painting with them.

Why Some Artists Swear by Oil

Let me be honest: the first time I painted with oils, I understood the hype.

There’s something lush, slow, and luxurious about them. The colors are rich and deep. The blending is smooth and creamy. And because they take so long to dry, you can work on the same canvas over multiple sessions, gradually building depth and texture.

Pros of oil paint (as I discovered):

• Unmatched blending – You can create subtle transitions of color that are hard to match with other mediums.
• Rich texture and color – Oil has a luminous quality that gives paintings a timeless, almost glowing look.
• Long working time – You can go back in and rework areas days after starting.
• Classic feel – There’s a romance to working in oil—like joining the same tradition as da Vinci, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh.

But here’s the thing: oil painting also comes with challenges.

Cons of oil paint:

• Long drying time – Great for blending, but not ideal if you want quick results.
• Requires solvents – You’ll need turpentine or mineral spirits for cleaning and thinning (unless you use water-mixable oils).
• More setup and cleanup – You’ll need proper ventilation, brush care, and sometimes even safety gear.
• Can be intimidating – Especially for beginners, the slower pace and materials can feel overwhelming.

I love oil painting—but I don’t always recommend it as the first choice unless you’re okay with taking your time and embracing the learning curve.

Why Acrylic Might Be a Beginner’s Best Friend

Now, let’s talk about acrylics. After my slow, meditative sessions with oil paint, using acrylics felt like shifting into high gear.

Acrylics are fast. They dry quickly, clean up easily with water, and don’t require any solvents. I could start a painting in the morning and have it dry, varnished, and ready to hang by evening.

Pros of acrylic paint:

• Quick drying – Great for layering, experimenting, and getting results fast.
• Easy cleanup – Just soap and water—no chemicals or complicated disposal.
• Less expensive – Entry-level supplies are budget-friendly and widely available.
• Beginner-friendly – Less mess, less prep, and a shorter learning curve.
• Versatile – You can thin it like watercolor or build it up like oils.

But they’re not perfect. I quickly realized that acrylics dry so fast, they can actually be frustrating if you’re trying to blend or make subtle transitions.

Cons of acrylic paint:

• Fast drying – Good for speed, but tough for blending or corrections.
• Color shift – Some colors darken slightly as they dry, which can make matching tricky.
• Plastic-like finish – Without added mediums, the paint can dry a bit flat or rubbery.
• Less forgiving – Mistakes are harder to correct once the paint sets.

Still, for most beginners—including myself—acrylic was a great way to learn about color, composition, and technique without feeling like I was ruining expensive supplies.

Which Should You Try First?

Here’s my honest advice: it depends on your goals, your personality, and how much patience you have.

Choose Acrylic if:

• You want to experiment quickly and often.
• You’re painting in a small space without ventilation.
• You’re new to mixing colors and layering.
• You want to create bold, bright works with lots of layers.
• You’re on a tight budget or short on time.

Acrylic is perfect for learning the basics. It lets you make mistakes, try wild ideas, and get feedback fast.

Choose Oil if:

• You’re drawn to classical techniques and deep, atmospheric color.
• You enjoy taking your time and working slowly.
• You want to practice subtle blending and rich texture.
• You don’t mind the smell or cleanup.
• You’re ready for a more involved process and don’t need instant gratification.

Oil rewards patience. It’s not “better,” but it is deeper in some ways—more technical, more complex, more layered (both literally and figuratively).

My Personal Take

In my own journey, acrylic gave me the freedom to play. It helped me explore without fear. But oil taught me discipline. It forced me to slow down and really see what I was painting.

I don’t think you have to pick just one forever. Start with what fits your current life—and switch when you’re ready to explore something new. The two mediums aren’t enemies; they’re just different ways of speaking the same visual language.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, no paint will make you an artist. Practice will. Whether you’re blending oils over days or layering acrylics in quick bursts, what matters is that you’re painting.

So if you’re staring at the paint aisle wondering where to begin, my advice is: just start. Pick a medium that feels approachable, grab a canvas, and put down your first stroke.

The rest? That comes with time, exploration, and a whole lot of joy.