8 Good Reasons To Use Acrylic Paints For Your Art Projects

As a beginner artist just starting out or even a seasoned professional looking to experiment with new painting techniques, sometimes choosing the right paint for a particular project can be quite daunting.

There are so many choices to choose, from acrylics, oil, watercolor, spray paint and so on. In this particular articular, we’ll be making a case for Acrylics.

Many artists today believe that acrylic paints belong in a kindergarten classroom. They believe that established painters should have nothing to do with acrylics.

In this article however, I’ll give you 8 good reasons why that’s not the case. Why you can still use acrylic paints for your art projects, whether you’re just a beginner painter or an established artist.

Table of Contents

1. Quick Drying Time

Acrylic paint dries remarkably fast compared to other mediums like oil paint, which can take days or even weeks to fully cure. This quick drying time allows artists to work more efficiently, especially when layering colors.

You can add multiple layers in a single session without having to wait long periods. This will help you out if you like to work rapidly or you want to avoid smudging.

2. Versatility

Acrylics are incredibly versatile and can be used on a wide variety of surfaces beyond the traditional canvas. They adhere well to wood, paper, fabric, glass, and even metals. This versatility opens up a broad range of creative possibilities.

For example, you can create mixed-media pieces, incorporating different textures and materials into your work.

You can also adjust the consistency of the paint by adding water or acrylic mediums, allowing for effects ranging from thick, impasto textures to smooth, watercolor-like washes.

3. Vibrant Colors

Acrylic paints are known for their rich, vibrant colors. The pigments used in acrylics tend to be bright and bold, making them ideal for creating striking, eye-catching works.

Unlike some other paints, acrylics retain their color well over time and are less likely to yellow or fade. This permanence ensures that the artworks you create maintain their intended appearance for years.

Moreover, the colors can be mixed to create custom shades, and many acrylics are available in a wide range of hues.

4. Water-Soluble

Being water-based, acrylic paints are easy to clean up with just soap and water while they are still wet. This makes them a safer and more convenient option compared to oil paints, which require solvents like turpentine or mineral spirits for cleanup.

Fumes from solvents used for cleaning oil paints can also be problematic for you as an artist especially if you’re working in a small or shared space. Using acrylics paints mean you don’t need such solvents for your work.

The water solubility of acrylics also means that you can dilute them to achieve whatever level of transparency and opacity you need for your project using just water, which is readily available and cheap, compared to solvents used for other types of paint.

5. Durability

Once dry, acrylic paint forms a water-resistant, flexible film that is less prone to cracking, peeling, or fading.

This durability makes acrylics suitable for works intended for long-term display, whether indoors or outdoors. The paint’s resilience also makes it a good choice for pieces that might be handled or exposed to varying environmental conditions.

Additionally, acrylics resist the yellowing that can occur with some oil paints over time, ensuring that the artwork remains true to its original colors.

6. Layering and Texturing

Acrylics lend themselves well to techniques involving layering and texturing. The fast drying time allows for the quick application of successive layers, enabling artists to build up depth and dimension in their work.

Various mediums can be mixed with acrylics to alter their texture, such as adding a gel medium for a thicker consistency or a pouring medium for a smoother, self-leveling finish.

This ability to easily manipulate the texture and build up layers adds a three-dimensional quality to the artwork, which can be especially appealing in abstract or expressionist styles.

7. Affordability

Compared to oil paints, acrylics are generally more affordable, making them an attractive option for artists who are mindful of their budget.

This lower cost makes acrylics particularly appealing to beginners or students who may not want to invest heavily in materials as they develop their skills.

Despite their affordability, acrylics are still high-quality and capable of producing professional-grade results, which makes them a popular choice among both amateur and professional artists.

8. Compatibility with Other Media

Acrylics can be easily combined with other artistic media, such as charcoal, pastels, ink, or collage elements.

This compatibility allows artists to experiment with mixed media techniques, blending different textures and forms to create unique, multifaceted works.

For instance, you might use acrylics as a base layer, then draw on top with charcoal or ink to add fine details.

Acrylic mediums can also be used to modify the paint’s properties, such as extending its drying time, adding gloss, or increasing its transparency, further expanding the creative possibilities.

Rounding Up!

There are several advantages to using acrylics for painting, whether you’re just a beginner or a seasoned artist.

Acrylic paints offer flexible, reliable, and dynamic options you can use to express your vision as an artist.