Artist Problems - Oil vs Acrylic vs Watercolor

Today’s Artist Problem is really an in-depth review of 3 of the most commonly used artist paints. We talk pros, we talk cons, and hopefully help you make an informed decision about what medium to get started painting in or what medium you might want to try next.
#ArtistProblems

[@marcbryanart4717]

“If you are not relaxing you are doing it wrong.” “Don’t take yourself to serious.” Ugh. So true. Words I need to live by.

[@twenty-fifth420]

Noob artist here, gonna list some timecodes for fellow new/inexperienced artists. 1:40 - Pros for Oils 4:15 - Con? (Oil takes long to dry, although phrased like a pro.) 6:05 - Cons (Officially) 8:50 - Basically an explanation on what a ‘pro’ or ‘con’ is, IE: Depends on Bias of Painter, Knowledge etc. Also more cons. 12:05 - Pros for Acrylics 19:16 - Cons for Acrylics 24:10 - Pros for Watercolors 27:20 - Cons for Watercolors As for me? I am an economics and accounting double major. So art for me has always be a less pragmatic venture and more of a personal one. But I never had a bias from my two years of art in high schools. Unlike the other things in highschool I tried and gave up on, only writing has stayed the same. Yet now I have the issue of needing art for my stories. I wanted a medium that was portable as my writing setup. Something I can use to ‘sketchup’ or slowly paint a masterpiece without much hassle in trying to find a canvas. Oh wait, that was Watercolor. I like acrylics and oil, but I don’t have much space. But I do have a lot of time. So my choice was watercolor and considering how generally cheap it is to get started was the biggest factor. I dont even care if it takes a while, since I am doing this for my own pleasure. If you wanted me to give you a sort of economics answer, I say Oil is the best if you wanna make money. If you crunch the data, Oil is the most expensive medium and as a writer, the most expensive for me to commission. Bar Digital which is rarely considered in videos like these but have clearly made an economic impact, Oil is the money maker. I usually spend the most on oil and sometimes digital so there is that to consider. But if this were all about making money, I would say you would be better off doing something else. I say it is best to approach writing, art, music etc on your own terms. IE: Do it because you like it, not because you wanna make money.

[@AzureSymbiote]

Thank you.

[@donnamatthews9629]

I love using water mixable oils. They are the best of both worlds. Van Gough is my favorite, but nearly impossible to get in states. Drying time is slower than acrylic, faster than standard oil, good color saturation, easily mixed and so easy to clean up. Very little odor.

[@jenna2431]

I painted straight oils when I was a teenager and then life happened (kids, small house, no time), but just went from gouache to water-mixables--which I really enjoy--partly because of the easy no-muss clean up.

[@misisDK]

As a beginner, I find that I have more joy in painting with Acrylic because I have more sense of control compared to using watercolor paints. Also, I get excited that I can create texture with it using palette knives. On the other hand, I am in love with the final painting using watercolor-it gives me this warm nostalgic feeling after looking at it-which is less when I look at final painting using acrylic paints. Now, I don‘t know what medium to prioritize to further increase my painting skills. Advise is highly appreciated!

[@alexandrawalters8953]

“Watering down the glue” - excellent example/analogy.

[@montygemma]

As somebody that's been painting for years I would advise anybody to learn about paint and pigments used in them. A lot of people advise against using student colours but for Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna/ Umber some student paints perform well. Also I use Winton Winsor Blue because it's strong enough, I've used the artist quality in this and it's too strong and has ruined a few mixes , so the student one suits me. For most primary colours though artist quality is a different animal altogether and much more preferable. But it's worth buying small tubes of certain paints to see how they work for you, it could save you quite a bit of money.

[@renatobfa]

Hi syd. Let me ask you a question related to your comment. I'm a new artist, currently painting acrylics with Liquitex Basics and so far so good, but I eventually will upgrade to Golden. And based on my few hours/days painting, i noticed that some paints are quite strong tinters, others not so much. My question is, which colors in particular (besides titanium white, cad yellow, ultramarine blue, pyrrole red, burnt umber) would you recommend to get the professional quality paint? Do i also 'need' professional Quinacridone Magenta, Phtalo Blue (those 2 I already have on the liquitex basics). Thanks

[@GKganesan]

Thank you for this: illuminating!

[@cocoroach_ok]

Wow, this video's really good. Not like that other channel who's talking about acrylic vs oil vs watercolor stuff with an obvious bias and doesn't even talk more of the pros-cons.

[@gwenbardon6025]

Okay! I’ve done them all but currently I’m in an oil obsession! I’m achieving effects I never imagined. It’s taken me 6 months of constant work, however I’m a little worried about toxins. I’m also using cold wax with my oils. Thanks for the video. I will never leave oils.

[@StrictlyStarsky]

I love all three of them for different reasons, I also agree with all your prose and cons.

[@gingerkelly5146]

Thank you for this video. Very informative and you are fun to watch. I find I smile a lot!! You are definitely fun and helpful!! Thank you for your knowledge!!

[@bertfarry3793]

Also remember acrylics are great for painting on non canvas substrates like mailboxes, milk cans, saws... Where watercolors and oils just don't work or can not survive the weather like acrylics

[@suedeutscher7052]

These are the best videos on youtube for learning about artists’ materials. I love you. I said it.

[@tomeetomee4913]

im new to using color so this is helpful. starting with watercolor ,so the pros and cons put it back in perspective . well done tom

[@tjduprey]

More shenanigans please! This was a great video. Look forward to Mike in the raw lol

[@maria-doloresvazquez-abad4221]

Mike: You are really a great tutor and educator. I use all three, and have no favorite media: your pros and cons are the rationale: if i am traveling, watercolor pack better and you don't need an easel; acrylics are my choice when i know i have time to paint when traveling. In the studio i love oils (I use water-mixable ARTISAN and Berlin). Brush care is more time consuming with acrylics.

[@LindaUrsin]

I prefer acrylics and watercolour for the ease of use and drying time. I don't have the patience for waiting a long time between layers and then even longer for it to dry. Plus, the one time I did try oils, I got nauseous despite being outdoors. And then there's the cost...

[@SuzaGotye]

Thank you so much, this is exactly what I was looking 4.

[@JerrysArtarama]

You're very welcome!

[@roxym.3933]

I just love your personality so much❤

[@mareneaufrance5096]

Sounds like acrylics are best medium for me. I live in small apartment. I'm very critical of my own paintings. I love your videos. Best of luck to you.

[@montygemma]

Just one thing, if you did want to paint in oils for a change Van Gogh are a good choice for your situation. The reason I say that is that their oil paint can be used straight from the tube and it's good colour. All you need to do is add a little bit of linseed oil for a second and a tiny bit more for subsequent layers, no toxic spirits needed.

[@FrenchToast663]

I'm sure you'll create great pieces no matter what medium you choose. It's the artist that counts.

[@juliereis146]

So funny what you said about watercolor because that’s what I started with, as a *relasxing* hobby lol. But you are so very right about all the pros and cons and about not taking ones self to seriously...... 🤪🤪🤪🤪

[@SpottedBullet]

Acrylic is thermoplastic. On average it takes 1000 years for plastic to decompose. If you painted it properly, cracking is rare. M. Graham has probably the maximum amount of pigment load. Keep all your paintings out of UV light (even CFL) no matter the medium, and they should last. Besides, you'll be dead in 100 years, you won't care what happens to your stuff. Protip: Buy a sta-wet palette. The paint will stay wet and you'll save a lot of money.

[@rhonddalesley]

Spotted Bullet I made my own sta-wet palette for less than £8. The longest I’ve left my paint was 2 weeks and it was still wet, I wouldn’t leave it any longer though and I wash the sponge out at that mark or it starts to smell fusty, I wouldn’t use anything else!

[@SpottedBullet]

@@rhonddalesley Sounds good. =)

[@sgtpepper91]

"Besides, you'll be dead in 100 years, you won't care what happens to your stuff." speak for yourself.

[@SpottedBullet]

@@sgtpepper91 I am. I don't care what happens to anything when I'm dead. It's not important.

[@lisalovelylpa]

Yeahhhhhh glad you gonna fix it !!!! So far, I have used soft pastels and acrylic and dabbled in water color pencils. I work in a small garage , oils would kill me lol acrylics are just as versatile all in all and I too old to wait for oil to dry. I may try some in the spring when I can work outside If you don’t have a shop inside with ventilation you have to be crazy to use oils. By the way I am from the old days , we used to paint with fumes all the time , it was normal in those days. So, I am not over reacting. Super video !!

[@chubbyjaydraws]

Have you tried water mixable oils? You may like them 👍🏻

[@ChezBeryl]

I have absolutely no problems using oil in a small space. Am I crazy?

[@omnesilere]

Nope, we don't have to use pure turpentine anymore a lot has been done in chemical research and manufacturing in the last 20 years. Gamsol is great, I get the lovely scent of linseed oil mostly.

[@annettefournier9655]

Thanks Mike. Love those Turners watercolors. Affordable and vibrant. Lukas are good just different. A more muted less vibrant old fashioned classic type result. But color perception differs person to person.👍

[@hisworldismine]

Got me with looking around 🤣

[@Pegisus2501]

I really enjoy your videos! 🤩 Thanks a bunch for doing this. 😁👍🏽🖌🎨🖼

[@peanut924]

This was funny and understandable! Thanks for the info and your great personality!

[@impish22]

Love you videos.. and shenanigans ...please don't stop..!!

[@jumanas4012]

oil colours is my fav medium 😊

[@maria-doloresvazquez-abad4221]

Mike: You should consider a Jerry's Artarama paint along session in Boston, MA: would you come and lead a day (or a half-day) where amateur and professional artists can paint with you and your team using acrylics (or allow people to test WMO or watercolors)? It would be a nice event in Boston/Cambridge perhaps next Summer (2020)?

[@alexandrawalters8953]

I’m from Western Massachusetts, I would definitely drive to Boston for this!!!

[@micheleleech8128]

Very enlightening. Thank you for the information.

[@angiewright-artist8246]

I roared laughing through this and so loved it as always, Cheers from Canada xoxo

[@mjpete27]

I have enjoyed this series and am a follower over on Itsmikenotjerry. I think you could continue this and show how different papers show up differently with a certain brand and how they are affected by different brands of watercolors. Or sanded papers for Pastels, different grits and how that effects your pictures. there are many combinations we would like to experiment with, but lack funds to try them all, why not do this for us? I know it maybe a bit repetitive and maybe not great theater but as a learning or advice tool it would be invaluable for your customers too. Well maybe you want everyone to buy multiples of product but there is a lot of choices and sometimes we just stick with what we know instead of branching out and trying the new paper or paper we know nothing about except what some other uninformed KZbinr has said. Well I hope someone reads this and passes the idea of continuing this series with the plethora of subjects and combinations to be experimented with/on there are plenty of topics to cover!

[@GingahSnapsArt]

"I can put an entire watercolor studio in my pants" 🤣 🤣 I love it. Usually I cite the "magic fanny pack" (it's totes magic since you fit so much in there!)

[@labelleartindia9746]

Would like to see more of artist problems talks.

[@AncyAlexander]

Came here for the fly attack, stayed for the artist problem. Aww I'm kinda sad that you're gonna end the series. But look forward to whatever you have in store. 😊

[@lynx3845]

I like acrylic best because I’m 1. Broke, I don’t have the money and space for oils 2. Impatient, I don’t want to wait a week to move on to the next layer and 3. I like the versatility and control i have over it. With oil you have to work a certain way and use certain techniques but with acrylic you can rarely go wrong. And with watercolor, it’s very hard to control for me. I like the freedom acrylics provide.

[@SoopSoopa]

What about rabbit skin glue as medium? Could u do an episode about it?

[@FrenchToast663]

Gouache is a big boy too

[@MikeNotJerry]

Well put.

[@beckyquick4025]

good information, Mike. I like the facial hair.

[@SGrahamStudioCrafts]

So can you explain acrylic gouache? It seems to be in the middle of acrylic and watercolor, but the lightfastness claims are interesting. Thanks!

[@MikeNotJerry]

If you knew what was on my desk right now, you'd be happy!

[@SGrahamStudioCrafts]

It's Mike Not Jerry Looking forward to viewing your thoughts about the acrylic gouache. Hope you will do a video soon about them. I was given a set as a gift. Thanks!

[@rhondagdesignsrhondagwellm4337]

You have to put finishing spray on cheap Acrylics. But that's cool

[@chubbyjaydraws]

“Let’s not talk about the fly” Me:It’s not my favorite Jeff Goldblum film either

[@spoddie]

You didn't read the Golden report on diluting acrylics with water. They specifically addressed both adhesion and sensitivity to water and other products down to 100 parts water.

[@askialuna7717]

I like watercolour best, then oil and, to a large extent, acrylic. In the case of watercolours, the pigments can show what they can do, in other media granulation can hardly be seen. A watercolour palette is available in large and small and can be quickly set up for painting and the materials last a long time. 2. Oil paints are good for intense, bright images on wood, canvas, and painting boards. The colors do not dry on the palette or on the background of the picture and this gives me a lot of time to paint. The brushstrokes are showed if I don't dilute the paint very much. The look is just totally different from watercolours. I like that light shine. I use several brushes and change while painting, so I don't have to wash the brushes often, I wash them with soap and water. Medium I need very little, a two drop if my blob of paint is a too firm. I mixed medium from linseed oil and gamsol myself. 3. Acrylic paints dry very quickly and blending is relatively difficult if I do not dilute the paint with retarder. I need a lot more media than I do with oil paints, if only to make the colors usable for longer. Acrylic paints have very different surfaces, with oil and watercolours the paint look very similar between the manufacturers, apart from the colour tones of course. I have to look carefully beforehand what kind of colors I am using. But unfortunately many acrylic paints look very plastic-like matt and I felt that the colors were constantly working against me. I have found that I can paint well with student quality paints in oils and watercolours, but that student acrylic paints are often difficult, even if the pigment load is good. I also like to use hobby / student grade watercolours from the supermarket for my sketchbook.

[@jcepri]

I tried oils and the looooong drying time drove me nuts...that and the smell.

[@bertfarry3793]

Been using acylics for over 30 years had no problems with water as medium mediums tend to whiten the colors a little when they are wet ya they dry clear but when wet they are milky white

[@DrTusharIngle]

hi v nice video..do u mean watercolors sell less than oils and acrylics...pls guide me..tx a lot

[@katsmith8263]

I like gouache

[@JerrysArtarama]

Emmy was using the PolarFlo brushes! You can find them here: www.jerrysartarama.com/polar-flo-watercolor-brushes

[@genreartwithjb5095]

Oil paint is the Rolls Royce of paints

[@JerrysArtarama]

Ooh a great analogy! Thanks for tuning in!

[@RobertF-]

Great overall review

[@MikeNotJerry]

Thanks Robert!

[@firdyk]

Loves your videos. Only reason I subscribed to jerrys artarama.

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

Haha... Oils are pregnant women of paints

[@MikeNotJerry]

My wife agrees!

[@evieartchantress227]

no link :( and yes I want too see it :)

[@pappanalab]

Watercolor be my jam!

[@423chriscampbell]

Well I've driven past you for years and might just have to stop by soon.

[@LunaSmithArt]

Awesome tips. Great video 🌸 Big like 🎨 Stay connected 🎨

[@MikeNotJerry]

Glad you liked it Luna.

[@caesar1752]

BIG 3

[@daedalus9042]

Your ear was tripping me out until I realized it was a mic. Good video though.

[@xanaduartstudioseriesartan7029]

Think he needs a “right you are’ counterpart. I ACCEPT! Call me. 🤙 This is the icon suggested when typing, call me? Is this a new thing, like Epic Legit Bras. What do these bras look like? I cant find them anywhere!

[@jeffreyschwarz3699]

Water based oil paint is like acrylic.

[@monikasturm2575]

Maybe it's because they are newer I can't feel that acrylic paints are more than craft paints. I've seen gorgeous paintings in acrylic but I can't see myself paying the same as I would for an oil or watercolor painting. Just my opinion.

[@AngieCurl]

I kinda feel the same way about watercolor. After 20 years of painting, I am just giving watercolor and gouache a try.. I didn’t even think about watercolor before now because I thought it was just for crafting. So, I think it’s just exposure. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I’d never seen anyone use watercolor seriously until recently.

[@monikasturm2575]

I prefer watercolor actually but I do a lot of japanese style paintings. Did try and get hits on my flow acrylic paintings but they were so easy I couldn't bring myself to charge much. My Sumi-e paintings however I'm more pricey about.

[@AngieCurl]

Monika Sturm I mostly do a lot of pet portraits and I love the texture and versatility of acrylics. So I can get as wild as I want. If I want to mix in glitter, it’s super easy. I have a lot of fun. I use very vivid and bright colors. I also paint between resin layers for 3d type pieces.. I tend to push things as far as I can. I have been loving Gouache a lot on paper. I actually just mix my watercolors with white gouache to get different opacities and effects. There are really pros and cons to each. Since I need to make money on my art though, My acrylic things sell for a lot more. Also there isn’t the extra steps of framing for my customers or for me. I will stick with both tho. I just like Acrylics best.

[@adelehammond1621]

@@AngieCurl artists have been using watercolor seriously for centuries

[@AngieCurl]

adele hammond That might be true but I haven’t ever seen it. I never studied art. I have never been to an art gallery. I haven’t ever seen anyone do it with my own eyes. Every single thing i know about paint, i have learned on my own from experimenting. I am sure people have used them seriously, but I never really considered it because they aren’t “substantial” in the same way. As I am using watercolor now, I see the appeal, but I don’t paint on paper, so.. there is that.

[@jerseymaiden]

Helpful, but should have been 15 minutes long

[@judithmoreno3093]

But you are not going to glue things together.. you are just painting I have paints that I’ve done for years using water as medium plus I usually use house paint to do my art which is the same as acrylic paint .. and they still perfectly fine...unless you are going to become a Picasso that you art will be in the planet for thousands of years then yes you need to use other mediums 😂

[@FrenchToast663]

Picasso used common house paint actually

[@mikel4510]

"...can't say with authority..." Then why should anyone watch these videos? I sure quit at that point and won't watch another of yours or Jerry's.

[@MikeNotJerry]

I'm not sure if you stuck around for the whole statement, but what I was referring to was the future. I cannot tell the future. I am sorry this upsets you. I will do my best to fix this in the future. I understand that you will not be watching our videos anymore. I can't say with authority that you'd ever change your mind. Mostly because I cannot tell the future.

[@smartidea2987]

Well it doesn’t seem clear why you are taking the trouble of making such wacky vlog! The information you are vomiting is either obvious or irrelevant to the subject.

[@Vinadet]

It may not be obvious to everybody.

[@queenbee7074]

This is all new stuff to me, so stop being a prude