Watercolor Vs Acrylic (What's the difference?)

In this video we look at the differences between watercolor painting and acrylic painting, the palettes, brushes and surfaces to use, as well as how to plan and apply the mediums.
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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Introduction
1:34 Format and Price of Watercolors vs Acrylics
4:13 Surfaces you can paint on Watercolors vs Acrylics
5:59 Choosing palettes for Watercolors and Acrylics
8:50 Choosing and caring for brushes for Watercolors and Acrylics
11:44 Water solubility and how much to use
13:30 Opacity and how to adjust it Watercolors vs Acrylics
16:09 Painting processes Watercolors vs Acrylics
19:30 Color values and using white paint, Watercolors vs Acrylics
20:42 Getting texture effects in Acrylics vs Watercolors
22:24 Difference between Gouache and Acrylic Gouache
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• Watercolor Vs Acrylic ...

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Let me know if you have tried Acrylics and if you would like any more Acrylics tutorials. If drawing is your issue try this video next for some quick wins! kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5mahoppp7Ktr5o

[@melaniebaynes2730]

Hi Michele, I haven't been keeping up with my art as much, and have only just restarted watching your excellent tutorials. Your free mini rose course has inspired me to pick my brushes back up! When I first bought some watercolour supplies back in the 2020 house arrest, I also bought some inexpensive acrylics, intending to experiment. To date I haven't ever opened the tubes. I was just enjoying my watercolours so much! On watching this video, I think I have been subconsciously avoiding the acrylics as well, not really knowing how to use them, or what to expect. I am now feeling a bit more confident about having a dabble with them. I am definitely looking forward to seeing you do a full acrylic painting tutorial. Thanks Michele 🙏💖

[@robinsamuelson3626]

I have been using watercolor currently and would like to try acrylic and would love to see tutorials for extreme beginners. How do you prepare your canvas? Can I buy canvas pads to start off? Thanks so much for this video. It answered some questions I had. Hope to see more in the future!

[@Merzui-kg8ds]

Great video. Answered a lot of questions in a short, concise manner. I am experimenting with using acrylic on top of watercolor...as some painting ideas swirled into that rabbit hole by accident. So, I am glad I now understand how to treat palettes and brushes for each!

[@Isaiah_writes_360]

This video is insightful & useful 👍 💁‍♂️ Loved the way you broke down the information with the right order of importance 👌 Thanks for sharing! 🙋‍♂️

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@aliciashackley5830]

You’ve peaked my interest about acrylics Michele. Thx for the info. 🥰

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You're welcome 🙂

[@vondabloomquist60]

THIS VIDEO IS GOLD! I have taken watercolor classes from the local art school the last 2 years. I am currently taking an acrylic class, but the instructor has been on Zoom. I’ve really been struggling and now I see!!!! I’ve been using water the way I did with watercolors! No wonder I’ve failed! Thanks soooo for this very instructive video!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Wonderful! So glad I could help :-)

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

I’m glad you explained the differences with these 2 mediums. I had used acrylics before many years ago and like it because it dried quickly. Did not know that I could put as much water in it though. I would love to see more videos of Acrylic Painting.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks Colleen 🙏

[@extracucumbers]

You make all things interesting! I’ve been interested in art all my life, drawing and painting and am self taught so I look forward to your videos every week. I learn so much thank you!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks so much!

[@susieunderwood4645]

I just bought some acrylics for a craft project and knew just where to go for advice on how to use them! Love your channel, Michele and thank you for the great info

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@philipwilliams7592]

I love these tutorials they are amazing awesome love the amount of information imparted and all of the details shown.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks so much!

[@cherylbrewer1218]

Thank you Michele for this video. I am looking forward to next weeks one on acrylics. 😊

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@janicefound6831]

Looking forward to the acrylic painting video! Thank you!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You are welcome!

[@LoriF25403]

I absolutely love all your videos. Thank you for your time and effort

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You are so welcome!

[@janicefound6831]

Looking forward to the acrylic painting video. Thanks!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Coming soon!

[@audreysenior5117]

I thoroughly enjoyed your video Michele, and you read my mind with your comments about the similarities and differences between acrylic, gauche and acrylic gauche (I hadn't heard of the latter). Yes I would love more information about acrylic, and can't wait to see next weeks video. Thank you for brightening my day 😊X❤️

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad you liked it Audrey 🙂

[@janeburch5417]

Would love to try acrylics and have instructions from you!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

New acrylics video tutorial up now Jane! X

[@anneedmunds9025]

Your video is well timed for me. After painting in watercolour I have started learning to paint in acrylics. They are different. I made a mess of my paintings at first. Thank you. I will keep on learning.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

My pleasure 😊

[@lynnewilliams3794]

Would be really interested to learn more on acrylics Michelle Look forward to your tutorials. More on Gouache would be good too....

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Noted!

[@paint_me_blue-art_watercolors]

I am always happy when you put a new video :)

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks for watching 🙏😁

[@melaniebaynes2730]

I second that! I have watched lots of artists' 'tutorials', and very good they are too (and I am very grateful for all of them), but I honestly think Michele is unique in that she goes into the technique more. Rather than the usual 'watch me paint a picture' used by other artists, Michele explains and breaks down the techniques in an easy to understand way. Excellent stuff!

[@tonyrobinson1168]

Very useful Michelle, Many thanks!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nicole127x]

Acrylics were my introduction to painting, at a sip-and-paint class a year ago. But when I realized the paintwater is a pollutant full of microplastics, I was environmentally revolted! That sent me to gouache and watercolor.

[@youeyeball]

Thank you so much! Enjoy your teaching😏🎨style and the way you impart 💅tips, tricks🪄and knowledge 🤔 👌! Thanks!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You are very welcome 🙂

[@barbsterback]

Thank you for doing this. I use watercolors and have started using acrylic. It certainly is different.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

It really is!

[@silviap4525]

Thank you for this video, I’d be very interested in an acrylic tutorial.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

One coming up next week 🙂

[@patriciasheridan7]

New info for me! Thanks.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

No problem!

[@colleenkleinhans849]

I’m always looking for information on art supplies. Acrylics, pastels, and inks. How they work in conjunction with watercolors as well. I’m up for it all!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Wonderful!

[@erinaceus]

Always so nice to see your videos pop up. This week the video was extremely helpful. I have been wondering if I should try acrylics (the only one's I've used are the craft type - not always so fun to use). And I had no idea there were mediums that you could add for different things. Thank you for explaining the blocking differences when setting up. I will always love watercolor but I'm feeling rather excited about acrylics now!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Go for it!

[@sandrawoodall6545]

I’d love to know more about acrylics as I love them and get on better with them than watercolours.

[@bobyounger6109]

The difference? I’ve a TON of Acrylics paint tubes I’ve never used. I used to paint in oils but a friend of mine said there are guys out there can make Acrylic look like oils!?. Boy I never got around to using them ! But FULL steam ahead now I’ve got ideas Coming from my ears😂

[@Carol0831]

My husband gave me a set of acrylic paints over the holidays and I had no idea how to use them. I have always done watercolors or sketches. This video is extremely helpful. I do have a question about gesso. What is it? And how do you use it? I have seen it mentioned in context with acrylics but I don't know if need to buy some, and if I do need to buy some what do I do with it? Thank you again for such a wonderful informational video! I am learning so much from you.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Gesso prepares your canvas, but many ready-made ones come pre-prepared so you may not need it :-)

[@panther5031]

This was super interesting. I would certainly be interested in tutorials on YT demonstrating Acrylic Paint. I have them but have only used them once so I need direction. Thank you for this video and for all the other free advice and things that you share with us 💜🌹💜🌹

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Coming soon!

[@annjelley5363]

Hi Michelle. You can also keep your stay-wet pallets in the fridge, this keeps the paint for a good few days. Not too long though because it starts to smell after a while!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Great tip!

[@evelyne7071]

Love your nails. The only acrylic paint I’ve used has been for small projects like earrings on gesso/cardboard. Also, I have done printing using acrylics. However, I have never tried a whole painting of any appreciable size using acrylics. We’ll see.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thank you!

[@artwithalexander5359]

i use some old glass cigarette trays from my grandparents days. they work great because the cigarette slots hold my brushes :)

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I remember those, '70's ashtrays they were everywhere, perfect shape I guess!

[@lisadamato979]

Great video

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks!

[@MaryRamirez-gd1up]

Would be interested in acrylic videos.

[@tabbi888]

There are many brands of acrylics that are transparent and are designed specifically for glazing. There are others which are matte designed to mimic gauche.

[@mateop607]

8:44 The kitty convinced me to like the video

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Cats are very persuasive...

[@juliejulie8379]

I have just done my first acrylic on canvas, with metallic acrylic paint. I was really disappointed with the result. I would love to see a tutorial on how to start and see through the process. 💕

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Sorry to hear that, metallics are hard to make work, best for small details I find!

[@juliejulie8379]

@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber Thank you 😊

[@DeidreL9]

This is amazingly helpful, thank you so much for the clarity and explanation. I’m a watercolour artist looking at acrylics, I’ve no experience with them so it’s a bit daunting! I was wondering if you’ve used water mixable oil paint, I’m really curious about them. It’s all such a journey, I love it!❤️

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I tried them once, they made me paint in a style which was too photo realistic for my liking, plus the drying time is a pain, although I think there are some you can activate to dry quicker. I may try them again as it was early days...

[@DeidreL9]

@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber yes I’m thinking hard. It’s a lot of money and honestly, I’m so in love with watercolour as it is. Loving these videos Michele, I’m learning so much and refreshing things I’d either grown slack about (guilty lol) or skimmed over too easily.🤗

[@jasong3109]

informative as usual and sporty nails

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thank you ☺️

[@suevowles1523]

Thank you for this info it was very helpful. I would like to see acrylic paintings, especially birds and landscapes. If you could paint Jay birds I would be thrilled. Thanks again.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Great ideas!

[@SpotterSky]

Hi MW It would be great if you started making some videos about acrylic painting ..... So yes thank you, if you can find time! Thanks for all your real good videos!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

No problem!

[@leejones8969]

Hi I’m in Australia, I enjoyed your practical and informative videos. While I’m doing watercolour I would like to try acrylics so would be interested in a video thank you

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

No problem!

[@keeponkeepinon9363]

Hello and thank you for this great tutorial! My only question is: "Can acrylic mediums work with watercolor paints" ? Thank you again for all your wonderful tutorials!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Hmm, they are not really designed for watercolours, although you could try, I doubt it would do any harm, but it might mean that you couldn't overpaint the area. For example if you mixed watercolor with gloss medium you would get an effect, but you would need to use it on top of dry paint, and you wouldn't be able to overpaint as further layers of watercolor would not adhere. Gum arabic would be a better choice for watercolor, if you want to add shine and transparency.

[@keeponkeepinon9363]

@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber Right, I guess I was wondering if you or anyone else has tried it & what the results were. I suppose it can't hurt to try & see for myself, lol,. .. I'm also being a bit lazy & preoccupied. Thank you for your reply. Happy Holidays

[@carlabumstead9233]

Hi, I know this comment is a lot after this was originally posted but I’m just putting in my vote for you to do acrylic on your channel- just a little bit not too much just a little. At least just a little to start if you did that, I would never have to go any place else on KZbin.😂❤ I’m actually totally serious about that well maybe a couple other stops but that would be fantastic.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I would love to do acrylics, but unfortunately because youtube pushes my videos out to watercolorists it absolutely kills my analytics :-(

[@BlackJar72]

Having painted in acrylics since the early 90s, I have to say that the "fat over lean" rule does not apply to acrylic paint. Usually this is seen an advantage it has over oils. I suspect the idea comes from artists who started with oils and switched to acrylics while assuming all the same rules applied, but acrylics allow techniques that don't work with oils because of that difference. (I'd never even thought of comparing them with watercolors.)

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

It's something I would do simply as a painting process, because it would work better for me, even if there were no technical reason for doing it (like avoidance of cracking). Mind you I know a highly regarded oil painter who goes straight in with a palette knife full thickness. Sometimes people overthink stuff I guess.

[@BlackJar72]

@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber I tend to paint in way that resembles following this rule for compositional reasons -- but without following it strictly. For example, I may thin (and thus more blendable) paint over a thicker layer of flat color to gain the opacity of the thick layer while using the blendable paint for shading. similarly I may use a thin be fairly opaque wash to draw over other painting (such as to add a design to china in a still life). I suspect part of while it assumed the acrylic is practically unblendable is that people to try blend it like oil paint when it just doesn't work the same way.

[@joannagreer2734]

I would be very interested in guidance on the use of a rylics.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

No problem!

[@Merzui-kg8ds]

What is the difference between gloss medium and gesso?

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Generally Gesso is for canvas or surface prep. Gloss medium is for shine and transparency (glazing)

[@gaemlinsidoharthi]

Never really tried these. Maybe someday.

[@michelemarchesani5139]

For me the most important and urgent info would be clean up & disposal of acrylic (plastic) paint. I see so many folks washing brushes and emptying dirty micro plastic filled water down the drain! I even watched a so-called acrylic artist video where she rinses off her wet acrylic paintings outside, onto the grass and earth!!! I couldn't believe it! Think of all the living beings, seen & unseen, in the water and earth ingesting microparticles of plastic. It's why I would not use acrylic paint.

[@ExplaningTiffeny]

Your nails!!

[@patriciasheridan7]

How does one keep pallet acrylic wet?

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You can use a 'stay wet pallet' they have a lid, and a membrane in the base which you wet. You can also make your own stay wet palette, google it for ideas :-)

[@liamwatson5125]

Acrylic can paint on almost anything and it won’t come off when dry.

[@bobyounger6109]

Watercolour hasn’t the depth of oils I’ve an portrait of ZORRO on my wall in oils first time painting With anything once I learned how it was done the rest was easy. I like conferring with other artists I don’t get the feeling “ look what I can do….”

[@mariannemansfield7652]

Call me selfish, but as a student of watercolor I would be sad to give up my weekly watercolor lesson from you.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I will always have watercolors on this channel Marianne, just a few other things for people sometimes too :-)