When it comes to painting, many artists love both oil and acrylic paints for their unique qualities. However, a common question that arises is whether it’s possible to combine these two different types of paint. While both media offer stunning results, mixing oil with acrylic can lead to issues if not done correctly. Artists may wonder: Can these two paints work together harmoniously, or does combining them cause more problems than it’s worth?
The challenge comes from the fundamental differences between the two. Acrylic paint is water-based and dries quickly, while oil paint is made from pigments mixed with oil and takes much longer to dry. These opposing properties can cause significant issues when not approached with the right techniques. If the paints are mixed incorrectly, you could end up with an unstable surface, cracking, or poor adhesion. So, what’s the secret to successfully blending the two?
Here’s What Happens When You Add Oil to Acrylic Paint, and how to properly combine these two mediums for stunning results. To make sure the combination works, always follow these key steps: apply oil only over fully dried acrylic, ensure the acrylic layer is thin, and never mix them on your palette. By understanding these guidelines, you can successfully enjoy the best of both worlds in your artwork without compromising the quality of your paints.
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Why Some People Add Oil to Acrylic Paint
Some artists like adding oil to acrylic paint because it allows them to enjoy the elements of both types of paint. Acrylic has a matte finish
, while oil is glossy. Acrylic paint produces vibrant colors with sharp edges, while oil tends to be murky with softer edges. Furthermore, acrylic paint takes on a smooth, rubbery look when dried, while oil looks more textured. You can enjoy the best of both worlds if you combine them in your art.
However, you must remember some critical factors when you choose to add oil to acrylic paint. Remember that acrylic paint is water-based, and oil is made by mixing pigment with a drying oil (walnut or linseed oil). Generally, water and oil do not mix well. Moreover, acrylic paint dries fast, and oil takes a while to harden and dry. These opposing elements can create significant issues if you do not mix acrylic and oil paint correctly.
Here are some essential tips to remember:
Never Mix Acrylic Paint and Oil on Your Palette
It is not a good idea to mix these two types of paint before applying them to your canvas. Their opposing properties will not react well, and the resulting mixture will be unstable and practically unworkable. Water is denser than oil, so the two elements will separate. Before mixing them in your painting, they should both be stable–or at least one of them should be.
Fat Over Lean
Keep this in mind when mixing acrylic paint and oil in your work. Always paint oil over acrylic, never the other way around. If you paint acrylic over oil, the acrylic paint will merely flake off since it won’t be able to bond with the oil. Also, wait for the acrylic paint to completely dry before topping it with oil. This will give the oil a good surface to adhere to.
The Acrylic Layer Should Be Thin
If you choose to add oil over your acrylic paint, it is best to do so if your acrylic layer is thin. The porosity of acrylic paint will allow the oil to adhere to the surface. If your acrylic layer is thick, its plastic compounds might prevent the oil from completely bonding with it, resulting in premature cracking and flaking.
Why Some People Like Using Acrylic Paint
Acrylic paint is a well-loved medium preferred by many painters because of its unique characteristics. Some say it is the perfect option for beginners, while others argue it is all a matter of preference. Whatever the case, using acrylics for your paintings is a great idea because it has distinctive properties that can help make your artwork more vibrant and appealing.
Here are some of the most valuable attributes and advantages of acrylic paint:
Acrylic Paint Is Simple To Use
Acrylic paint is not a high-maintenance medium. It also does not require plenty of tools to get started. Unlike using oil as a medium where you need additional items, such as solvents and rags, going for acrylic paint makes creating art so much simpler.
These are pretty much all the tools you will need:
- A brush or two. Synthetic brushes work better with acrylics than those made of animal hairs.
- Cup of water. Be mindful about not using too much water since this may dilute the paint and affect its vibrancy.
- Painting surface. Most artists call this “support.” High-quality support is essential in providing a good foundation for acrylic paint or any other kind of paint.
- Acrylic paint. Stay away from inexpensive acrylics with questionable standards. High-quality paint with bold colors is a great investment.
Acrylic Paint Is Easy To Clean Up
When you’re done for the day, any conscientious artist will spend some time cleaning the palette and brushes. If you use acrylic paint, all you have to do is place your brushes under running water and lightly rub the bristles with your fingers to dislodge any paint. As for the palette, you can simply wipe off the stains using a damp rag or wait for the paint to dry before peeling it off.
Acrylic Paint Is Not Picky
Some mediums require a particular type of environment for best results. With acrylics, you can paint practically anywhere. You can do art in your bedroom where there may be poor ventilation, in your kitchen where it may be humid, or even outdoors where it may be windy.
Acrylic Paint Dries Fast
Acrylic paint dries up faster than most other mediums. You can add layers quicker, so you get to finish your work sooner. You can even do glazing techniques easily by adding a glazing medium to make your paint thinner and more fluid.
Acrylic Paint Is Malleable
You can easily control the consistency and texture of acrylic paint. This is why it is one of the most versatile among the mediums. You can change how it acts and looks by simply adding another medium to it. Due to its pliability, acrylic paint can take on the characteristics of other kinds of paint.
Acrylic paint can also be used to create sculptural pieces. Thanks to its malleability, you can easily peel it off any non-stick surface, and it instantly adopts a three-dimensional structure. You can then mold it in any way you like to create more texture in your paintings.
Why Some People Prefer Using Oil
Oil can be quite intimidating for some artists, especially for beginners. After all, a lot of the most admired artworks of all time are oil paintings. However, oil as a medium is a pretty fascinating option. It will allow you to create striking landscapes, lifelike portraits, and stimulating images that may be rather challenging to achieve with other mediums.
Here are some of the most valuable properties and merits of oil:
Oil Is Versatile
You can work with various substrates if you’re painting with oil. You can paint on fiber, linen, or cotton canvases. You can also use both synthetic and natural bristle paint brushes. Red sable and ox hair brushes are the best choices since they can transfer more pigment onto your art. Palette knives also work great with oil.
Oil Is Durable
Oil paintings can last for long periods. Some artists add varnish or linseed oil to keep the paint from flaking. Others store their oil paintings in humidity-controlled rooms to better protect them. However, even without care, oil paintings can last for about 50 years.
Oil Takes Longer To Dry
While this may be seen as a disadvantage to some, other artists see this attribute as a significant advantage. This gives you more time to work on your art and design it exactly to your liking. It also allows you time to blend colors and make adjustments without worrying too much about the paint or your brush drying up.
Oil Has a Buildable Texture
Oil is a great medium that works well with other types of paint. If added to acrylic paint, for instance, it dries to a smooth, glossy finish that adds vibrancy and depth to the artwork. Remember to always employ the “fat over lean” when mixing different paint mediums. You always add oil to other mediums–acrylic paint, for instance–if you want a unique texture and finish.
Final Words
In conclusion, while oil and acrylic paints have distinct characteristics that make them both appealing to artists, combining them requires careful attention to detail. Despite their differences—oil being slower to dry and acrylic drying quickly—it’s possible to mix them effectively if you follow the right techniques. To ensure a successful combination, remember to always add oil to acrylic, wait for the acrylic to fully dry, and keep the acrylic layer thin to avoid cracking. By following the “fat over lean” principle and never mixing the paints directly on your palette, you can harness the strengths of both oil and acrylic paints for stunning, durable results. If you’re looking to experiment with mixed media, this approach will help you achieve the best of both worlds while avoiding common pitfalls.
It’s pretty simple:
- Always add oil to acrylic and wait for the acrylic paint to dry before applying the oil layer.
- Make sure that the acrylic layer is thin enough so that the oil will be able to adhere firmly to it.
- Combine the 2 media on canvas, never on your palette.