Acrylic paints are relatively new compared to oil paints and watercolors but have quickly become very popular.
Just take a quick look at YouTube and search for painting tutorials, and you will see thousands of artists demonstrating acrylic painting.
But if you are just starting, should you purchase artist-grade or student-grade acrylic paints?
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What Are Acrylic Paints
Acrylic paint was transformed from acrylic resin in the early 1930s. Synthetic paint was created by combining some properties of watercolor and oils in the 1940s.
In the late 1940s, Leonard Bocour and Sam Golden created a solution for acrylic paint, which was commercially available in the 1950s.
Acrylic paint is a quick-drying, water-soluble paint made of pigment suspended in acrylic polymer emulsion.
It didn’t take long before artists discovered that acrylics were very versatile and possessed great potential.
Over time, different manufacturers started to enhance acrylic paints with richer pigments making them more vibrant.
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The Difference Between Acrylic Paint And Oil Paint
Oil paint is a slow-drying paint made of pigment suspended in a drying oil. The most common oil used in oil paints is linseed oil.
Oil paints have been around as far back as the 13th century.
Acrylic paint is a quick-drying paint that uses water to combine the emulsion and pigment in acrylic paints.
Besides the drying time of the paints, one of the most significant differences between oil paints and acrylics is the colors.
Oils use more pigment, which produces vibrant and more vivid colors.
Another difference between acrylics and oils is that acrylic dries darker, whereas oils keep their color during drying.
Acrylic Painting Techniques
Just like every medium, multiple techniques can be used with acrylics.
Some artists can create acrylic paintings that look like oil paintings or watercolor paintings.
Look at this video to see some common techniques professional artists use.
The Difference Between Student Grade And Artist Grade Acrylic Paints
It can quickly feel overwhelming when it is time to purchase art supplies when you are experimenting with a new medium like acrylic paints.
Let’s examine the main difference between student-grade and artist-grade acrylics.
Student grade paint is frequently recommended to students because it is more affordable and is ideal for learning.
On the other hand, artist-grade paint is a higher quality paint used by professional or more advanced artists.
Here are the distinctions between artist grade and student grade acrylics:
Artist Grade Acrylic Paints
- High-quality pigment levels
- Varied price range
- Wide range of colors
- Less color shift
Student Quality
- Less paint coverage
- More affordable price range
- Greater color shift
- Suitable for large-scale painting and under-painting
Best Acrylic Paint for Beginners
There are several factors to consider when deciding what brand of acrylic paint will be best for you.
You will want to consider the viscosity, performance, and, most importantly, the quality.
VISCOSITY
Viscosity refers to the thickness or consistency of the paint. Heavy body acrylics are more similar to oil paints and have a thick, smooth consistency that retains brushstrokes, and is more suitable for mixing colors and blending.
Fluid acrylics are thinner and are more suitable for mimicking watercolor techniques.
PERMANENCE
Permanence refers to how much the paint color will fade after exposure to light.
Acrylics typically have a higher performance rating than other mediums, including oil paints.
Check the performance ratings before making a purchase. Most manufacturers will rate their paints as AA, A, etc. AA will be the best.
QUALITY
Most art supplies come in two different grades, artist and student quality. The artist-grade acrylic paint brand is a superior product with a broader range of colors and higher-quality pigments.
Why would you choose student grade over artist grade?
If you are just starting and are unsure if this is a medium you would like to work with, student grade might be worth using because it is more cost-efficient.
However, if you know that you will like to work with acrylics, professional-grade acrylics will be a better choice to work with and enhance your artistic skills.
Best Acrylic Paint For Artists Just Starting
Here are some of the highest-quality acrylic paints for students and advanced artists.
Liquitex BASICS
Liquitex BASICS is heavy body acrylic paint that will keep its shape and strokes as you paint, similar to oil paints. These paints are perfect for traditional painting, impasto, and mixed media.
This set features 24 colors, including Bright Aqua Green, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Cadmium Orange Hue, Cadmium Red Deep Hue, Cadmium Red Medium Hue, Cadmium Yellow Deep Hue, Cadmium Yellow Medium Hue, Dioxazine Purple, Iridescent Gold, Iridescent Silver, Ivory Black, Mars Black, Medium Magenta, Naphthol Crimson, Permanent Green Light, Permanent Hooker’s Green, Permanent Light Blue, Phthalo Blue, Primary Blue, Primary Yellow, Titanium White, Ultramarine Blue, and Unbleached Titanium.
Blick Studio Acrylics – Set of 36 colors
Blick is the largest and oldest art supplier in the United States, and Blick also has a line of quality art supplies, including acrylics. Their student-grade is a fabulous value for beginners and is available in various colors and tube sizes.
This set contains 36 colors, including Titanium White, Mars Black, Cadmium Yellow Medium Hue, Cadmium Red Medium Hue, Ultramarine Blue, Ivory Black, Cerulean Blue Hue, Cadmium Yellow Light Hue, Burnt Sienna, Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Orange Hue, Primary Yellow, Hooker’s Green, Cadmium Red Deep Hue, Phthalo Blue, Burnt Umber, Cobalt Blue Hue, Green Light Permanent, Dioxazine Purple, Bright Aqua Green, Primary Blue, Gold, Raw Umber, Yellow Oxide, Phthalo Green, Raw Sienna, Deep Violet, Quinacridone Magenta, Silver, Primary Red, Cadmium Red Light Hue, Cadmium Yellow Deep Hue, Medium Magenta, Neutral Gray, Green Deep Permanent, and Red Oxide.
Winsor & Newton Artist’s Acrylic
Winsor & Newton Artist’s Acrylic 10-tube set is excellent quality, affordability, and a perfect set for artists just starting to learn how to paint with acrylics. The high-quality pigments have a smooth consistency that’s similar to oil paint.
This set includes Burnt Sienna, Cadmium Yellow Medium Hue, Cadmium Red Hue, Crimson, Phthalo Green, Mars Black, Titanium White, Winsor Blue, Raw Umber, and Yellow Ochre.
Acrylic Painting Tutorials
Learn the best acrylic techniques in the comfort of your home.
Acrylic Painting For Beginners
Acrylic Painting For Beginners: Understanding Color
Final Thought About Artist Grade Acrylic Paints
Using artist acrylics will make the painting experience more enjoyable whether a beginner or a pro.
Purchase a set of basic acrylic colors if you are experimenting with this medium. You can always buy different acrylic colors if you enjoy painting with acrylics.
Acrylic paint is a quick-drying paint that uses water to combine the emulsion and pigment in acrylic paints.
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