One of the most common questions new artists ask is: which paint medium should I start with? Acrylic, oil, and watercolor each have distinct characteristics, learning curves, and ideal use cases. Here’s a practical breakdown to help you decide.
Acrylic Paint
Acrylic is water-based, fast-drying, and incredibly versatile — making it the most popular choice for beginners and professionals alike.
- Dries quickly – Usually within minutes to an hour, depending on thickness.
- Easy cleanup – Brushes and palettes clean up with water.
- Works on almost any surface – Canvas, wood, paper, fabric, and more.
- Flexible finish – Can be used thin like watercolor or thick like oil paint.
- Best for: Beginners, mixed media, bold colour work, and artists who want quick results.
Shop our 12 Tubes Artist Acrylic Paint Set or the Artist Quality Acrylic Paint 100ml Tube to get started. For a larger supply, the 2 Set of 12 Tubes Acrylic Paint offers great value.
Tip: Use a stay-wet palette or a retarder medium to slow drying time and extend blending windows.
Oil Paint
Oil paint has been the medium of choice for master painters for centuries. It’s rich, luminous, and offers unmatched blending capability.
- Slow drying – Can take days to weeks to dry fully, giving you extended time to blend and rework.
- Rich pigmentation – Deep, vibrant colours with excellent lightfastness.
- Requires solvents – Turpentine or odourless mineral spirits for thinning and cleanup.
- Works best on primed canvas or wood panels.
- Best for: Portraiture, realism, classical techniques, and artists who love slow, deliberate painting.
Explore our Ferrario Van Dyck Oil Color Paint Set (Made in Italy) or the Artist Oil Paint Set 12 Tubes for a quality starting point. The Ferrario Van Dyck Complete Set includes brushes, canvas, and palette — everything you need in one box.
Tip: Follow the “fat over lean” rule — apply thinner layers first and progressively thicker, oilier layers on top to prevent cracking.
Watercolor
Watercolor is a transparent, luminous medium that rewards patience and planning. It’s beloved for its delicate, airy quality.
- Transparent layers – Light passes through the paint and reflects off the white paper beneath.
- Lightweight and portable – Ideal for plein air painting and travel sketching.
- Requires quality paper – Use 100% cotton, cold-press watercolor paper (at least 300gsm) to prevent warping.
- Less forgiving – Mistakes are harder to correct, making planning essential.
- Best for: Landscapes, botanicals, illustration, and artists who enjoy a fluid, spontaneous process.
Try our Watercolor Travel Paint Set with Sable Brush or the premium Ferrario Extra-Fine Artist Watercolor Set 24pcs (Made in Italy). Pair with Aquabee Artist Watercolor Pad for best results.
Tip: Work light to dark — preserve your whites and lightest areas first, then build up layers of colour,
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Acrylic | Oil | Watercolor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drying Time | Fast (minutes–hours) | Slow (days–weeks) | Fast (minutes) |
| Cleanup | Water | Solvents | Water |
| Surface | Most surfaces | Primed canvas/panel | Watercolor paper |
| Beginner Friendly | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Moderate | ⚠️ Moderate |
| Blending | Good | Excellent | Unique (wet-on-wet) |
Which Should You Choose?
If you’re just starting out, acrylic is the most forgiving and accessible option. If you’re drawn to classical techniques and patient, layered work, try oil. If you love loose, luminous effects and enjoy working on paper, watercolor is a beautiful choice.
The best medium is the one that excites you enough to keep painting. Explore our full range of acrylic, oil, and watercolor paints to find your perfect match.