Differences between oil and acrylic

Oil or acrylic? It's the most frequent question when commissioning an artwork. The short answer: neither is "better" — they are different languages.

Oil

• Binder: drying oils (linseed, walnut).
• Drying: slow — weeks on the surface, months in depth.
• Character: soft transitions, deep colors, classical tradition.
• Ideal for: portraits, atmospheric landscapes, collector pieces.

Acrylic

• Binder: water-based polymer emulsion.
• Drying: minutes to hours.
• Character: vivid colors, defined edges, contemporary spirit.
• Ideal for: large formats, corporate projects, short deadlines.

Durability

Both last decades or centuries with professional materials and good care. Oil has five centuries of proven history; modern acrylic has shown excellent stability since the 1950s.

Which one for your commission?

Think time and atmosphere: if you want classical depth and there's no rush, oil. If you need the work in weeks or want vibrant contemporary color, acrylic. In commissioned paintings I help you decide based on your space.