What do you like/dislike about using acrylics?

Do you think they are easier/harder or than using oil painting?

What do you think the public feels about them?

At school we used powder paint [yes, ancient times] which was good, though not brilliant. Mixed with water, the result was either far too watery or the consistence of mud. But I caught the painting bug with it anyhow, and have painted ever since purely as a hobby.

The years flew by and I started to use oil paints, though quickly stopped because of the fumes and mess. I didn't paint anything for quite some time after that experience. Then along came the world of acrylic paints.

My world had opened up, and I started to paint once more, using only acrylic medium. I must admit, my early paintings revealed to me the drawbacks of acrylic paint; hardens very quickly, leaves ridges, shows strokes of the brush etc. But you learn through your mistakes, and soon begin to realise that acrylic paint can be your best friend. Personally, I'd probably never have continued painting if it weren't for acrylic paints.

My first finished piece with acrylic paint is the big knocker. From using oil paint since 1992 i have become used to the feel and texture to the point where it becomes second nature to use this medium. Acrylic paint takes me back to college days where i used gouache for the first time where i find it has similar characteristics,. As regards comparing it to oil paint, the drying time is the most noticable difference. The colours are more vibrant with acrylic and theres the addition of metalics,even glitter with which i am currently experimenting . The main reason of which i have made transition is purely down to drying times, although having said that there i find draw backs to the speed in which this medium dries. No doubt prudence, practce and persevierence will bear fruit ,,,(eventualy).

In the era of the impressionist masters, the oil paint they used was unique to their day. I feel that somewhere along the transition to modern-day oils, a certain quality was lost; tree foliage effect etc., etc. I've found I can capture that quality with acrylic paints to great effect. It's a big 'thumbs-up' for acrylic paints for me.

I really agree. Acrylics are a fairly new medium and my style has developed from learning how these paints work for me. As with any new medium, artist have to find their own way to use them. While we can share tips and techniques we have learnt. I'm always finding new ways they work.

The variety off effects you can get with different amounts of water to paint, how loaded the brush is, and how fast or slow you work all has a massive impact on the final piece. In many ways I find they really aid self expression, as the immediacy of the medium translate your feeling directly to the canvas.

At one time acrylic was a dirty word in the eyes of the public a good painting was often passed by just simply because it was Acrylic, times have changed. I find that contemporary/abstract art is great for using acrylic and if I have had a particularly successful run on sales I can produce new work quickly.
I love all the new and exciting mediums available and the results are unique.

Oil on the other hand is great and I love using it for landscapes where I can blend the paint on the canvas and of course there are mediums which aid the drying times and low odour spirit combats the unpleasant smell which would be a problem for me as I paint in my Gallery/studio which is open to the public. I also prefer oil for portraits and pet portraits.