Choosing your first painting medium can feel like standing in front of a blank canvas. It’s exciting but also a little overwhelming. Oil, acrylic, and watercolor each have their own personality, rhythm, and magic. Understanding their differences will help you find what best fits your creative style.
Oil Paints: Rich, Classic, and Timeless
Oil paint has been the choice of masters for centuries. Its slow drying time lets you blend colors beautifully and build luminous layers that seem to glow from within. The buttery texture feels luxurious, and the results can be breathtakingly deep.
For beginners, oils encourage patience and experimentation with technique. You can try glazing, scumbling, or impasto to explore their depth. They do require solvents for cleaning and take longer to dry, but many artists find the process calming and rewarding.
Try this: Explore the Milan Art Oil Paint Collection to experience vibrant pigments and creamy consistency. Pair them with high-quality brushes and a sturdy palette knife to unlock their full potential.
Encouraging & Simple
🌱 Every artist starts with a single brushstroke. The Beginning Art Program will guide you through the basics in a fun, easy way that helps you grow fast. 💛 Join now and start creating art you’ll love! 🎨
Acrylic Paints: Versatile, Bold, and Fast
Acrylics are the go-to for artists who love bold color and quick results. These paints dry fast, which makes them great for layering and mixed media. You can thin them with water for a watercolor-like effect or thicken them with gels for extra texture.
Acrylics also clean up easily with soap and water and work on almost any surface, from canvas to wood to paper. They’re a fantastic way to learn color mixing and brush control without the longer commitment oils require.
Try this: Experiment with the Milan Art Acrylic Paint Set for brilliant hues and smooth application. Our range includes beginner-friendly starter sets and artist-grade colors for your next masterpiece.
Watercolors: Delicate, Flowing, and Expressive
Watercolor paints capture the beauty of spontaneity. Each brushstroke feels alive as pigment meets water and paper. The translucent quality allows light to shine through the layers, creating soft and ethereal effects.
While watercolors can be unpredictable, they teach you to embrace flow and imperfection. You’ll develop a sense of timing, knowing when to let water move freely and when to take control.
Try this: Discover the Milan Art Watercolor Essentials collection, featuring high-quality paints, brushes, and paper chosen specifically for luminous, expressive work.
Mediums: The Secret Ingredient
Mediums can completely change how your paint behaves.
For oils, use linseed or walnut oil for smoother flow, or a faster-drying medium for glazing.
With acrylics, try gels and pastes to create texture or add a glossy finish.
For watercolor, experiment with masking fluid, granulation medium, or lifting aids to refine your effects.
Each medium opens new creative doors, giving you more control or more freedom depending on your style.
Find What Fits You
Every artist’s journey is unique. Don’t be afraid to experiment and play. You might fall in love with the depth of oils, the speed of acrylics, or the lightness of watercolor. You might even find yourself mixing all three. *Only use oil paint as the last medium
Explore, make mistakes, and enjoy discovering what feels most natural to your hand and heart. The most important thing is to keep creating.
Ready to start your journey? Explore our full range of Milan Art Paints & Mediums to find your perfect match.
