There are many different mediums that one can use in a painting. A lot of artists start off using Acrylics or watercolors. These are often easier to get into for the person who hasn't done any painting before. It is not as easy to master oil. However, as you persevere, you will find the difference between acrylic and oil based paintings, for example.

There are a lot of ways that the oil paints stands out which gives the painting various effects. This is something you don't achieve with other mediums. For example, you are able to blend it in with greater ease. This is because the paint takes a longer period to dry. It makes it so much easier to work.

This included oils in other forms. Artists started using pastels and sticks which were oil based. They had a different texture to the paint. They could be applied with the paint and this gave it some texture and a great effect. This was a time for artists to begin experimenting with their work.

You have to be sure of what you are doing with most other mediums because it is not easy to take it away if you feel you should have gone in another direction. The amazing thing with oil paintings is that you can take away what you don't want anymore. Mineral turpentine will help you with this. The paint will easily come off the canvas, depending on how long it has been on there for.

A lot of artists complain that oil paints are thick and that you can't spread them on. This means that you need a lot more paint. However, these can be thinned out with a medium. You can even use linseed oil, but you have to use a mixture of other oils and get the proportions right. Some paint will need to go on thickly and some will be spread on so you can almost see the canvas.

You can use inks as well as acrylic spray paints to create the watered down effect. Of course, this will depend on your subject matter. It also depends on whether you are doing Abstract or something that is more realistic. It is the abstract painters who will usually tend to stick to the acrylics. It means that you have to work quickly. A lot of abstract work is done in this fashion so they are suitable.

Oil paints are perfect for someone who is taking a couple of weeks or sometimes months to complete a portrait or realistic still life. There will be a lot of shadows and areas where you have to blend in the paint. It is more about fine detail, and this is where oil paints are necessary. They go back to the day when Michelangelo was around.

Although watrcolors are limited because they don't allow you to show off the texture, you will still find that they display a certain amount of vibrancy. One can always point out a watercolor from the rest of the mediums. It is also possible to mix this with oil, but you should do this first before adding the oils on top.