Top-down split composition showing acrylic paint pots with a brush on a white background beside traditional oil paint tubes and a wooden palette on a dark wood background, with Paint On Numbers logo and website in the corner.

Acrylic vs. Oil Paint: What's in Your Kit & Why It Matters

Article Summary

This expert guide compares acrylic and oil paints in the context of paint by numbers, covering drying time, texture, cleanup, and beginner suitability. Discover why the high-quality acrylics in your kit offer the ideal, vibrant, and user-friendly experience for creating your masterpiece.

Have you ever paused while working on your Paint By Numbers kit and wondered, "What kind of paint is actually in these little pots?" Or perhaps you've considered experimenting with other types of paint, like the famous oils used by master artists. As you'll learn in our Complete Guide to Paint by Numbers, the choice of paint is fundamental to your creative journey, influencing everything from how you apply the colors to the final look of your artwork.

Let's dive into the fascinating world of paint mediums and explore why the paints in your kit are perfectly suited for bringing your numbered canvas to life.

Photorealistic image of a bright artist’s studio with a paint-by-numbers canvas, open acrylic paint pots, and brushes on a wooden table in sharp focus, with a blurred background showing a traditional oil painting on an easel and classic art tools. Logo and website www.paintonnumbers.ca in the bottom right corner.


The Power of Acrylics

The vibrant colors in your kit are acrylic paints, a modern marvel made from pigment suspended in a water-based polymer emulsion. As the water evaporates, a durable, brilliantly colored film is formed.

  • Fast Drying: Allows for easy layering without smudging.
  • Simple Cleanup: Requires only soap and water.
  • Vibrant Color: High-quality acrylics offer rich, intense colors.
  • Non-Toxic: Safe for artists of all ages.

Close-up photorealistic image of a hand holding a fine-tipped paintbrush, dipping it into an open pot of vibrant blue acrylic paint, with other colorful paint pots and a paint by numbers canvas in the background. Logo and website www.paintonnumbers.ca in the bottom right corner.

The Classic: Oil Paints

Oil paint, the medium of the Old Masters, consists of pigment bound with drying oils like linseed oil. This gives it a characteristic rich texture and exceptionally slow drying time.

  • Slow Drying: Stays workable for days, ideal for long blending.
  • Rich Texture: Creates deep, luminous quality.
  • Requires Solvents: Needs chemicals for cleanup.
  • More Complex: Often involves mixing with various mediums.

Close-up photorealistic image of a wooden artist’s palette with rich, glossy oil paints in deep reds and blues, alongside a worn paintbrush. In the blurred background, classic metal paint tubes and part of an oil painting on canvas are visible. Logo and website www.paintonnumbers.ca in the bottom right corner.


Head-to-Head: Acrylic vs. Oil for Paint By Numbers

Feature Acrylics (Your Kit) Oils (Traditional)
Drying Time Fast (Minutes) Very Slow (Days/Weeks)
Beginner Friendliness Excellent Challenging
Cleanup Simple soap and water Requires chemical solvents
Blending Good for simple techniques Superior for long, gradual blends

The Verdict: The Perfect Choice for Your Hobby

While oil paints are a wonderful medium for classical art, high-quality acrylics are unequivocally the superior choice for the Paint By Numbers experience. Their fast-drying nature supports the structured, section-by-section approach of the format, allowing for efficient layering and preventing unwanted smudging. The ease of water-based cleanup makes the process accessible and enjoyable for painters of all skill levels, a key quality signal we detail in our Buyer's Guide to Quality Kits.

William Murdock, Founder & Creative Head of Paint On Numbers Canada

About the Author

This guide was written by William Murdock. As a lifelong artist and materials expert, William believes that understanding your tools is the first step to unlocking your creative potential.

Experience the Brilliance of Acrylics

Now that you're an expert on the "why" behind your paints, it's time to experience their quality firsthand. Explore our best-selling designs and start your next masterpiece today.

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