Oil, Acrylic, or Watercolour? A Guide to Understanding the Differences in Painting Styles

When choosing a piece of art to hang in your home, it helps to understand how it was made — not just the subject matter, but the materials and techniques behind it. The three most common types of painting are oil, acrylic, and watercolour, and each brings its own distinct feel, texture, and emotional impact.

As an artist who works primarily in oils, I’d love to share what makes each medium unique — and why oil painting continues to be such a powerful and timeless choice for collectors and art lovers alike.

Watercolour: Delicate and Dreamlike
Watercolour is known for its softness and transparency. Paint is mixed with water and applied to paper, creating gentle washes and flowing transitions. It’s ideal for capturing light, floral scenes, or dreamy landscapes. However, watercolours are less forgiving — changes are difficult once the paint is down — and they can be more sensitive to light and moisture over time.

Acrylic: Bold and Fast-Drying
Acrylics are modern and highly versatile. They dry quickly and can mimic both the softness of watercolours and the texture of oils, depending on how they’re applied. Acrylics work well for bold, vibrant work and are often used in contemporary and graphic styles. However, their fast drying time can limit blending and layering, sometimes sacrificing depth and subtlety.

Oil: Rich, Timeless, and Expressive
Oil paint has stood the test of time — used by the Old Masters and still beloved by many contemporary artists (including myself). Oils dry slowly, allowing for blending, layering, and rich textures that create lasting depth. Colours remain vibrant for generations, and the surface quality has a magnetic, almost sculptural presence on canvas.

Whether I’m capturing boats bobbing on the water in West Cork or the glowing rooftops of Kinsale, oil paints allow me to create mood and movement that other mediums can’t match. The expressive range, texture, and luminosity of oil are what keep me coming back to it, painting after painting.

Limited Edition Prints: Accessible Art from Original Oils
Because of the time and craftsmanship involved in each original oil painting, these pieces are often unique, one-off works. To make my art more accessible, I offer limited edition prints — high-quality reproductions on archival paper, hand-signed, and individually numbered. These prints retain the vivid colour and detail of the original oils, offering a beautiful and more affordable way to bring art into your space.

Final Thoughts
Whether you’re drawn to the gentle transparency of watercolours, the modern versatility of acrylics, or the timeless depth of oils, understanding the differences helps you connect more deeply with the art you choose. If you're looking for a work that carries richness, movement, and emotion — an oil painting or limited edition print might be exactly what your space needs.