Fall 2014: Foster 1

Sarah Foster
Professor Megan Anderson
English 101.15
20 November 2014
Acrylic Vs. Watercolor Paint

Acrylic and watercolor paints, although they are very similar, they are also very different.
Different mixing methods are used while creating with these medias. The consistency of the
paints are also very different.
Acrylic paint can be used in many different ways. It can be painted onto various, if not
endless surfaces. Unfortunately it can semi-easily be peeled off of plastic surfaces. When mixing
acrylic paints white or yellow is usually mixed with the base color in order to create a lighter tint
of the color. While painting, there is almost a rubberized feel to the paint. When painting with
acrylics, the painter would paint in layers. Beginning with the back layers of the composition,
building up to the front layers. When the paint is dry it becomes water-resistant. This becomes
even more relevant when the paint is dry, also when it is painted onto materials such as fabric or
glass.
Watercolor, although not as versatile as acrylic paint, is a flexible media to work with.
When using watercolor paint, usually water would be used to lighten the paint rather than white.
When using white, it is to create a more pastel-like color, softer colors. The more water you add,
the more water-like the paint becomes. In the paints original form, it is a thick paste varying
from color to color. When using watercolor paint there are many different methods. Some
common methods are: wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry and, dry-on-wet. When using mass amounts of
water, mixed with the paint an opaque layer can be created. When painting with these, the
painter would use layer upon layer of thin layers. It is also common to paint straight from the

Fall 2014: Foster 2

tube, or mix with the original paint mixture. On average, a painter would only use watercolor
paint on paper or canvas. Though these paints are different in many ways, they are also
extremely similar.
These paints are extremely similar as well. For instance when darkening a color, also
known as creating a shade, you would add either black or brown for both paints. Acrylic and
watercolor are both water soluble paints, they become a lighter and opaque when water is added
to them. Water creates thin layers in which you can either paint directly on the page, or give a
tint to the back layer of paint. In both medias you paint with similar brushes such as: small,
medium, and large; straight edged, pointed, and fan brushes. Various techniques can be used to
create texture. The tools used for this can vary anywhere from saran wrap, to textured fabric.
Although these paints have their differences, the similarities are endless. While painting
there is a main concept; layer your composition, and pay attention to the effect your brush has
between the paint and canvas. When painting there is always a thinning, a lightening, and a
darkening agents. These may vary from paint to paint but, the basic concept will always remain
the same.