3 Different Types of Paint for Artists

Every artist is inspired to paint for various reasons. Fueled by self-expression, stress relief, or simply an innate drive to create, paint is a versatile medium every artist can enjoy. Paint favorites include watercolor, acrylic, and oil paint all possess qualities that make them unique and different from each other. Learn their differences and let’s get painting.

1. Watercolor Paint

Create soft and dreamy artwork with watercolor paint. With its light and translucent consistency, artists can create luminous artwork full of beautifully blended colors. While the paint’s thin consistency is what makes it special, it tends to have a mind of its own. The secret is allowing spontaneity. While this makes the creative process intimidating to some, watercolor paint is great for beginners and pros alike.  

Watercolors come in many different forms: watercolor pans and trays, tubes, and even markers and pencils. Add water to these pigment-packed art materials and watch your painting come alive. When creating with watercolors, we recommend choosing a heavier weighted paper as it can handle layers of strokes without compromising your art. Use smooth paper for more detailed work and calendared or matte paper when creating thinners layers of watercolors. For wet-on-wet watercolor techniques, use rougher and stronger paper over 250g.

Faber-Castell offers a collection of watercolor materials including Albrecht Dürer Watercolor Pencils and Markers, Goldfaber Aqua Watercolor Pencils and Markers, Watercolor Tubes, Watercolors in Pans, Connector Paints, Paint by Number sets, and an assortment of kits.  

2. Acrylic Paint

Acrylic paint earns its popularity from its versatility. With a creamy consistency, acrylic paint is easier to use than other paint and can be used on a multitude of surfaces such as canvas or paper. Unlike watercolor paint, acrylic comes in one form – liquid. The intense, brilliant, and mixable shades of acrylic paint can be used alone, diluted with water, or with other mediums such as charcoals and pastels. Use this paint with brushes, spatulas, rollers, and other painting tools. Once dry, acrylic paint is water resistant. 

Faber-Castell offers acrylic paint in a set of 12 count of paint tubes.  

3. Oil Paint

Oil paint holds unique qualities that make it stand out amongst the rest. Out of all our paint options, oil paint provides the most color brilliance. Chosen by artists because of its versatility, the buttery smooth consistency of oil paint is perfect for blending, creating texture, and making new hues. Multifaceted, oil paint can be used to complete various painting techniques such as masking, sgraffito, or glazing. While canvas is the most popular option, oil paint can be used on wood, cardboard, paper, and even plastic. Although easy to use and versatile, primer is needed when working with oil paint.  

Faber-Castell offers oil paint in a 12 and 24 count set of tubes.