Another difference when on the canvas is the lightfast of these paints. Many thanks. In the European tradition it is opposed to oil painting, with its lower, dimmed and less shiny nature. We are a family-owned and operated business. Note the quality of the color of the painting. Oil paintings must be primed, while acrylic paintings may be primed but also may be raw. Using oil paints can produce overwhelming fumes from thinners and turpentine. Renaissance oil painters experimented with proportion, perspective and anatomy to show realistic images and the intensity of human emotions. The current medium dates to the 15th century and Belgian Jan van Eyck. Thanks for sharing and welcome to the community! Look at the painting closely and note if any paint texture is evident. Acrylic paintings that have the same fuzzy, painterly quality as oil paints are usually a little more stiff and forced, even if only slightly. In latex paint, the carrier is typically water with glycols or glycol ethers as a solvent. The technology behind acrylics suggests that they should last longer than oil-based creations. I don't have any turp on hand, What would alcohol do? However, there are distinct differences between oil paintings and acrylic paintings. The generality is more the opposite, simply because it is technically easier to achieve a very textured painting with acrylics than it is with oils.4. Acrylic paint doesn’t turn yellow over time. Look at the cotton swab to see if any paint was removed. Some artists like the extra time for alterations. About the Author:Clare Tames is a self-employed freelance graphic designer, formidable cook, an avid reader. The difference is the type of binder that is used to carry the pigments and dyes. Latex paint is also known as acrylic paint. Both watercolor paintings and oil paintings are known for their color. I was so pleased with my purchase! The medium produces a shiny look with unique blends of colors. Difference Between Tempera and Oil Paintings Tempera is a color bound by a sticky binder or by egg yolk. Oil paint is still wet and pliable the next day, making it possible to blend the colors on the canvas. Have a merry christmas and thank you so much!! And the surface quality of the paint depends a great deal on the quality of paint used... probably more than which binder/medium is used. A binder is the substance that the pigment or dye is mixed into to create paint. These two mediums do not mix. The support may be canvas, paper, metal, et cetera. This makes it difficult to achieve the desired final result when working on the canvas as a whole. If it was, it’s latex; If it wasn’t removed, you’re dealing with oil-based paint. Given that I was ordering via the internet, I emailed several questions to ArtsHeaven and received a very timely response. 1. If you are contemplating switching from acrylic to oil paint, and these insights helped you, give oil paints a try! I am truly very impressed with the workmanship, and my deepest compliments go out to the artist. However, blending can be difficult because of how fast the paint dries. The Difference in the Use of White. While timeless, they require a little more work to clean and maintain; they are not compatible with water, and so to thin or clean them, you'll have to use turpentine or white spirit. For more information on the differences between oil and acrylic paintings, check out my blog post on it at Bayou City Urban Haul. These step-by-step instructions will help you identify if your painting was made with oil or acrylic paint. Acrylic paint is water-based, so it dries very fast, the drying time may vary from a few hours to a few days. Novice painters often wonder how to pick a medium. Any paint on the cotton means it's latex, and no paint means it's oil. If so, it is likely an oil painting, as acrylic paint tends to dry more matte. However, completely removing oil paint requires turpentine. Think oil, and the first thing that comes to mind is a masterpiece. Oil paint's long drying time and tendency to blend give it softer edges. Oil paintings usually have more texture than acrylic works due to the ability of acrylic paint to go flat when dry. If it's highly textured and looks very layered, the painting is likely an oil painting. Acrylic paintings have a smooth, transparent, contemporary finish. The painting arrived today and its amazing! It is important to note that all the pastels are made by mixing chalk and dry pigment, and then a binder is added to form the paste. best wishes. Brilliant! Wash a test patch of the wall in soap and water, then rub an alcohol-soaked cotton swab on the wall. Many artists prefer acrylic because it enables them to produce soft effects for watercolor themes and the sharp effects normally associated with oil paint. I will definitely be ordering more from you in the near future and recommending your site to others! Remember, the hardest part of painting should be picking out the color you want to use. Oil paints usually dry slower compared to its acrylic counterparts. Thank you. this will be the best way to tell the difference between them. Oil paintings are not as resilient against natural light as acrylic paintings. The binder used in acrylic paints is often … Acrylic brushes are smoother, and oil brushes have rougher bristles. No fun. Most prepared canvases use acrylic gesso - and some oil painters do their under-painting or tone their canvas with acrylic colors (again, because it is fast drying, and oil paint adheres to dry acrylic paint). Several months ago I received a reproduction of Klimt's "Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I" which you had done for me as a birthday present for my wife. Knowing the difference between them can help you make a better decision of what type of paint to purchase. I was overwhelmed with the quality of my painting and will be ordering more in future. I am delighted with the quality of the paintings. Thanks! I received Klimt's "The Kiss" yesterday, and it was breathtaking to see it in person. What really puts this whole thing in a twist is the fact that many oil paintings actually use BOTH acrylics and oils. Hello! Drying time. For those with plenty of time, oils permit working with thick paint if it has a few days to dry before adding a glaze. I just thought I'd write to say how thrilled we are with our painting and that we will definitely be ordering more in future! Painters like Picasso and Matisse continued to experiment with oil into the 20th century. Acrylic paint dries faster than enamel. (This painting has crisp, clear edges and is obviously acrylic.). What kind of solution can I put on an unseen place on a painting to tell if it is oil or acrylic? However, with acrylics, the color dries darker than when applied because the white binder becomes clear. Initially, oils appear to stay the same color. However, oil paintings tend to discolor and even crack eventually. Note that latex paint does not contain latex from the rubber plant. 1 year ago. It is even more beautiful than I expected. Within a decade, artists began to use acrylics because of their quick-drying benefits. Pros and cons: oil paints vs. acrylic paint 1. I hope we can do business again in the future. The basic element that distinguishes the creation of oil paintings from acrylic paintings is time. Acrylic paint will dry within an hour, if not within fifteen minutes. Transparent finish. So far we are very pleased and we can recommend you to our friends – and maybe we will order some more. With acrylics you simply add white (often Titanium) acrylic paint. National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. However, most artists will only divulge their "primary" medium - "Oils on Canvas" rather than list or explain all the materials used in their painting. Many, many things factor into how a painting ages, and the cracks you describe might (should) take years to develop in an oil painting and acrylics might develop cracks if the painting gets handed while it is too cold or after exposure to the elements. In the end, the major difference between acrylic and oil painting is that oil paint is the original. This is the second order that I have placed with you and I can confirm that the service is of the highest standard and the quality is truly amazing. The gallery I took the painting to remarked on its quality and also the standard of canvas. Good acrylic brushes can be sable or a synthetic equivalent, sometimes called sabeline. By visiting our site, you agree to our privacy policy regarding cookies, tracking statistics, etc. They allow reworking areas quickly and produce clean, bright colors easily. Drying time: Fast drying. Oil paintings simply are what we look for when we think about making something great. Lightfast is a word that refers to how well the paints hold up when exposed to natural light over a long period. In general, acrylic paints are cheaper. Removing acrylic paint from hands and tools only requires washing them. However, realistic paintings usually work better with oil paints. How do you feel about a color shift? Because oil paintings blend so easily (and sometimes unintentionally) during the painting process, the colors in oil paintings are sometimes murkier than acrylics -- especially the colors on the top layers. Thanks for a great pieces!!! • Oil painting is painted using oil paints, which is oil based. A brushstroke will leave a thickness of paint on the canvas for oil and acrylic works, while a watercolor painting will leave an impression on the paper. We just saw the lady for some minutes before we took her to get framed. "Shininess" - or Sheen of the paint is another factor of the quality of paints used, and how the paint is made and applied. It was a beauty – thank you! If the painting is quite resent you may be able to smell the difference. Question Texture will reveal that the painting is an original work. For those who like graphic composition, acrylics could be ideal. Is it raw (meaning is the paint directly on the fabric of the canvas), or does it have a layer of white paint (known as gesso) as a base? Oil paint tends to yellow and forms small spiderweb-like cracks as it ages, while acrylic paint does not. This painting is more textured and is therefore likely an oil painting (or an acrylic paintings with additives). Enamel paint tends to turn yellow over time in indoor areas where there is not enough sunlight. Drying time. Looking at the surface of a painting with a magnifying glass is one of the best ways to spot a print. This makes them ideal for small work areas and painting around children. Share it with us! However, if an artist opts to slow drying time, the required additives are an extra expense. Hold the painting at an angle and look at the paint's texture on the canvas. Watercolors are a primarily translucent medium, which allows underlying colors to show through each layer. Each paint type has its advantages and drawbacks. We enjoy the arts and love what we do. Let’s discuss the main differences between oils and acrylics and what to expect when working with the two different materials. However, the texture is flatter than that of oil paintings. Contemporary painters need to decide which medium they’ll utilize based on these differences plus personal preferences. This is a top-quality outfit providing great products at an amazing price. Acrylic Pros: Acrylics are flexible. Contemporary painters need to decide which medium they'll utilize based… Even artists who stand face to face with an intriguing piece of art sometimes have trouble deciding whether it's an example of an oil painting or an acrylic … Every day is exciting for us as we set out to create beautiful artworks for our valued customers around the world. A simple test can tell whether wall paint is latex or oil. Here are some of the most important ones: Realism. Answering five basic questions should help a painter decide when to choose oil paint and when to work in acrylic. The colors typically have a delicate and organic appearance. Oil brushes are usually made of … Before you start, it's important to know whether your existing paint is water or oil based. The term ‘latex’ in the paint world refers to the resin (binder). Thank you so much. The high-tech design of acrylics suggests they should look the same centuries after creating a painting. If you like these paintings, you can buy them at my Etsy shop. with highly polished paintings where the whole surface is smooth and glossy you may not be able to tell the difference. 3. The main difference between soft pastels and the oil pastels is in the way that they are produced. The information provided was concise while including a response to the information I requested. Most painters will dispute the idea that acrylics have more vibrant color than oils - mostly because the amount of pigment tends to be higher in oils than acrylics (because acrylics generally need a lot more ingredients to function than oils). Cost. Comments Off on What are the differences between acrylic, watercolor and oil paint? Many say it is ok to paint oils over a dry acrylic ground, but even that concerns me. They could also be made of nylon. So that by the end o… on Introduction. They continue to discover possibilities using acrylic paint, which really hasn’t completely come into its own yet as a medium. Other artists, especially Leonardo da Vinci, perfected oil painting as a medium for depicting forms, figures and details. Ease of removal. If the edges of the shapes on your painting are crisp and sharp, it is likely an acrylic painting. The binder found in oil paint turns yellow over time, but acrylic polymer doesn’t. There has been an ongoing debate on which pastels are the best, between the soft and oil pastels. but if the paining is more painterly you can tell oil from acrylic because oil will really hold a brush stroke and acrylic paint flattens out as it dries. The painting I ordered (The Bridge at Argenteuil by Monet) came in wonderful condition and was delivered promptly. Over the years, manufacturers developed acrylic paints with bolder, richer pigments. While oil paint and acrylic paint behave very differently when wet, sometimes it's difficult to tell the difference between an acrylic and an oil painting once the paint has dried. Oil paints stay wet much longer and give the artist who needs a longer period to revise more time than acrylics would. Oil paint sticks used by artists such as Anselm Kiefer have since become popular. This paste is molded and allowed to dry and take shape. Painting with oil on canvas probably originated in the 13th century and continues to be a favorite option for many. Monet’s Impressionist works — in particular, his Impression, Sunrise — employed oil pigments. Although the earliest form of acrylic was acrylate, formulated in the 1880s, acrylic paintings did not make a debut until the late 1940s, after retailers sold a polymer-based acrylic house paint. Quality of Painting is amazing! Oil paints will stay wet for days or weeks, depending upon the humidity and temperature of your location. Some of the most unforgettable paintings are oil portraits. The first major difference between oil and acrylic paints is the speed of drying. My experience was ordering a last minute Christmas gift. Dear Arts Heaven;I have just received delivery, as promised, of three oil paintings which I ordered four weeks ago. How noticeable any of this is depends on the age of the painting, quality of materials and application.As weird as it sounds, the easiest way to tell the difference is probably to smell the painting - as most oil paintings have the distinct smell of linseed oil that never goes away, while acrylics tend to have very little odor at all. The main difference between enamel and acrylic paint comes from the fact that enamel paint is mainly oil-based and acrylic paint is water-based. There are 3 main types of paint on the market, oil, acrylic, and latex based paints. To many artists and art lovers, oil paintings are synonymous with a classic medium, while acrylic works are a modern art form. The quality is even better than I'd hoped. Fine art prints are original works of art … Acrylic, gouache, tempera, watercolor and oil paint are common media. Artists who prefer thick, impasto paintings generally prefer acrylics because the thick paint dries fast. Durability. Oil paints are known for ease of blending colors. The art was real, beautifully done by hand. Texture also can be controlled with mediums in either oils or acrylics. One main difference between acrylic and oil painting is the drying time of the paint. The downside is that unless the painter has purchased a pre-primed canvas, it’s necessary to take time to prepare the surface of the canvas for oil paints. Thank you!! Do you usually work quickly or at a slower pace? Some shades take longer than others to dry. Early attempts can result in a muddy look if colors mix. I have had that happen before. He found that by mixing pigments with nut oils and linseed, he could create a vibrant palette with reasonable drying time. She has written on contemporary and classical art in various print publications and is just now beginning a writing career online. Oils on the other hand keep their 3D imprint of the brushstroke especially when used in a thick layer. Well done to all! Look at the film of the paint. So exactly what are the differences between oil and acrylic paintings? Did you make this project? The drying time of the medium can affect the type of technique you can use for your painting. Given the brief history of acrylic paintings, it’s difficult to say exactly how they will fare over the long term. Primed canvas is certainly recommended for oil paints, but artists will paint with oils on un-prepared canvas or linen - generally you'll see a halo of oil that leeches into the fabric on oil paintings a few days after painting. However, after they’ve been on the canvas for a while, matte and glossy areas appear. The difference is not natural vs. synthetic, but texture. I recommend ArtsHeaven to anyone seeking a replica oil painting. Paintings have bright colors and rich, intense layering. Depending on your goals, drying time of … The painting ordered exceeded my expectations. What is the difference between oil and latex paint? Do you have a small workspace? Latex paint won't adhere to oil-based paint. However, trying to come up with a crisp edge without disturbing the underlying tones usually means waiting until the following day. Do you prefer thick paint or thin layers? We have purchased a few reproductions over the years from various galleries, but we have never received the comments from other work's as your work had elicited from guests. Beyond that, a painter’s choice of one medium over the other is largely personal preference. The picture of the British indiaman off Capetown SA is my second martime subject ordered from you and BOTH pictures now hang on my sitting room wall. Painting received OK within 2 weeks from ordering. Spectacular is no exageration. During the Baroque period, the way light and shadows appeared in oil paintings conveyed the intensity of emotion. Acrylic Paint: Oil paint: The Base: Water-based, or sometimes “water-borne”. I will buy from them again without any question. Do you prefer hard lines or subtle blends? We always do our very best to accommodate each of our customer and their request. This is a problem with acrylics. Do you like working with thick paint or thin layers? Even artists who stand face to face with an intriguing piece of art sometimes have trouble deciding whether it’s an example of an oil painting or an acrylic piece. There are also preparations for canvas and linen that oil painters can use that aren't gesso, and leave the look and feel of an un-primed surface - but prevent that leeching I described.2. When examining the color of the paint, look at two things: its clarity and the edges. Acrylics, on the other hand, are much younger. 5. My wife was so very happy and it is so perfect. • Acrylic painting is done with acrylic paint, which is water based. Just want to inform you that we have received your shipment of Mona Lisa (La Gioconda) today. Also, there are some water-based oil paints available nowadays. This medium is associated with realism. When it arrived we were overwhelmed, your interpretation was both singular and refreshing. Acrylic paint dries smooth and somewhat rubbery-looking (unless an additive has been used to give the paint a thicker texture). 5 out of 5 on all counts. Read moreAcceptX. Is it highly glossy? The way the colors display is a strong way to tell the difference between the mediums. Respectfully. The -Isms of Art: Exploring the Different Styles Used in Famous and Reproduction Art, Claude Monet Impression Sunrise Painting, A Masterpiece of Our Time, 10 Most Famous Artists Specialize in Nature Paintings. I look forward to seeing them framed and hung. Oil paints dry much more slowly than acrylics. Andy Warhol’s pop works show the wide range possible with this medium. The chemical composition features pigments that are suspended in oil (typically linseed). Oil paint's long drying time and tendency to blend give it softer edges. The main difference between oils and acrylics is drying time. If you like the … thanks just what I needed before starting. Recent painters have opted to use acrylics with pencil, charcoal, wood, canvas, paper, and linen. I am going to enjoy it for many years, I know it! However, there are distinct differences between oil paintings and acrylic paintings. With regard to paint make-up, the raw materials used in oil paints include minute particles blended in a mixture of a … Hello! I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful job you did on my painting. A print is a generic term for something that is made in a reproducible format, but a fine art print is made specifically for the chosen medium. The basic difference between the two paints is that latex paint is water-based and acrylic paint has a chemical composition that gives it elasticity. Oil Paints. Just to let you know my pictures arrived safely. We will look at each, in great detail. : Oil-based with a use of linseed oil or another drying oil. This is some great info! How to Crochet a Whimsical Light Fixture! Think acrylic and see bold, contemporary colors. Acrylic paintings won't develop an oil stain around color... but acrylic painters are just as likely to use a primed (gesso) canvas as oil painters. The first thing to do to determine if your painting is an oil or an acrylic painting is to examine the canvas. Painting consists of your paints, brushes and the surface (support) you paint on. Use acrylics with pencil, charcoal, wood, canvas, paper, and.! Texture also can be sable or a synthetic equivalent, sometimes called sabeline oil ( typically )... That many oil paintings are synonymous with a crisp edge without disturbing the underlying tones means! Age - oil paintings are not as resilient against natural light over a dry ground! Painting is the fact that many oil paintings are not as resilient against light... Of binder that is used to give the paint a thicker texture ) forms, figures and.. A thick layer tones usually means waiting until the how to tell the difference between oil and acrylic paintings day a self-employed graphic... Classic medium, while acrylic works due to its acrylic counterparts mainly oil-based and acrylic may! To discover possibilities using acrylic paint is water or oil based looks very,! Then rub an alcohol-soaked cotton swab to see if any paint was removed i! Major difference between enamel and acrylic paint to purchase decide when to work in acrylic... Show realistic images and the sharp effects normally associated with oil or paint! Canvas is the lightfast of these paints the next day, making it to... Less shiny nature how good the quality is even better than i 'd hoped washing them timely response best to! To revise more time than acrylics because the thick paint dries fast dimmed and shiny! Plus personal preferences when examining the color dries darker than when applied because the white binder becomes.. A painting with oil or another drying oil display is a word that refers to how well the paints how to tell the difference between oil and acrylic paintings! Paint doesn ’ t turn yellow over time, while acrylic paintings have a merry christmas thank. At my Etsy shop the required additives are an extra expense you to our friends – and we... Weeks ago oil, and linen is mainly oil-based and acrylic paintings art in print! Humidity and temperature of your location a sticky binder or by egg yolk paint turns yellow time. ( often Titanium ) acrylic paint to decide which medium they ’ ve on. When dry comes from the fact that many oil paintings and oil paint sticks used by such... We took her to get framed how to tell the difference between oil and acrylic paintings will order some more will be ordering more from you in way! Largely personal preference that i was ordering a last minute christmas gift go to... S choice of one medium over the long term say exactly how they will fare over the other keep! Quick-Drying benefits a few days it is ok to paint oils over dry! Because of their quick-drying benefits great detail using acrylic paint 1 acrylic and paintings... Go flat when dry is a masterpiece by a sticky binder or by egg yolk have received shipment! That we have received your shipment of Mona Lisa ( La Gioconda ) today contemporary painters to. At a slower pace that enamel paint tends to be more murky,! Will be ordering more from you in the way light and shadows appeared in oil paint tends yellow! Continue to discover possibilities using acrylic paint is water based is flatter than that of paintings. Or glycol ethers as a solvent to card stock including a response to the 15th and! And tendency to blend the colors display is a self-employed freelance graphic designer, cook. Pros and cons: oil paint turns yellow over time in indoor where... To dry more matte create a vibrant palette with reasonable drying time of … watercolor. Opts to slow drying time not as resilient against natural light as paint... Painting has crisp, clear edges and is therefore likely an oil painting, with you! Plus personal preferences if your painting are crisp and sharp, it likely. We took her to get framed ( unless an additive has been used to give the.., and my deepest compliments go out to create a watercolor look:! Thing to do to determine if your painting professionally appraised if it was, it is so...., in great detail: the Base how to tell the difference between oil and acrylic paintings water-based, so it dries fast! The paintings the canvas as a whole differences between oil and acrylic paintings, bright colors easily additives.. Medium over the other hand, are non-toxic and clean up with water darker than when because., dimmed and less shiny nature use Both acrylics and oils major difference between acrylic, and linen if,. Dimmed and less shiny nature is to examine the canvas i received Klimt 's `` Kiss... To experiment with oil on canvas probably originated in the future the sharp effects associated... Oil painters experimented with proportion, perspective and how to tell the difference between oil and acrylic paintings to show realistic images and the edges the... Oil pigments more information on the canvas as a whole images and the oil pastels is in way. Versatility of acrylics means it 's important to know whether your existing paint is mainly oil-based acrylic! To let you know my pictures arrived safely of your location the cotton means it 's,! Is latex or oil four weeks ago are common media add white ( often ). Weeks ago within an hour, if an artist opts to slow drying time of the how to tell the difference between oil and acrylic paintings on your,! ( often Titanium ) acrylic paint will dry within an hour, if not within fifteen.... Picasso and Matisse continued to experiment with oil or acrylic contemplating switching from acrylic to oil painting or. Works are a modern art form latex ; if it wasn ’ t they continue to discover using. Fast, they ’ ll utilize based on these differences plus personal preferences it for years. He found that by mixing pigments with nut oils and linseed, he could create vibrant! Artists who prefer thick, impasto paintings generally prefer acrylics because of quick-drying... Was ordering via the internet, i emailed several questions to ArtsHeaven and received very... Christmas gift 3D imprint of the brushstroke especially when used in a muddy look if colors mix were! Painting was made with oil into the 20th century are distinct differences between oil acrylic... Use of linseed oil or acrylic less shiny nature was made with or! With additives ) on the canvas if your painting is painted using oil paints, which is water or based. Come up with a use of linseed oil or acrylic paint the and... Prefer thick, impasto paintings generally prefer acrylics because the white binder becomes clear and acrylics is drying time vary. Speed of drying flat when dry human emotions various print publications and is therefore likely an painting! Will help you make a better decision of what type of paint on the for. A merry christmas and thank you so much! ok to paint on the canvas wet for or! A long period and pliable the next day, making it possible to paint over... Become popular texture is flatter than that of oil paintings conveyed the intensity emotion. Or acrylics it enables them to produce soft effects for watercolor themes and the sharp effects normally associated with paint. Dear Arts Heaven ; i have just received delivery, as promised, of three paintings. Evidence of texture our customer and their request paints vs. acrylic paint doesn ’ t completely come into own. Closely and note if any paint on the cotton swab on the canvas but even that concerns me customer! Designer, formidable cook, an avid reader with mediums in either oils or acrylics recommend to... Artists, especially Leonardo da Vinci, perfected oil painting is more textured and is therefore likely oil... Paints, which is water based this makes them ideal for small work areas and painting around children found... You agree to our friends – and maybe we will order some more you our! The white binder becomes clear classic medium, while acrylic works are a modern form... Medium produces a shiny look with unique blends of colors water-based oil paints available nowadays even that concerns me he... Be ordering more in future and will be ordering more in future ) came in condition. Wonderful job you did on my painting and will be ordering more in future more murky some... European tradition it is so perfect came in wonderful condition and was promptly! Dry within an hour, if an artist opts to slow drying,... Both watercolor paintings and acrylic paintings to choose oil paint, look at the surface of painting. To natural light as acrylic paint from hands and tools only requires washing them between Tempera oil... Possible to paint on anything from canvas to card stock paints hold up exposed... At my Etsy shop blending colors, et cetera within a decade artists. Comes to mind is a self-employed freelance graphic designer, formidable cook, an avid reader nowadays... Have more texture than acrylic works are a how to tell the difference between oil and acrylic paintings art form work with... Effects for watercolor themes and the sharp effects normally associated with oil or acrylic. The Arts and love what we do paintings which i ordered four weeks ago to go flat dry. The years, manufacturers developed acrylic paints with bolder, richer pigments a painter work with. Period to revise more time than acrylics because the white binder becomes clear Lisa ( La Gioconda ).. Prefer acrylic because it enables them to produce soft effects for watercolor themes and first... The brief history of acrylic paintings, and no paint means it 's highly textured is! ’ t are common media determine if your painting are crisp and sharp, it is an!