Choosing between acrylic and watercolor paints as a beginner can feel overwhelming, especially with their distinct characteristics and creative possibilities. Both mediums offer unique advantages, but the best choice depends on your artistic goals, budget, and preferred techniques. This guide, sheds light on the matter Acrylic vs Watercolor Paints—Which One Should You Start With?, compares the two, exploring their properties, ease of use, versatility, and costs, while highlighting top-quality options from ArtRight.in, a leading online art supply store in India. Backed by customer insights, this article will help you decide which paint to start with to kickstart your creative journey.

Understanding Acrylic and Watercolor Paints

What Are Acrylic Paints?

Acrylic paints are water-based, fast-drying paints made from pigment suspended in an acrylic polymer emulsion. They’re versatile, allowing for thick, textured applications or thin, watercolor-like washes. ArtRight.in’s Camel Artist Acrylic Colours (starting at ₹102.00) are a favorite, with Maanya Vadehra praising, “Good acrylic paint I really like the acrylic color it paints really good.”

What Are Watercolor Paints?

Watercolor paints are water-soluble, transparent pigments that create delicate, luminous effects. Available in tubes, pans, or liquid form, they excel in blending and layering but require specific paper to avoid warping. ArtRight’s watercolor sets, starting at ₹200, pair well with their high-retention sheets, lauded by Prithvi for “high water retention on these sheets.”

Key Differences Between Acrylic and Watercolor Paints

To choose the best medium for you, let’s compare their properties across several factors:

1. Ease of Use for Beginners

• Acrylics:

  • Pros: Forgiving and easy to correct. Mistakes can be painted over once dry, and they don’t require special paper prep. Fast drying (5–30 minutes) allows quick layering.

  • Cons: Can dry on brushes if not cleaned promptly, requiring diligent maintenance.

  • Best For: Beginners who want flexibility and less prep.

• Watercolors:

  • Pros: Easy to mix and apply with water, ideal for portable painting. Pans are beginner-friendly for small projects.

  • Cons: Less forgiving; mistakes are harder to correct due to transparency. Requires stretching paper (under 300 GSM) to prevent buckling.

  • Best For: Artists comfortable with planning and precision.

Verdict: Acrylics are easier for absolute beginners due to their forgiving nature and minimal prep.

2. Versatility

• Acrylics: Highly versatile, usable on canvas, wood, paper, or fabric. Can mimic oil (thick layers) or watercolor (diluted washes) effects. Techniques include impasto, blending, and dry brush.

• Watercolors: Best for transparent effects like washes, gradients, or delicate details. Limited to paper (preferably 240+ GSM) and less suited for thick applications. Techniques include wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, and lifting.

Verdict: Acrylics offer more versatility across surfaces and styles, ideal for experimenting.

3. Drying Time and Workability

• Acrylics: Dry quickly (5–30 minutes), allowing rapid layering but requiring fast work for blending. Retarders can slow drying.

• Watercolors: Stay workable longer when wet, ideal for blending, but dry permanently on paper, making corrections tricky.

Verdict: Acrylics suit fast-paced work; watercolors favor slower, deliberate techniques.

4. Cost and Accessibility

• Acrylics: Affordable, with sets like ArtRight’s Camel Acrylics (12 x 40ml, ₹102–₹240) or Brustro Acrylics (12 x 12ml, ₹409). Require synthetic brushes and medium-weight paper (200+ GSM).

• Watercolors: Budget-friendly, with options like Camel Watercolor Tubes (18 x 5ml, ₹396) or Doms Cakes (24 shades, ₹222). Need heavyweight paper (240+ GSM) and brushes, increasing costs slightly. ArtRight’s watercolor sets start at ₹200.

Verdict: Both are affordable, but watercolors may cost more due to paper requirements.

5. Finish and Aesthetic

• Acrylics: Bold, opaque, or semi-transparent finishes, from matte to glossy. Ideal for vibrant, textured, or abstract art.

• Watercolors: Delicate, transparent, luminous effects, perfect for soft landscapes, florals, or illustrations.

Verdict: Choose acrylics for bold, versatile looks; watercolors for subtle, translucent effects.

6. Durability and Archival Quality

• Acrylics: Durable, water-resistant when dry, and less prone to fading. Acid-free papers (like ArtRight’s) enhance longevity.

• Watercolors: Susceptible to fading if not lightfast; require acid-free, archival paper (e.g., ArtRight’s high-retention sheets) and UV protection for display.

Verdict: Acrylics are more durable; watercolors need careful storage.

Which Should You Start With?

Your choice depends on your style, goals, and comfort level:

• Choose Acrylics If:

  • You’re a beginner seeking a forgiving medium.

  • You want versatility across surfaces (canvas, wood, paper).

  • You prefer bold, vibrant, or textured effects.

  • You need quick-drying paint for fast projects.

  • Recommended Pick: ArtRight’s Camel Artist Acrylic Colours (e.g., Aqua Green, ₹102–₹240) with their 200–300 GSM acrylic paper. Vijay Saxena notes, “Good quality paper I really like.”

• Choose Watercolors If:

  • You enjoy delicate, transparent effects like washes or gradients.

  • You’re comfortable with planning and precision.

  • You want a portable, lightweight medium for travel or plein air painting.

  • You’re drawn to soft, luminous aesthetics.

  • Recommended Pick: ArtRight’s watercolor sets (starting at ₹200) with their 240–360 GSM high-retention sheets, praised for “impressive thickness.”

Pro Tip: Beginners should try acrylics for their ease and versatility, then explore watercolors once comfortable with basic techniques. ArtRight’s Art Set (₹2,695.00) includes brushes for both mediums, rated “perfect for amateur artists.”

Tips for Getting Started

1. Start Small: Choose a small set (12–24 colors) to avoid overwhelm. ArtRight’s affordable sets are ideal.

2. Pair with Quality Paper: Use 200+ GSM for acrylics, 240+ GSM for watercolors. ArtRight’s sheets ensure no buckling, as Prithvi confirms, “High water retention.”

3. Use Synthetic Brushes: Sizes 4–8 rounds and flats work for both. ArtRight’s brushes are durable, per Priya: “Impressed with the brush quality.”

4. Practice Techniques: Try acrylic washes or watercolor wet-on-wet on scrap paper to build confidence.

5. Store Properly: Keep paints sealed and papers flat in a dry place to maintain quality.

Where to Buy Affordable Acrylics and Watercolors in India

• ArtRight.in: Offers Camel Acrylics (₹102–₹240) and watercolor sets (₹200+), plus high-retention papers. #1 on Amazon and Flipkart, with 84% return customers.

• Amazon.in: Stocks Brustro Acrylics (12 x 12ml, ₹409) and Camel Watercolor Tubes (18 x 5ml, ₹396, 8% off) with 5% cashback.

• Canvazo.com: Features Camel Watercolor Tubes (20ml, ₹105–₹198) and Doms Cakes (₹62–₹222).

• Flipkart.com: Offers Faber-Castell Watercolours (12 x 5ml, ₹175) with free shipping on select orders.

Pro Tip: Subscribe to ArtRight’s newsletter for exclusive discounts, as Nandakumar notes, “Handy Product. Worth its price.”

Why Choose ArtRight.in?

ArtRight.in is a trusted hub for artists, offering premium supplies at budget-friendly prices. With 900+ happy clients and reviews like, “Definitely worth the price,” their paints and papers excel for beginners. Fast delivery across India, the Middle East, and Australia, plus bulk discounts, make ArtRight a top choice.

Start Your Painting Journey

Acrylics are the best starting point for beginners due to their ease, versatility, and forgiving nature, while watercolors suit those drawn to delicate, transparent effects. ArtRight.in’s Camel Acrylics and watercolor sets, paired with their high-retention papers, offer affordable quality to kickstart your art. Visit ArtRight.in, Amazon.in, or Canvazo.com today, explore their ranges, and subscribe for deals. Choose your medium and start painting with confidence!