Oil vs. acrylic paint

[Anu2]

I would like to start getting into painting (pictures) and I'm wondering what the difference is between oil and acrylic paint. I've always used acrylics in the past and I'm not that excited by them. I'm wondering if oil would be better. What is the difference between the two as far as spreadability, texture, mixing colors, drying time, etc?

[Bear Creek]

Oils are easier to mix. Acrylics dry alot faster. I've had oil paintings that took weeks to dry. It can be frustrating, but very rewarding. Oils produce softer textures and are more brilliant in color. Acrylics are faster and can give sharper edges. It depends on what you want to paint and how you would like it to look. I like to paint with both, along with oil pastels and water color. Helen Van Wyke wrote and produced some very good instuctional books and video tapes [that you can still buy] that shows how to paint with oils.