Acrylic Paintings for Sale

Intro to the Acrylic Painting Medium

Skip ahead to the art please!

When we ask our artists what draws them to acrylics, the most common response is the quick-drying capability of the medium. This allows artists to work quickly and layer colours almost immediately, rather than waiting for base layers to dry.

Another frequently cited advantage of the medium is its versatility. Thinned with water, the medium allows for a loose, opaque finish which is comparable to working with watercolours. Conversely, acrylic paint can be applied in dense, visible brush strokes to create structural layers which protrude from the canvas, a technique referred to as impasto.

Acrylics are also versatile in that they stick to almost any surface: canvas, wood, paper, and other commonly-used supports. They can be painted directly on raw canvas, without a primer of white paint (a gesso), which the oil medium requires.

Many artists work in home studios or apartments, meaning their easels might be in close proximity to (or inside of) their bedrooms or kitchens. Relative to oils, acrylics give off less fumes and are thus more amenable to a work from home or low-ventilation environment. Since they are water-soluble, they can be easily cleaned with a wet cloth.

Due to the versatility of acrylics, the huge variety of additives and mediums which they can be mixed with, and (of course) the infinite creativity of artists, it is difficult to pinpoint an exact “characteristic” which is common to all acrylic paintings. If it is painted on raw canvas, unprimed canvas (as per artist Eleanor Boyden) it is likely to be acrylic. Oil paintings tend to have a softer ambience than acrylics due to the slow drying time, but this is not strictly the case. Lastly, if there is evidence of impasto (thick layers of paint protruding from the canvas), it is likely an acrylic. Notice the non-committal language here – there are no hard rules!

Acrylic Paintings for Sale

All of the artworks below are original paintings in the acrylic medium. Since these are acrylic on canvas (predominantly gallery-wrapped canvas), they are ready-to-hang without a frame.

Select any artwork to learn more, or to reserve / purchase the piece.

If you are a collector local to the artist, we offer free shipping, and the artist is often able to deliver the painting in person and tell you about their inspiration. Our mission is to build local connections!

Sustainable Mediums?

We are often asked if there is a paint medium which is more environmentally sustainable than others. Unfortunately, this is not a straightforward question. Each of the most popular mediums – acrylic, oil, watercolour – have their pros and cons from an environmental standpoint, and artists cannot easily switch between the mediums as it takes years to develop skills in any single one. There are, however, more eco-friendly paint products within each medium.

One thing we can say from direct experience is that artists are very inventive with reusing and giving life to materials which would otherwise be thrown aside. Very little gets wasted in a world where everything can be used for inspiration!

Need Help Selecting Art?

We know buying original art can be daunting. Take advantage of our complementary art consultations, digital mock-ups to view artworks in your space, and flexible return policy after receiving the art. Learn more about our art services.
Reserve an artwork you love (with no payment obligations), or fill out the contact form below to get the ball rolling.

Narrow Down the Selection

On our shop page, you can filter artworks by size, subject, price, location, palette, and more.

“This is my second time purchasing art work at ArtMatch and like the first time, it was conducted in a very professional manner, very fast delivery and most importantly, the pieces look exactly like how they are presented and described online. It is nice to support very talented local artists.”

– Shalina O.