Acrylic Paintings for Sale

Intro to the Acrylic Painting Medium

Skip ahead to the art please!

Acrylic paint emerged as a significant innovation in the mid-20th century, revolutionizing the world of art. Developed in the 1940s, it gained popularity for its relative accessibility and versatility. This water-based medium offered artists an alternative to traditional oil paints, providing faster drying times and a range of exciting artistic possibilities.

Identifying Acrylic Paintings

 While there are no hard rules, here are some key factors to consider when determining if a painting is done in acrylic:

• Visual Appearance: Acrylic paintings often exhibit a smooth, matte finish, as acrylic paints dry to a non-reflective surface. They also tend to have vibrant, intense colours with sharp edges and well-defined lines.
• Drying Time: Unlike oil paints, acrylic paints dry relatively quickly. An oily sheen or appearance of wetness may indicate that that it is an oil-based medium.
• Colour Intensity: Acrylic paints tend to retain their bright, vibrant colours even after drying, while oil paints can darken slightly as they dry.
• Flexibility and Durability: Acrylic paintings typically have a flexible and durable surface that does not crack easily. Look for signs of a solid, intact surface without any visible cracks or flaking.

Artists, in their endless creativity, may employ techniques or use acrylic paint in a way that resembles other mediums. As such, identifying the medium of a painting based solely on visual cues can be challenging. For all acrylic paintings for sale below, the medium is indicated amongst the other details (dimensions, price, etc.).

Acrylic Paintings for Sale

All of the artworks below are original paintings in the acrylic medium. Since these are predominantly on 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!

Advantages of Acrylic Paints for Artists

When we inquire with artists whom we represent about 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 beyond. They can be painted directly on raw canvas (as per artist Eleanor Boyden), 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.

Are Acrylics environmentally friendly?

We are often asked if there is a paint medium which is more environmentally sustainable than others. Unfortunately, this question does not have a straightforward answer. Each of the most popular mediums – acrylic, oil, watercolour – have 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. 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.