I like to use acrylic paints because they are so versatile and can be used just like watercolors. Acrylic paint is water-based, which means it dissolves in water. You only need a small amount of paint mixed with water and you will instantly have turned acrylic paint into watercolor!

Here are five reasons why I love using acrylic paint like watercolor!

1. Acrylic paints can be thinned with water, but are waterproof when dry. Depending on how much the paint is diluted with water, the finished painting can resemble a watercolor or even an oil painting. For a watercolor effect, dilute only a small amount of paint in the water. Mix it well and you have created a whole new medium for painting.
2. Use the diluted pigment in a spray bottle. I have even used a small amount of paint in a water spray bottle to sprinkle little specks of color on fields or for falling snow. Tip, make sure your paint is flat when you do this! These techniques would not be possible unless thinned to a watercolor consistency.
3. The boldest colors are possible. Acrylic paints can be used instead of watercolors because acrylics dry closer to the desired color which is slightly darker, while watercolors dry lighter and colors are sometimes unpredictable.
4. Watercolor techniques can be used. The wet on wet is a favorite technique of watercolourists. To apply this technique, apply a layer of color on the watercolor paper. While it’s still wet, add another color. The two colors blend beautifully almost as if they were on their own to create soft, subtle color variations.
5. Acrylic techniques can be used. Then add more objects with a thicker version of paint to create objects that appear closer or more detailed. You can also do the opposite when you add a layer of watercolor wash over a painting to soften it by toning down the colors whereby you add a mist or mist.

Acrylic paints are so versatile that I only buy them because I can create so many different effects with one painting medium. Converting acrylics to watercolor is so easy, there’s no reason to buy both.