It becomes difficult sometimes to decide whether you want to be an oil painter or a watercolor painter or whatnot, but here is a quick rundown of what to expect.

Oil Paint- This is my preferred medium because it is very powerful and versatile. The colors are strong and vibrant. It has withstood the test of time. Oil paint can be used on a variety of surfaces.

Pros:

• Great colors
• Can easily go with realism or impressionism
• Can go opaque or transparent
• Can use a variety of surfaces- canvas, linen, board, heavy paper
• Does not need to be put behind glass when framed
• Very forgiving if you make a mistake

Cons:

• Messy
• Cannot clean with water
• Strong smell
• Canvas and linen can be hard to frame
• Most toxic- unless you use non-toxic solvents and mediums
• Slow dry time

Watercolor- Many people prefer this medium because it is very expressive and easy to get into. The paints are nontoxic and clean easily with water. This medium is easy to get started with, but difficult to master.

Pros:

• Fairly safe to use in the house
• Easy clean-up
• Paintings can be done quickly
• Less odor than oil paint
• Can be very expressive if used well
• Vibrant colors
• Fast dry time

Cons:

• Difficult to master
• Less forgiving than oil paint if you mess up (cannot easily paint over mistakes)
• More difficult than oil paint to work from loose to refined
• Regular paper buckles and warps- must stretch paper or use a block for best results

Gouache- Gouache is similar to watercolor. In fact, it is basically an opaque watercolor. It is not as opaque as oil paint though. This is tricky medium, but many illustrators love it for its fast drying time and excellent color.

Pros:

• More forgiving than watercolor since it is opaque (can paint over mistakes)
• Vibrant colors (more vibrant than acrylic)
• Can be used for a variety of styles
• Easy clean-up just like waterolor
• Very similar to watercolor
• Fast dry time

Cons:

• Difficult to master
• Can be tricky (darks dry lighter and lights dry darker)
• Some colors not as opaque (requires more layers)
• Not as strong or durable as oil paint, especially when wet

Acrylic- This medium is widely used. It dries fast can is fairly non-toxic. It is water-based like watercolor and can be cleaned with water. When I used it, I noticed the colors looked a bit dull, but maybe newer paints look better.

Pros:

• Fast dry time unlike oil paint
• Opaque and therefore forgiving of mistakes
• Easy to use in the house (little smell or mess)

Cons:

• As with all quick-drying media, it can be difficult to cover large areas smoothly and evenly
• Colors look a bit dull and chalky to me, but maybe newer brands of paint look better
• Some say it dries a little "too" fast

So, there is a general introduction of what to expect when choosing a medium. Keep in mind that when switching to a new medium, you need to learn that medium's specific techniques in order to get your work looking as good as you are capable of. Whatever you choose, stick with it and the results will come. Remember, you must master both the "medium" and the foundation art skills to be a master artist.