Watercolors to Acrylics

Not sure there are any snags - you know of course that acrylic paint, once dried, can't (normally) be re-wetted (there are 'interactive' acrylics, which can be). The only snags are a) that you need to use synthetic brushes, or perhaps hogs, rather than sable or even goat-hair; b) that you must keep your brushes damp and not allow paint to dry on them, because while it can be removed, it's likely to ruin the shape of the brush; c) that the colour is more immediate, and stronger, and will generally need the addition of white or of water/medium if you're to avoid a strident look. On the other hand, you have the choice - if you like to use paint in strong colours and tones, acrylic can do that for you. Some of the Terry Harrison techniques - such as using a credit card to help create rocks - can be employed with acrylic. Acrylic can be used transparently, or opaquely, or more usually in a combination of both. And acrylic can certainly be used on canvas, boards, paper, more or less anything non-greasy. On the whole, you'll probably be working dark to light, as opposed to the other way round with watercolour, but even that isn't a hard and fast rule. You can use sponges with acrylic, though wash the paint out before it dries or you'll be left with a hard, useless lump. Let us know if you have anything more specific in mind.

I paint in oil, watercolour, acrylic, and sometimes gouache. So the choice can be a touch daunting - on the other hand, some subjects do seem to suggest the medium; or the medium suggests the subject. I think you'll find you gradually begin just to know which you wish to employ. And if in doubt - do both! Plenty of artists have done a study in watercolour for an oil or acrylic; perhaps not so often the other way round. Or have felt like capturing different aspects of a subject in different mediums.

I like to point in Watercolour in Autumn and Spring, which is about right for speed of drying. Whereas in Summer I prefer to paint in oil, when I want it to dry quicker. That leaves Winter for Acrylic, when the drying is slowest. Simple!

The seasonal use of mediums! That had never occurred to me - but then, I'm rarely in a hurry for paint to dry. Gives me more time for lazing - for thinking, I mean, thinking... It's a thought, though - at least it provides a rational basis for the choice.