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Artists began using acrylic paints in the 1950's. Since its introduction into the art world, acrylics have, to a large degree, overshadowed oil-based paints as a favored medium.

Your best means of finding an acrylic painting that matches your budget and decorating interest is to visit a number of art galleries and to talk with as many art dealers as possible. This will not only serve as an educational experience, but will also introduce you to 'what is out there'.

• Auctions, generic art sales, and flea markets can also be profitable hunting grounds – once you know what it is you are looking for, have learned how to tell when a painting is in good shape, and how much it should cost.

In the past, almost all paintings were done with oil based paints. The differing chemical composition of the paints means that acrylic paints dry quicker. By comparison, acrylic paints dry in about 30 minutes. Oil paints take around 48 hours to dry.

• Acrylic paints also differ from oil-based paints in that innumerable additives can be added to acrylics in order to increase their usability. For example, preservatives and stabilizers can be added to acrylic paint to increase its long-term stability.
• Paintings done with acrylic paints, once dry, are less likely to develop cracks than are paintings done with oils. This is because acrylic paints remain more elastic once dry, than do oil paints.
• With age, the pigments in both acrylic and oil paints will change. With acrylics, this change often manifests itself with yellowing whereas oils tend to darken.

One of the drawbacks of owning an acrylic painting is that acrylic's tend to attract dust and dirt more than other types of paint. In part, this is due to the ability of acrylic paint to hold an electrostatic charge that actually draws dust toward the painting.

• Cleaning dirt and dust off of an acrylic painting can be difficult because the various cleaning methods available can literally destroy the paint.
• Since cleaning an acrylic painting can be difficult, your best bet is to prevent it from getting dirty in the first place. Unless you live in a hermetically sealed home, your only real option is to frame the painting in such a manner that a barrier is created between the painting and dirt. This can be accomplished by framing the picture behind a sheet of glass or Plexiglas.
• Some people recommend varnishing an acrylic painting in order to protect it from damage. This can be a problematic solution. While varnishing can protect the painting from dust and minor dents, it can also decrease the artistic and monetary value of the painting because it can cause the painting to rapidly yellow, and if the varnish is ever removed, the paint itself can be easily damaged.

Care must also be taken to protect acrylic paintings from temperature extremes.

• At high temperatures, the acrylic paint will begin to soften, which can weaken the entire structure of the painting. If subjected to high temperatures for too long, the paint can actually begin to flow. To help protect your painting, never hang an acrylic painting over a fireplace or heating duct.
• At low temperatures, acrylic becomes very brittle and can easily chip and crack.

Acrylic paints also have a propensity to become moldy. This often occurs when the paintings are subjected to high levels of humidity. The only real protection against this problem is to maintain you painting in a low humidity environment. If you live in a humid area, you should consider in purchasing a dehumidifier to protect your painting.

Acrylic paints are also very soft. Even the pressure of a fingernail can dent or chip the paint. Therefore, care should be taken not to touch or otherwise damage it, especially when cleaning or moving the piece.

• If you decide that your acrylic painting needs cleaning, don't do it yourself. Hire a trained painting conservator to do the job for you. In order to locate a conservator contact your local museum.