What's the difference between acrylic and oil paints?

Acrylic paints are usually better for beginners. They dry quickly and you can paint over them easily if you make a mistake. They also wash out of brushes easily with water. Oils, on the other hand, take days to dry, which makes it easier to manipulate the paint for a longer period of time. Oils can ruin your brushes, however, if they are not washed very well with turpentine or soap and water. Oils are also more difficult to work with, so they're better for experienced artists. They have more pigments in them as well, which means they have a richer, deeper color than acrylic paints.