There are many things that impact the value of a work of art, including the medium. Generally speaking, the hierarchy from more valuable to least is oil / acrylic painting, watercolor, drawings, then original prints (etching, engraving, woodcut, etc.).

 

Oil paints have been in use in Europe since the 15th Century. Acrylic paints were not even created until the 1920's - 1930's and then were not readily available for artist until the 1950's. So, there was a time when they were considered a second rate type of paint in comparison to oil. There was critique about acrylic's harsh colors and how they did not blend as well. There was also a question concerning their durability.

 

Fortunately, time and the improvements in acrylic paints have solved most of the problems. It is usually personal preference as to which medium an artist will use. The techniques and how the paint responds are a little different from each other.

 

Is an oil painting or an acrylic painting more valuable used to be a very common question. Thankfully, acrylic paints have held up to their promise and there is no value difference between that and an oil. It is how well the artist handles their medium that impacts the value more.