The question that decides your timeline
Choosing between acrylic and oil for a large-scale commission is often treated as a purely aesthetic decision, but it is really a timeline decision first. The two mediums behave completely differently once scale and deadline enter the brief, and getting this wrong can put an installation date at risk before a single canvas is started.
What acrylic is actually good for
Acrylic dries fast, which means it can be worked at volume without the production schedule stretching out for months. For a large-scale commission with a defined deadline -- a single statement piece needed within a few weeks, or a full multi-piece collection for a hotel or development -- acrylic is typically the right call. In acrylics, up to 30 original large-scale framed works can be produced in eight weeks without compromising quality.
What oil is actually good for
Oil offers a different depth, blending quality and richness that some briefs specifically call for. The trade-off is time: oil takes considerably longer to dry and cure, so a single large oil commission typically runs six to ten weeks depending on complexity. Oil suits projects with a longer runway where that extra depth matters more than a tight deadline.
How to decide for your project
Start with your real deadline, not a padded one. If you need a large body of work on a commercial timeline, acrylic is almost always the practical choice. If you have months rather than weeks and the brief calls for a particular richness of finish, oil is worth considering. A good commission artist will ask about your deadline before recommending a medium, not the other way around.
Why this decision should happen at the brief stage
Choosing the wrong medium for your timeline is one of the most avoidable mistakes in commissioning large-scale art. It costs nothing to raise the deadline honestly at the brief stage, and it can cost weeks of delay to discover a medium mismatch once a piece is already underway.
About Leah Justyce
I work in both acrylic and oil, so the brief and your deadline determine the medium rather than the medium determining what is possible. Twenty-six years of professional practice, exhibited at Art Basel and The Other Fair, delivering large-scale commission artworks directly for private clients, interior designers, hotels and developers.
Read the full guide on Australia's best artist for large-scale commission artworks, or start your brief through the commission enquiry form -- I respond within 48 hours.