When it comes to painting a portrait, there are three specific types of paints that are used – oil, water and acrylic paints. Each of these paint types has their own advantages and disadvantages. The difference in costs and the way each paint behaves when used are some of the factors that people consider when they pick out a medium to paint, but many purists believe that oil paintings are the way to go, as they look the best. It is because there is richness and sheen to oil paintings that is simply not there in the other mediums that we use for painting. Of course, what surface you are using to paint also makes a big difference like painting on fabrics and creating art for wearing and decoration.