It seems that because the RWS and other exhibiting bodies have decided to include acrylic paintings in their exhibitions the confusion is becoming very counterproductive more and more artist are describing themselves as watercolourist, especially on the international market, but what they are not saying is that they are using acrylic paints this confusion has got to be cleared up.

The acrylic medium and the watercolour medium are two different pigments any painting done entirely in acrylics must be described as an acrylic or as one artist described it as an acrylic/watercolour?
Only because the pigment is mixed with water to dilute it.

If we use other mediums in a watercolour painting say pen, gouache, charcoal, pastel etc it would/should have to be classed as a mixed media painting not a pure watercolour.

I believe past traditional watercolour painters would turn in their graves if they knew that acrylics are to be classed as watercolours mainly because of the totally different painting techniques involved it is much easier to paint in acrylics than watercolour mainly because of the opaque quality of acrylics whereby you can cover a mistake but not so easy with a pure watercolour painting.

What do other artists think?

Hi anthony02! I totally agree with your take on the use of the two Resin Systems; Acrylic being a water soluble resin (emusion) with the pigments ground into it, and Watercolour paints being bound usually by Gum Arabic, so they are two totally different systems.
However, I'm aware of several Profession Artists who state in published works, that they will use a little of either Acrylic White or Gouache for highlighted spots for "Sparkle", but we should remember that SAA produce a very fine Watercolour Opaque White for such purposes.

If more that "the odd spot" of Acrylic is used on a painting, then it should be classed as Mixed Media, and this would be an abiding rule anyway in competitions anyway.

I hope the above is clear enough, but come back to me if I can help any further.

Very best wishes,

Steve Williams
PA & RSC Wigan / Warrington / St Helens