Which type of paint is known for its opacity and quick drying time?

The type of paint recognized for its opacity and quick drying time is acrylic paint. Acrylics consist of pigments suspended in an acrylic polymer emulsion and, once dry, they provide a vibrant and workable medium. Due to their fast-drying nature, artists can layer paints quickly, which is advantageous for techniques like glazing and impasto.

Furthermore, acrylics can be mixed with various mediums to alter their properties, but when used straight from the tube, they often have a more opaque quality compared to other water-based paints. This opacity allows artists to cover previous layers effectively, making acrylic an excellent choice for both detailed work and bold, expressive applications.

In contrast, watercolor paint is transparent and relies on the paper's brightness to show through, making it less opaque. Oil paint dries slowly, allowing for extensive blending time but does not have the same quick drying characteristic. Gouache, while also opaque, doesn’t dry as quickly as acrylic paint. Thus, acrylic's combination of opaque qualities and rapid drying makes it distinctly known for these characteristics among artists.