Medium Guide

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Stone Lithograph

A hand-pulled print made from an artist-drawn stone or plate, valued for tonal range, color layering, and the presence of the artist's hand.

Look closer: Unlike offset reproduction, a Stone Lithograph is pulled from the artist's prepared surface. Registration, pressure, ink, and the drawn surface all contribute…

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Serigraph

A screenprint built in layers of ink, often recognized for crisp shapes, saturated color, and graphic clarity.

Look closer: The image is built one layer at a time. As colors are pulled through the screen, the final surface can hold both…

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Etching

An intaglio printmaking method known for delicate line, plate tone, and subtle surface depth.

Look closer: Ink is worked into the recessed areas of the plate and transferred to dampened paper under pressure. This creates a printed line…

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Monoprint

A one-of-a-kind print that combines printmaking structure with painterly variation.

Look closer: Color, marks, and surface effects are arranged on a plate or prepared surface, then transferred to paper. The result often carries gesture,…

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Linocut

A relief print made from a carved linoleum block, often marked by bold edges and strong contrast.

Look closer: The artist or printer carves the surface, inks the raised image, and transfers it under pressure. The medium often emphasizes simplified forms…

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Woodblock

A relief print carved from wood, valued for texture, contrast, and the character of the block.

Look closer: Raised areas of the block receive ink and print to paper. Depending on the block and pressure, the result may show strong…

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Papercast

A dimensional paper work formed from pulp or cast paper, giving the surface sculptural presence.

Look closer: Paper pulp or damp paper is shaped against a mold or surface, then dried into a dimensional sheet. The result can hold…

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Acrylic Paintings

Original paintings made with acrylic pigment, often carrying vivid color, layered surfaces, and crisp form.

Look closer: Acrylic dries relatively quickly, allowing the artist to build forms and color relationships in layers. The surface may range from flat and…

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Oil Pastel

A direct drawing medium with dense pigment, soft blending, and expressive surface marks.

Look closer: Pigment bound with a waxy or oil-based medium is applied directly to the surface. Marks can be layered, blended, or left visibly…

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Oil on Paper

Original oil work on paper, valued for dense pigment and soft, blendable marks on an intimate support.

Look closer: Pigment bound with a waxy or oil-based medium is applied directly to paper. Marks can be layered, blended, or left visibly textured.

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Oil on Canvas

Original oil work on canvas, pairing dense waxy pigment with a more substantial support.

Look closer: Pigment bound with a waxy or oil-based medium is applied directly to canvas. The tooth of the canvas holds layered, textured marks.

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Watercolor

A transparent painting medium valued for luminosity, fluid washes, and paper sensitivity.

Look closer: Pigment is carried by water across paper. Layering, drying time, and paper texture shape the final result.

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Ink

A direct drawing or painting medium valued for line, contrast, and immediacy.

Look closer: Ink may be applied by pen, brush, or other tool. The result can be crisp and graphic or loose and atmospheric depending…

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Ink Wash

Diluted ink used to build tonal range, atmosphere, and fluid shadow.

Look closer: Ink is diluted and brushed in layers, allowing the artist to control value, shadow, and movement across the surface.

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Charcoal

A drawing medium known for velvety blacks, broad tonal range, and visible gesture.

Look closer: Carbon-based drawing material is applied directly to paper and may be blended, erased, or fixed. The surface remains visually immediate.

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Pencil

A drawing medium valued for line, study, modeling, and direct contact with the artist's hand.

Look closer: Graphite or similar drawing material is applied to paper with pressure, line, shading, and erasure shaping the final image.

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Mixed Media

A work combining more than one material or process, often creating layered surface meaning.

Look closer: The artist may combine drawing, painting, print, collage, or dimensional elements. Each material contributes differently to condition and presentation.

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Bronze

A cast sculptural medium with weight, patina, and lasting physical presence.

Look closer: Bronze is cast through a foundry process, then chased, finished, and patinated. Editioning may apply depending on the work.

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Etched Glass

A glass medium where the surface is cut, abraded, or chemically altered to create image and light effects.

Look closer: The surface may be cut, abraded, masked, or chemically etched to create marks and tonal differences.

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Stained Glass

A glass medium using color, light, and assembled form to create the final image.

Look closer: Colored glass sections are cut, arranged, and joined, often with lead or other structural supports.

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Tapestry

A textile medium where image, fiber, weave, and scale shape the viewing experience.

Look closer: Threads or fibers are woven or assembled to form image and structure. Color and texture are integral to the medium.

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Nudes

A private archive of figure studies. Viewing requires age confirmation.

Look closer: Risqué artwork from R.C. Gorman.

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