When we first started The Green Easel, I realized I didn’t actually know what half the words used to describe art meant.
Acrylic? Oil? Mixed media? Giclée? That last one is a word I’ve literally never seen.
I tend to nod along like I understood…and then immediately jump on Google.
If you’ve ever looked at a piece of art and thought “That looks awesome, but what is it?”, then this is for you.
Nod along like I do, and pretend I’m an expert. Here we go.
Paintings
Acrylic Paint
Think: versatile, modern, and forgiving. Acrylic dries fast, has bold color, and works on canvas, wood, paper, or pretty much anything. It’s durable and doesn’t need special care, which makes it great for everyday living spaces (aka homes with sunlight, kids, or pets).
Oil Paint
This is the classic stuff. Rich colors, visible brushstrokes, and lots of “depth” as they say. Oil paintings take a long time to dry, which lets artists blend and layer in a way that’s hard to replicate. They’re beautiful, just know they’re a bit more traditional and usually cost more for that reason.
Watercolor
Light, layered, and often a little unpredictable. Watercolor relies on water (told you I’m an expert) and transparency, which gives it that soft, flowing look. These are usually on paper and often framed behind glass.
Drawings & Works on Paper
Graphite / Pencil
Exactly what it sounds like, but done very, very well. These range from loose sketches to insanely detailed drawings. Simple, timeless, and often very affordable.
Charcoal
Bold, dramatic, and high-contrast. Charcoal drawings tend to feel expressive and a little moody (in a good way). These are also typically on paper and should be framed to protect them.
Ink
Clean lines, strong contrast, and usually zero room for mistakes. Ink drawings can feel graphic, delicate, or incredibly detailed depending on the artist. Personally, I’ve always loved ink drawings.
Mixed Media (“Yeah, they used more than one thing”)
If something is labeled mixed media, it usually means the artist combined multiple materials like paint, ink, collage, pencil, texture paste, found objects, etc.
In short: it’s layered, experimental, and often very personal. If you like art with depth (literally and figuratively), this category is worth exploring.
Prints (Because Not Everything Is an Original)
Original vs. Print
An original is the actual piece an artist made by hand.
A print is a high-quality reproduction of that original.
Both are valid. Prints make art more accessible and let artists share their work with more people. I own a few prints myself.
Giclée Prints
This is apparently a fancy word for a very high-quality inkjet print using archival inks and paper. They’re made to last and look great. If you see “giclée,” it’s a good thing.
So…what should you buy?
Honestly? Do what I do and buy what you like.
You don’t need to know all the terms and you don’t need to justify it. If a piece makes you stop scrolling, that’s probably enough.
Part of what we’re trying to do at The Green Easel is make art feel less intimidating and more approachable, both for artists and for people who just want to live with something cool.
If you ever have questions about a piece, ask. I’ll probably Google it and get back to you with an answer. If you don’t know the difference between acrylic and oil, or prints versus originals, now you kind of do.
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