Artwork Mediums

This section explains common artwork mediums and materials used by artists, including painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, paper-based works, and mixed media.

Using the correct medium helps artists describe their work more professionally, prepare accurate labels and certificates, and help collectors understand how the artwork was made, displayed, framed, and cared for. - Mark Shapiro 

Painting Mediums

Acrylic

Acrylic is a fast-drying paint made from pigment suspended in acrylic polymer emulsion. It is water-soluble when wet and generally water-resistant when dry. Artists use acrylic because it is versatile, durable, and can be applied thinly like watercolor or thickly like oil paint. For art fair presentations, acrylic works should be clearly labeled, especially when mixed media or varnish is involved.

Oil

Oil paint is made by mixing pigment with drying oils, commonly linseed, walnut, poppy, or safflower oil. It dries slowly, allowing artists to blend colors, build layers, and create rich surfaces. Artists should note whether the work is on canvas, panel, linen, or paper, and whether it is varnished, framed, or requires special handling.

Watercolor

Watercolor is a transparent paint made with pigment and a water-soluble binder, usually gum arabic. It is typically applied to paper and is valued for its lightness, softness, and delicate color effects. Because watercolor is sensitive to light, moisture, and handling, proper framing and archival matting are important.

Gouache

Gouache is an opaque watercolor made with pigment, water, and a binding agent. It has a denser, matte appearance than traditional transparent watercolor and allows artists to create strong flat color areas. Because gouache can remain sensitive to moisture, it should usually be protected under glass or plexiglass.

Encaustic

Encaustic is a painting technique using heated wax mixed with pigment. The wax is applied warm and fused to the surface, often creating rich texture, depth, and a luminous quality. Encaustic is most commonly used on rigid supports such as wood panels. Because wax can react to heat, collectors should avoid hanging encaustic works in direct sunlight or near heat sources.

Tempera

Tempera is a painting medium made by mixing pigment with a water-soluble binder, traditionally egg yolk. It dries quickly and creates a smooth, matte surface with fine detail. When describing tempera, artists should specify the support, such as panel, paper, or board, and whether it is traditional egg tempera or another variation.

Drawing Mediums

Pastel

Pastel is a dry drawing medium made from powdered pigment mixed with a binder and formed into sticks. It produces rich color and a soft surface, but it remains delicate because the pigment sits on top of the paper or support. Pastels should usually be framed under glass or plexiglass with proper spacing.

Charcoal

Charcoal is a drawing medium made from carbonized organic material, often wood or vine. It can create deep blacks, soft grays, and expressive lines. Fixative may help reduce smudging, but artists should note whether fixative has been used because it can affect the surface appearance.

Graphite

Graphite, commonly known as pencil, is a drawing medium made from a form of carbon mixed with clay. It allows for precise line, shading, and tonal control. Because graphite works are usually on paper, they should be protected from moisture, handling, and direct sunlight.

Ink

Ink is a liquid or paste containing pigment or dye, used for drawing, writing, or printmaking. Artists may apply ink with a pen, brush, quill, or other tool. Because some inks may fade over time, artists should identify materials when possible and recommend proper framing away from direct sunlight.

Sculpture & Ceramic Materials

Bronze

Bronze is a metal alloy, usually made from copper and tin, commonly used for sculpture. Bronze works may be cast using methods such as lost-wax casting and can have a natural or applied patina. Artists should document the edition size, foundry, signature, patina, dimensions, and whether the work is part of a limited edition.

Ceramic

Ceramic refers to objects made from clay and hardened by heat in a kiln. Ceramic artworks may be functional, decorative, sculptural, glazed, or unglazed. Artists should describe the firing process, surface treatment, dimensions, and whether the piece is unique.

Porcelain

Porcelain is a refined ceramic material fired at high temperatures, known for its strength, smooth surface, and sometimes translucent quality. It is often associated with fine craftsmanship and delicate detail. Artists should identify whether the piece is hand-built, wheel-thrown, molded, glazed, or painted.

Terracotta

Terracotta is a clay-based ceramic material, usually reddish-brown in color, that may be glazed or unglazed. It has been used for sculpture, vessels, tiles, and architectural objects for centuries. Because terracotta can be porous, artists should describe whether the work is fired, sealed, painted, left raw, or intended for indoor or outdoor display.

Sculpture

Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by carving, modeling, casting, assembling, welding, or building materials into form. Sculptures may be made from bronze, wood, stone, ceramic, metal, glass, paper, resin, found objects, or mixed media. Artists should provide dimensions, weight, medium, edition information, installation requirements, and whether the work is suitable for indoor or outdoor display.

Textile, Paper & Mixed Media

Tapestry

Tapestry is a textile art form traditionally woven by hand on a loom. It can include figurative, abstract, decorative, or narrative imagery. Because textiles can be affected by light, dust, moisture, and improper hanging, artists should explain the materials, hanging method, dimensions, and care instructions.

Assemblage

Assemblage is a type of sculpture or mixed-media artwork made by combining found objects, everyday materials, and constructed elements. It often brings unrelated objects together to create new meaning. Artists should describe the components, construction method, and stability of the work, especially when unusual materials are involved.

Collage

Collage is an art technique that involves attaching paper, photographs, fabric, printed matter, or other materials onto a surface. It can be used to create texture, meaning, narrative, or abstraction. Because collage materials may age differently, artists should document what was used, how it was attached, and whether the work is sealed or protected.

Found Object

Found object art uses ordinary objects that were not originally created as fine art materials. These objects may be altered, combined, displayed, or re-contextualized by the artist. Artists should explain why the object matters, how it is incorporated, and whether it has been structurally secured or preserved.

Paper Construction

Paper construction is artwork built from paper through cutting, folding, layering, shaping, collage, or sculptural assembly. It may be flat, dimensional, framed, or freestanding. Because paper construction is often delicate, artists should document the paper type, adhesives, structure, dimensions, and display method.

Papier-mâché

Papier-mâché is a material made from paper mixed with glue, paste, or another binder, then shaped and dried into a hardened form. It is often used for sculpture, masks, objects, and mixed-media works. Artists should describe the surface treatment, sealing, structure, and whether the work requires careful handling or special display conditions.