This is the most common question I get from new visitors to my booth: "What's the difference between a giclée print and an original?" It's a completely fair question, and the answer matters more than you might think — not just for your wallet, but for what you're bringing into your home.
What Is a Giclée Print?
"Giclée" (pronounced zhee-CLAY) is a French term that essentially means "fine art inkjet print" — but the process is far from what you'd get from an office printer. A giclée print uses archival pigment-based inks sprayed in microscopic droplets onto museum-quality paper or canvas. The result is a reproduction with color accuracy, detail, and longevity that approaches the original.
I produce all of my giclée prints in my own studio in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. I use archival inks on Moab Entrada cotton rag paper — archival museum-quality stock made for fine art printing. Each print is personally color-matched to the original painting. This means what you receive isn't a mass-produced poster; it's a carefully produced reproduction that I've quality-checked myself.
What Makes an Original Different?
An original watercolor painting is a one-of-a-kind work. When I paint a great blue heron, I'm working freehand with handmade Kissho Gansai watercolors from Kyoto — pigments made from natural minerals, oyster shells, and semi-precious stones. The brushstrokes, the way the water moved on the paper, the happy accidents that made a feather catch the light just right — none of that can be reproduced exactly.
I paint many of my pieces at large scale — 30×40 inches and larger — which is unusual for watercolor. Working this large lets the birds feel life-sized. You can see the texture of every brushstroke, the way pigment pools and settles. It's a different experience than looking at a reproduction, no matter how faithful.
Side by Side: Giclée Print vs Original Watercolor
| Giclée Print | Original Watercolor | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Museum-quality reproduction | One-of-a-kind painting |
| Materials | Archival inks on cotton rag paper | Kissho Gansai pigments on watercolor paper |
| Production | Printed in Holly's studio, color-matched by hand | Painted freehand by Holly |
| Sizes | 8×8 to 40×60, framed or unframed | Varies by piece (many 30×40+) |
| Price range | $60 – $340 | $2,200 – $9,200 |
| Availability | Available while in catalog | One per painting — when it's gone, it's gone |
| Best for | Starting a collection, gifts, multiple rooms | Collectors, statement pieces, investment |
Who Buys Originals? Who Buys Prints?
In my experience, there's no single "type" of buyer for either — but there are patterns. Many of my original collectors are people who've lived with art for years and know when a piece stops them in their tracks. They often find me at shows, stand in front of a painting for a long time, and come back the next day. The piece speaks to something personal — a memory of a bird they love, a place that matters to them. Original collectors are investing in something irreplaceable.
Print buyers are often discovering my work for the first time. They see a bird they recognize — a cardinal at their feeder, a heron they watch every morning — and they want to bring that connection home. Many print buyers become original collectors over time. I love watching that journey.
And honestly? Some of my most dedicated collectors buy both. An original in the living room, prints in the bedroom, office, and guest room. There's room for both in a collection.
How I Think About Both Formats
I don't think of prints as the "lesser" version. When I stand at my printer and watch a new giclée emerge, I still get excited seeing the colors come through. I personally compare every print to the original and adjust until the match is right. The print is my way of making a painting available to more people — the joy of the image doesn't change with the medium.
That said, there's something about standing in front of an original that a reproduction can't fully capture. The scale, the texture, the knowledge that you're looking at the actual brushstrokes — that matters. If a painting has stopped you in your tracks, that's worth paying attention to.
Where to Start
If you're new to collecting, prints are a wonderful entry point. You can explore different species, try different sizes, and discover what resonates with your space. Browse the print collection and see what catches your eye.
If you've already fallen in love with a particular painting, don't wait. Originals are one-of-a-kind, and once they find a home, they're gone. Explore the originals collection.
And if you have a specific bird or space in mind, a custom commission might be the perfect fit — I'll paint it to your exact vision and size.
