Art medium is used to define the technique used to create a work of art – painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, etc. Essentially, every category of art has its medium. Artists and galleries select their raw materials to create a work of art, and the display card in a museum often lists the medium along with the artist's name and title.
Art Mediums lists the materials needed to create the artwork (e.g., oil on canvas, mixed media, acrylic on canvas), followed by the date of creation, dimensions, and price.
What Is a Medium in Art?
The art medium is the substance used to create an art piece. A painting might have "acrylic on canvas" or "watercolour" listed along with the artist's name and the work's title, and a sculpture might have "wood," "steel," or "papier-mâché" listed in the same way.
Artists employ various art forms and multiple art mediums to create unique works, showcasing the versatility and endless possibilities of art. For instance, actors performing in shows present differences in performance style on television or film. We have heard of critics describing television as a "writer's medium" and movies as a "director's medium." Sometimes, there may be no differences in the material or medium used to create a work, but the variety of mediums available can inspire endless creativity.
Art Mediums Definition with Examples
Art medium definition: The medium refers to the specific artistic material used to create a piece of art.
Some of the most common examples of mediums in art are:
Sculptures: 3D figures or objects can be created using a variety of materials, such as clay, wood, stone, metal, and mixed media, which provide artists with a new way to work with volume, design, form, shape, and perspective.
Prints: They can be reproductions of original artwork. Art Prints can be created using various materials, such as textiles or wood, and techniques, including woodcut presses, etching, lithography, screen printing, and more.
Drawing is an essential art medium that involves sketching images on a surface using various tools, such as pencils, charcoal, stylus pens, and drawing pads.
Painting: It involves the application of various pigments (watercolours, oil, acrylics) over a surface to create self-expressive images, abstracts, landscapes, and portraits.
Types Of Art Mediums
Tempera—Tempera uses mixed paints with cohesive material (e.g., egg yolk), which is often fast-drying and long-lasting.
Oil Painting—Oil paints typically contain linseed oil, which causes them to dry more slowly than other types. They were recognised as an artistic medium in 15th-century Europe.
Acrylic painting—Painting with acrylic allows artists to add layers or textures to their artwork. It enhances glossiness, giving it profundity.
Watercolors—Watercolors provide a seemingly endless colour palette, adding a translucent quality to paintings and being considered ideal for capturing the change of light. It can be challenging for beginners to use watercolour paint as an art medium. Many artists love watercolours because of their seemingly endless colour palettes. Once you apply watercolours to paper, there is little you can do to change the result. However, watercolours add a translucent quality to paintings and are ideal for capturing the change of light.
Charcoal: Charcoal is the oldest art medium. It can be mixed with wax or gum to create long-lasting, expressive designs.
Pastels—A combination of pastels can be used to create sharp outlines or sketch a larger composition. Pastels add intensity to colors, especially when used with water-soluble pastels.
Chalk—Chalks are made from limestone and sanguine containing red ochre. They were originally used for sketching, but they evolved into an independent art form during the Renaissance period. Nowadays, artistic chalks are available in black, white, and sanguine versions.
Graphite pencils - Graphite pencils of varying hardness can be used to create fine art.
Colored pencils—Colored pencils offer numerous advantages, ranging from being a child's toy to serving as a professional art medium. They provide artists with the opportunity to create photographically realistic pieces of art.
Pen and ink—Ink is a powerful art medium, and depending on your needs, you can choose between different types of pens, such as graphic pens, fountain pens, or drafting pens.
The Ultimate Guide to Different Art Mediums
Some of the most common traditional art mediums used by artists are pencil drawing, charcoal art, ink illustrations, oil painting, watercolour, acrylic, and others. In the ever-evolving landscape of art, these mediums have evolved and become powerful tools of creative expression. Modern artists are using digital paintings, 3D modelling, and sculpting to create intricate artworks.
Artists use specific materials to create a work of art and various mediums to support the artwork, such as a painting. It is very common to see artists using oil on canvas, watercolour on paper, tempera on board, and so on. The combination of medium and support can be almost endless.
The use of the word also extends to other types of artworks, such as sculpture and printmaking. A sculptor might use metal, such as bronze or copper, or marble as their medium. Similarly, a printmaker might also use a variety of mediums, such as woodcut, etching, engraving, etc.
The choice of medium depends on the artist's personal preference and the nature of the composition. This freedom of choice empowers artists to express their creativity in their unique way. When an artist incorporates multiple materials into a single piece of art, the artwork is referred to as mixed media, showcasing the artist's independence and creative vision.
While oils, tempera, gouache, and watercolours are common creative mediums, some artists may choose unconventional materials, such as coffee stains, sand, or recycled materials. With the advent of digital technology, many artists are now incorporating digital printmaking into their art.
Traditional Art Mediums
Traditional Art Mediums have endured and continue to be widely used by artists around the world. From museums to local art markets, artists present traditional works, including oil paintings, paper drawings, and pottery. These traditional mediums, with their rich history and enduring appeal, connect us to the heritage of the art world, making us feel part of a larger artistic tradition.
Let's explore a few of the top traditional mediums:
Pencils and Graphite: Perhaps the first art tool was the graphite pencil, which is commonly used in writing, drawing, and sketching. Graphite pencils have been used in different art mediums since the 17th century in France. Artists can create intricate details and shading with varying degrees of hardness from a wide range of tones, from light to dark.
Oil Painting—Oil Painting is considered a beginner-friendly medium. It is a classic way of offering rich, vibrant colors. Oil paints' slow drying time allows for blending, layering, and achieving a wide range of textures. Artists create depth and intensity in their paintings by using various brushstrokes and techniques, resulting in visually spectacular and dynamic artworks.
Clay and Pottery—Clay and pottery have been utilised for centuries as mediums for art, creating both functional and decorative objects. They are malleable mediums that focus on sculpting and moulding, allowing artists to work with their hands while making practical art. The art of pottery involves shaping the clay on a wheel, firing it in a kiln, and applying various glazes to achieve different colours and finishes.
Metal - Metal sculpture involves working with various metals, such as bronze, steel, or copper, to create three-dimensional artworks. Metal as an art medium offers durability and versatility, allowing artists to create intricate and dynamic sculptures. Metal sculpture often requires welding, casting, or forging techniques, making it a challenging yet rewarding medium for artists.
Art Mediums List
Oil: Oil is a thick liquid paint that dries quickly and hardens on contact. It is usually applied with a brush. The term "oil painting" refers to paintings composed of primarily black or dark shades of paint. It was one of the first mediums widely used by modern artists.
Water: Artwork made with water consists of thin layers of paint applied one after another. Other mediums in water include gelatin and water paints.
Ceramics: Ceramic art encompasses glazes fused to solid materials, which are highly responsive to changes in temperature and other environmental factors.
Metals: Metals can be used to create art. The word "metallic" originates from the Greek word "metallic," which was first used in baths to create a shiny appearance.
Clay is a malleable material that can be used for sculpting purposes. Similar to porcelain, it can create sculptures that are both functional and appealing.
Polyester: Polyester material can absorb the ink placed on it. It can be used to create a colourful appearance on the surface of the fabric or stretched canvas, and it is a great medium for working on fine crafts.
Acrylic: Acrylic paint is applied to the art canvas or fabric using a brush. It is relatively dry, which helps create a finished look without waiting too long.
Stencils: Stencils have a property that allows one to transfer creative work from one surface to another.
Unique Art Mediums
Mosaic-Like Colored Toy Car Artwork—At the Arts Depot's Opening in 2011, the rainbow toy car artwork won the People's Award. British artist David T. Waller created renditions that matched Eastern or contemporary mosaic artwork.
X-ray artwork—X-ray or Radiography imaging creates inner pictures of the body, and the artist edits the X-rays using digital software such as Photoshop or After Effects to make them look more artistic.
Multihued Paintings with Sand—Sand is used to create artwork. One of the artists, Elie Gerges, a visual artist, created everything from landscapes to figures using vibrantly coloured sand art.
Artworks with Maps and Atlases—The multimedia artist Mathew Cursick became a famous, illustrious artist who designed warmly coloured map collages of the complexes.
Artwork with Floppy Disks and Film Negatives—Artwork featuring floppy disks, such as the floppy disk mosaic, has been showcased in galleries in the UK, the USA, and cities worldwide.
Sculpture with Chewed Bubblegum—Chewing gum sculpting is a conventional art form recognised globally and keenly acclaimed by critics.
Sculpture with Bicycle Chains: Young-Deon Seo is an artist who creates figurative sculptures out of woven configurations of bicycle chains and industrial chains.
Flower Human Figures: Flowers crafted from human body figures are a renowned unconventional art medium.
UV art, Starry Night with Hubble Space Images—These art forms combine science with art. In the Hubble Space Images, certain techniques of the astronomer are applied to the mosaic artwork, rather than a brush and a canvas.
Art Mediums or Media
The art medium is used to describe not only the substance but also the materials, tools, and techniques used to create the artwork. For example, a medium can refer to a substance (such as paint), a material (like clay), or a surface (like canvas), where descriptions like "acrylic on canvas," "pastel painting," and "digital painting" are used. For the particular use, the plural form of the word "art medium" (or "media") is used.
Painting, sculpting, photographing, and sketching are all famous art mediums. The term "Art Mediums" is also used to describe a more general characteristic of an art piece: the genre to which it belongs. Experienced artists and connoisseurs use a medium to indicate a specific type of liquid additive used to bind the pigments in paint.
Art Mediums for Beginners
Watercolors, gouache, and acrylics are considered beginner-friendly mediums. Acrylics are a little expensive but a great choice. Art is about self-expression, and one must find their way of expression to make the right choice. The term "medium" applies to all types of artwork. Sculptors, for instance, use materials such as metal, wood, clay, bronze, or marble as art mediums. Printmakers utilize various techniques, including woodcut, linocut, etching, engraving, and lithography, to describe the medium. Artists use multiple media in a single piece of art to create a collage.
Painting is a perfect example for beginners to learn about and distinguish art mediums. The combinations of paint and support are endless. One can also use oil-based pencils, which are a little harder than wax-based pencils. Or you can use charcoal pencils, which allow you to keep things quite sketchy and loose.
3D And Digital Art Mediums
3D modelling utilises digital techniques to create three-dimensional virtual models. It is a medium used in various industries, including animation, game art, and product design, where artists manipulate digital objects in a virtual environment, bringing their ideas to life through a range of different roles.
Digital Art Mediums are becoming increasingly popular as they offer artists a great deal of freedom and flexibility. It's easy to share digital art online, as it allows for undoing mistakes, and one can utilise many tools, layers, and effects. This enables artists to experiment with various styles and techniques and share their artwork in a digital format.
Mixed Media and photography combine various art mediums and materials to create unique and layered artworks. Artists can combine various techniques, including painting, drawing, printmaking, collage, and more, to create visually dynamic and thought-provoking pieces. Mixed media allows for experimentation, pushing the boundaries of traditional artistic techniques.
The most common definition of 3D Art Medium is a piece of art that can be observed in dimensions of height, width, and depth.
Since historical times, people have been creating sculptures using various concepts, techniques, and art mediums. Installations, performance art, and decorative art fall into this category, along with sculpture, which is the quintessential form of three-dimensional art.
The oldest piece of three-dimensional art is a stone-carved figure of Venus of Berekhat Ram, dating back to 230,000 years B.C. It represents a symbol of female fertility and is believed to be one of the first examples of prehistoric sculptures.
Wood and stone are the most traditional art mediums for creating 3D Art Medium. Nowadays, people use glass, foam, plastics, and numerous other techniques to create a three-dimensional interpretation of their artistic vision. They combine audiovisual effects and various materials to create impactful artworks. Many such works address significant issues related to politics, human rights, or the environment that concern them. For instance, one of the most common forms of light installation art is when light and sculpture blend to create a magnificent artistic effect.
Modern times brought contemporary variations of three-dimensional art. For example, glass has become a significant art medium used in sculpting, installation, and decorative craft. The concepts and techniques used in creating glass artwork determine its type. Many glass art forms utilise hot glass techniques, including blown glass, sculpted glass, and cast glass. Artists work with hot glass and shape it by blowing or casting it into moulds.
They cut out pieces of material, usually wood or stone, to create the desired shape. They cast the pieces by pouring a liquid art medium, such as iron, into specially designed moulds to develop parts of a large sculpture.
Then, they model by manipulating and transforming soft art materials, such as clay or plaster, and allowing them to solidify into the desired shape. Contemporary artists employ various modelling methods to create stunning glass art pieces. Construction is a creative process in which artists assemble a sculpture by combining various materials, using glue, wire, or welding to keep the elements together.
Photography as an Art Medium
Photography captures moments, emotions, and narratives through the lens of the camera. From smartphones to mirrorless cameras, digital cameras have become widely accessible, allowing photographers to experiment with different techniques, lighting, and composition. The medium presents a unique perspective on the world, as photographers can use post-processing software to enhance and manipulate images, blending digital art mediums.
Technology has provided people with numerous possibilities to express their artistic principles through photography. Artists use these effects in their final presentations by selecting different cameras, lenses, or films and adjusting parameters for framing and timing before taking a shot.
The equipment used in photography depends on the subject matter, tone, and the original impression. For instance, portrait artists may focus on capturing single subjects and opt for larger cameras with shallow depth of field, while Landscape photographers may choose the opposite camera and technique.
The same applies to black-and-white photography rather than colour. Black-and-white photography leaves a long-lasting impression by bringing lines, texture, and tone to the attention.
- There are other types of photography, for instance, The documentary captures significant moments in history or everyday life.
- Landscape photography highlights the environmental aspects of both natural and urban surroundings.
- Portrait photography can be a personal style. Portrait painting provides a faster and more affordable way to capture someone's image.
- Nude evokes the classical ideal of beauty.
- Digital photography has grown in tandem with the rise of digital technology, offering opportunities to create unique images.
What Is the Medium of a Work of Art?
There are endless ways to make art, which means that there are endless art materials to choose from. These are the mediums for a work of art. All types of creative mediums have a unique property that must be explored to express creative works effectively. The choice of material must reflect versatility and adaptability.
Art experts must not be afraid to step out of their comfort zone and adapt to new challenges.
Artists must balance tradition and innovation, blending various contemporary Art Mediums to demonstrate their awareness of the evolution of art.
Whether on canvas or in digital lines, the message conveyed must be clear, and the artwork should demonstrate technical skills. And one must always start with the basic tools: a piece of paper and a pencil or a ballpoint pen.
How to Find Your Perfect Art Medium
Whether you choose digital art, clay, or pottery, being interested in these creative mediums helps build consistency and skill. Speaking of skill, identify what comes easiest to you in different techniques and mediums. Consider whether you want to build upon your existing skills or explore new mediums to challenge yourself.
Don't be afraid to try out different mediums to discover which ones resonate with your style. Whether you attend a local art event or enroll in classes, exploring what works for you can ultimately benefit your career in the long run.
What Is Your Favorite Art Medium And Why?
Pencil and Charcoal are some of my favourite creative mediums, as they are great for drawing and sketching. They are affordable and allow for easy corrections. Markers and coloured pencils are less messy, and they can be used for detailed work and blending. Many modern artists love to use Acrylic Paint to create various artworks because it is fast-drying and easy to apply on various surfaces.
Is A Pencil A Medium?
Because graphite pencils are less chaotic than paint and easier to use, children often use them. Mastering this medium requires sketching, shading, and blending.
What are two different mediums of art that Master Hugo is known to have worked in?
Master Hugo (fl. c.1130 – c.1150) was a Romanesque lay artist and the earliest recorded professional artist in England. He is known for using various art mediums, including illustrations, sculpture, tapestry work, and metalwork.
What Kind of Art Medium Should I Use?
Modern artworks should be utilised in contemporary creative mediums —such as digital art, mixed media, or printmaking — which offer flexibility, experimentation, and unique creative possibilities. One can explore traditional and some of the more renowned works to learn about techniques, thematic choices, and how artists incorporate various mediums into their work.
