A medium in art refers to both the kind of art as well as the different materials that are used to create them. For example, painting is an art type and acrylic paint is a material, however, both are considered art mediums.
Tempera paint is created when paint pigment is mixed with a water-based binding agent such as egg yolk, which is why it is sometimes referred to as egg tempura.
As the name suggests, oil paints are made from oil, usually linseed oil, mixed with a powdered pigment. These paints can have a strong odor and require a solvent to clean up so it is best to paint in a room that’s well-ventilated.
Watercolor paints are made with a water-soluble binder instead of an oil-based binder like oil paints. Watercolors can be difficult to work with and take some practice when you are just starting out.
A medium in art refers to both the kind of art as well as the different materials that are used to create them. For example, painting is an art type and acrylic paint is a material, however, both are considered art mediums.
Like acrylic paint, gouache is also a water-based paint, however, it is much thicker and opaque. Gouache is made by mixing pigments with water-soluble gum to create an opaque paint.
Many artists use graphite pencils to sketch out designs before using other mediums and so it remains fundamental to almost every piece no matter the medium.
This often-underrated medium is more inexpensive than many other mediums and offers depth of color and the ability to express yourself. With practice, you can create photorealistic pieces with colored pencils that rival even oil and acrylic paintings.
Watercolor pencils were first produced in the 1940s and are similar to colored pencils, however, their center is made from a water-soluble binder instead of wax.
Charcoal is one of the oldest drawing art mediums and was used almost 30,000 years ago in cave paintings. Charcoal is created by mixing powdered organic material with either a binder such as wax or gum or by removing all the oxygen from it.
This wet medium can either be used with other mediums, for example, as a hard contrasting outline on watercolors, or on its own in line art and calligraphy. The multitude of inks, ink pens, and markers available allow for this flexibility.
Stone carving is one of the oldest sculpting mediums and requires years of practice. The ancient Greeks and Romans famously created beautiful realistic sculptures from many different stones, particularly marble.
Woodworking is another relatively easy sculpting medium. When creating sculptures from wood, you utilize carving techniques to slowly remove material from a block of wood and reveal your designs. You do this using a chisel or wood carving knife.
Glassworking has become an even more popular art medium in recent years and is used in an array of sculpting and decorative art. Glassworking has become increasingly popular in recent years and usually makes use of two main techniques.
Epoxy resin is a very new sculpting medium having only been invented in the last century. Resin sculptures are created by resin casting, which entails pouring the liquid medium into a mold you have created and then letting it cure.
Photography not only uses different cameras but also relies on lenses, lighting, exposure, and various other setting parameters to frame and capture something truly unique.
Performance art or exhibit are other forms of nontraditional types of art mediums. These mediums are used to convey particular messages or draw attention to specific issues that may concern the artist.
Environmental art is another form of performance art that combines other mediums to produce a message relating to environmental concerns. In the past, there have been pieces on climate crises, animal rights, and more.