Different Mediums of Art

Professional artists focus on a particular medium in order to express their creativity. Sometimes multiple mediums may combine together, but there are a few distinct styles of art that can be recognized visually. One medium is not regarded as better or worse than another, for each is distinct in its own manner of aesthetic.

Three-dimensional art that can stand on its own is known as a sculpture. Sculptures vary in sizes, and may be small enough to fit in the palm of a hand or large enough that they can only fit in a large outdoor space. Some sculptures are representative, and may look like a famous person. Others may be abstract, such as the "Chicago Picasso.". The materials used in sculpture vary, and anything from ceramics, cement, recycled materials, paper or synthetics may be used to produce this particular type of art. By definition, a sculpture differs from other structures in that it does not have an intrinsically utilitarian purpose.

When images are represented on a flat surface due to the result of a human hand, this is known as a drawing or painting. Drawing may involve just a marking device and a sort of blank slate, while painting specifically uses paints with multiple colors. Some artists draw with just a pencil, but charcoal, chalk, crayon, colored pencil, ink or marker may be used as well. Painters may produce their artwork on sturdier things such as walls, wood, metal, glass or cloth. There are various types of paint, such as acrylic, oil paint, enamel, fresco and watercolor. Paints require a period of drying, unlike drawings.

When a real image is captured with film, this art may fall under the category of cinema or photography. Photography captures one distinct moment in time, whereas cinema can capture entire scenes. Also known as motion pictures, cinema movies are incredibly expensive because of their multifaceted nature. Actors, lighting, sound tracks and storytelling all combine with visual forms to create the art form. Photographs may be deemed artistic if they are not used for the purpose of journalism or record keeping. As with other mediums of art, photography must have a primary sense of creative expression in order for it to have aesthetic value.