In art, a medium or art medium is the material used by an artist to create a work of art. The term may also refer more broadly to the material and technical means used in a particular art form, such as paint in painting, stone in sculpture, or ink in drawing. In art history and criticism, the plural media is often used for groups of artistic materials.

This article lists common art media by artistic field.

Drawing

Common drawing media

Common drawing supports

Painting

Common paint media

Common painting supports

Printmaking

Common printmaking media

Sculpture

Common sculptural media

Ceramics

Textiles

Photography

Photographic media

Digital art

Digital art uses electronic and computational media, including software, digital images, and display or print output. Common digital tools include graphic art software, 3D computer graphics software, graphics tablets, and digital printing systems.

Installation art

Installation art may incorporate a wide range of media, including sculptural materials, sound, light, video, found objects, and architectural space.

Sound art

Sound art uses sound as its primary medium and may incorporate recorded audio, electronic sound, speech, or musical instruments.

See also

External links

  • at the Getty Art & Architecture Thesaurus
  • at the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy