How does an artist decide to work in one medium over another?
Artists transform ideas into imagery — and whether the process involves marble, paint, or large cranes depends on the temperament of the artist and the nature of the idea. Any given art medium — even a simple graphite pencil — offers enough complexity and range to keep an artist engaged for a lifetime. Since each medium requires years of experience to master fully, many artists choose to specialize. But some artists prefer to explore the breadth of visual effects that can be achieved in different media, and a few exceptional artists, like Pablo Picasso, managed to work successfully in a variety of media.
Finding a (happy) medium
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The term medium is used in its broadest sense to refer to the various methods or materials used to make a work of art. Artists choose to work in a medium they feel is appropriate to their temperament and interests, as well as suitable to the expression they wish to communicate. For example, a sculptor who decides to try printmaking may discover that imagery that was effective in three dimensions looks very different in two dimensions.
New media on the scene
The artist's inventory is constantly expanding. New technology and media have historically enabled artists to broaden their field of artistic vision. The invention of photography in 1826 created a visual breakthrough that permanently altered and broadened the artist's vision. Technology is now changing at an unprecedented rate, creating any number of new art-making methods for artists to explore. Video, holography, performance, and computer-generated art are just a few of the new and non-traditional media offering artists new opportunities for creative expression. Based on experience and training, one artist might choose to work in a traditional medium like painting or sculpture, while another may be drawn to experiment with new media developed through technological advancements.
Mixing and matching media
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Today's artists not only have a vast array of artmaking techniques to choose from, but also a dizzying range of art materials. New technologies have created new materials so that contemporary sculptors for example may choose cement and Plexiglas in addition to wood and marble. Each medium (or material) has its own unique possibilities and limitations, so the choice of materials impacts how artists deal with their imagery. To produce a convincing, compelling image, an artist must mix and match media with great confidence and technical mastery.
Next:
Painting — Why is painting still the medium of choice for so many artists?
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