So, you’re looking for some unique art mediums to try, but you’re unsure where to start.
Well, if you’re a fan of art galleries, you may have noticed that not all artwork is made of paint, pencil, or clay. Art is loosely defined as “the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination,” meaning that basically anything can be used to create artwork.
Artists thrive on experimenting with new mediums, and we always look for new ways to create. So, rather than being hooked on traditional mediums like paint and charcoal, why not choose from the ever-expanding array of unique mediums available to you? Some of which are even free to use, like… leaves?
Without further adieu, here are several very interesting and unique art mediums you should try this year!
My Top 5 Unique Art Mediums You Should Try
1 – Leaf Artwork
Why pay for paint when you can use leaves for free? Seriously, pick up some of those leaves in your yard and make a masterpiece. There are no parameters on how to start with this unusual art medium, but to get your creative juices flowing, here’s an incredible piece by Raku Inoue:
Leaf Butterfly by Raku Inoue (via My Modern Met)
If that doesn’t inspire you to make something out of leaves, I don’t know what will. Plus, free is always a nice perk.
As a quick pointer, I’d recommend against using very dry leaves, as they tend to crumble easily. However, maybe you should. Become the next “crumbly leaf” artist that everyone is talking about!
2 – Resin Artwork
If I had written this article a few years ago, this would have been a lot more “unique” than it is today. However, I’ve never personally tried this unusual art medium, and I still think it should be on the list.
Artists are going nuts for making resin artwork lately, and it’s easy to see why. The practical uses for it in artwork are astounding, and honestly, there’s not much I HAVEN’T seen people make with it.
A personal favorite of mine is an Instagram account called Hirosart, which makes INCREDIBLE resin artwork, including keycaps for keyboards. Here’s a LOTR one that I personally thought was fantastic:
Lord of The Ring Night Light version 2 by Hirosart Instagram
And, honestly, that’s just scratching the surface of all they have on their Instagram. Plus, you can buy these for very reasonable prices. Check them out for inspiration, and then maybe try some resin artwork for yourself! Hirosart is a top contender to be added to my list of artists to follow on Instagram.
3 – Upcycled Art
Did you know that only about 32% of your recycling actually gets recycled? That’s downright depressing when you think about all the effort some of us go through to make sure all our recyclables make it into the right bin.
Well, there may be a better way to use that recyclable material and possibly even make some money off of it. The answer? Upcycled artwork! It’s one of the only unique art mediums to try that will simultaneously help save the planet.
Take a look at this piece by Tim Noble and Sue Webster, which utilizes recycled materials and creatively uses them to make realistic shadows of two people sitting on stools.
Wild Mood Swings by Tim Noble and Sue Webster (via Artsper)
Ok, but seriously, those shadows look WAY too real.
4 – Encaustic Painting
Ever wondered what it’s like to paint with melted crayons? Encaustic painting is like that, but a lot cooler… well, technically it’s hotter. You just melt wax, mix some pigments, and then paint/sculpt your next masterpiece.
Encaustic painting separates itself from other mediums by adding a unique texture not found in typical paints. If you have 2 minutes, you can watch this video which gives a glimpse of the unique types of artwork that can be created using encaustic paint.
5 – Pyrography
Just because I don’t have this as #1 on the list doesn’t mean it’s not one of the COOLEST ways to create artwork out there. Honestly, if I choose to branch out into one of these unusual mediums, I’d probably start here just because of the potential I personally see in it.
Pyrography is the socially acceptable way to play with fire as an adult. You literally use controlled burning to create masterpieces. It’s actually not too much to purchase a pyrography pen, either, so it’s easy to get started in this. Just buy the pyrography pen, grab some wood, and unleash the artistic pyromaniac inside of you.
Pyrography Piece by Hanna Veiga
Tips When Starting a New Medium:
- No matter which unique medium you choose to try, do your research. However, don’t be afraid to throw the rulebook out the window and do your own thing.
- Start small and work your way up. Especially for any mediums that have costly materials.
- Take online tutorials, but don’t be discouraged if your first attempt doesn’t turn out the way you wanted. It’s all part of the learning curve.
- Expect the mess. Embrace the mess. BE THE MESS. Art is messy, but so is life, and both are beautiful in their own way. But if you want to save on cleanup time, prepare for the mess in advance.
Picking Your Canvas:
While most of the above mediums seem like they’d have an obvious answer for the canvas, there are still some things to consider:
- As mentioned earlier, I recommend starting small. The bigger you start, the more time and money will be potentially wasted if you don’t like the result. After getting a few smaller pieces in, you can work your way up to life-sized artwork.
- Do a little research before picking something too unusual. Using the pyrography pen on a metal surface probably won’t go well for you
- Whatever canvas you choose, make sure you prep it beforehand. Raw wood, for example, should be sanded before you try using your pyrography pen.
Conclusion:
Well, that’s all I’ve got for now. I think this is another post where I’ll definitely be adding more ideas as I come across them in the future, but these were the top unique art mediums that I felt artists could actually try for themselves without too much trouble. Creating artwork out of tires sounds cool and all, but I’m not sure how realistic that is for the average artist.
Did you like my list? Or do you think I should have added something else? Leave a comment with your top pick for unusual art mediums to try, but remember that this article aims to suggest mediums that the average artist can try without too much upfront cost.
Thank you for reading!