5 types of wall-art media you've never considered
When you think of the term “original wall-art,” you may likely think of a painting – oil or acrylic most likely, perhaps even watercolor, and almost always on canvas or paper. However, there are a number of other types of media that can be hung up on your wall and be just as original as a more traditional painting. You may not even realize that you’ve been exposed to these media before; you might have just noticed that there was a special, unidentifiable ‘something’ in what was before you.
I Drew These Chairs Standing Up, Brent E.; 15"x22", lithography
Consider these alternative media the next time you may be looking to fill wall space in your home:
1) Lithograph
In a lithograph, the artist draws onto limestone using litho crayons or pencils made of grease and wax. The image is then chemically treated to bond to the surface. Finally, the artist uses a rolling pin to cover the image with ink, lays paper over the stone, and passes it through a litho press.
2) Mixed media
Mixed media is a very general term, but refers to using a number of different media in one particular work. It can be a collage for example, with objects of various textures and depth used together in one work. But it could also be paint or ink overlaid on digital photographs. It’s essentially more than one different type of media used on the same surface.
May, Sophia H.; 48"x60", string, cut-up socks, tree seeds, oil on canvas
Shep, Eli S.; 26"x32", oil-based print with arcylic on mylar
3) Stretched polyester film/Mylar
Mylar is the brand name for stretched polyester film. Despite how durable it is, it gives artwork a transparent feel. Artists who draw, paint or print on it, achieve a certain dichotomy in their work using the translucency to show lightness or focus on a particular aspect. It can be used as another layer to an artwork, adding with a soft matte effect.
4) Graphite or Charcoal
Graphite is essentially an artist-grade pencil – it is a more refined version of the No. 2 pencil most of us grew up with. It can come in pencil or powder form and has a metallic sheen. Charcoal can also come in powder or pencil form; it’s similar to graphite but is darker, has less range in color, and is a bit more complicated for an artist to apply. This slightly looser and more powdery medium is great for art on larger works of paper.
Mountain with Small Scaffolding, Brooks S.; 36"x48", graphite, color pencil and ink
Childhood Drawing, Chamisa K.
5) Ink pen
Yes, even a sketch done with a simple ink pen can be matted, framed and hung up on your wall. Artists can create a noteworthy image with simple tools that we use everyday for a different purpose. Ink sketches have a certain simplicity that can grant a space some whimsy; smaller works are wonderful to put up in a series.
To see more works from artists in the CoCo Gallery Artist Network and to inquire about commissioning an artwork, please email us at info@cocogallery.net or fill out a form online.