Hammering and smithing. Metals are some of the unique art mediums that modern artists utilize in their work.

Modern artists are constantly surprising the world with their creativity and innovation. Learn about unique art mediums that modern artists utilize in their work.

BY ALEX TOWNASTALLI

There have been many art movements throughout history, but some of the most interesting art has come from the contemporary art movement. In modern art, artists use a variety of mediums, from pencils and paints to everyday objects. Learn more about some unique mediums modern artists utilize to channel their creativity into your own pieces.

Hox Wax

Artists have practiced hot wax painting, also known as encaustic painting, since the 1700s. Hot wax painting uses a mixture of hot wax and pigments to create a unique texture and style of painting. Artists often create hot wax paintings on wooden surfaces, but they also use traditional canvases or thicker paper. Because molten wax doesn’t dry immediately upon contact, the artist has a brief moment to shape the colored wax with wooden or metallic tools. This allows them to form the shapes they want to build up their finished piece.

Coffee

Some might write off making art with coffee as playing with your food, but professional artists use coffee as an art medium quite often. Have you ever been to a restaurant or café that topped your latte with foam art? Some artists dedicate themselves to perfecting latte and other coffee art. Latte artists have grown increasingly popular on social media. Beyond creating latte art, some artists use brewed coffee like watercolor paint, pouring it onto paper and spreading it with a brush.

Metals

Metalworking is its own form of art entirely. Modern metalsmiths can create everything from ten-foot-tall metallic sculptures to the most delicate pieces of jewelry and accessories. These artists can even create functional pieces such as decorative fences and tools. Artists who work with metal often have to endure tough conditions working around a forge and hammering metal to shape it. They also have to know the melting points of precious metals they work with to melt, smelt, and shape materials according to their project.

Found Objects

Some modern artists take the concepts they’ve learned from painting and studying composition and apply them off the canvas. Found object art originated in the 1900s, and many modern artists use found object art to create everything from abstract masterpieces to portraits. Some artists even use this art style to communicate sustainability issues by using items such as plastic straws or takeaway bags as the medium for their pieces. This just goes to show that you don’t need expensive equipment and materials to practice art—you can utilize your artistic teachings and the items around you.

Whether you prefer to use classic techniques or want to try out modern art yourself, we hope this exploration into unique mediums modern artists utilize has provided inspiration. Perhaps learning about some of these unique art mediums will encourage you to experiment with some new mediums in your own work.

Are you an artist? Do you use some of the unique art mediums that modern artists utilize? Share your work with us.