5 Different Art Mediums You Should Try

There are many benefits to creating art, and while many people believe you have to have natural talent, that's simply not true. Creating art is relaxing, so it takes away your stress and anxiety. It's also good for improving your focus and your spatial reasoning. For older people, awakening that creative side can delay dementia.

When you think of art, your mind probably conjures images of Bob Ross painting pretty landscapes. However, there's more to art than just paint. If the thought of painting stick figures is what's holding you back, here are five art mediums you should try to help you find that one that can keep you inspired for hours.

Block Printing

Block printing is just like it sounds. You take a block, carve an image into it, roll it through some block printing ink, and press it onto a surface. It's a lot like creating a giant stamp. It does require special tools, but the initial investment is very small. You can get into block printing for around one Andrew Jackson.

You need the carving tool set, printing blocks, ink, and a surface to press. You can print on paper, or you can even make a cotton tote bag, an original work of art. You've probably even seen block print tee shirts and not realized it. While having a press is ideal, you can start out simply using a dough roller to press your images.

Oil Pastels

Oil pastels are almost like oil painting. Much like oil paint without an added dryer, the image you create from oil pastels never completely dries. The pastels are small sticks that resemble crayons. In fact, when you get started it may even feel like your coloring. But oil pastels are capable of much more.

The color can be smoothed around with a blending stump, or even your finger. It's okay to get a little messy. You can also flatten and move the colors with a brush dipped in paint thinner. With oil pastels, you can create beautiful art that looks like a painting.

Collage

You might remember creating collages in school. Well, with art it's pretty much the same concept. You take found objects, arrange them, and then glue them to a surface. The objects you use in college can also be created by you. For example, you could paint several sheets of paper a solid color, then cut them into shapes, and arrange them on whatever sturdy backing you choose to use.

Decoupage

Decoupage is a lot like collage, except you utilize the surfaces of furniture, boxes, and anything else in a home that has a surface suitable for decorating. Surfaces can be wood, glass, ceramic, metal, and fabric. You could even decoupage your shoes.

You take an attractive material, such as fabric or paper, and adhere it to the surface using Mod Podge or another adhesive formulated specifically for decoupage. When you're finished, you have taken an item and basically given it a beautiful upgrade, that is if you do it right.

Art Markers

Art markers aren't your run of the mill marker you purchase at the department store. A good art marker is alcohol based and has two nibs on each end. One nib is flat and wide like a brush, and the other is pointy for details.

Art markers are great for creating your own graphic novel, or to simply create beautiful art. They come in so many colors, with some made specifically for skin tones, that the only way you'll ever collect them all is if you stick with it a while.

Creating art doesn't mean you need to slap paint on canvas. After all, everyone is doing that. However, if you become an expert at one of the mediums mentioned above, you'll be joining an elite class of other artists creating specialized art that will have all your friends and family saying, "Wow."