They are, in my opinion, the easiest medium to use. A medium can also be something mixed with paint to change the body of the paint in some way. In most cases, it is used as a noun, but it can also be used as an adjective in some circumstances. There are many acrylic mediums available for different effects, from thinning and glazing to thickening and impasto effects; for a range of finishes from matte to glossy; for a textured finish; for retarding drying time; and for varnishing. By using LiveAbout, you accept our, Acrylic Paint Characteristics and Advantages, Types of Drying Oils Used in Oil Painting, All About White Oil and Acrylic Artists' Paint, Everything to Know Before You Buy Acrylic Painting Supplies, Oil Pastels and Oil Sticks: Characteristics and Uses, The Seven Best Brands of Water Mixable Oil Paints, Understanding Which Colors You Need to Start Painting With Oils, Tips for Keeping Acrylics From Drying While Plein Air Painting, Glaze Art - Painting Glazes in Oils or Acrylics. LiveAbout uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Since then she has written for several online content websites, private clients and blogs. Smooth paper is a poor choice for this medium, as the pastels cling easily to rough surfaces but smear off of smooth ones. Thus, the term "mediums" is the plural form of "medium" when "medium" is used as a noun—unless "medium" is used to refer to an outlet for communication. Artists Artwork Timeline World Map Essays on Art. ", If you need someone to communicate with a loved one who's passed on, always choose a "medium. Personnel: How to Choose the Right Word, Nobody, No One, and None: How to Choose the Right Word, Coarse vs. Yet another meaning of the word "medium" is a person who claims to be able to communicate with the dead. It is possible to blend all three pastel variations together seamlessly. Around the 1920s, the word "media" was first used to describe communication outlets, and the term " mass media … Possibilities for art mediums are endless. What Is the Definition of 'Medium' in Art? Oil and acrylic paints can both be used straight from the tube and are very stable that way, but there are many different mediums that can be added to them to alter the drying time, finish, consistency and flow of the paint. What Are the Ingredients in Acrylic Paint? The word "media" is complex because its meaning has changed dramatically over a relatively short period of time. To add to the confusion, the term medium is also used to describe the materials an artist uses, or simply the type of paint, such as oil, acrylics, or watercolors, as well the type of support, or surface used for painting. Soft pastels are for covering large surface areas with color, whereas hard pastels and pastel pencils are for fine detailing.