Visual arts

Visual arts are art forms that create works which can be seen, such as painting, sculpture and architecture. Visual arts also include applied or decorative visual artwork, including textiles, ceramics and stained glass work. The term “visual art” was first used in the early twentieth century to refer to a range of artistic activities that focused on creating works with an aesthetic quality for viewing by others.

Painting is one of the oldest visual art forms; depictions of people and animals have been found on cave walls dating back 40 thousand years. Ancient peoples created paintings using natural pigments such as ochres and charcoal mixed with water or animal fat to bind them together before applying them to rocks or other surfaces. Later artists developed more sophisticated techniques using oils, acrylics and tempera paint made from ground minerals mixed with egg yolk among other materials. Modern painters continue this tradition while experimenting with new mediums like spray paint and digital media applications such as Adobe Photoshop software packages to create abstract images combining photography-based imagery with hand-painted elements blended digitally together through computer programs..

Sculpture has existed since ancient times when humans created effigies out of clay or stone for religious purposes often representing gods or goddesses associated with their culture’s spiritual beliefs at the time . Over centuries , sculptors experimented further developing stylistic conventions employing different tools ,materials & even processes like casting bronze metal sculptures from molds formed around wood carvings . More recently contemporary sculptors use modern industrial technologies combined w/ traditional craftsmanship skills manipulating materials ranging from fiberglass + plastics (like polyester resin) 2 steel+ aluminum alloys 4 large scale public monuments & installations commonly placed outdoors in urban parks n open spaces

Architecture is another form of visual expression existing since antiquity involving building structures designed both functionally & aesthetically pleasing depending upon its purpose + location . Architects design homes offices factories bridges etc based not just off practical considerations but also aesthetics ones incorporating certain architectural styles popular during particular historical periods constructed out various types material including timber brick concrete + steel frames clad in ceramic tiles stucco limestone marble granite earthenware etc

As technology advances so too does our definition what constitutes ‘’visual art” along w/ it potential applications video gaming graphic novels web design virtual reality projection mapping interactive installations where audience members interact directly via sensors movement trackers voice recognition systems touchscreens tablets smartphones social networking sites allowing anyone anywhere access vast amounts content anytime they want 24 hours 7 days week making possible world filled infinite possibilities!