Like any other things, art has evolved over a long period of time. Each of these evolutions has created different forms of art. Whatever form of art we see, its main characteristic is the same. It is pleasing to the senses and it expresses the feelings and emotions of the artist that can be interpreted in different ways by different people.

There are many different forms of art; they can be divided into two classes: visual art and performing art. Visual art includes paintings, sculpture, literature, calligraphy, photography and architecture. Performing arts are all forms of dance, music, theater, opera and films. Another classification is the application of visual art to physical object such as clothes, jewelry, architecture etc. Such applications can be classified under applied arts.

Visual Arts

This is the form of art that creates work that is visual in nature. Visual art creations serve as a medium to represent the artist's idea, feeling, emotion and imagination. Visual arts can be further classified as:

Drawing – Drawing is a form of visual art that makes use of number of drawing instruments such as pencil, pen, charcoal to create a form or object on different medium such as paper, canvas etc.  Drawings are not necessarily a depiction of what we see around us but can also be abstract, illustrating certain emotions and ideas that are in the mind of the artist and which are open to interpretation.

Painting– Painting is a practice to apply paint or colors on a surface to create some form or object. Paintings can be classified based on different styles such as abstract, modern, figurative etc. Furthermore the paintings can also be classified based on the subject that the artist chooses such as still life, landscapes, seascapes, abstract and pop art etc. Moreover, the kind of medium used for the painting like oil colors, pastels, water colors, charcoal and the surface that it is painted on, whether it is canvas or paper has a bearing on how the painting would look.

Sculpture – Sculptures are also among the different forms of art that falls under visual art. Sculptures can be defined as a three-dimensional art form that uses materials like clay, stone or wood. Materials can be removed by carving; or they may be assembled by welding, molding or casting or hardened by firing. Surface decoration such as paint may be applied.

Calligraphy – Calligraphy is defined as the art of writing letters in a manner that it looks visually appealing. Modern calligraphy ranges from functional hand-lettered inscriptions and designs to fine-art pieces where the abstract expression of the handwritten mark may or may not compromise the legibility of the letters. There are many calligraphy styles and usually it takes months of training and skill to learn these calligraphy alphabets and styles.

Photography – Photography is the art of creating durable images by recording light either on a photographic film or on image sensor. Photography can be further classified based on the subject that the photographer chooses. Popular subjects for photography are fashion, wildlife, food and wedding.

Applied Art

Applied art is a part of visual art and it can be defined as art that has practical application as well as functionality. There are various types of applied arts. Some of them are classified below.

Architecture – Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architecture can be classified as commercial or applied art. It can be consider applied arts because many principles of visual art can be applied to architecture. Designing and building any construction might seem to be a marvel of science, but good architectural design is actually a form of art.

Fashion Design – Fashion design is a form of art dedicated to the creation of clothing and other lifestyle accessories. Fashion design involves working with different types of fabrics and patterns which are then designed into garments. Good design, great fit and impeccable style are the hallmarks of a great fashion design.

Jewelry Design – Jewelry design is also a different form of art and it involves the design of intricate pieces of jewelry from metals, wood or plastic. Gold, Silver, Platinum and copper are primarily used for designing jewelry. Jewelry design also incorporates precious and semi-precious stones.

Wood Crafts – Any object that is made of wood and is aesthetically pleasing as well as functional is called wood crafts. Designs are usually curved on wood or different wood pieces are joined together in wood craft.

Interior Design – Interior design describes a group of various yet related projects that involve turning an interior space into an effective setting for the range of human activities. Typical activities that make interior designing include furnishings, furniture placement and layout of the interiors.