Artists are interesting people, especially because we are all an artist in our own lives. In some capacity, everyone has designed and thought something through in their lives. Whether that is through putting a brush to paper, or simply conducting the way their life looks, we are all artists. The difference that is separating everyone and making everyone their own person with their own individuality is the medium in which we use to make our own art. Everyone is nearly the same, but we are all weird in our own ways. That is what keeps us different.
Using VR as a medium to make art can be a little deceiving. If there was a medium to a medium, that would be virtual reality. That is because you are not limited to one thing inside of virtual reality. You can put brush to paper, but not simply that by itself. You can build a building, make a car, make art through the way you defeat the final boss, and even make beats and music. The possibilities are not only endless, but even more are being developed day by day so we have access to them.
Virtual reality is more of an engine running your mediums more than anything else. Within a few minutes, you can finish painting your car, to making beautiful art by beating every level on Beat Saber.
If you talk to 10 artists, chances are 2 or 3 of them will be shy or embarrassed about what they do to express themselves. With that being said, no one should ever feel bad or not happy with how they express themselves. For that problem, VR already has a perfect solution. The headset can be and most likely is one of the most private things that you own. Unless you purposely set it up this way, no one can see what is going on inside of that headset. This gives all artists, regardless of medium, to express themself the way they truly feel. This may seem like a silly idea until you put the headset on and feel the freedom and relaxation of creating for you, and you only.
With all of that being said and understood, lets dive into what mediums are being used best inside of virtual reality.
Tilt Brush by Google
Price: $30
Available on: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Windows Mixed Reality
This game turns your room into your canvas, and your brush is a translator for your imagination. This is one of the best, if not the best, art game available inside of virtual reality. It is able to run on most large headsets as well.
Using the controllers, making 3D art has never been this simple yet fun. We could end this article right here by saying that the Tilt Brush is the best way to go for art inside of VR, but that doesn’t work. Although you have the freedom to create inside of the headset while making whatever you please, there is more to be explored.
Gravity Sketch
Price: $24.99 (limited version)
Available on: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Windows Mixed Reality
This game isn’t backed by Google and doesn’t have the power of a big name, but the game itself has clearly rivaled Tilt Brush for sometime now. In this game, as you will see in the video, there are options available to make volume shapes and objects.
Not only can you make some great volume shapes, but making art them seems to have more options and variables than the aforementioned game. This has been what is keeping this game afloat. Not many have been able to replicate what this medium has.
Medium by Oculus
Price: $35
Available on: Oculus Rift
In this app, it is a designer and developer heaven. You will be able to sculpt objects and figures like never before. Check out this app video Oculus has put together.
It shows not only the ease that is making the object, but the detail that you are able to go into as well. As all of that is impressive, one of the best features is the ability to buy presets and pre-made objects from the asset stores. This makes developing inside of your headset an even more immersive experience than before.
Unbound Alpha
Price: $30
Available on: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Windows Mixed Reality
This game is another that developers inside of virtual reality should definitely check out. It is simply fun and easy to work with. One of the best features is the multi-user function, in which you and some buddies can be working on the same objects at the same time. Think of it as your sandbox in the backyard that you are building mud monsters in.
On top of all of these great features, you are able to have hundreds of objects in the same space while you work on and design all of them. 3D printing is also compatible with this app, so if you want to bring your creations to life, you will be free to do so.
Blocks by Google
Price: Free
Available on: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift
So far, we have shown off the great designing and drawing apps. With another Google application on the list, this one breaks off the typical norm. When designing on a 2D screen, it can be very hard to create 3D objects to scale, and place them exactly where you want them.
You can insert shapes, make shapes, and create much more. This app is all is line with the asset stores and with can be used as a place to modify your purchases as well. Developers are often using this app and will continue to for the foreseeable future.
Beat Saber
Price: $19.99
Available on: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift
I know what you’re thinking. Beat Saber isn’t an art game. Hold tight. Not everyone makes or experiences art through creation. Music holds a special place in many peoples hearts, and for a great reason. With Beat Saber, you are not only experiencing the music, but you are essentially dancing while chopping up the beat.
You can see in the video above how quickly this game immerses you. When it is a full body workout without any outside distractions, the game will simply eat up your time. Along with the ability to create your own music inside of the game, this game will have your attention for hours.
SoundStage VR
Price: $9.99
Available on: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift
Whether you are a full time DJ trying to make some new beats with your headset, or just loving rocking out on the drums without a care in the world, this app is for you. SoundStage gives you a full medium with plenty of tools to express yourself.
In the video above, you see the extent of effort the producers put in the details of this game. There was no shortcuts taken, and there is not much to complain about. The graphics are a bit choppy, but that will be the last thing you are worrying about while playing this game and making the world hear you.
Vremiere
Price: $20
Available on: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Windows Mixed Reality
In this VR app, you are able to edit, cut, and produce the the 360 degree videos you have taken. This app has yet to make a big splash, but the idea and concepts are promising. check out this trailer to see what you can create.
It is easy to see why people can find joy and art in this, especially when they are dealing with their own content. Editing these videos are hard enough, but adding a layer of immerse down the road is only going to help the artist out.
Kingspray Graffiti Simulator
Price: $14.99
Available on: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift
In this app you will be allowed to pain on any and all surfaces with your favorite can of spray paint without getting locked up. The surfaces that are available for you to put your illegal touch on are endless. This can be an artist dream come true through this game.
This trailer looks great, but getting that can in you hand for the first time is simply a different experience. It is one of the better feeling when wanting to create without boarders and limits.
Overall, there are plenty of mediums in which you can use when you have a virtual reality headset. Your headset is simply the engine that runs it all, and keeps every option open to you at all times. You do not need to be an expert in any of these areas to express yourself through any artwork. Art has been, and always will be, anyone who has an idea or feeling they want to express, and virtual reality is here to guide your hands along the way.
