Two-dimensional Asian art includes everything from line drawings, traditional Chinese silk scroll painting, Japanese woodblock prints, Indonesian batik, or Indian dyed cloths. Watercolors are commonly used in East Asia. Japanese woodblock prints started out as single-color prints where the black outlines were printed and the color was painted on by hand. Japanese woodblock prints evolved to multi-layered registered prints with the color added during the screening process.
Sculpture has been created in various Asian cultures for thousands of years. Japanese sculptors often focus on Buddhist and Shinto symbols and deities. Chinese sculptors frequently use Buddhist and Taoist symbols and deities. The sculptures of Angkor Wat and other ancient sites in Southeast Asia are world-famous and Indian temples are intricately carved. The temples and personal altars in Southeast Asia provide a showplace for religious icons carved from a variety of materials, including wood, stone, glass, bronze or brass.
Traditional Asian architecture varies and is unique to each culture. Chinese architecture and design tends toward ornate designs based on swooping lines and curves with intricately carved ornamentation. Chinese architecture is often based on bright colors, with red especially common. Japanese architecture and design focuses on simplicity and economy of line and form with a strong emphasis on balance. Traditional Indian architecture, like the Taj Mahal, uses exquisite materials with taller spires and intricate carving. Ancient Indian temples are among the best-known carved architectural masterpieces in the world.