Which visual art medium involves applying pigment to a surface using a brush?

The correct answer is painting, which specifically involves the application of pigment to a surface using a brush. This medium has a rich history and encompasses various techniques and styles, enabling artists to create a wide range of visual effects. The process of painting often involves layers of color, texture, and detail that can convey depth and emotion in the artwork.

Sculpture, while a significant visual art medium, involves three-dimensional forms created from materials like clay, metal, or stone, without the traditional use of pigment and brush in the same manner. Drawing typically refers to creating images using tools such as pencils, pens, or charcoal, which may not involve pigment in the same way that painting does. Photography captures images through light exposure, which is fundamentally different from the direct application of pigment characteristic of painting. Therefore, painting is the medium that directly aligns with applying pigment to a surface using a brush.