Three-Dimensional Creation and Physical Movement in Art Therapy Using Virtual Reality Painting

Virtual Reality (VR) painting, an emerging form of artistic expression under 5G technology, showcases a broader range of expressive styles and dynamic visual effects compared to traditional computer graphics. The creative process in VR painting enhances spatial depth, exhibiting different spatial abilities and necessitating more physical movements, including hand controllers and foot movements in the virtual space. Furthermore, VR painting in art therapy encourages users to engage in physical activities, contributing to better emotional expression. This study involved digital-native users in VR painting, using Meta Quest 2 to operate Open Brush for their creations. Through observational methods, we examined user operational behaviors and conducted semi-structured interviews post-experiment to explore their painting performance and usage behaviors in the virtual environment. The results of this study indicate that VR painting enhances the sense of space and dynamic expression in creative work and improves users’ emotional and physical engagement, providing new avenues for artistic expression. These findings contribute to improving the usability and application value of VR paintings.