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Life As a Fine Artist

Fine Artist Definition Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.

Fine Artist Responsibilities

  • Render drawings, illustrations, and sketches of buildings, manufactured products, or models, working from sketches, blueprints, memory, models, or reference materials.
  • Brush or spray protective or decorative finishes on completed background panels, informational legends, exhibit accessories, or finished paintings.
  • Trace drawings onto clear acetate for painting or coloring, or trace them with ink to make final copies.
  • Frame and mat artwork for display or sale.
  • Use materials such as pens and ink, watercolors, charcoal, oil, or computer software to create artwork.
  • Create graphics, illustrations, and three-dimensional models to be used in research or in teaching, such as in demonstrating anatomy, pathology, or surgical procedures.

What a Fine Artist Should Know

Below is a list of the skills most Fine Artists say are important on the job.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Other Fine Artist Job Titles

  • Cartoon Artist
  • Scientific Artist
  • Sculptor
  • Newspaper Illustrator
  • Ice Sculptor

Is There Job Demand for Fine Artists?

There were about 28,000 jobs for Fine Artist in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,900 new jobs for Fine Artist by 2026. There will be an estimated 2,400 positions for Fine Artist per year.

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The states with the most job growth for Fine Artist are Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Watch out if you plan on working in Missouri, Vermont, or Pennsylvania. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Do Fine Artists Make A Lot Of Money?

The typical yearly salary for Fine Artists is somewhere between $20,020 and $97,710.

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Fine Artists who work in Oklahoma, California, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.

How much do Fine Artists make in different U.S. states?

State Annual Mean Salary
Arizona $62,200
Arkansas $24,510
California $76,230
Colorado $47,760
Connecticut $80,010
Florida $46,210
Georgia $53,600
Illinois $46,870
Indiana $49,410
Iowa $46,940
Kansas $51,270
Kentucky $43,870
Louisiana $48,870
Maryland $56,320
Massachusetts $59,170
Michigan $55,340
Minnesota $57,710
Missouri $39,430
Montana $35,150
Nebraska $47,350
New Hampshire $47,540
New Jersey $62,840
New Mexico $35,110
North Carolina $43,310
Ohio $43,470
Oklahoma $65,140
Oregon $59,540
South Carolina $28,070
Tennessee $44,380
Texas $53,400
Utah $44,260
Vermont $54,910
Virginia $59,950
Washington $51,490

Tools & Technologies Used by Fine Artists

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Fine Artists:

  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Hypertext markup language HTML
  • JavaScript
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Web browser software
  • Python
  • Email software
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
  • Facebook
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
  • Extensible markup language XML
  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
  • Dassault Systemes CATIA
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Flash
  • SmugMug Flickr

How do I Become a Fine Artist?

Education needed to be a Fine Artist:

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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References:

Image Credit: Jorge Royan via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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