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.
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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.
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.
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
- 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:
How many years of work experience do I need?
References:
Image Credit: Jorge Royan via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
More about our data sources and methodologies.