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Fine Artist

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What Do Fine Artist Do?

Position Description Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.

Daily Life Of a Fine Artist

  • Render sequential drawings that can be turned into animated films or advertisements.
  • Use materials such as pens and ink, watercolors, charcoal, oil, or computer software to create artwork.
  • Create sculptures, statues, and other three-dimensional artwork by using abrasives and tools to shape, carve, and fabricate materials such as clay, stone, wood, or metal.
  • Teach artistic techniques to children or adults.
  • Integrate and develop visual elements, such as line, space, mass, color, and perspective, to produce desired effects, such as the illustration of ideas, emotions, or moods.
  • Collaborate with engineers, mechanics, and other technical experts as necessary to build and install creations.

Skills Needed to be a Fine Artist

Fine Artists state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

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.

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

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

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

Types of Fine Artist

  • Painter
  • Newspaper Illustrator
  • Scenic Artist
  • Texture Artist
  • Artist

Job Outlook 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. The BLS estimates 2,400 yearly job openings in this field.

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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.

Fine Artist Salary

Fine Artists make between $20,020 and $97,710 a year.

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

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Fine Artists 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

What Tools & Technology do Fine Artists Use?

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?

What education is needed to be a Fine Artist?

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What work experience do I need to become a Fine Artist?

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Fine Artists Sector

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Below are examples of industries where Fine Artists work:

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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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