What Do Fine Artist Do?
Career Description Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.
Fine Artist Responsibilities
- Create and prepare sketches and model drawings of cartoon characters, providing details from memory, live models, manufactured products, or reference materials.
- Confer with clients, editors, writers, art directors, and other interested parties regarding the nature and content of artwork to be produced.
- Frame and mat artwork for display or sale.
- Create finished art work as decoration, or to elucidate or substitute for spoken or written messages.
- Study styles, techniques, colors, textures, and materials used in works undergoing restoration to ensure consistency during the restoration process.
- Model substances such as clay or wax, using fingers and small hand tools to form objects.
Featured schools near , edit
Fine Artist Required Skills
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
- Delineator
- Commercial Artist
- Scientific Artist
- Stained Glass Painter
- Cartoon 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.

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.
How Much Does a Fine Artist Make?
The salary for Fine Artists ranges between about $20,020 and $97,710 a year.

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?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Fine Artists may use on a daily basis:
- 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 to Become a Fine Artist
What kind of Fine Artist requirements are there?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where do Fine Artists Work?

The table below shows the approximate number of Fine Artists employed by various industries.

References:
Image Credit: Jorge Royan via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |