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Fine Artist

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JOB OUTLOOK

Stable

What They Do

Fine Artists Career Video

About This Career

Creates original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.

This career is part of the Arts, Audio-Video Technology and Communications cluster Visual Arts pathway.

A person in this career:

  • Uses materials such as pens and ink, watercolors, charcoal, oil, or computer software to create artwork.
  • Integrates and develops visual elements, such as line, space, mass, color, and perspective, to produce desired effects, such as the illustration of ideas, emotions, or moods.
  • Confers with clients, editors, writers, art directors, and other interested parties regarding the nature and content of artwork to be produced.
  • Maintains portfolios of artistic work to demonstrate styles, interests, and abilities.
  • Markets artwork through brochures, mailings, or Web sites.
  • Studies different techniques to learn how to apply them to artistic endeavors.
  • Monitors events, trends, and other circumstances, researches specific subject areas, attends art exhibitions, and reads art publications to develop ideas and keep current on art world activities.
  • Photographs objects, places, or scenes for reference material.
  • Models substances such as clay or wax, using fingers and small hand tools to form objects.
  • Creates 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.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

  • You would sit most of the time. There's some walking and standing. You may have to lift and carry things like books, papers or tools weighing 10 lbs. or less.
  • Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
  • Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

  • Identifying color and seeing differences in color, including shades and brightness
  • Seeing clearly at a distance
  • Seeing clearly up close
  • Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
  • Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

  • Regular working hours and limited travel

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:

  • Artist
  • Automotive Artist
  • Blacksmith
  • Ice Carver
  • Illustrator — Draws or paints illustrations for use by various media to explain or adorn printed or spoken word.
  • Muralist
  • Painter
  • Portrait Artist
  • Sculptor — Creates original drawings and sculptures.