What is a Fine Artist?
Job Description: Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.
Life As a Fine Artist: What Do They Do?
- Collaborate with engineers, mechanics, and other technical experts as necessary to build and install creations.
- Shade and fill in sketch outlines and backgrounds, using a variety of media such as water colors, markers, and transparent washes, labeling designated colors when necessary.
- Set up exhibitions of artwork for display or sale.
- Teach artistic techniques to children or adults.
- 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.
- Submit preliminary or finished artwork or project plans to clients for approval, incorporating changes as necessary.
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Things a Fine Artist Should Know How to Do
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 Jobs
- Editorial Cartoonist
- Tattoo Designer
- Comic Book Artist
- Book Illustrator
- Fashion Illustrator
Are There Job Opportunities 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 2,400 job openings in this field each 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.
Average Fine Artists Salary
The average yearly salary of a Fine Artist ranges between $20,020 and $97,710.

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 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
- 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
Education needed to be a Fine Artist:

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

Fine Artists Sector

Fine Artists work in the following industries:

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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