What You Need to Know About Fine Artist
Job Description: Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.
A Day in the Life of a Fine Artist
- Render sequential drawings that can be turned into animated films or advertisements.
- Submit artwork to shows or galleries.
- Use materials such as pens and ink, watercolors, charcoal, oil, or computer software to create artwork.
- Collaborate with writers who create ideas, stories, or captions that are combined with artists’ work.
- 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.
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Fine Artist Needed Skills
When polled, Fine Artists say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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
- Artist
- Free Lance Artist
- Cartoonist
- Blacksmith
- Scene Painter
Job Outlook for Fine Artists
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 28,000 jobs in the United States for Fine Artist. 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.
Do Fine Artists Make A Lot Of Money?
Fine Artists make between $20,020 and $97,710 a year.

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 |
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 do I Become a Fine Artist?
What kind of Fine Artist requirements are there?

How Long Does it Take to Become a Fine Artist?

Where 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.
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