Fine Artist

Job Description:

Fine artists create original works of art using methods like painting, drawing and sculpture.

Job Category:

Art & Fashion

See Art & Fashion jobs

What you will do:

Typically you will:

work from your own ideas, or a commission from an individual or an organisation
sell your work through an agent or through galleries, exhibitions, shops or online
research subjects, materials and new artistic techniques
network with agents, dealers, gallery owners and other artists
attend exhibitions and join artists’ groups

You might also:

work as ‘artist in residence’ – running classes and workshops in places like schools, prisons or hospitals
teach art classes privately, in colleges or through community learning
run local art projects

Skills:

You’ll need:

knowledge of the fine arts
design skills and knowledge
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

As well as:

to be thorough and pay attention to detail
the ability to work well with your hands
the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
thinking and reasoning skills
the ability to use your initiative
the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
creativity – ability to think ‘outside the box’

Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

a university course
a college course
self-teaching

University
You’ll need a high level of skill and talent in your chosen art form. To develop these skills, you could train by doing a degree or postgraduate award in:

art and design
art history
fine art
visual arts
graphic arts

College
You can do a Level 4 Higher National Certificate or Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Art and Design or Art Practice.

Volunteering
Volunteering with community arts projects can open up possibilities and extend your network of contacts, which could be useful for finding work.

Other Routes
If you’re exceptionally talented and have taught yourself, you may be able sell your work without formal training or qualifications.

Career tips
You’ll need to be able to promote yourself in different ways.

You could:

create an online presence through your own website, blog or through social media channels
join together with other artists to form a ‘collective’ or artistic community
organise your own shows in galleries or other venues

You could also:

get an agent
raise funds through crowdfunding websites
illustrate products like books or greetings cards

Working Hours and Environment:

You could work in a creative studio, in a workshop or from home.

Career Path & Progression:

You could move into areas like art therapy, art conservation, valuation or art sales. You could combine working as an artist with teaching.