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Career Details

27-1013.00 - Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators


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


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
26,300
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
27,100
Estimate
Change in Employment
800.0
Estimate
Change in Employment %
+3.1%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Use materials such as pens and ink, watercolors, charcoal, oil, or computer software to create artwork.
  • Integrate and develop visual elements, such as line, space, mass, color, and perspective, to produce desired effects, such as the illustration of ideas, emotions, or moods.
  • Confer with clients, editors, writers, art directors, and other interested parties regarding the nature and content of artwork to be produced.
  • Maintain portfolios of artistic work to demonstrate styles, interests, and abilities.
  • Monitor events, trends, and other circumstances, research specific subject areas, attend art exhibitions, and read art publications to develop ideas and keep current on art world activities.
  • Study different techniques to learn how to apply them to artistic endeavors.
  • Market artwork through brochures, mailings, or Web sites.
  • Photograph objects, places, or scenes for reference material.
Supplemental
  • Submit preliminary or finished artwork or project plans to clients for approval, incorporating changes as necessary.
  • Create finished art work as decoration, or to elucidate or substitute for spoken or written messages.
  • Cut, bend, laminate, arrange, and fasten individual or mixed raw and manufactured materials and products to form works of art.
  • Render drawings, illustrations, and sketches of buildings, manufactured products, or models, working from sketches, blueprints, memory, models, or reference materials.
  • Create sketches, profiles, or likenesses of posed subjects or photographs, using any combination of freehand drawing, mechanical assembly kits, and computer imaging.
  • 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.
  • Study styles, techniques, colors, textures, and materials used in works undergoing restoration to ensure consistency during the restoration process.
  • Develop project budgets for approval, estimating time lines and material costs.
  • 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.
  • Collaborate with engineers, mechanics, and other technical experts as necessary to build and install creations.
  • Create and prepare sketches and model drawings of cartoon characters, providing details from memory, live models, manufactured products, or reference materials.
  • Examine and test paintings in need of restoration or cleaning to determine techniques and materials to be used.
  • Create graphics, illustrations, and three-dimensional models to be used in research or in teaching, such as in demonstrating anatomy, pathology, or surgical procedures.
  • 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.
  • Apply solvents and cleaning agents to clean surfaces of paintings, and to remove accretions, discolorations, and deteriorated varnish.
  • Model substances such as clay or wax, using fingers and small hand tools to form objects.
  • Collaborate with writers who create ideas, stories, or captions that are combined with artists' work.
  • Provide entertainment at special events by performing activities such as drawing cartoons.
  • Render sequential drawings that can be turned into animated films or advertisements.
  • Set up exhibitions of artwork for display or sale.
  • Frame and mat artwork for display or sale.
  • Submit artwork to shows or galleries.
  • Teach artistic techniques to children or adults.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Design
  • 87%
    Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 85%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
 English Language
  • 77%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Production and Processing
  • 72%
    Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
 Fine Arts
  • 69%
    Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
 Education and Training
  • 68%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
 Communications and Media
  • 67%
    Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 66%
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 Mathematics
  • 64%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 Administration and Management
  • 61%
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
 Psychology
  • 56%
    Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
 Geography
  • 54%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
 Clerical
  • 54%
    Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
 Engineering and Technology
  • 53%
    Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
 Sales and Marketing
  • 51%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Studio aids
  • 23
  • Bust armatures
  • Figure armature systems
  • Head armatures
 Classroom and fine art paint and mediums and applicators and accessories
  • Acrylic paintbrushes
  • Artists' palette knives
  • Artists' palettes
  • Oil paintbrushes
  • Sumi paintbrushes
  • Watercolor paintbrushes
 Power tools
  • Angle grinders
  • Die grinders
  • Electric saws
  • Power sanders
 Writing instruments
  • Artists' fountain pens
 Clay and modeling compounds and ceramics equipment and accessories
  • Bevel tools
  • Ceramic bead bars
  • Clay cutters
  • Clay mixers
  • Detail carving tools
  • Edging tools
  • Electric kilns
  • Electric potters wheels
  • Extruder dies
  • Fettling knives
  • Gas kilns
  • Glass kilns
  • Hand glaze mixers
  • Handheld clay extruders
  • Handlemaker tools
  • Kick wheels
  • Kiln carts
  • Kiln oxygen probes
  • Kiln ventilation hoods
  • Loop tools
  • Mold knives
  • Pot lifts
  • Potter's ribs
  • Pottery cleanup tools
  • Pottery duster brushes
  • Pottery kilns
  • Pugmills
  • Raku kilns
  • Round hole punches
  • Saber saws
  • Sculpting thumbs
  • Sgraffito tools
  • Slab mats
  • Slab rollers
  • Square hole cutters
  • Thin line sculpting tools
  • Tile presses
 Welding and soldering and brazing accessories
  • Brazing tools
  • Oxyacetylene torches
 Forming tools
  • Bush hammers
 Camera accessories
  • Camera lenses
  • Lens filters
  • Photography tripods
  • Remote firing flashes
  • Stationary lighting systems
  • Strobe flashes
 Computer data input devices
  • Computer data input scanners
 Temperature and heat measuring instruments
  • Digital pyrometers
  • Digital thermometers
  • Theromcouples
 Weight measuring instruments
  • Digital scales
  • Triple beam scales
 Fluid mechanics equipment
  • Digital viscosometers
 Holding and clamping tools
  • Dipping tongs
  • Raku tongs
 Art and craft cutting products
  • Encaustic scrapers
  • Mat cutters
 Rough and finishing tools
  • Encaustic spatulas
  • Hand chisels
  • Riffler rasps
  • Steel rasps
  • Stone carving chisels
  • Stone carving knives
  • Tool sharpening stones
  • Wood carving chisels
  • Wood carving gouges
  • Wood carving skews
 Darkroom supplies
  • Enlarger timers
  • Print squeegees
  • Printing tongs
  • Processing trays
 Safety apparel
  • Heat resistant gloves
 Computers
  • Laptop computers
  • Personal computers
  • Tablet computers
 Cutting and crimping and punching tools
  • Linoleum cutters
  • Utility knives
 Welding machinery
  • Metal inert gas MIG welders
  • Shielded arc welders
 Computer printers
  • Photo quality computer printers
 Pneumatic tools
  • Pneumatic chisels
 Vision protection and accessories
  • Protective safety glasses
 Cameras
  • Single lens reflex SLR cameras
 Face and head protection
  • Welding facial shields
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Content management software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe AcrobatHOT
  • Code Line Art Files
 Development software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe ActionScript
  • C#HOT
  • C++HOT
  • Extensible markup language XMLHOT
  • Hypertext markup language HTMLHOT
  • JavaScriptHOT
  • Perforce Helix software
  • PythonHOT
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe AfterEffectsHOT
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Creative CloudHOT
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Flash
  • Adobe Systems Adobe FrameMaker
  • Adobe Systems Adobe FreeHand
  • Adobe Systems Adobe IllustratorHOT
  • Adobe Systems Adobe ImageReady
  • Adobe Systems Adobe InDesignHOT
  • Adobe Systems Adobe PhotoshopHOT
  • Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite
  • Corel Paint Shop Pro
  • Corel Painter
  • Corel Photo-Paint
  • FacebookHOT
  • Inkscape
  • Microsoft Paint
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • Paintbrush
  • Serif DrawPlus
  • SmugMug FlickrHOT
  • Xara Designer Pro X
 Data management and query software
  • ArtScope.net eArtist
  • Camp Software Art Licensing Manager
  • FileMaker Bento
  • GYST
 Industry specific software
  • Autodesk 3D Studio DesignHOT
  • Autodesk AutoCADHOT
  • Credit card processing software
  • Dassault Systemes CATIAHOT
  • Trimble SketchUp ProHOT
 Network applications software
  • ClassDojo
  • Web browser software
 Information exchange software
  • Email software
  • GroupMe
  • Twitter
 Business function specific software
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
  • WorkingArtist Systems WorkingArtist
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
 Advanced
 Core
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Online Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Laurel Ridge Community College
Mountain Empire Community College
Northern Virginia Community College
Piedmont Virginia Community College