Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
Did You Know:*
- About 60 percent of artists and related workers are self-employed.
- Keen competition is expected for both salaried jobs and freelance work because the arts attract many talented people with creative ability.
- Artists usually develop their skills through a bachelor's degree program or other postsecondary training in art or design.
- Earnings for self-employed artists vary widely; some well-established artists earn more than salaried artists, while others find it difficult to rely solely on income earned from selling art.
Industry Areas
- Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers
- Motion Picture and Video Industries
- Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers
Day-to-Day Tasks*
- 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, in order 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.
Overall Kind of Work*
Artists create art to communicate ideas, thoughts or feelings. They use a variety of methods-painting, sculpting or illustration ? and an assortment of materials, including oils, watercolors, acry...
Work Environment*
Civilian
Many artists work in fine art or commercial art studios located in office buildings, warehouses or lofts. Others work in private studios in their homes. Some fine artists share studio space, where...
Workweek Breakdown
The hours worked per week by people currently pursuing this career.
- 18.78% (0-20 Hours)
- 13.91% (21-34 Hours)
- 4.49% (35-39 Hours)
- 30.86% (40 Hours)
- 2.44% (41-49 Hours)
- 29.51% (Over 50 Hours)
This data also pertains to Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators(27-1010)
Type of Work
The level of day-to-day involvement with data, people or things.
Data: 
People:
Things: 
Skills at a Glance
The levels of different skills helpful in this career.
Verbal skills:
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving:
Equipment Operation & Maintenance:
Math & Science Skills:
Technology Design & Control: 
Leadership:
Workplace at a Glance
The level of different environmental factors you would experience on the job.
Responsibility:
Exposure to Job Hazards:
Physical Activity:
Decision Making:
Repetitiveness:
Level of Competition:
Time Pressure:
Business Breakdown
The different sectors people in this career currently work in.
- 36.98% (Private For-Profit)
- 4.15% (Private Not For-Profit)
- 1.66% (State and Local Govt)
- 0.23% (Federal Government)
- 56.98% (Self-Employed)
This data also pertains to Artists And Related Workers