Artists - CareerBuilder

Artists

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Artists create art to communicate ideas, thoughts or feelings. They paint, sculpt or illustrate, using an assortment of materials, including oils, watercolors, acrylics, pastels, pencils, pen and ink, plaster, clay and computers. Artists' works may be realistic, stylized or abstract and may depict objects, people, nature or events.

Art directors develop design concepts and review the material that appears in periodicals, newspapers and other mediums. They decide how best to present the information visually so it is eye-catching, appealing and organized. They may direct workers engaged in artwork, layout design and copy writing.

Fine artists typically display their work in museums, commercial art galleries, corporate collections and private homes. Some of their artwork may be commissioned, but most is sold by the artist or through private art galleries or dealers. Most fine artists work in another field to support their art careers.

Fine artists usually specialize in one or two art forms, such as painting, illustrating, sketching, sculpting, printmaking and restoring.

Illustrators typically create pictures or designs for books, magazines or commercial products, such as textiles, wrapping paper, stationery, greeting cards and calendars. Increasingly, illustrators work in digital format.

Medical and scientific illustrators combine drawing skills with knowledge of the biological sciences for publications, teaching presentations or court cases. Medical illustrators draw illustrations of human anatomy and surgical procedures. Scientific illustrators draw illustrations of animals and plants.

Cartoonists draw political, advertising, social and sports cartoons.

Sketch artists create likenesses of subjects using pencil, charcoal or pastels. Sketches are used by law enforcement agencies to assist in identifying suspects, by the news media to depict courtroom scenes and by individual patrons for fun.

Sculptors design three-dimensional art works, by molding and joining materials or cutting and carving forms from a block of plaster, wood or stone.

Printmakers create printed images from designs cut or etched into wood, stone or metal.

Painting restorers do detailed work to preserve and restore damaged and faded paintings.

Multimedia artists and animators work primarily in computer and data processing services, advertising, and the motion picture and television industries. They draw by hand and use computers to create the large series of pictures that form the animated images or special effects seen in movies, television programs and computer games. Some draw storyboards for television commercials, movies and animated features.

Artists employed by publishing companies, advertising agencies and design firms generally work a standard 40-hour week, but they may work overtime to meet deadlines. Self-employed artists can set their own hours, but may spend much time selling their artwork and building a reputation.

Training and qualifications

Training requirements for artists vary by specialty. Although formal training is not strictly necessary for fine artists, it is very difficult to become skilled enough to make a living without some formal training, either in a college, university or independent school of art and design. Formal educational programs also provide training in computer techniques.

Artists who want to teach at public elementary or secondary schools must have a teaching certificate in addition to a bachelor's degree. An advanced degree in fine arts or arts administration is necessary for management or administrative positions in government or foundations or for teaching in colleges and universities.

An artist's portfolio — a collection of samples of the artist's best work — is an important factor in showing relevant skills to get work.

Job outlook

Employment of artists and related workers is expected to grow as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2010. Because the arts attract many talented people with creative ability, the number of aspiring artists continues to grow. Competition for salaried jobs and freelance work is expected to be keen.

Earnings

Artists held about 147,000 jobs in 2000. More than half were self-employed. Of the artists who were not self-employed, many worked in motion picture, television, computer software, printing, publishing and public relations firms. Some self-employed artists offer their services to advertising agencies, design firms, publishing houses and other businesses.

Median annual earnings of salaried art directors were $56,880 in 2000. Median annual earnings were $63,510 in advertising, the industry employing the largest numbers of salaried art directors.

Median annual earnings of salaried fine artists, including painters, sculptors and illustrators were $31,190 in 2000.

Median annual earnings of salaried multi-media artists and animators were $41,130 in 2000. Median annual earnings were $44,290 in computer and data processing services, the industry employing the largest numbers of salaried multi-media artists and animators.

Earnings for self-employed artists vary widely.