Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, & Illustrators
Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.
Technology Tools
Key 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, to produce desired effects, such as the illustration of ideas, emotions, or moods.
- Model substances such as clay or wax, using fingers and small hand tools to form objects.
- Set up exhibitions of artwork for display or sale.
- 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.
- Render drawings, illustrations, and sketches of buildings, manufactured products, or models, working from sketches, blueprints, memory, models, or reference materials.
- Confer with clients, editors, writers, art directors, and other interested parties regarding the nature and content of artwork to be produced.
- 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.
- Frame and mat artwork for display or sale.
- Submit preliminary or finished artwork or project plans to clients for approval, incorporating changes as necessary.
- Submit artwork to shows or galleries.
- Collaborate with engineers, mechanics, and other technical experts as necessary to build and install creations.
- Cut, bend, laminate, arrange, and fasten individual or mixed raw and manufactured materials and products to form works of art.
- Maintain portfolios of artistic work to demonstrate styles, interests, and abilities.
- Create and prepare sketches and model drawings of cartoon characters, providing details from memory, live models, manufactured products, or reference materials.
- Develop project budgets for approval, estimating time lines and material costs.
- Market artwork through brochures, mailings, or Web sites.
- Study different techniques to learn how to apply them to artistic endeavors.
- Create finished art work as decoration, or to elucidate or substitute for spoken or written messages.
- Create sketches, profiles, or likenesses of posed subjects or photographs, using any combination of freehand drawing, mechanical assembly kits, and computer imaging.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Photograph objects, places, or scenes for reference material.
- Teach artistic techniques to children or adults.
- Provide entertainment at special events by performing activities such as drawing cartoons.
Skills
Knowledge
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Abilities
Work Activities
Work Context
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
96%
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
91%
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?
85%
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?
82%
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
78%
How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?
73%
Frequency of Decision Making
How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
64%
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
64%
Telephone Conversations
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
62%
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?
62%
Spend Time Sitting
How much does this job require sitting?
60%
Time Pressure
How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
59%
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?
56%
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
51%
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
50%
Spend Time Standing
How much does this job require standing?
50%
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?
42%
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?
41%
Level of Competition
To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
41%
Written Letters and Memos
How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?
41%
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?
40%
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
34%
Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body
How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?
34%
Consequence of Error
How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?
32%
Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
32%
Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
32%
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?
31%
Work Schedules
How regular are the work schedules for this job?
29%
Conflict Situations
How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
24%
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings
How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?
24%
Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
22%
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?
21%
Duration of Typical Work Week
Number of hours typically worked in one week.
20%
Outdoors, Under Cover
How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?
18%
Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?
17%
Health and Safety of Other Workers
How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
16%
Spend Time Walking or Running
How much does this job require walking or running?
16%
Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers
How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
16%
Degree of Automation
How automated is the job?
15%
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
14%
Public Speaking
How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?
12%
Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People
How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?
11%
Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection
How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?
11%
Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling
How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?
10%
Physical Proximity
To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?
9%
Exposed to High Places
How often does this job require exposure to high places?
4%
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)
4%
Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles
How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?
4%
Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance
How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?
4%
Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions
How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?
1%
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?
1%
Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People
How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?
0%
Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions
How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?
0%
Exposed to Disease or Infections
How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?
0%
Exposed to Radiation
How often does this job require exposure to radiation?
0%
Exposed to Whole Body Vibration
How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?
0%
In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment
How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?
0%
Education
Some college, no degree
Bachelor's degree
High school diploma or equivalent
Interests
Artistic
Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,
Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t
Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f
Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum
Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
Work Styles
Work Values
Resources for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, & Illustrators
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