Artist

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Also known as:

Painter (Artist)
Sculptor

Introduction

Artists produce original works of fine art. This means that they produce work for its own sake and are not concerned with whether it is functional or practical. They might specialise in a particular area such as painting or sculpture. Artists try to make a living by selling their work to galleries or directly to members of the public.

Work Activities

Artists produce original works of fine art. This means that they produce work which people appreciate for its beauty or for its ability to make them feel different emotions, and not just because it is useful.

Artists work using a variety of different materials, and they may change their preferred materials as they develop their work. For example, painters may prefer to use watercolours rather than oil paints; sculptors may develop a liking for working in metal rather than stone, wood or clay. They usually work alone, in a studio.

Whatever the finished product is to be, all artists spend some time producing sketches and developing ideas. They may do a study of a particular subject, for example the human body, and use the resulting sketches and photographs as the basis for a series of works.

Artists need to promote their work and have to persuade gallery and exhibition managers to display their pieces. Only a very few artists manage to live solely on the money made from the sale of their work. The majority take commissions, for example to paint portraits, or residencies in industry, education or community centres.

Artists in residence receive studio accommodation, exhibition space and help with the cost of materials, as well as a fee. In return, they are available to the public to discuss their work, give advice, hold teaching workshops and get involved in community projects.

Personal Qualities and Skills

To be successful, you must be genuinely artistic and creative, with an excellent eye for shape, colour, detail and design, together with real talent in your chosen field.

You must be self-motivated and able to work on your own. You may also need to develop the business and networking skills necessary in other areas of self-employment. You must be able to market your work and promote yourself. You will have to buy supplies and materials, and you may have to arrange promotional events and tours.

In accepting commissions, you should be prepared to be adaptable, as you may have to alter your ideas and your work in order to suit the preferences of your clients.

Artists must be self-confident and resilient in order to be able to accept and withstand criticism and even rejection from critics, galleries, exhibitions and clients.

Pay and Opportunities

Pay rates for artists vary widely, depending on the popularity of their work.

They may agree a fee with a client who wants to commission a piece of work, or sell work they have already created by displaying it in a gallery, exhibition or even a shop. In this case they pay a commission to the gallery owner/exhibition organiser, or retailer.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Artists may earn in the range of �16,000 - �35,000 a year. However, very few can rely on just selling their work to make a living, and there are likely to be periods of low income. 'Celebrity' artists are the exception rather than the rule. Artists in residence often receive studio accommodation, exhibition space and help with the cost of materials, as well as a fee.

Artists can choose their own hours of work, which may be irregular, and include weekends. Some artists work long hours, especially to meet a deadline for a particular piece of work.

Many aspiring artists find it necessary to take jobs outside the art world or in a related field such as teaching.

Artists often work on a freelance basis or become self-employed, which helps provide artistic freedom but restricts long-term job security.

Some artists are offered a residency in, for example, a school, hospital or cathedral. Artists in residence often receive studio accommodation, exhibition space and help with the cost of materials, as well as a fee.

Art can be an extremely competitive field.

Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course (eg, Access to Art and Design) could be the way in. No formal qualifications are usually required, but you should check individual course details.

They can lead to relevant degree/HND courses.

You need a good portfolio to enter art and design courses.