Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators

27-1013.00

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

Occupation-Specific Information

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.
• 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.
• Market artwork through brochures, mailings, or Web sites.
• Study different techniques to learn how to apply them to artistic endeavors.
• 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.
• Model substances such as clay or wax, using fingers and small hand tools to form objects.
• 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.
• Set up exhibitions of artwork for display or sale.
• Render drawings, illustrations, and sketches of buildings, manufactured products, or models, working from sketches, blueprints, memory, models, or reference materials.
• 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 artwork to shows or galleries.
• Submit preliminary or finished artwork or project plans to clients for approval, incorporating changes as necessary.
• Study styles, techniques, colors, textures, and materials used in works undergoing restoration to ensure consistency during the restoration process.
• 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.
• Provide entertainment at special events by performing activities such as drawing cartoons.
• Develop project budgets for approval, estimating time lines and material costs.
• Create and prepare sketches and model drawings of cartoon characters, providing details from memory, live models, manufactured products, or reference materials.
• 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.
• Render sequential drawings that can be turned into animated films or advertisements.
• Teach artistic techniques to children or adults.
• Create graphics, illustrations, and three-dimensional models to be used in research or in teaching, such as in demonstrating anatomy, pathology, or surgical procedures.
• Examine and test paintings in need of restoration or cleaning to determine techniques and materials to be used.

Technology Skills

• Accounting software - Intuit QuickBooks 🔥
• Computer aided design CAD software - Autodesk 3D Studio Design; Autodesk AutoCAD 🔥; Dassault Systemes CATIA; Trimble SketchUp Pro 🔥
• Configuration management software - Perforce Helix software
• Data base user interface and query software - ArtScope.net eArtist; Camp Software Art Licensing Manager; FileMaker Bento; GYST
• Desktop communications software - ClassDojo
• Desktop publishing software - Adobe FrameMaker; Adobe InDesign 🔥
• Development environment software - Adobe ActionScript; Unity Technologies Unity; Unreal Technology Unreal Engine
• Document management software - Adobe Acrobat 🔥; Code Line Art Files
• Electronic mail software - Email software
• Enterprise application integration software - Extensible markup language XML 🔥
• Graphics or photo imaging software - Adobe Creative Cloud software 🔥; Adobe FreeHand MX; Adobe Illustrator ; Adobe ImageReady; Adobe Photoshop ; Autodesk Maya; Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite; Corel Paint Shop Pro; Corel Painter; Corel Photo-Paint; Inkscape; Microsoft Paint; Paintbrush; Pixologic Zbrush; Serif DrawPlus; SmugMug Flickr; Xara Designer Pro X
• Instant messaging software - GroupMe; Twitter
• Internet browser software - Web browser software
• Object or component oriented development software - C# 🔥; C++ 🔥; Python
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software 🔥
• Point of sale POS software - Credit card processing software
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint 🔥
• Project management software - WorkingArtist Systems WorkingArtist
• Video creation and editing software - Adobe After Effects 🔥
• Web page creation and editing software - Adobe Dreamweaver; Facebook 🔥
• Web platform development software - Hypertext markup language HTML 🔥; JavaScript 🔥
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word 🔥

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Detailed Work Activities

• Develop artistic or design concepts for decoration, exhibition, or commercial purposes.
• Collaborate with others to determine technical details of productions.
• Maintain records, documents, or other files.
• Perform marketing activities.
• Research new technologies.
• Monitor current trends.
• Conduct research to inform art, designs, or other work.
• Operate still or video cameras or related equipment.
• Build models, patterns, or templates.
• Construct distinctive physical objects for artistic, functional, or commercial purposes.
• Arrange artwork, products, or props.
• Draw detailed or technical illustrations.
• Prepare materials for preservation, storage, or display.
• Send information, materials or documentation.
• Present work to clients for approval.
• Coordinate logistics for productions or events.
• Entertain public with comedic or dramatic performances.
• Estimate costs for projects or productions.
• Collaborate with others to prepare or perform artistic productions.
• Apply finishes to artwork, crafts, or displays.
• Create computer-generated graphics or animation.
• Teach classes in area of specialization.
• Determine technical requirements of productions or projects.