Fine Artist

Typical Salary

To

Typical Hours

39 to 41 irregular

freelance / self-employed managing your own hours

How To Become a Fine Artist

You can get into this job through:

a university course
a college course
self-teaching

College / University

You'll need a high level of skill and talent in your chosen art form. To develop these skills, you could train by doing a degree or postgraduate award in:

art and design
art history
fine art
visual arts
graphic arts

a foundation diploma in art and design

2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

You can do a Level 4 Higher National Certificate or Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Art and Design or Art Practice.

1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national certificate or higher national diploma

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship are not listed for this job.

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

Other Routes

If you're exceptionally talented and have taught yourself, you may be able sell your work without formal training or qualifications.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

to be thorough and pay attention to detail
design skills and knowledge
knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
thinking and reasoning skills
the ability to use your initiative
the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
to be flexible and open to change
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day tasks will be:

work from your own ideas, or a commission from an individual or an organisation
sell your work through an agent or through galleries, exhibitions, shops or online
research subjects, materials and new artistic techniques
network with agents, dealers, gallery owners and other artists
attend exhibitions and join artists’ groups

You might also:

work as ‘artist in residence’ – running classes and workshops in places like schools, prisons or hospitals
teach art classes privately, in colleges or through community learning
run local art projects

Working Environment

You could work from home, in a creative studio or in a workshop.

Career Path & Progression

Career Path & Progression are not listed for this job.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering with community arts projects can open up possibilities and extend your network of contacts, which could be useful for finding work.

Tips & Information

Career tips

You'll need to be able to promote yourself in different ways, like:

having an online presence through your own website, blog or through social media, like Instagram
joining together with other artists or 'collectives'
organising your own shows in galleries or other venues

You could also:

get an agent
raise funds through crowdfunding websites
illustrate products like books or greetings cards

Entering competitions or open exhibitions can also raise your profile as an artist. The Artists Information Company regularly lists opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a fine artist from:

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.