Fine Artist, Including Painter, Sculptor, and Illustrator

Other Titles

Artist, Automotive Artist, Blacksmith, Fine Artist, Ice Carver, Illustrator, Muralist, Painter, Portrait Artist, Sculptor

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

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.

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.

Teach artistic techniques to children or adults.

Active Learning→ Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Critical Thinking→ Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Listening→ Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Judgment and Decision Making→ Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Reading Comprehension→ Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking→ Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Thinking Creatively→ Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Getting Information→ Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work→ Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships→ Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems→ Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Interacting With Computers→ Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge→ Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material→ Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings→ Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Handling and Moving Objects→ Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Develop artistic or design concepts for decoration, exhibition, or commercial purposes.

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.

Collaborate with others to determine technical details of productions.

Prepare materials for preservation, storage, or display.

Present work to clients for approval.

Send information, materials or documentation.

Conduct research to inform art, designs, or other work.

Coordinate logistics for productions or events.

Maintain records, documents, or other files.

Estimate costs for projects or productions.

Perform marketing activities.

Research new technologies.

Collaborate with others to prepare or perform artistic productions.

Apply finishes to artwork, crafts, or displays.

Monitor current trends.

Operate still or video cameras or related equipment.

Teach classes in area of specialization.

Determine technical requirements of productions or projects.

Create computer-generated graphics or animation.

Entertain public with comedic or dramatic performances.

Originality→ The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.

Fluency of Ideas→ The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

Visualization→ The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

Arm-Hand Steadiness→ The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

Visual Color Discrimination→ The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.

Near Vision→ The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Finger Dexterity→ The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

Manual Dexterity→ The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Category Flexibility→ The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

Oral Comprehension→ The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Deductive Reasoning→ The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Far Vision→ The ability to see details at a distance.

Inductive Reasoning→ The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Information Ordering→ The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g. , patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Oral Expression→ The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Problem Sensitivity→ The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Speech Clarity→ The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Speech Recognition→ The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Written Comprehension→ The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Design→ Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Computers and Electronics→ Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Language→ Knowledge of the structure and content of a language - English, French, Swahili et cetera - including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Production and Processing→ Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Fine Arts→ Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

Education and Training→ Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Communications and Media→ Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Customer and Personal Service→ Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Mathematics→ Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Administration and Management→ Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Accounting software -- e.g., Intuit QuickBooks

Computer aided design CAD software -- e.g., Autodesk D Studio Design; Autodesk AutoCAD; Dassault Systemes CATIA; Trimble SketchUp Pro

Configuration management software -- e.g., Perforce Helix software

Database user interface and query software -- e.g., ArtScope.net eArtist; Camp Software Art Licensing Manager; FileMaker Bento; GYST

Desktop publishing software -- e.g., Adobe Systems Adobe FrameMaker; Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign

Development environment software -- e.g., Adobe Systems Adobe ActionScript

Document management software -- e.g., Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat; Code Line Art Files

Electronic mail software -- Email software

Enterprise application integration software -- Extensible markup language XML

Graphics or photo imaging software -- e.g., Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Cloud; Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator ; Paintbrush; Xara Designer Pro X; Corel Paint Shop Pro; Corel Photo-Paint; Corel Painter; Inkscape; Microsoft Paint; Paintbrush etc

Instant messaging software -- e.g., Twitter

Internet browser software -- Web browser software

Object or component oriented development software -- e.g., C# ; C++ ; Python

Office suite software -- e.g., Microsoft Office

Point of sale POS software -- e.g., Credit/Debit card processing software, Mobile money etc

Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint

Project management software — WorkingArtist Systems WorkingArtist

Video creation and editing software — Adobe Systems Adobe AfterEffects

Web page creation and editing software — Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver ; Facebook

Web platform development software — Hypertext markup language HTML ; JavaScript

Word processing software — Microsoft Word

Anatomical models — Bust armatures; Figure armature systems; Head armatures

Angle grinder — Angle grinders

Artist knives — Encaustic scrapers

Bench scales — Digital scales

Blow torch — Oxyacetylene torches

Calipers — Digital calipers

Camera flashes or lighting — Remote firing flashes; Stationary lighting systems; Strobe flashes

Camera lens — Camera lenses

Camera lens filter — Lens filters

Camera tripods — Photography tripods

Clay or modeling tools — Bevel tools; Clay cutters; Clay mixers; Detail carving tools; Edging tools; Extruder dies; Fettling knives; Hand glaze mixers; Handlemaker tools; Loop tools; Mold knives; Pot lifts; Potter's ribs; Pottery cleanup tools; Pottery duster brushes; Pugmills; Round hole punches; Saber saws; Sculpting thumbs; Sgraffito tools; Slab mats; Slab rollers; Square hole cutters; Thin line sculpting tools; Tile presses

Developing tongs — Printing tongs

Developing trays — Processing trays

Digital cameras — Single lens reflex SLR cameras

Drying cabinets or ovens — Drying cabinets

Extruders for modeling materials — Handheld clay extruders

Film squeegee — Print squeegees

Fountain pens — Artists' fountain pens

Gas welding or brazing or cutting apparatus — Brazing tools

Grinding machines — Ball mills

Hammers — Bush hammers

Handheld thermometer — Digital thermometers

Hydrometers — Digital hydrometers

Kiln accessories for firing ceramics — Kiln oxygen probes; Kiln ventilation hoods

Kiln furniture — Ceramic bead bars; Kiln carts

Kilns for firing ceramics — Electric kilns; Gas kilns; Glass kilns; Pottery kilns; Raku kilns

Laboratory graduated cylinders — Graduated measuring cylinders

Artistic→ Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Realistic→ Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Attention to Detail→ Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Dependability→ Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Integrity→ Job requires being honest and ethical.

Initiative→ Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Stress Tolerance→ Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Adaptability/Flexibility→ Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Persistence→ Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Self Control→ Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Independence→ Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.

Innovation→ Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

Cooperation→ Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Concern for Others→ Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

Achievement/Effort→ Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Analytical Thinking→ Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Leadership→ Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

Independence→ Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Achievement→ Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions→ Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.