Fine artists create original works of art using a variety of methods such as painting, drawing, sculpture, engraving, printmaking or media like computer graphics. If you are a very creative person with original ideas, and you have talent in one or more artistic areas, this job could be for you.

You’ll need a good appreciation of colour and shape. You will also need self-motivation to work alone and the business skills to promote your own work.

Most fine artists have training in art and design, and qualifications like an HND, degree or a postgraduate award. If you are exceptionally talented and can produce work that there is a demand for, you may be able to sell your work without any formal qualifications.

As a fine artist you will typically:

• work from your own ideas or have a commission or order from an individual or an organisation
• sell your work through an agent or through galleries, exhibitions, shops, craft markets and fairs
• research subjects, materials and new artistic techniques like creating ceramics using 3D printing
• display your work for sale on your own website or an online gallery
• network with agents, dealers and gallery owners
• attend exhibitions and join artists’ groups.

As well as selling your work, you could 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.

You could choose to specialise in one medium like clay or photography or you could work using different methods like painting, printmaking or sculpture. You may even chose to work in media like film or digital media.

Key skills:

• a high level of creativity
• a good appreciation of colour and shape
• determination and commitment
• self-motivation
• willingness to work alone
• business skills to promote and market your work
• the ability to cope with a changing workload.

Qualifications and training required:

To be successful as an artist, you will need a high level of skill and talent in your chosen art form to create art that people want to buy. Most fine artists have some training in art or design, which can include qualifications such as an HND, a degree or a postgraduate award. If you're exceptionally talented you may be able to sell your work without formal training or qualifications. Relevant subjects to study include:

• fine art
• history with fine art
• art and design
• visual art.

Many artists work on a freelance basis, so you’ll need to be able to promote yourself. You can either do this yourself or use an agent. An agent may give you access to more potential buyers, but they will take commission from sales. Entering competitions or open exhibitions can also raise your profile as an artist.

You may decide to use your artistic skills to move into creating artwork for products like books, book jackets or greetings cards.

Source: https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk