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Artists: Job Description, Education, Skills and Duties, Earnings and Outlook

Submitted by: paula

Job Overview Art is a form of self expression. People convey their opinions, ideas and thoughts through painting, pottery or sculpture. Artists devote most of their time studying and working on their masterpiece. They use clay, metal and paint as their medium. Commercial art is widely used nowadays. Artist creates signage made of picture and symbols to advertise a business. Illustration in books, newspapers and magazines are also made by artists.Different types of artists includes painters, sculptors, printmakers, ceramic artists, wood sculptor, fiber artists and mixed-media artists. Illustrators, graphic designers, photographers and art directors are considered commercial artists.

Education, Knowledge and Trainings Required
Programs about specialized art is offered in many schools. This will expose the applicant to different art principles and techniques in order to become an artist in the future. Some of the classes that are useful includes Design principles, Photography, Sculpture, Painting, Computer Graphics and Graphic Design. Independent school of arts, local galleries, community centers and junior colleges also offer art classes for those interested in woodworking, stained glass and ceramics. Most artist attend art schools in universities and colleges. Most of the artists earn a degree in Fine Arts. A two-year program is also available for those interested in Advertising Design, Illustration, Fashion Design, Photography and Computer Graphics. This program will give an applicant an Associate’s degree. Those who want to excel in the field of arts usually take Master’s degree in Fiber Art, Sculpture, Ceramic Art, Art History, Film and Photography.

Skills and Abilities
An artist should be creative and expressive. They should have the capability of creating their own style and technique to express their ideas and thoughts. Knowing how to mix color is more especially in visual arts is a learned skill. They should be comfortable working with different art materials and techniques.

They should be focused and well conditioned when working since minimal mistakes might ruin their masterpiece. Finishing a certain work might take time so artists should be more patient and hardworking. 

Duties
The responsibilities of an artist depend on what type of artist they are and the medium or media they use to express their thoughts and ideas. Their duty would include knowing how to use different materials to communicate their message like  watercolor, paint, pastel, tempera, gouache, pen and ink, clay, wood, metal, silk screen, stones and other materials. It is their responsibility to know how to mix colors properly and arrange their designs. Knowing different techniques to create a masterpiece using different materials are also part of their duty.

Earnings and Job Outlook
The earnings of an artist would depend if they are working as a freelancer or for a company. Freelancers’ income depend on the number of artworks  sold. The income of an artist can range from as low as $19,580 to $79,950. People are now more aware of visual arts which would create more demands for the visual artists.

Paula Hiz is a researcher and a human resource specialist who helps newly graduates, job applicants and post graduate professionals be aware of their job opportunities and available trainings for skills and practice upgrading.

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Word Count: 526 Date: Thu, 25 Nov 2010 Time: 8:42 PM


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