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Fine artist

Alternative titles for this job include

Fine artists create original works of art using methods like painting, drawing and sculpture.

Average salary (a year)

Variable

Typical hours (a week)

Variable irregular

You could work

freelance / self-employed managing your own hours

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • self-teaching

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.

Subjects include:

  • art and design
  • art history
  • fine art
  • visual arts
  • graphic arts
  • printmaking

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 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

More Information

College

You could do a college course like art and design or creative practice, to develop your skills.

Courses will usually give you the option to choose to study your preferred medium, for example:

  • painting or drawing
  • printmaking
  • photography and digital arts
  • ceramics
  • sculpture

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Volunteering

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

Other Routes

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

More Information

Career tips

When applying for art courses, you will often need a portfolio of your work. It is a good idea to make a start on this as early as possible.

As a fine artist, you'll need to be able to promote yourself in different ways.

You could:

  • create an online presence through your own website, blog or social media channels
  • join together with other artists to form a 'collective' or artistic community
  • organise your own shows in galleries or other venues

You could also:

  • get an agent
  • illustrate products like books or greetings cards

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

Professional and industry bodies

You could become a member of a-n The Artists Information Company or Visual Artists Association for networking and professional development opportunities.

Further information

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

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of the fine arts
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • design skills and knowledge
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to learn through your work
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a fine artist, you'll

  • create artworks from your own ideas, or commissions from an individual or an organisation
  • promote and sell your work through an agent, or through galleries, exhibitions, shops or online
  • research subject matter, materials and new artistic techniques
  • develop your expertise in one or more media
  • 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 community learning centres
  • run local art projects

Working environment

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

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could move into areas like:

  • art therapy
  • set design
  • art conservation
  • gallery management
  • valuation and sales

You could also combine working as an artist with teaching.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a fine artist right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Art & Design - Foundation Diploma

  • Provider: HULL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Hull

Art and Design

  • Provider: BRADFORD COLLEGE
  • Start date: 02 September 2025
  • Location: Bradford
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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