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Painters and Sculptors create artwork through the use of line, color, form, and mass to express ideas and   feelings. Painters in the field of fine arts paint landscapes, portraits, still lifes, abstract designs, and similar compositions. Sculptors design and form statues, monuments, and decorative objects.

JOB DUTIES 

Painters may:

Sketch preliminary outlines on canvas or other surfaces

Apply oil paint, tempera, acrylics, pastels, watercolors, or mixed media

Integrate and develop line, space, mass, color and perspective

Coat the painting when dry with varnish or other preservatives

Produce paintings for exhibitions, publications, scientific records, or private consignment

Sculptors may:

Carve objects from stone, concrete, or wood using chisels, hammers, or knives

Model plastic substances, such as clay or wax, using fingers and small hand tools to form objects which are then cast in bronze or concrete or fired in ceramic kilns

Construct objects from metal or stone, using welding, metalworking, or masonry tools and equipment

Cut, bend, laminate, arrange, and fasten individual or mixed raw and manufactured materials and products to form works of art

Tools and equipment used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Painters and Sculptors may specialize in these areas:

144.061-010 PAINTERS in the field of fine arts paint landscapes, portraits, still lifes, abstract designs, and similar compositions in oils, watercolors, tempera, or other media.

144.061-018 SCULPTORS design and form statues, monuments, and decorative objects from stone, clay, or other materials.

102.261-014 PAINTINGS RESTORERS restore damaged and faded paintings and preserve paintings using their knowledge of art and art materials. They perform tests to determine such factors as age, structure, pigment stability, and probable reaction to various cleansing agents, preservatives, and solvents before application. They study style, techniques, colors, textures, and materials used by the artist to maintain consistency in reconstruction procedures.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Painters and Sculptors usually work without close supervision in well lighted, ventilated areas. Free-lance (self-employed) Artists have their own studios and may find it necessary to work in or near large urban areas. However, they may not always be financially able to afford the space, comfort, and equipment provided for artists who work for large organizations or schools. Sculptors must observe safety rules in order to avoid injury from some of the tools and equipment with which they work.

Artists who work within an organization generally work from 35-40 hours per week. However, some may need to work overtime to complete projects on schedule. Those who teach in schools have the same schedules as other teachers have. Free-lance Artists are usually able to arrange their own hours, which may be long and irregular. Depending upon the type of artwork they do and the particular situation in which they work, some Artists may be required to travel out of town.

Free-lance Artists usually furnish their own tools, supplies, equipment, and transportation.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities which bring personal satisfaction

• Activities concerned with the communication of ideas and feelings

• Activities using creative imagination & keen sense beauty/design/form

You Should Be Able To:

• Visualize geometric forms

• Understand the 2-dimensional representation of 3-dimensional objects

• Rate information using personal judgment

• Coordinate the use of eyes/hands/fingers rapidly to perform a task

• Work skillfully with art tools and materials

• Move your fingers and handle small objects rapidly and accurately

• Work with precision and patience to achieve desired results

• Communicate well with others

• Interpret feelings, ideas, or facts from a personal point of view

• See detail in objects or drawings

• Recognize slight differences in shapes or shadings

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

Sculpting or painting an object to its actual size can be costly and impractical, especially when that object is very large. A sculptor or painter must be able, at times, to proportionally scale down an object(s).

EXAMPLE: You are painting a 5 foot person on a 8 x 10 canvas. How would you figure out what size the person needs to be?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

You may need to read requests/orders for a painting or sculpture,

understanding dimensions, and artistic terminology.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write an analysis or description of your creation(s).

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Creative thinking is required. Considering colors, lighting, etc. with different assignments.

A teaching certificate from the Michigan Department of Education is a requirement for art teachers in elementary or secondary schools. Advanced degrees may be required for those teaching in colleges and universities.

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a Certificate (program of up to one year of study beyond high school) or an Associates Degree (two years of study beyond high school) or a Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond high school) or a Master's Degree (five to six years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

/careers/0,1607,7-170-22526_23422-64454--,00.html0 ART , 0500 BUILDING TRADES , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 2200 MATH , 2300 METALS , 2500 PERFORMING ARTS , 2600 PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY , 3400 WOODS

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

014 ART

Programs in Art provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed to express ideas and feelings through different art forms such as painting or sculpture and to appreciate artistic work. Persons completing Art Programs may be employed as professional artists or art teachers. Individuals wishing to teach art at the elementary or secondary school level must obtain a Michigan Teaching Certificate.

Courses will vary from school to school but may include:

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript

E-Learning Courses and Programs

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

You may explore this field through hobbies and classes related to art. Postsecondary education programs in art may provide opportunities for experience also.

Methods of entering the art field as a Painter or Sculptor include direct application to employers with a portfolio showing samples of one's best artwork, and taking civil service examinations to obtain work with governmental agencies. Assistance may be available from art schools, placement offices and faculty, or from professional organizations. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Michigan Talent Bank

Yahoo! Careers

Michigan Works!

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Painters and Sculptors may depend on geographic area; size and type of employer; type of artwork done; training, talent, and ability of the individual artist; and the popularity of the artist's work. The earnings of free-lace artists vary widely. They may be paid for a piece of work or by the hour. Free-lance Painters and Sculptors may have low or irregular incomes. Those whose work is popular and in demand may have high annual incomes. Some artists must earn a living by working at least part time in other fields, since the sale of their artwork does not provide enough to support them financially.

Nationally, the median weekly earnings for Painters and Sculptors were $562 ($29,224 per year) (1998). College art full professors working in public 4-year colleges earned an average annual salary of $65,306 in 1998-99. The average annual salary for instructors of art in public colleges and universities was $30,932 in the 1998-99 school year. The median salary of college deans of fine arts programs was $85,431 per year.

The 1998-99 graduates, with Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in fine arts from a large university in Michigan, received annual salary offers averaging about $25,700.

Artists who work within an organization may receive paid vacations and holidays, sick leave, health insurance, and retirement plans. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employer.

For Painters and Sculptors, advancement may mean local or national recognition or greater demand for their work as well as higher incomes. Some individuals may become supervisors in establishments where a number of artists work. A possible career ladder for Painters and Sculptors who teach at colleges or universities may be: instructor; assistant professor; associate professor; professor; department chairperson.

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, approximately 43,600 Painters and Sculptors were employed in 1996. Employment of Painters and Sculptors is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through 2006. Most artists are self-employed.

Demand for artwork is closely related to economic conditions as well as cultural awareness. As personal incomes rise or fall, so does the demand for different forms of art. The art field is expected to remain competitive.

About 2,950 Painters and Sculptors are employed in Michigan. Most worked in urban areas.

All Artists may free-lance. A few belong to firms and produce artwork for different clients. Painters and Sculptors may also be on art school, college, or university faculties. Some also teach private classes. Painters and Sculptors often hold other jobs to earn supplemental income, either temporarily or permanently.

The outlook for Painters and Sculptors depends on the talent of the individual artist, as well as the demand for artwork in general. Many artists are unable to make a living through art alone. Also, since few formal entry qualifications exist, a large supply of potential free-lance workers makes competition for free-lance work keen. However, artists with outstanding talent should have little trouble finding work.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.