Fine artist: Job description

Fine artists create original pieces of art work, through a variety of mediums. They often specialise in a particular type of art which may be categorised in the following ways:

• two-dimensional work (drawing, painting, collage);
• three-dimensional work (sculpture, installation);
• four-dimensional work (moving images, performance).

Many artists also specialise in a subject and may concentrate on areas such as landscapes, portraits or abstract.

Fine artists can be commissioned to produce a piece of work or they can create their own pieces for sale at a later date. They may also run art classes or be part of community art projects.

Typical work activities

A fine artist will usually be involved in researching, planning and creating art work. Typical tasks for an artist include:

• generating ideas, idea development, sketching, making models;
• creating or developing a piece of work in response to a brief or commission;
• meeting deadlines;
• working in a studio or off-site and adhering to health and safety procedures;
• sourcing materials and developing relationships with suppliers;
• researching, visiting locations, interviewing people, using libraries and the internet;
• administration, correspondence, creating publicity;
• project planning, creating and managing a budget, financial planning, calculating expenditure;
• managing tax and self-employment issues;
• organisation and administration tasks associated with running a studio;
• writing project proposals for galleries, competitions or artist residencies;
• writing funding applications (public and private);
• applying for residencies and competitions;
• liaising with contacts, gallery owners, curators and other artists;
• curating individual and group shows;
• negotiating a sale or commission;
• self-promotion, networking, attending private views and other events;
• writing press releases;
• maintaining a portfolio which will typically include a website;
• evaluating a project and feeding back to the main funder or sponsor.