How to Become a Professional Painter

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Painting is type of fine art that involves applying paint, color, pigment, and other mediums to a variety of surfaces. Professional painters are fine artists that create paintings for a variety of purposes.

What does a professional painter do?

Professional painters illustrate their thoughts, feelings, and ideas through creating original paintings. They typically create two-dimensional art works and they use a variety of materials such as oils, watercolors, pastels, acrylic paints, finger paints, and folk art. Professional painters often use canvas to create their artwork, but some use wood, clay, glass, concrete and other materials. They apply shading, perspective, and other techniques to create abstractions and make paintings more realistic. Some modern professional painters incorporate materials into their paintings such as scraps of paper, sand, and clay. Professional painters often specialize on a specific type of painting such as representational, naturalistic, portrait, abstract, and political paintings. Some paint murals on interior walls of many different types of structures. Professional painters often display their work in private homes, commercial art galleries, museums, and other locations.

What kind of training does a professional painter need?

Professional painters usually have at least a high school diploma, but many complete formal training in fine arts with concentration on painting. Many colleges, universities, and independent art schools offer a variety of programs in fine arts. Prospective professional painters often complete courses in art, art history, studio art, painting techniques, and painting materials. Some aspiring professional painters complete private lessons with experienced professional painters to improve their skills and gain exposure to different techniques and perspectives. Professional painters typically start out creating simple paintings and move on the more advanced artwork as they gain experience and perfect their skills. Most professional painters compile a detailed artist portfolio to show their work to potential clients and employers.

What are the prospects for a career as a professional painter?

Employment of professional painters is expected to grow about as fast as average for all professions, increasing 9% from 2008 to 2018 (1). The increased demand for original and unique paintings will drive job growth.

Job prospects are expected to be good with keen competition. Professional painters with extensive experience and ability to create a variety of paintings will have the best job opportunities.

How much do professional painters make?

As of January 2010, the middle 50% of professional painters earn annual salaries between $30,582 and $44,352. The top 10% earn annual salaries of more than $51,316 (2).

A career as a professional painter is an excellent choice for people with excellent artistic ability and desire to create a variety of paintings. Professional painters must have a solid understanding of a variety of painting techniques and the ability to use many different types of materials. Patience, creativity, detail orientation, perseverance, and self-confidence are essential characteristics. Professional painters must have good communication and interpersonal skills because they often deal with a variety of clients and other professionals.

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