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Fine artists create original and thought-provoking works of art, which may be aesthetically pleasing, provocative or disruptive

Fine artists create original art works, typically using traditional mediums such as painting, drawing and sculpture. Fine art refers to any type of creative art, particularly visual art, that is primarily valued for its conceptual, emotional or aesthetic qualities rather than its functional or commercial use. This contrasts with applied art, which serves a practical purpose, such as in decoration or textile design.

As a fine artist, you may choose to specialise in a particular medium or subject matter, such as landscapes, portraits or abstract compositions. Alternatively, you might work across various media, themes and even disciplines, using your practice to explore complex ideas, challenge conventions and make original connections.

You could be commissioned to create a specific piece of work or produce your own pieces independently, which you'll then sell directly to the public or through intermediaries such as galleries, agents or online platforms.

Your work may extend beyond the studio into teaching art classes or getting involved in community or school-based art projects, for example.

Types of fine art

You can work in the following ways:

• analog - includes traditional techniques such as drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, installation and printmaking
• digital - covers the use of technology to create or present work, including digital drawing, 3D modelling, sound art, animation, video, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and interactive or generative media
• live - involves time-based or performance-based work that may use the body, movement, sound, public space or audience participation. It can include live coding, sound mixing, performance art and site-specific interventions
• conceptual - art driven by ideas that can include creative experiments, research questions, critical theory and social commentary.

Responsibilities

As a fine artist, you'll need to:

• generate and develop original artistic ideas
• create or develop work in response to a brief, commission or personal project
• research relevant themes, locations, materials and artistic techniques
• source materials and develop relationships with suppliers
• maintain a professional portfolio, including a website and documentation of your work
• promote your work through networking, social media, private viewings and industry events
• sell your work through agents, galleries, exhibitions, shops or online platforms
• negotiate terms for sales, commissions or licensing agreements
• write and submit proposals for exhibitions, competitions or residencies
• apply for artist residencies, grants, awards and competitions
• plan and manage projects, including timelines and promotional activities
• manage finances and administration, including budgeting, expenses and taxes
• network with agents, dealers, gallery owners, curators and other artists.

Salary

• Salaries for fine artists vary widely and depend on factors such as talent, experience, reputation and the complexity of the work. It can be difficult to put a set figure on what an artist can earn, especially for emerging artists, but it's important to cover material costs, your time and overheads like studio rent, taxes and commission fees.
• When pricing your work, consider your experience and reputation, any awards you've received or notable exhibitions you've held, and compare your rates to similar artists. Market demand and the venue's audience can also influence pricing.
• You can expect to increase your prices as you gain experience and your reputation grows. Established artists will often consider factors like previous sales, demand and the uniqueness of their work in their pricing.
• The offers guidance on freelance and short-term contract rates. These can range from £27.08 an hour for recent graduates to £44 an hour for artists with five or more years of experience.

For more advice on how to value your work, see .

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Working hours rarely follow a fixed routine. You may work at any time of day or week, often adjusting your schedule to meet deadlines, respond to inspiration or to fit around access to studio space and materials.

The number of hours you work can vary greatly depending on the nature of your projects, whether you're preparing for an exhibition, responding to a commission or developing personal work.

Artists employed in other artists' studios or collaborative settings may keep more structured hours, typically aligning with standard working times, such as 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

What to expect

• The majority of fine artists, especially early in their careers, fund their practice through a full-time or part-time job, often in the creative industries or education. This may include teaching, freelance creative work, arts administration or work unrelated to the arts sector. Balancing these commitments can impact how much time you have available for artistic production. On the other hand, it may take the pressure off and allow you to be more creative.
• Working environments vary and can include studios or workshops, outdoor or public spaces, a physical exhibition space or online. Studios may be located in a converted industrial space such as a warehouse, loft or office building. Some artists work from studios in their own homes. It's common for artists to share studio space and to show their work from there.
• Within the UK, the majority of exhibition spaces are in London and other major cities such as Newcastle and Manchester. However, there are vibrant and active communities of artists all over the UK and internationally.
• Although many artists find satisfaction in being their own boss, there is a lot of responsibility in terms of self-promotion and business management, as well as uncertainty around how much you'll earn.
• Fine artists exhibit all over the world, so travel to events and galleries outside the UK is fairly common.

Qualifications

While some fine artists are self-taught and don't have professional qualifications, formal training can improve your chances of success. Taking a relevant qualification can help you build technical skills, develop your creative voice and gain access to facilities, feedback and professional networks.

The following degree subjects may be particularly useful:

• art and associated crafts
• art history
• design for performance
• fine art
• graphic design
• interdisciplinary fine arts
• photography and digital art
• printmaking
• sound art
• visual arts.

Fine art can be studied through a range of mediums, such as painting, sculpture, printmaking, installation, moving image, photography, sound and digital or new media.

You may also choose to take a combined honours degree, studying fine art alongside subjects like performance, art history, education or arts management.

When applying for a course, you will usually need to submit a digital portfolio of your work, both completed and in progress, that showcases your skills, interests and identity as an artist.

Although not essential, you can go on to study art and design at postgraduate level, completing an MA or MFA (Master of Fine Arts), which allows for more in-depth exploration of your practice.

Search postgraduate courses in fine art.

It's also possible to become a fine artist without a degree. Some artists learn through alternative routes such as short courses, evening classes or online learning, or other qualifications such as diplomas or certificates.

Skills

You'll need to have:

• artistic talent
• determination, resilience and commitment
• self-belief and confidence in your creative vision
• the ability to generate, develop and refine original ideas
• good visual and conceptual communication skills
• interpersonal skills for networking and making contacts
• business, marketing and self-promotion skills
• organisational and time management skills to meet project deadlines
• effective research and critical thinking skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to work independently and collaborate with others
• attention to detail
• stamina, adaptability and a willingness to put in long hours
• digital literacy, including familiarity with online platforms and digital creation tools
• an understanding of the art market and cultural context
• networking skills and the ability to build professional relationships.

Work experience

Try to complete some relevant work experience during your degree as it can significantly enhance your skills, confidence and professional network. Voluntary work or work shadowing in a creative setting, such as with established artists, galleries, arts organisations or community arts projects, can give you a clearer understanding of how the art world operates. This is helpful whether you plan to work for others or set up your own practice.

Consider speculatively approaching local galleries, artists or arts collectives to offer your help. Hands-on experience in an artist's studio, exhibition space or workshop can teach you about production processes, materials, curation and how artists manage their time and income.

If finding practical artistic experience is difficult, look for other ways to get involved in the arts. For example, you could offer to help promote artwork and events on social media or plan and coordinate events and exhibitions.

Participating in open calls, student shows or collaborative art projects can also help build your portfolio and expose you to the reality of professional practice. Try to reflect on and document these experiences to show your commitment and initiative when applying for grants or residencies.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

Fine artists are usually self-employed, often combining freelance work or practice with another salaried job. Common employment options include working in schools, adult education colleges, universities, studios, galleries and across the creative industries.

You'll usually sell your work independently or through a gallery (which usually charges commission). Another arrangement is to have an agent sell work on your behalf. This may achieve you more sales and wider exposure, but your agent will also take commission on what they sell.

Fine art is a highly competitive field, and you must be resourceful in order to create your own opportunities and seek out new and interesting places to show and sell your work. These can include artist-led spaces, bars, museums, shops, events and public spaces, as well as online.

You may obtain commissions to make specific pieces of work for individuals or institutions, or you could try to secure an artist's residency. Advice, news and details of residencies, funding opportunities and competitions can be found from the following sources:

Vacancies and opportunities are often not advertised at all, and you should be prepared to research and uncover opportunities for fine artists through networking and by having the confidence to approach organisations and individuals.

Professional development

Professional development for fine artists can take many forms. For example, you could take a postgraduate qualification, such as a Masters degree or postgraduate diploma, to further develop your creative practice and professional skills. Alternatively, there are many short courses and workshops available that allow you to develop specific art techniques or gain knowledge in areas like curation, art theory or digital media.

It's vital that you build a strong professional network. Developing relationships with other artists, curators and gallery owners, for example, can lead to collaborative opportunities, commissions and exhibitions. Attending private views, industry events and artist talks, or joining artist collectives and artist networks, can help you stay connected and engaged with the wider art community.

Membership of an organisation such as the or is also useful for networking and professional development opportunities.

If you're a recent graduate, working as an artist's assistant or studio assistant can provide valuable training and insight into professional studio practice. These roles may lead to further opportunities, such as becoming a studio manager or developing your own commissioned work. Residencies and internships with arts institutions are also excellent ways to gain experience and mentorship.

Continual learning is key to growth as an artist. This might involve exploring new materials and processes, learning digital or fabrication skills, or experimenting across disciplines.

Career prospects

There's no standard or structured career path for a fine artist, so career development can be unpredictable and highly individual. Success depends largely on your commitment, persistence and ability to adapt to changing opportunities and challenges.

Actively seeking out opportunities and getting your work seen, whether through exhibitions, open calls, residencies, online platforms or working with an agent, is essential. Self-promotion plays a key role and participating in solo and group exhibitions can help build your visibility, credibility and professional connections.

Within five to ten years of graduating you may have your own studio, gallery representation, regular shows or commissions and a network of important contacts. At this stage you'll hopefully have had enough success that you can work on your art on a full-time basis, possibly even employing staff to help manage your studio, production or administration.

Not all fine artists, however, are able to make a living solely from their art. Many have a portfolio career, either through choice or necessity. They combine creative practice with work that may be in related areas, such as teaching, curation, illustration or community arts, or completely unrelated. As well as providing financial stability, this approach can also create variety in your working life.

There are also some opportunities to become an artist in residence, engaged for a time by a gallery, space, organisation or institution to make work and contribute skills and knowledge. You could also engage in practice-based research, contributing to broader cultural or academic knowledge while developing your own work.