Visual artists use various mediums to express their ideas. Formal training is often necessary, and art and design schools offer programs ranging from certificates to master’s degrees. A portfolio is important, and the skills needed include artistic talent, computer skills, and business knowledge.
Visual artists use painting, sculpture, and other creative methods to express their ideas or those of an employer. They can work in a variety of mediums including oil painting, sketching, computer design, photography and more. Formal training in an artistic field is often a starting point for anyone wanting to become a visual artist, although some artists are completely self-taught. Training to become a visual artist can include attending an art and design school or a university or college art program.
Art and design schools can offer everything from certificate programs to master’s in fine arts. Art school programs are generally much more focused on hands-on studio work than art programs at regular four-year colleges. Art programs at traditional colleges and universities often offer a more comprehensive education that includes liberal arts courses in addition to studio art classes. Internships may also be offered at university programs and can expose the aspiring visual artist to a variety of industry careers. Artists focused on the fine arts can gain exposure through gallery showings of their work through school and university art programs.
The exact subject you major in during school will depend on the type of visual artist you want to become. If you want to work as a photographer, for example, specializing in this field will be your obvious choice. If you want to create line art, cartoons, briefings and other visual arts pieces for an ad agency or corporation, a degree in graphic design or graphic arts may be your best bet. Fine artists who want to sell their sculptures, paintings, and other works are likely to need a degree in fine arts, and those who want to teach fine art as a complement to creating art may also need a teaching credential or even a master’s degree in fine arts. to teach at the college level.
During the school years, no matter what area of visual arts you choose, it is important to maintain a portfolio of your best work. The portfolio could be online, in a book you can take with you to interviews, or both. When you’re close to graduating, start applying for visual arts jobs by highlighting your specific arts background on your resume and including a link to your portfolio. If you plan to start a career as an independent artist, your portfolio pieces may be featured in publicity material that highlights your work. Your portfolio can also be used to help you get into galleries that can showcase your work.
The skills needed to become a visual artist include the obvious one: talent in your chosen artistic field. Computer skills can be important if you want to become a visual artist, especially if you plan on working in computer design fields. If you plan on working on your own as a visual artist, having some marketing and business experience can help you sell your work and manage your business.
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