Artistic painter

An Artistic Painter is a visual artist who creates original works of art using paint as the primary medium. These paintings can range from realistic portraits and landscapes to abstract compositions and conceptual pieces. Artistic Painters express emotions, ideas, or social commentary through their work, using techniques that may include oil, acrylic, watercolor, or mixed media. Their paintings are often displayed in galleries, private collections, or public spaces, and they may also work on commissions or collaborate with other artists on large-scale projects.

Excludes people performing non-artistic painting.

Here are some typical duties of artistic painters:

• Create original artworks using painting techniques such as oil, acrylic, watercolor, gouache, or mixed media.
• Develop visual ideas through sketches, studies, or experimentation with composition, color, and form.
• Research artistic styles, themes, or historical influences to inform creative direction.
• Prepare canvases or surfaces and select appropriate tools and materials for each piece.
• Exhibit artwork in galleries, art fairs, or online platforms and promote work through personal branding and social media.
• Work on commissions for individuals, companies, or public institutions, adapting style and subject to client requirements.
• Maintain a studio and organize materials, tools, and workspace efficiently.
• Collaborate with curators, galleries, or other artists for group shows, installations, or community art projects.
• Document artwork for portfolios, grant applications, or sale listings.
• Continue developing skills and artistic voice through practice, critique, and ongoing learning.

The following job titles also refer to artistic painter:

painting & drawing artist
creative painter
painting artist
drawing & painting artist
drawing and painting artist
sign painter
matte painter
painting and drawing artist
street painter
visual artist

Artistic Painters usually work independently in private studios, home workshops, or shared creative spaces. Work schedules are self-managed, though deadlines for commissions, exhibitions, or competitions may require focused, extended hours. The job can be physically demanding, involving long hours standing or painting, and may require handling solvents or chemicals depending on the medium. Exhibiting and selling art may involve travel, networking, and attending gallery events or art fairs.

Formal education is not required but many Artistic Painters hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in fine arts, painting, or visual arts. Artistic skill is typically developed through practice, mentorship, workshops, and critique. A strong, distinctive portfolio is crucial for gaining gallery representation or commissions. Successful painters are not only technically skilled but also have a unique artistic voice and a deep understanding of composition, color theory, and artistic history. Networking, self-promotion, and continual exploration of techniques and concepts are key to long-term growth and visibility in the art world.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Artistic painter is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to artistic painter.

street artist
conceptual artist
drawing artist
sculptor
digital artist

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of artistic painter.

• Labour legislation: Legislation, on a national or international level, that governs labour conditions in various fields between labour parties such as the government, employees, employers, and trade unions.
• Intellectual property law: The regulations that govern the set of rights protecting products of the intellect from unlawful infringement.
• Art history: The history of art and artists, the artistic trends throughout centuries and their contemporary evolutions.

These skills are necessary for the role of artistic painter.

• Create original drawings: Create original drawings, based on texts, thorough research and discussion with authors, journalists and specialists.
• Create artwork: Cut, shape, fit, join, mould, or otherwise manipulate materials in an attempt to create a selected artwork – be the technical processes not mastered by the artist or used as a specialist.
• Develop visual elements: Imagine and apply visual elements such as line, space, colour, and mass to express emotions or ideas.
• Maintain an artistic portfolio: Maintain portfolios of artistic work to show styles, interests, abilities and realisations.
• Use artistic materials for drawing: Use artistic materials such as paint, paintbrushes, ink, watercolours, charcoal, oil, or computer software to create artwork.
• Create sketches: Draw sketches to prepare for a drawing or as a standalone artistic technique.
• Select artistic materials to create artworks: Select artistic materials based on strength, colour, texture, balance, weight, size, and other characteristics that should guarantee the feasibility of the artistic creation regarding the expected shape, color, etc. – even thought the result might vary from it. Artistic materials such as paint, ink, water colours, charcoal, oil, or computer software can be used as much as garbage, living products (fruits, etc) and any kind of material depending on the creative project.
• Monitor art scene developments: Monitor artistic events, trends, and other developments. Read recent art publications in order to develop ideas and to keep in touch with relevant art world activities.
• Study artistic techniques: Study a variety of artistic techniques and learn how to apply them in concrete artistic projects.
• Contextualise artistic work: Identify influences and situate your work within a specific trend which may be of an artistic, aesthetic, or philosophical natures. Analyse the evolution of artistic trends, consult experts in the field, attend events, etc.
• Use painting techniques: Apply painting techniques such as ‘trompe l’oeil’, ‘faux finishing’ and aging techniques.
• Define artistic approach: Define your own artistic approach by analysing your previous work and your expertise, identifying the components of your creative signature, and starting from these explorations to describe your artistic vision.
• Create original paintings: Create paintings, drawing from your experience, inspiration and techniques.
• Gather reference materials for artwork: Gather samples of the materials you expect to use in the creation process, especially if the desired piece of art necessitates the intervention of qualified workers or specific production processes.
• Use genre painting techniques: Use a genre or academic painting and drawing techniques.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of artistic painter. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Assess conservation needs: Assess and list the needs for conservation/restoration, in relation to current use and planned future use.
• Plan art educational activities: Plan and implement artistic facilities, performance, venues and museum-related educational activities and events.
• Develop educational resources: Create and develop educational resources for visitors, school groups, families and special interest groups.
• Ensure safety of exercise environment: Select the correct training environment and assess risks to ensure it provides a safe, clean and friendly fitness environment and that it will be the best use of the environment in which clients are exercising.
• Collaborate with technical experts on artworks: Collaborate with engineers, mechanics, and other technical experts to build, install and move pieces of art.
• Paint sets: Paint set constructions and stage props.
• Develop artistic project budgets: Developing artistic project budgets for approval, estimating deadlines and material costs.
• Confer on artwork: Introduce and discuss the nature and content of art work, achieved or to be produced with an audience, art directors, catalogue editors, journalists, and other parties of interest.
• Develop educational activities: Develop speeches, activities and workshops in order to foster access and comprehension to the artistic creation processes. It can address a particular cultural and artistic event such as a show or an exhibition, or it can be related to a specific discipline (theatre, dance, drawing, music, photography etc.). Liaise with storytelles, craftspeople and artists.
• Collaborate with a technical staff in artistic productions: Coordinate the artistic activities with others who are specialised in the technical side of the project. Inform the technical staff of the plans and methods suggested and obtain feedback on feasibility, cost, procedures and other relevant information. Be able to understand the vocabulary and practises concerning technical issues.
• Submit preliminary artwork: Submit preliminary artwork or art project plans to clients for approval, leaving room for additional suggestions and changes.
• Keep personal administration: File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.
• Study artworks: Study styles, techniques, colours, textures, and materials used in works of art.

2651 – Visual artists

---

References

1. Artistic painter – ESCO
2. Featured image: Photo by Steve Johnson