Description
Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.
- • Use materials such as pens and ink, watercolors, charcoal, oil, or computer software to create artwork.
- • Integrate and develop visual elements, such as line, space, mass, color, and perspective, to produce desired effects, such as the illustration of ideas, emotions, or moods.
- • Confer with clients, editors, writers, art directors, and other interested parties regarding the nature and content of artwork to be produced.
- • Submit preliminary or finished artwork or project plans to clients for approval, incorporating changes as necessary.
- • Maintain portfolios of artistic work to demonstrate styles, interests, and abilities.
- • Create finished art work as decoration, or to elucidate or substitute for spoken or written messages.
- • Cut, bend, laminate, arrange, and fasten individual or mixed raw and manufactured materials and products to form works of art.
- • Monitor events, trends, and other circumstances, research specific subject areas, attend art exhibitions, and read art publications to develop ideas and keep current on art world activities.
- • Study different techniques to learn how to apply them to artistic endeavors.
- • Render drawings, illustrations, and sketches of buildings, manufactured products, or models, working from sketches, blueprints, memory, models, or reference materials.
- • Create sketches, profiles, or likenesses of posed subjects or photographs, using any combination of freehand drawing, mechanical assembly kits, and computer imaging.
- • Create sculptures, statues, and other three-dimensional artwork by using abrasives and tools to shape, carve, and fabricate materials such as clay, stone, wood, or metal.
- • Develop project budgets for approval, estimating time lines and material costs.
- • Shade and fill in sketch outlines and backgrounds, using a variety of media such as water colors, markers, and transparent washes, labeling designated colors when necessary.
- • Collaborate with engineers, mechanics, and other technical experts as necessary to build and install creations.
- • Create and prepare sketches and model drawings of cartoon characters, providing details from memory, live models, manufactured products, or reference materials.
- • Brush or spray protective or decorative finishes on completed background panels, informational legends, exhibit accessories, or finished paintings.
- • Trace drawings onto clear acetate for painting or coloring, or trace them with ink to make final copies.
- • Apply solvents and cleaning agents to clean surfaces of paintings, and to remove accretions, discolorations, and deteriorated varnish.
- • Model substances such as clay or wax, using fingers and small hand tools to form objects.
- • Collaborate with writers who create ideas, stories, or captions that are combined with artists' work.
- • Provide entertainment at special events by performing activities such as drawing cartoons.
- • Market artwork through brochures, mailings, or Web sites.
- • Photograph objects, places, or scenes for reference material.
- • Set up exhibitions of artwork for display or sale.
- • Frame and mat artwork for display or sale.
- • Submit artwork to shows or galleries.
- • Teach artistic techniques to children or adults.
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Related Pathways
Arts, Entertainment, & Design
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Sources & Standards:
This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
