Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
Medium39.27%
Found in Industries:
Salary Range
Low (10th %)$28,390
Median$59,300
High (90th %)$135,420
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Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.
The occupation “Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators” has an automation risk of 39.3%, which closely aligns with the base risk of 40.2%. This moderate percentage reflects both the technical and creative aspects inherent to the profession. Many of the everyday tasks completed by fine artists, such as using materials (pens, ink, watercolors, charcoal, oil, or digital tools) to execute their work, are increasingly accessible to AI-driven automation. Modern software can quickly generate digital art and manipulate image elements, reducing the need for human labor in repetitive or highly technical aspects of art production. However, while these technical skills are becoming more automatable, the most resistant tasks in this occupation highlight the ongoing need for human involvement. Teaching artistic techniques to students, applying nuanced finishes by hand, and working directly with creative partners are activities requiring interpersonal communication, sensory perception, and cultural understanding—areas where AI is currently less proficient. Collaboration with writers to combine visuals with stories or concepts demands intuition and a deeply human sense of meaning, making these tasks far more resistant to replacement by machines. A significant bottleneck for automation in this field is originality, which is evaluated at relatively low rates for automation (4.4% and 4.6%). Originality embodies the artist’s unique ability to create new concepts, experiences, and emotional resonances that machines struggle to replicate authentically. This skill underpins tasks like developing visual elements or illustrating complex ideas and emotions—efforts that sustain the demand for human artists. Thus, despite advances in generative AI and digital tools, the enduring requirement for genuine creativity and artistic innovation limits the occupation’s overall risk of automation.
Filter by Automatable Status
Use materials such as pens and ink, watercolors, charcoal, oil, or computer software to create artwork.
Partially Automatable
Confer with clients, editors, writers, art directors, and other interested parties regarding the nature and content of artwork to be produced.
Partially Automatable
Maintain portfolios of artistic work to demonstrate styles, interests, and abilities.
Partially Automatable
Market artwork through brochures, mailings, or Web sites.
Partially Automatable
Study different techniques to learn how to apply them to artistic endeavors.
Partially Automatable
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.
Partially Automatable
Photograph objects, places, or scenes for reference material.
Partially Automatable
Model substances such as clay or wax, using fingers and small hand tools to form objects.
Non-Automatable
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.
Partially Automatable
Set up exhibitions of artwork for display or sale.
Non-Automatable
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.
Non-Automatable
Frame and mat artwork for display or sale.
Non-Automatable
Submit artwork to shows or galleries.
Partially Automatable
Submit preliminary or finished artwork or project plans to clients for approval, incorporating changes as necessary.
Partially Automatable
Collaborate with engineers, mechanics, and other technical experts as necessary to build and install creations.
Partially Automatable
Cut, bend, laminate, arrange, and fasten individual or mixed raw and manufactured materials and products to form works of art.
Non-Automatable
Provide entertainment at special events by performing activities such as drawing cartoons.
Partially Automatable
Develop project budgets for approval, estimating time lines and material costs.
Partially Automatable
Create and prepare sketches and model drawings of cartoon characters, providing details from memory, live models, manufactured products, or reference materials.
Partially Automatable
Create finished art work as decoration, or to elucidate or substitute for spoken or written messages.
Automatable
Trace drawings onto clear acetate for painting or coloring, or trace them with ink to make final copies.
Automatable
Apply solvents and cleaning agents to clean surfaces of paintings, and to remove accretions, discolorations, and deteriorated varnish.
Non-Automatable
Collaborate with writers who create ideas, stories, or captions that are combined with artists' work.
Partially Automatable
Brush or spray protective or decorative finishes on completed background panels, informational legends, exhibit accessories, or finished paintings.
Non-Automatable
Teach artistic techniques to children or adults.
Partially Automatable
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.
Partially Automatable
Render drawings, illustrations, and sketches of buildings, manufactured products, or models, working from sketches, blueprints, memory, models, or reference materials.
Partially Automatable
Create sketches, profiles, or likenesses of posed subjects or photographs, using any combination of freehand drawing, mechanical assembly kits, and computer imaging.
Automatable
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningComplex Problem SolvingOperations MonitoringQuality Control AnalysisSystems EvaluationManagement of Personnel ResourcesWritingSpeakingMathematicsScienceCritical ThinkingActive LearningLearning StrategiesMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationPersuasionNegotiationInstructingService OrientationOperations AnalysisTechnology DesignEquipment SelectionInstallationProgrammingOperation and ControlEquipment MaintenanceTroubleshootingRepairingJudgment and Decision MakingSystems AnalysisTime ManagementManagement of Financial ResourcesManagement of Material Resources
Arm-Hand SteadinessAuditory AttentionCategory FlexibilityControl PrecisionDeductive ReasoningDepth PerceptionDynamic FlexibilityDynamic StrengthExplosive StrengthExtent FlexibilityFar VisionFinger DexterityFlexibility of ClosureFluency of IdeasGlare SensitivityGross Body CoordinationGross Body EquilibriumHearing SensitivityInductive ReasoningInformation OrderingManual DexterityMathematical ReasoningMemorizationMultilimb CoordinationNear VisionNight VisionNumber FacilityOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionOriginalityPerceptual SpeedPeripheral VisionProblem SensitivityRate ControlReaction TimeResponse OrientationSelective AttentionSound LocalizationSpatial OrientationSpeech ClaritySpeech RecognitionSpeed of ClosureSpeed of Limb MovementStaminaStatic StrengthTime SharingTrunk StrengthVisual Color DiscriminationVisualizationWrist-Finger SpeedWritten ComprehensionWritten Expression
Administration and ManagementAdministrativeEconomics and AccountingSales and MarketingCustomer and Personal ServicePersonnel and Human ResourcesProduction and ProcessingFood ProductionComputers and ElectronicsEngineering and TechnologyDesignBuilding and ConstructionMechanicalMathematicsPhysicsChemistryBiologyPsychologySociology and AnthropologyGeographyMedicine and DentistryHistory and ArcheologyPhilosophy and TheologyPublic Safety and SecurityLaw and GovernmentTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaTransportationForeign LanguageEnglish LanguageFine ArtsEducation and TrainingTherapy and Counseling
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsGetting InformationEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleProcessing InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsAnalyzing Data or InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsThinking CreativelyUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeHandling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentWorking with ComputersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDocumenting/Recording InformationDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkAssisting and Caring for OthersSelling or Influencing OthersRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsTraining and Teaching OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoaching and Developing OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesStaffing Organizational UnitsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesScheduling Work and ActivitiesPerforming General Physical Activities
Autodesk 3D Studio DesignAdobe DreamweaverAdobe IllustratorMicrosoft PaintClassDojoAdobe ImageReadyAdobe InDesignCorel PainterUnreal Technology Unreal EngineAdobe ActionScriptPythonIntuit QuickBooksAdobe PhotoshopAdobe Creative Cloud softwareGroupMeHypertext markup language HTMLAutodesk AutoCADC#C++Trimble SketchUp ProDassault Systemes CATIAAutodesk MayaUnity Technologies UnityAutodesk 3D Studio DesignArtScope.net eArtistCamp Software Art Licensing ManagerExtensible markup language XMLCode Line Art FilesCredit card processing softwareFileMaker BentoGYSTInkscapePixologic ZbrushSerif DrawPlusXara Designer Pro XSmugMug FlickrAdobe FrameMakerCorel Paint Shop ProAdobe After EffectsMicrosoft PaintAdobe DreamweaverAdobe ImageReadyAdobe IllustratorCorel PainterAdobe InDesignUnreal Technology Unreal EngineCode Line Art FilesCredit card processing softwareIntuit QuickBooksSmugMug FlickrAdobe PhotoshopAdobe Creative Cloud softwareGroupMeJavaScriptAutodesk AutoCADAdobe ActionScriptPythonC#C++Perforce Helix softwareDassault Systemes CATIAClassDojoUnity Technologies UnityCorel Paint Shop ProArtScope.net eArtistFileMaker BentoGYSTInkscapePixologic ZbrushSerif DrawPlusXara Designer Pro XCorel Photo-PaintMicrosoft WordHypertext markup language HTMLTrimble SketchUp ProCorel CorelDraw Graphics SuiteCorel CorelDraw Graphics SuiteFacebookFacebookAdobe AcrobatAdobe AcrobatAdobe FrameMakerJavaScriptTwitterTwitterPerforce Helix softwareAutodesk MayaAdobe FreeHand MXAdobe FreeHand MXCamp Software Art Licensing ManagerCorel Photo-PaintPaintbrushPaintbrushWorkingArtist Systems WorkingArtistWorkingArtist Systems WorkingArtistMicrosoft PowerPointAdobe After EffectsEmail softwareEmail softwareExtensible markup language XMLMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordWeb browser softwareWeb browser software
Video Game Designers
Medium46.94%
Design core features of video games. Specify innovative game and role-play mechanics, story lines, and character biographies. Create and maintain design documentation. Guide and collaborate with production staff to produce games as designed.
Art Directors
Medium42.81%
Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design.
Craft Artists
Medium47.40%
Create or reproduce handmade objects for sale and exhibition using a variety of techniques, such as welding, weaving, pottery, and needlecraft.
Special Effects Artists and Animators
Medium45.29%
Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.
Commercial and Industrial Designers
Medium44.65%
Design and develop manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.
Fashion Designers
Medium42.81%
Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.
Graphic Designers
Medium56.74%
Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.
Interior Designers
Medium48.98%
Plan, design, and furnish the internal space of rooms or buildings. Design interior environments or create physical layouts that are practical, aesthetic, and conducive to the intended purposes. May specialize in a particular field, style, or phase of interior design.
Set and Exhibit Designers
Medium47.21%
Design special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions. May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.
Writers and Authors
Medium55.16%
Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.
Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
Medium47.39%
Create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.
Photographers
Medium49.91%
Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject's appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints. Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, and photojournalists.
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
Low31.56%
Apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role.
Painters, Construction and Maintenance
Low20.83%
Paint walls, equipment, buildings, bridges, and other structural surfaces, using brushes, rollers, and spray guns. May remove old paint to prepare surface prior to painting. May mix colors or oils to obtain desired color or consistency.
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
Medium46.07%
Lay out, machine, fit, and assemble castings and parts to metal or plastic foundry patterns, core boxes, or match plates.
Prepress Technicians and Workers
High75.59%
Format and proof text and images submitted by designers and clients into finished pages that can be printed. Includes digital and photo typesetting. May produce printing plates.
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
Medium53.64%
Draw and construct sets of precision master fabric patterns or layouts. May also mark and cut fabrics and apparel.
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
Medium35.73%
Paint, coat, or decorate articles, such as furniture, glass, plateware, pottery, jewelry, toys, books, or leather.
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators
Medium54.79%
Perform work involved in developing and processing photographic images from film or digital media. May perform precision tasks such as editing photographic negatives and prints.
Etchers and Engravers
Medium44.61%
Engrave or etch metal, wood, rubber, or other materials. Includes such workers as etcher-circuit processors, pantograph engravers, and silk screen etchers.
Museum Technicians and Conservators
Medium34.84%
Restore, maintain, or prepare objects in museum collections for storage, research, or exhibit. May work with specimens such as fossils, skeletal parts, or botanicals; or artifacts, textiles, or art. May identify and record objects or install and arrange them in exhibits. Includes book or document conservators.
Floral Designers
Medium44.24%
Design, cut, and arrange live, dried, or artificial flowers and foliage.
Actors
Low19.10%
Play parts in stage, television, radio, video, or film productions, or other settings for entertainment, information, or instruction. Interpret serious or comic role by speech, gesture, and body movement to entertain or inform audience. May dance and sing.
Dancers
Low19.34%
Perform dances. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for video recording.
Choreographers
Low28.57%
Create new dance routines. Rehearse performance of routines. May direct and stage presentations.
Music Directors and Composers
Medium45.75%
Conduct, direct, plan, and lead instrumental or vocal performances by musical artists or groups, such as orchestras, bands, choirs, and glee clubs; or create original works of music.
Musicians and Singers
Low25.42%
Play one or more musical instruments or sing. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for sound or video recording.
Models
Low32.12%
Model garments or other apparel and accessories for prospective buyers at fashion shows, private showings, or retail establishments. May pose for photos to be used in magazines or advertisements. May pose as subject for paintings, sculptures, and other types of artistic expression.