Art Careers / Painter
What Does a Painter Do? An Art Career for Kids
Curious about this job? Here is what the work looks like, a typical day, the tools, where people do it and how to get started, plus a small activity so you can try it yourself.
What a painter does
A painter makes original pictures with paint to show ideas, places, people or feelings. Some paint realistic scenes and some paint shapes and colors that are not meant to look like real things.
Real-world examples: Vincent van Gogh; Georgia O'Keeffe.
A day on the job
- Sketch ideas and plan a new painting
- Mix colors and paint in the studio for hours at a time
- Photograph finished work and share it online or with galleries
- Pack and deliver paintings to shows, fairs or buyers
Tools of the job
- Acrylic, oil or watercolor paint
- Brushes and palette knives
- Canvas, wood panels or heavy paper
- Easel
- Sketchbook
- Camera or phone to photograph work
Where they work
- Their own home or rented studio
- Shared artist studio buildings
- Art fairs and galleries where they show work
The path in 4 steps
Start now
- Paint something every week, even if it is small
- Try different paints: watercolor, tempera, acrylic
- Visit a museum or gallery and pick a favorite painting to study
In your teens
- Take every art class your school offers
- Keep a sketchbook and start a simple portfolio
- Enter student art shows or local contests
Training
Many painters earn a bachelor's degree in fine art, but it is not always required. Others build skill through workshops, private lessons, learning from experienced artists, and lots of practice.
Build a portfolio
Their best 10 to 20 paintings, photographed well, plus a short artist statement about what they paint and why.
Skills that help
- Color mixing
- Observation
- Composition (arranging a picture)
- Patience
- Talking about their work
Try this job
A small taste of the real work, using things you already have.
Pick one object from your kitchen, like an apple or a mug. Paint it three times on one sheet of paper: once in its real colors, once in only warm colors, and once in only cool colors. Look at your three versions side by side. Which one feels the happiest? Which feels the calmest? That is exactly the kind of choice a painter makes every day.
Ms Artastic lessons
Lessons that practise skills this career uses.
Watch with Ms Artastic
Videos from my YouTube channel that practise skills from this job.
The BEST Halloween Ghost Painting Tutorial!Ms Artastic on YouTubeWatch the video
3 of the BEST Watercolor Painting Art Activities for your Kids & Family (Art at Home Ideas!)Ms Artastic on YouTubeWatch the video
The BEST Autumn Pumpkin Painting Tutorial!Ms Artastic on YouTubeWatch the video
3 of the BEST Watercolor Painting Art Lesson Activities & FREE Printable Template for Your ClassroomMs Artastic on YouTubeWatch the videoRelated art careers
Learn more
For pay, job outlook and training details, read the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook page for this kind of work.
Which art career fits you?
Answer a few quick questions and see which art jobs match what you love to do.
Take the Which Art Career Fits You quizQuestions teachers and parents ask
What does a painter do?
A painter makes original pictures with paint to show ideas, places, people or feelings. Some paint realistic scenes and some paint shapes and colors that are not meant to look like real things.
How do you become a painter?
Many painters earn a bachelor's degree in fine art, but it is not always required. Others build skill through workshops, private lessons, learning from experienced artists, and lots of practice.
What skills does a painter need?
Color mixing, Observation, Composition (arranging a picture), Patience and Talking about their work.
The Artastic Collective art curriculum
Full art lessons, videos and units for the whole year, ready when you are. Monthly, yearly and VIP plans.
