People who think out of the box and pour their thoughts out on a canvas or transform them into a piece of art are called painters or artists. To become a painter, you need to be very creative. If you want to become a painter, then this what you need to do.
How to Become a Painter 
Should I Become a Painter?
There are many types of painters and artists. Painters may create masterpieces on a canvas by using various kinds of paints such as, acrylic, water-based, oil-based or spray paints etc. Or they may use other materials such as mud, metals, wood or plaster of Paris etc. to make sculptors or art projects. Painters may work in a wide array of environments like, art galleries, educational institutions, art studios etc.
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Education Required
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A bachelor’s degree
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Major Requirement
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Arts or Fine Arts
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License/Certification
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License is not applicable; certification is optional
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Experience/Training
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Training is required; experience is preferred
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Key Skills
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Creativity, Dexterity, Attention to detail, Artistic Ability; Business, Interpersonal and Customer-service Skills
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Annual Mean Salary
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$58,370 (Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators)
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Job Outlook
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1% (Little or no change)
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2018)
As per the data reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2018, Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in the U.S. earned an annual mean wage of $58,370 which equates to $28.06 mean wage per hour. In addition to that, BLS reported that the Computer Systems Design and Related Services as the highest paying industry for this career with an annual mean income of $88,100. Furthermore, BLS listed California as the state with the highest employment level (2,070) whereas, Connecticut was reported as the top paying state for this career with an annual mean income of $80,010.
Career Requirements
Painters work with a large variety of tools and materials therefore, this profession requires dexterity. The job market for a painter is very competitive and to thrive in such a pressurized environment, painters must be adaptable, gritty, creative, detail-oriented and also have excellent interpersonal as well as business skills.
Steps to Become a Painter
If being a painter is what you imagine yourself to be, you must acquire the skillset it takes to thrive in this industry. To help you begin, here is a step by step guideline.
Step-1: Education
Although becoming a painter may not really need a formal education since these skills are sometimes innate. However, that is not always the case and to work in the competitive art industry, all painters polish their skills through formal education and training. Therefore, a bachelor’s degree in Arts or Fine Arts provides you with the skillset you need to become a good painter.
Step-2: Training and Work Experience
As discussed earlier, no training is actually mandatory but a vast majority of artists acquire training through a bachelor’s degree. The typical curriculum of a bachelor’s degree includes courses on Sculpting, Painting, Drawing, Sketching, Ceramics, Photography, Digital Media and Printmaking etc. Other methods of training include getting trained by an expert painter for a few years.
Step-3: Career Advancement
Since this career does not require any licensure, candidates with certified degrees are preferred in the job market. The degrees accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) are recognized throughout the U.S. That is why, most painters opt for accredited degrees and complete at least a master’s degree in Arts or Fine Arts to increase their job prospects.