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Artisan, Artist, Graphic Artist, Printmaker
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Contemporary 2-dimensional art can range in size from a postage stamp to a whole wall. Painters and printmakers generally produce 1 or a limited number of copies of each piece of work.
Painters use brushes, palette knives and specialized tools to artistically apply colour to a variety of surface grounds (for example, canvas, wood, metal, paper, paper-pulp board). In general, painters may:
Printmakers prepare surfaces, which they then use to print a limited number of the same image onto other materials (for example, paper or fabric). They may use a variety of manual or chemical methods to carve, etch, expose, apply or emboss the original images and transfer them to other surfaces. Many of these transfer techniques result in a mirror image of the original. These may include:
Objective (realistic) painters may:
Non-objective (abstract) painters create their own subjects and designs.
Many painters and printmakers are constantly learning new techniques and experimenting with different materials and media. They need to keep up to date with what is going on in the art world by reading, attending exhibits at art galleries and residency programs, and talking to other artists.
Working conditions, such as hours of work, vary considerably for painters and printmakers. Printmaking and moving large paintings can be physically demanding. Some techniques involve working with hazardous pigments, chemicals or solvents.
Studios may be clean, spacious and well ventilated, or they may have less-than-ideal working conditions. Many painters or printmakers work at home, while others rent space in artist-run centres, warehouses or storefronts in low-rent districts.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Painters
2023 OaSIS: 53122.01
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Painters and printmakers need:
They should enjoy working independently.
Although there are no formal education requirements for painters and printmakers, many galleries prefer to feature artists who have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in fine arts. They also must have a portfolio of work that includes samples or good quality representations of their best work.
In addition to artistic skills and knowledge of form, line, colour, composition and balance, painters and printmakers need technical knowledge about materials. They must know about painting or printing processes, and related use of solvents, acids and inks. Knowledge of safety issues is critical, as is training in the proper use of materials and equipment (for example, presses).
Increasingly, it is important for both painters and printmakers to have business skills, particularly marketing skills. Art conservation knowledge and photography, mounting and framing skills are definite assets. The ability to photograph and post online portfolios is a key component of working with and marketing to galleries and clients remotely.
Many colleges and universities offer training in fine arts and visual communication. Prospective students should look for the schools with a blend of technical and creative course materials for their particular interests.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Few painters or printmakers can support themselves from sales commissions on their art work alone. Many also work full time or part time in related occupations, such as illustrator, designer, art teacher, gallery assistant, framer or arts administrator. For more information see the Illustrator, Graphic Designer and Art Instructor occupational profiles.
Painters and printmakers may display their art in:
They also may market their work electronically through television or the internet.
Artists’ works may be published as fine art poster prints. Publishers may pay a royalty per print sold or simply purchase the copyright for the work.
Emerging artists often join art clubs for support, networking and exhibition opportunities. They may enter art competitions or festivals, or arrange their own shows in homes or artist-run centres.
The Alberta Foundation for the Arts and the Canada Council for the Arts offer grants to promising artists to enable them to study and work for a few months or a year at a time. The Foundation buys the art of emerging and established artists with the intent of maintaining a diverse cross-section of Alberta art and the Canada Council purchases work for the Art Bank.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Painters, sculptors and other visual artists
2016 NOC: 5136
82.0% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Art prices vary considerably depending on the artist’s reputation, size of the piece and availability of the artist’s work (in the case of printmaking, the number of imprints made is also a factor). Most galleries charge a commission ranging from 40% to 75% of the price of a sale.
Many painters and printmakers earn a minimal income from their art. They work in other occupations to earn a living and practice their art in their free time.
Some painters receive commissions or fees paid in advance that allow them to buy materials and cover some living expenses while they finish a site-specific or major work. Well-established painters and printmakers may hire agents or work with exclusive dealers who handle marketing, bookkeeping and sales.
Painters or printmakers are part of the larger 2021 National Occupational Classification 53122: Painters, sculptors and other visual artists.
According to the 2023 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Painters, sculptors and other visual artists occupational group earned on average from $21.85 to $30.36 an hour. The overall average was $26.11 an hour. For more information, see the Painters, sculptors and other visual artists wage profile.
Alberta Foundation for the Arts website: www.affta.ab.ca
Alberta Society of Artists website: www.albertasocietyofartists.com
Calgary Sketch Club website: www.calgarysketchclub.com
Canada Council for the Arts website: canadacouncil.ca
Canadian Artists’ Representation/Le Front des Artistes Canadiens (CARFAC) website: www.carfac.ca
CARFAC Alberta website: www.carfacalberta.com
Federation of Canadian Artists website: artists.ca
Society of Northern Alberta Print-Artists (SNAP) website: snapartists.com
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2021. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
