Painter or Printmaker

Contemporary two-dimensional art can range in size from a postage stamp to a whole wall. Painters and printmakers generally produce one or a limited number of copies of each piece of work.

Painters use brushes, palette knives and specialized tools to apply colour to a variety of surfaces (for example, canvas, wood, metal, paper, paper-pulp board). In general, painters may:

• paint with a variety of media (for example, water colours, acrylics, oils, tempera, gouache, encaustic)
• create drawings using a variety of media (for example, charcoal, chalk, graphite, coloured pencils, inks, pastels)
• glue or laminate various materials to a surface to create an image
• specialize in particular types of media or mixed media.

Printmakers create surfaces which are then used to print a limited number of the same image on other materials (for example, paper, fabric). A variety of methods may be used to create images and transfer them to other surfaces including:

• intaglio - images on metal plates (produced by etching or engraving, for example) are transferred via a specialized press
• relief - images from linocuts, wood cuts, wood engraving, stone prints and clay prints are transferred by press or hand rubbing
• lithography - very heavy stones or metal plates are used as a printing surface and images are transferred via a specialized lithographic printing press 
• stencil - stencil prints involve dabbing or brushing ink or paint through cut stencils; silkscreening uses screens, a work support and hand held squeegees
• monotype - single images are created on a printing surface by hand painting and printed on a press or by hand rubbing
• electronic or digital - computer paint and photo programs, and photocopying or computer printing.

Objective (realistic) painters may:

• travel to paint specific subjects (for example, people, landscapes, buildings, wildlife)
• work from photographs
• work with models, still life, animals or flowers.

Nonobjective (abstract) painters create their own subjects and designs.

Many painters and printmakers are constantly learning new techniques and experimenting with different materials and mediums. They need to keep up to date with what is going on in the art world by reading, attending exhibits at art galleries 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 chemicals.

Studios may be clean and well ventilated, or they may have less than ideal working conditions. Many artists work at home; others rent space in artist-run centres, warehouses or store-fronts in low rent districts.

Painters and printmakers need the following characteristics:

• the motivation, self-discipline and determination required to work productively alone 
• self-promotion and marketing skills
• artistic talent and creativity
• technical ability.

They should enjoy working independently.

Few painters can support themselves from commissions on their art work alone. Many also work full time or part time in related occupations such as illustrator, designer, teacher (art classes), 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:

• galleries and museums
• restaurants and clubs
• office buildings and public spaces
• parks, exhibit grounds and international expositions.

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 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.

Painters and printmakers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 5136: Painters, Sculptors and Other Visual Artists. In Alberta, 76% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Information, Culture and Recreation (PDF)
• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (PDF)

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

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: www.canadacouncil.ca

Canadian Artist's Representation/Le Front des Artistes Canadiens website: www.carfac.ca

Federation of Canadian Artists website: www.artists.ca

Society of Northern Alberta Print-Artists (SNAP) website: www.snapartists.com

Visual Arts Alberta Association website: www.visualartsalberta.com

For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.