How to become a painter or visual artist
Express creative ideas through visual mediums including photography, sculpture, video, and installations.
What does a painter or visual artist do?
Artists put their own emotions into works, making art engaging for its audience. Traditional artists use mediums such as paints and canvas to create scenes or portraits. Visual artists prefer to use unusual mediums to share their stories. Artists call on their creativity, good hand-eye coordination, and a large amount of patience to create original pieces.
Duties and tasks
- Capture and hold the attention of an audience through visual works.
- Create unique, interesting, and appealing visual works.
- May be commissioned to create specific pieces of art.
- Work in fine detail for an extended period of time (some projects).
Industry bodies
- Art Consulting Association of Australia
- National Association for the Visual Arts
- Portrait Artists Australia
Related jobs
- Art teacher
- Artist
- Cartoonist
- Decorator
- Engraver
- Graphic designer
- Interior designer
- Painter
- Photographer
- Printmaker
- Screen printer
- Sculptor
- Spray painter
Discover related courses
PostgraduateCUR-ART-GCE
Embrace your creativity and build your expertise
Prepare for creative industries and roles. You’ll choose from topics including creative writing and fine art. Get to know professional publishing. Consider creating online. Add new specialised skills to your resume and watch your career bloom.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 6 months full time or part time equivalent
UndergraduateLAT-ART-DIP
Start with the subjects you’re passionate about
Follow your interests on this humanities pathway into university. Choices range from languages to history, politics, and philosophy. Pick up important skills like critical thinking and collaboration. Shape your future in the arts and social science.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 1 year full time or part time equivalent
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Available majors
- Arts stream,
- Criminology stream,
- Global studies stream,
- Politics, philosophy and economics stream,
- Visual arts stream
Graduate Diploma in Arts (Fine Art)
PostgraduateCUR-AFA-GDI
Explore the artistic world and build professional skills
Reveal your inner artist as you explore the discipline of Fine Art. Learn about studio materials and methods. You’ll build an awareness of what it takes to be a professional artist. Get creative and engage with the art community.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 1 year full time or part time equivalent
Undergraduate Certificate in Fine Art
UndergraduateCUR-FIA-CTF
Explore your talent and develop your artistic skills
Your introduction to fine art studies at university level. You can use this course to discover the methods, mediums, and media you connect with. Paint the first strokes on your professional career in today’s art industry or work towards further study.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 6 months full time or part time equivalent
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
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