How to Be Portrait Artist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Aug 16, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

The rise of virtual reality (VR) technology has created a new demand for portrait artists. As the technology makes it easier to replicate people's faces, portrait artists are now in high demand to create realistic, 3-D models and renderings. VR companies must have detailed, accurate portraits in order to create life-like avatars, and thus require the skills of portrait artists to complete the task.

This trend has led to an increase in the number of portrait artists specializing in VR, and a growth in their salaries as well. Furthermore, this trend is expected to continue to rise in the future, as more businesses and industries adopt VR technology.

Steps How to Become

Take classes in drawing, painting, and/or digital art. This will give you a strong foundation for creating portraits.
Invest in quality art supplies such as high-quality paints, brushes, and canvas.
Practice, practice, practice! Draw from life as much as possible and use photographs as reference points.
Take courses or workshops specifically focused on portraiture.
Join a local art group or community to network with other artists and show your work.
Build an online presence by creating a website, blog, or social media accounts to showcase your work.
Look for opportunities to showcase your work by entering competitions, exhibitions, and shows.
Start taking on portrait commissions, and get involved with community organizations and charities that need portrait art.

The rise of digital art and the increasing availability of technology has had a significant effect on the portrait artist industry. As more people have access to tools like graphic design software and 3D printing, the cost of producing portraits has decreased drastically, making it easier for portrait artists to reach a larger audience. This increased competition has made it harder for portrait artists to stand out, requiring them to be more skilled and capable in order to succeed. As a result, portrait artists now need to be highly creative, possess a strong technical understanding of the tools they use, and be well-versed in the latest trends in order to stay competitive in the industry.

You may want to check Comic Book Artist, Mime Artist, and Graphic Artist for alternative.

Job Description

Portrait Painter: Creates portraits of individuals, families and groups, usually from life or from photographs.
Portrait Sculptor: Creates sculptures of individuals and groups, typically from life or from photographs.
Portrait Photographer: Captures images of individuals and groups, most often using professional photography equipment.
Portrait Illustrator: Creates illustrations of individuals and groups, typically using pencil, ink, paint, or digital tools.
Portrait Restorer: Restores or preserves portrait artwork, sometimes using advanced techniques such as digital restoration.
Portrait Conservator: Preserves and maintains portraits in galleries, museums and archives, often using specialized techniques.
Portrait Historian: Studies the history of portraiture and the development of various portrait styles and techniques.
Portrait Curator: Manages and organizes portrait collections and exhibitions in galleries, museums and other locations.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Artistic and creative ability
Excellent technical skill in a variety of mediums
Ability to accurately observe and capture details in a subject
Ability to accurately represent a likeness of a subject
Ability to work with a variety of subject matter
Ability to work with a variety of clients
Knowledge of anatomy and facial structure
Knowledge of the history of portrait art
Knowledge of the elements and principles of design
Ability to meet deadlines
Excellent communication skills
Excellent customer service skills

The ability to draw realistically and accurately is the most important skill for a portrait artist to have. To achieve this, they must be able to observe the subject closely and capture the features and expressions along with their personality. This skill requires a good eye for detail, knowledge of color theory and anatomy, as well as a deep understanding of light and shadow.

A good artist must also be able to handle different mediums, such as pencils, charcoal, oil paints, and digital tools. In addition, a portrait artist must be able to communicate effectively with their clients to ensure that they are creating a piece that accurately reflects their personality and vision. A successful portrait artist will have a combination of all these skills and be able to use them in harmony to create beautiful works of art that capture the essence of their subject.

Painter, Art Installer, and Multimedia Artist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

How long have you been a portrait artist?
What experience do you have creating portraits?
What mediums do you prefer to work with to create portraits?
Are there any particular genres or styles of portraiture you specialize in?
Do you have any examples of your work that we can look at?
How do you go about capturing the likeness of your subjects?
What challenges have you encountered when creating portraits?
What techniques do you employ to ensure the accuracy and realism of your portraits?
Do you have any advice for customers who want to commission a portrait?
How do you stay creative and inspired when creating portraits?

Common Tools in Industry

Pencils . Pencils are a traditional tool used to create detailed lines and shading in artwork. (eg: graphite pencils)
Charcoal . Charcoal is a soft, dark material used to create bold lines and textures in artwork. (eg: compressed charcoal sticks)
Paint Brushes . Paint brushes are used to apply paint or other mediums to a surface. (eg: round brush)
Paint . Paint is a liquid medium that comes in a variety of colors and can be used to add depth and texture to artwork. (eg: acrylic paint)
Palette Knife . A palette knife is a metal tool used for mixing, blending, and applying paint or other mediums. (eg: stainless steel palette knife)
Canvas . Canvas is a type of fabric that is typically used as a painting surface. (eg: cotton canvas)
Easel . An easel is a stand that holds a canvas while the artist paints. (eg: H-Frame easel)
Drawing Tablet . A drawing tablet is a digital device that allows an artist to draw on the screen with a stylus. (eg: Wacom Intuos drawing tablet)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Society of Portrait Artists (ASOPA)
International Society of Portrait Artists (ISPA)
National Portrait Society (NPS)
Portrait Society of America (PSA)
International Association of Professional Portrait Photographers (IAPPP)
Professional Photographers of America (PPA)
American Photographic Artists (APA)
Professional Picture Framers Association (PPFA)
National Association of Professional Child Photographers (NAPCP)
American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP)

We also have Tattoo Artist, Jewelry Designer, and Silk Screen Printer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Drawing. The act of creating a picture using a pencil, pen, charcoal, or other art medium.
Painting. The practice of applying pigments to a surface to create an art piece.
Composition. The organization of the elements of a work of art, such as color, line, shape, and texture.
Color Theory. The study of how colors interact with each other and how they can be used to create harmonious compositions.
Perspective. The technique used to create the illusion of depth in a two-dimensional artwork.
Anatomy. The study of the structure of the human body and how it is represented in art.
Portraiture. The practice of creating a likeness of a person's appearance in an artwork.
Figure Drawing. A type of drawing that focuses on accurately depicting the human form.
Life Drawing. A type of figure drawing that is done from an actual live model.
Sketching. A quick and loose method of creating an artwork, often done with pencil or charcoal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of medium do portrait artists typically use?

Portrait artists typically use a variety of mediums such as oil paints, charcoal, pastels, and graphite.

What is the difference between a portrait and a self-portrait?

A portrait is a painting, drawing, or photograph of a person, whereas a self-portrait is a representation of oneself created by the artist.

How much do portrait artists typically charge?

The cost of a portrait can vary widely depending on the size and complexity of the project, but prices typically range between $100 and $5,000.

What skills are needed to be a successful portrait artist?

To be successful as a portrait artist, one must have strong observational skills, a good understanding of light and shadow, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work with a variety of mediums.

How long does it usually take to complete a portrait?

The amount of time it takes to complete a portrait can vary greatly depending on its size and complexity, but it can range from a few hours to several months.