Professional painters’ careers span three phases: emerging, mid-career, and established, and the duration of each phase varies from artist to artist. The average career in painting is at least 20 years, and some artists find that reaching “established” status is a lifelong endeavor. All this is to say, you don’t need to be a child prodigy or “genius” artist to become a painter. Curious about how to become a professional painter? While there are many paths, here are some strategies for setting yourself apart from hobbyist painters, and up for success in your artistic career.
Study the Types of Painting to Define and Develop Your Signature Style
Becoming a professional painter requires strategic planning. Before you get further down the path of how to become an artist, consider the following: Why did you decide to become a painter? What expressions or ideas are you trying to convey? What problems are you trying to solve? What types of paintings do you gravitate toward and want to create yourself? In short, what’s your signature style? For more information, you can try here
Painters have documented their observations throughout history in some styles, such as figurative, abstraction, narrative, compositional, symbolic, landscapes, and still life. The types of painting are characterized by the movements or schools of Realism, Impressionism, Surrealism, Modernism, and Photorealism, to name a few. You have a choice of medium and technique. Painters can use gouache, acrylic, watercolor, ink, pastel, or spray paint on canvas, glass, metals, walls, or concrete messaging.
Master Your Skill by Learning From Professional Painters
Anyone who’s ever asked how to become a painter has certainly heard a similar answer: practice. A common way to do so and to master your painting skills is to learn from the best painters. Before the Covid days, some aspiring artists haunted the museums to “copy” masterpieces and hone their techniques. Many have stricter access guidelines, though they may allow a few artists to sketch in the galleries. Another practical way to learn from the masters can be through an apprenticeship or by working as a studio assistant for more experienced painters. Besides gaining technical skills, you’ll learn what it takes to be a painter first-hand.