About Freelance Artists
63% of artists are freelance artists. The term freelance artist means that the artist is contracted by either private individuals or companies to do paintings, drawings or graphics. The artist is not considered an employee of the company and is listed as a independent contractor.
Types
There are many different types of freelance artists. A graphic designer puts together fonts, logos, website graphics for companies. The portraitist is an artist that is hired specifically to do paintings and drawings of individuals. An illustrator is an artist that makes drawings and paintings for books, magazines and comics. Cartoonists, sculptors and multi-media artists are also considered freelance artists.
Pay Rates
The amount of money a freelance artist makes varies greatly from artist to artist. There are several factors to consider, such as what type of clients the artist serves, where the artist lives and how many hours she works. Typically, illustrators make around $35,118 a year on average while graphic artists make around $45,000 a year, for example.
Training
It is not unusual for an artist to be self-trained, with no formal schooling. Many technical artists, such as graphic artists, get a bachelor's degree in visual arts. Training in personal business management is also helpful for learning run a freelance business, including file taxes, get insurance and invoice clients. Training in marketing can be helpful for learning market the freelance business, though many freelance artists, excluding graphic artists and branding artists, get a degree in marketing.
Work Environment
A large number of freelance artists work in their own studio, be it a fine art studio or filming studio. These studios are often a room in their home or a building near their home. Others work on-site, just like a regular employee. The only difference is that freelance artists are not subject to the company's regulations and are not given employee benefits. The freelance artist is expected to pay their own taxes, keep track of their expenses and, many times, provide their own equipment.
Equipment
Freelance artist use specialized equipment that matches their artistic niche. For example, cartoonists usually have a wide-array of markers, pens, illustration boards and pencils. Graphic artists employ a computer, graphic software such as Photoshop, a scanner and a digital drawing tablet such as a Wacom to do their work. Sculptures may use jackhammers, chisels, wielders, metal, stone or found objects for their art. An average freelance artist's studio contains thousands of dollars worth of equipment, no matter what the specialty.
