Quick Sketch Artist

Artists express thoughts, feelings and ideas by creating paintings or drawings. After making preliminary sketches they complete the composition using acrylics, oils and watercolours.

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Quick sketch artists draw people, animals, still life or landscapes etc. Some quick sketch artists work from photographs. Their work may be exhibited by various art galleries and sometimes even sold abroad. Some sell their work to the public by exhibiting at flea markets.

Although quick sketch artists do not necessarily have to have a tertiary training, it is extremely difficult to make a living from art alone, therefore a degree in graphic arts or art and design would give an artist access to other careers in the arts field, e.g. graphic design. To be a quick sketch artist takes a lot of talent, but also many hours of practice.

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Personal Requirements

• superior artistic ability
• creative, but practically inclined
• have imagination and initiative
• able to give form to thoughts and ideas
• able to handle frustration, criticism and rejection
• willing to work hard
• manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination
• good observational ability
• able to visualise objects three-dimensionally

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How to Enter

Schooling & School Subjects

Compulsory Subjects: Art or a related subjects is highly recommended
Recommended subjects: Art, Design Studies, Engineering and Graphic Design

Additional: 

• An art portfolio is required to demonstrate your creativity, abilities and commitment.
• If you intend studying towards a degree in Fine Art at university, you will need to a Bachelor's pass in matric. If you intend studying a diploma in an art-related field, then you will need a Diploma pass in matric.
• Meet the admission requirements (APS) set by the university or requirements set by the college.

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What to Study

Degree: BA (Fine Art) - all universities.

Diploma: Various diplomas are offered at most universities of technology - DUT, VUT, TUT

Certificate and short courses: - various TVET colleges and specialised art colleges.

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Employment

• art galleries
• self-employment, as a freelance artist

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Further Information

National Arts Council
P O Box 500
Newtown, 2113
Tel: (011) 838-1383
www.nac.org.za

Artslink
Tel: 082 230 2255
www.artslink.co.za

Artthrob Online magazine
www.artthrob.co.za

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Getting Started

• take art courses or extra art lessons or attend a school for ballet, art and music
• make an appointment to speak to a good artist about this type of career

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