In the field of art, a freelance artist is a contractor for hire. He or she can work in any medium, but the majority of freelancers work in graphic design, illustration, or photography. Freelance artists work for a variety of clients and are not employed a single company or organization. Many are self-employed, but some work for agencies or with a small group of repeat customers. Freelance art can be both more challenging and more rewarding than traditional salaried work.
Because he or she must run a business while also performing artistic tasks, a freelance artist must be highly self-motivated. Freelancers, like all artists, must have innate talent as well as knowledge of current artistic trends and styles. The freelance artist should have a versatile style that can be used on a wide range of projects. Patience and people skills are also valuable assets, as some clients may not know what they want or be able to express their desires clearly.
The portfolio is the most important tool for a freelance artist. This is a professional package containing a selection of the artist’s best and most representative work for potential clients to view. A portfolio used to be simply a large case containing a variety of sample prints. Artists can use websites to display their portfolios and woo clients in the twenty-first century. Traditional portfolios should be kept as well, as some clients will see this as a sign of true professionalism.
Publishers, animation studios, and other businesses may hire freelance artists. The work must meet the needs of the client and is frequently time-sensitive. As a result, the freelance artist must be able to deliver consistent, high-quality artwork on demand. While the traditional image of an artist is of an individualistic, temperamental person waiting for inspiration, the freelancer must be able to overcome or at the very least set aside these tendencies until the job is completed.
It is difficult to break into any field of art because there are so many talented people who yearn for artistic expression and the freedom that comes with it. To make ends meet, a struggling freelance artist may be forced to take a regular job, whether art-related or not, until the income from freelance jobs is sufficient. Although the freelance art world can be intimidating, many people find that the rewards are well worth the effort. Approximately 60% of artists in the United States are self-employed, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.