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Custom Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Custom Framer

Queensbury, NY ยท On-site

$16 - $17/hr

Be knowledgeable with Fine Arts * Have Experience in Custom Molding for Picture Framing * Have excellent Customer Service Skills * Have Merchandise Display experience * Possess Basic Computer Skills

Custom Framer

Columbus, OH ยท On-site

$15.75 - $16.75/hr

Be knowledgeable with Fine Arts * Have Experience in Custom Molding for Picture Framing * Have excellent Customer Service Skills * Have Merchandise Display experience * Possess Basic Computer Skills

Custom Framer

Findlay, OH ยท On-site

$15.75 - $16.75/hr

Be knowledgeable with Fine Arts * Have Experience in Custom Molding for Picture Framing * Have excellent Customer Service Skills * Have Merchandise Display experience * Possess Basic Computer Skills

Custom Framer

Mount Juliet, TN ยท On-site

$15.75 - $16.75/hr

Be knowledgeable with Fine Arts * Have Experience in Custom Molding for Picture Framing * Have excellent Customer Service Skills * Have Merchandise Display experience * Possess Basic Computer Skills

Custom Framer

Fond Du Lac, WI ยท On-site

$15.75 - $16.75/hr

Be knowledgeable with Fine Arts * Have Experience in Custom Molding for Picture Framing * Have excellent Customer Service Skills * Have Merchandise Display experience * Possess Basic Computer Skills

Custom Framer

Hermitage, TN ยท On-site

$15.75 - $16.75/hr

Be knowledgeable with Fine Arts * Have Experience in Custom Molding for Picture Framing * Have excellent Customer Service Skills * Have Merchandise Display experience * Possess Basic Computer Skills

Custom Framer

Madison, WI ยท On-site

$15.75 - $16.75/hr

Be knowledgeable with Fine Arts * Have Experience in Custom Molding for Picture Framing * Have excellent Customer Service Skills * Have Merchandise Display experience * Possess Basic Computer Skills

Custom Framer

Lake Mary, FL ยท On-site

$15.75 - $16.75/hr

Be knowledgeable with Fine Arts * Have Experience in Custom Molding for Picture Framing * Have excellent Customer Service Skills * Have Merchandise Display experience * Possess Basic Computer Skills

Custom Framer

Alpharetta, GA ยท On-site

$15.75 - $16.75/hr

Be knowledgeable with Fine Arts * Have Experience in Custom Molding for Picture Framing * Have excellent Customer Service Skills * Have Merchandise Display experience * Possess Basic Computer Skills

Custom Framer

Gadsden, AL ยท On-site

$15.75 - $16.75/hr

Be knowledgeable with Fine Arts * Have Experience in Custom Molding for Picture Framing * Have excellent Customer Service Skills * Have Merchandise Display experience * Possess Basic Computer Skills

Custom Framer

Raleigh, NC ยท On-site

$15.75 - $16.75/hr

Be knowledgeable with Fine Arts * Have Experience in Custom Molding for Picture Framing * Have excellent Customer Service Skills * Have Merchandise Display experience * Possess Basic Computer Skills

Custom Framer

Barboursville, WV ยท On-site

$15.75 - $16.75/hr

Be knowledgeable with Fine Arts * Have Experience in Custom Molding for Picture Framing * Have excellent Customer Service Skills * Have Merchandise Display experience * Possess Basic Computer Skills

Custom Framer

Foxboro, MA ยท On-site

$15.75 - $16.75/hr

Be knowledgeable with Fine Arts * Have Experience in Custom Molding for Picture Framing * Have excellent Customer Service Skills * Have Merchandise Display experience * Possess Basic Computer Skills

Custom Framer

Mchenry, IL ยท On-site

$15.75 - $16.75/hr

Be knowledgeable with Fine Arts * Have Experience in Custom Molding for Picture Framing * Have excellent Customer Service Skills * Have Merchandise Display experience * Possess Basic Computer Skills

Custom Framer

O Fallon, MO ยท On-site

$20.15 - $21.15/hr

Be knowledgeable with Fine Arts * Have Experience in Custom Molding for Picture Framing * Have excellent Customer Service Skills * Have Merchandise Display experience * Possess Basic Computer Skills

Custom Framer

Delray Beach, FL ยท On-site

$15.75 - $16.75/hr

Be knowledgeable with Fine Arts * Have Experience in Custom Molding for Picture Framing * Have excellent Customer Service Skills * Have Merchandise Display experience * Possess Basic Computer Skills

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Showing results 1-20

Custom Artist information

See salary details

$30.5K

$129.5K

$152.5K

How much do custom artist jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for custom artist in the United States is $129,541.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,000.00 and $152,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the 80/20 rule for artists?

For a custom artist, the 80/20 rule suggests that approximately 80% of their income comes from 20% of their clients or projects. Focusing on high-value clients or popular styles can maximize efficiency and earnings, often requiring strong marketing skills and a solid portfolio.

What is the highest paid art job?

The highest paid art jobs often include roles such as art director, concept artist, or creative director, especially in industries like advertising, film, and video game development. These positions typically require extensive experience, strong leadership skills, and proficiency with industry-standard tools like Adobe Creative Suite or 3D modeling software, and they can earn six-figure salaries depending on the industry and location.

Why is Gen Z struggling to get jobs?

Gen Z job seekers often face challenges such as limited work experience, high competition, and evolving employer expectations for digital skills and adaptability. For roles like custom artists, building a strong portfolio and mastering relevant tools can improve employment prospects, but overall, economic factors and hiring trends also impact their ability to find jobs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Custom Artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Custom Artist, you need strong artistic ability, creative vision, and a solid understanding of design principles, often supported by a portfolio and formal art education. Proficiency with digital illustration tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Procreate, and sometimes experience with traditional mediums, is typically required. Excellent communication, attention to detail, and adaptability help artists interpret client needs and deliver personalized work. These skills ensure the creation of unique, high-quality pieces that satisfy client expectations and foster repeat business.

What is the difference between Custom Artist vs Tattoo Artist?

AspectCustom ArtistTattoo Artist
CredentialsPortfolio, artistic skills, sometimes certifications in art or designApprenticeship, licensing, certifications in tattooing
Work EnvironmentArt studios, galleries, private commissionsTattoo parlors, studios, private clients
Industry UsageArt, fashion, custom design projectsBody art, tattoo industry, personal commissions

While both Custom Artists and Tattoo Artists create personalized artwork, Custom Artists focus on various art forms like paintings, illustrations, or design projects, often working in studios or galleries. Tattoo Artists specialize in body art, working primarily in tattoo parlors. Credentials differ, with tattooing requiring specific certifications and licensing, whereas Custom Artists emphasize portfolio and artistic skills. Both roles serve clients seeking unique, personalized art but operate in different environments and industries.

How does a Custom Artist typically collaborate with clients and other team members throughout a project?

Custom Artists frequently work closely with clients to understand their vision, preferences, and requirements, often holding initial consultations and providing sketches or drafts for feedback. Throughout a project, they may collaborate with other professionals such as designers, project managers, or marketing teams to ensure the artwork aligns with broader project goals. Open communication and adaptability are key, as client feedback can lead to multiple revisions before final approval. This collaborative process not only ensures client satisfaction but also helps the artist refine their skills and expand their professional network.

What are custom artists?

Custom artists are professionals who create personalized artwork based on a client's specific requests. They work in various mediums, such as painting, drawing, digital art, or sculpture, to bring unique visions to life. Clients typically commission custom artists for portraits, event illustrations, or specialized projects that reflect their individual tastes or needs. These artists often collaborate closely with clients to ensure the final piece meets their expectations. The process may involve discussing themes, styles, materials, and deadlines before the artwork is created.

Does art increase dopamine?

As a custom artist, engaging in creating art can stimulate dopamine release in the brain, which is associated with feelings of pleasure and reward. This biological response can enhance motivation and emotional well-being, making art a beneficial activity for mental health. Skills in various art techniques and a creative environment support this process.
More about Custom Artist jobs
Infographic showing various Custom Artist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, 49% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $129,541 per year, or $62.3 per hour.

Character Technical Artist

Absurd Ventures

Santa Monica, CA โ€ข On-site

$130K - $165K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago


Job description

Summary
We are seeking a skilled Character Technical Artist to join our team and support the development of high-quality, performant characters for an all-new IP. This role sits at the intersection of art, animation, and engineering, ensuring that character assets are built, optimized, and implemented to the highest technical standards.
As a Character Technical Artist at Absurd Ventures, you will collaborate closely with Character Artists, Riggers, Animators, and Engineers to develop and maintain character pipelines, solve complex technical challenges, and help push the visual fidelity and performance of our characters in Unreal Engine.
Core Responsibilities
  • Partner with Character Artists to ensure character models meet technical, performance, and pipeline requirements.
  • Support and maintain character pipelines spanning modeling, rigging, skinning, deformation, and engine implementation.
  • Diagnose and resolve character-related technical issues, including geometry, skinning, deformation, LODs, and performance constraints.
  • Collaborate closely with rigging and animation to ensure characters are animation-ready and behave correctly in-game.
  • Implement and validate characters in Unreal Engine, ensuring correct setup for materials, LODs, cloth, and physics.
  • Develop tools, scripts, and workflows to improve efficiency and consistency in character production.
  • Create and maintain technical documentation for character pipelines, workflows, and best practices.
  • Proactively identify risks related to character production, performance, or pipeline bottlenecks and communicate them clearly to Production and leadership.
  • Provide technical guidance and mentorship to Character Artists and other content creators.

Core Qualifications
  • 5+ years of experience as a Character Technical Artist, Technical Artist, or similar role in the video game industry. Experience supporting character pipelines on at least one shipped AAA title.
  • Experience with character rigging, facial rigs, or motion systems.
  • Strong understanding of character modeling, topology, UVs, skinning, and deformation principles.
  • Significant experience working in Unreal Engine (preferably UE5), including character setup, LODs, physics, Control Rig and optimization.
  • Proficiency with industry-standard tools such as Maya and familiarity with Motion Builder, ZBrush and Substance Painter.
  • Solid scripting or tool development experience (Python, MEL, Blueprint, or similar).
  • Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to debug complex, cross-disciplinary issues.
  • Excellent communication skills and a collaborative mindset.

Plus if...
  • Familiarity with cloth, hair, or physics simulation workflows in Unreal Engine.
  • Experience with performance profiling and optimization on console hardware.
  • Previous experience establishing or evolving character pipelines on a large production.
  • Familiarity with proprietary or custom engine pipelines.

Description
  • Full-time job with benefits.
  • Role is on-site in Santa Monica, CA.
  • Office is located near downtown Santa Monica - near metro and freeways.

The base pay range for this position is $130,000 to $165,000 per year. Actual compensation is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. We also offer a competitive package of benefits including paid time off, sick time, company holidays, parental leave, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.
About Absurd Ventures
Absurd Ventures is a media company creating new IP across all platforms and for all formats. Absurd Ventures is building narrative worlds, creating characters, and writing stories for a variety of genres, without regard to medium, to be produced for live-action and animation; video games and other interactive content; books, graphic novels, and scripted podcasts.