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Paint Artist Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Embroidery Technician

Peosta, IA · On-site

$13 - $16.50/hr

Our Personalization Artists are completing a variety of tasks to personalize products for our customers. In Peosta we personalize products with embroidery, laser engraving, sand art, hand paint, and ...

Adjunct Faculty Pool, Art

Riverdale, IA · On-site

$700 - $1.0K/hr

... Arts, Graphic Arts/Design, Humanities, Illustration, Visual Communication. 6 graduate semester ... To teach applied course like ceramics, sculpture, painting or drawing, an instructor must possess ...

Graphic Designer/Production

IA · On-site

$17 - $22/hr

This may involve various levels of artistic creativity and will ultimately lead to the complete or ... This may include cutting, painting, laminating, cleaning, etc. * Weed excess vinyl from computer ...

Paint Artist information

See Iowa salary details

$28.6K

$121.7K

$143.2K

How much do paint artist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for paint artist in Iowa is $121,673.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $119,300.00 and $142,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a paint artist do?

A Paint Artist is responsible for adding color, texture, and detail to various surfaces or digital assets, depending on the industry. In traditional settings, they may hand-paint murals, props, or sets for theater, film, or exhibitions. In digital fields like animation or video games, Paint Artists digitally create textures and surface finishes for 3D models, bringing characters and environments to life. Their work requires a strong understanding of color theory, materials, and artistic techniques to achieve realistic or stylized results.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a paint artist?

To thrive as a Paint Artist, you need a solid understanding of color theory, painting techniques, and art fundamentals, often supported by a degree in fine arts or equivalent experience. Familiarity with various painting media, digital art software like Adobe Photoshop or Corel Painter, and proper use of art materials is common. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong self-motivation are standout soft skills for producing unique and high-quality work. These skills are crucial for expressing artistic vision, meeting client expectations, and succeeding in competitive art markets.

What are some common challenges a paint artist might face when collaborating with other departments in a production pipeline?

As a Paint Artist, one common challenge is ensuring that your work aligns seamlessly with the needs and timelines of departments such as compositing, roto, and 3D. Communication is key, as you often need to clarify requirements or adapt to last-minute changes in client feedback. Managing file versions and maintaining consistency across multiple shots can also be demanding, especially in fast-paced production environments. Being proactive about cross-departmental feedback and having a strong understanding of the overall production workflow can help overcome these challenges.

What is the difference between Paint Artist vs Mural Painter?

AspectPaint ArtistMural Painter
CredentialsTypically requires artistic training or portfolioOften has similar artistic background, sometimes with specialized mural courses
Work EnvironmentStudio or gallery settings, commissionsOutdoor or large-scale indoor walls
Industry UsageFine art, commercial art, exhibitionsPublic spaces, commercial buildings, community projects
Work ScopeSmall to medium artworks, detailed designsLarge-scale murals, wall-sized artworks

Paint Artists focus on creating detailed artworks in studios or galleries, while Mural Painters specialize in large-scale wall projects often outdoors. Both roles require artistic skills, but their work environments and project sizes differ significantly.

How do you get a job as a paint artist?

To become a paint artist, develop a strong portfolio showcasing your work, gain experience through apprenticeships or art programs, and build a network within the art community. Proficiency with painting techniques and tools, along with relevant education or training, can improve your chances of securing employment in galleries, studios, or commissions.
Infographic showing various Paint Artist job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,673 per year, or $58.5 per hour.

Watercolor, Acrylic Painting and/or Drawing Instructor Wanted in Coralville, IA

Coralville, IA

Chartpak, Inc.
Motion Picture and Video Production • 11 - 50 employees

$10/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 7 days ago


Job description

Company Description

Chartpak, Inc. is an art and office supply company located in Leeds, MA. Chartpak is the parent company of Grumbacher art supplies, the US distributor of Koh-I-Noor drawing supplies, and host of the online artist community, thalo.com.

Job Description

Job Description: Watercolor, acrylic painting and/or drawing instructor wanted to teach art classes at the Michaels store in Coralville, IA!

This is a part-time, permanent position. This is a great opportunity for an artist who would like to be able to offer classes, but does not have their own studio space to do so.

We are looking for instructors who:

-have the ability to paint and/or draw realistically

-have the ability to teach realistic, acrylic painting, watercolor and/or drawing classes

-have the willingness to market their classes and build their own student base

Compensation:

FREE Basics: MAKE A Project Classes: Scheduled up to one time per month

  • Hourly rate plus $3 per student

Advanced Classes: Acrylic Painting, Watercolor and Drawing Classes:

  • Hourly rate plus $7 per student for 6 students in attendance or less
  • Hourly rate plus $10 per student for 7 students in attendance or more

*All schedules to be determined between instructor and Michaels store management.

Duration: Classes are two hours in length.

The goal of each class is for students to leave with a finished painting or drawing.

Certification: All Grumbacher art instructors who teach classes at Michaels must become certified through Grumbacher.

TO APPLY FOR CERTIFICATION (free of charge): Visit jobs.grumbacher.com to start the process

  • Find the store that you would like to apply for by choosing your state from the drop-down menu at the top of the page.
  • Click on the store that you would like to apply for certification
  • Read the official job description (at jobs.grumbacher.com)
  • Submit your application

You will be contacted regarding the next step after we receive and review your online application. If you have questions or require assistance, please respond directly to this ad.

Please note: Certification through Grumbacher is completely independent of the Michaels hiring process. Once certified, you must complete the Michaels employment application.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.