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Portrait Artist Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

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$7

$21

$69

How much do portrait artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for portrait artist in Virginia is $21.27, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.62 and $21.74 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a portrait artist?

A portrait artist is a professional who specializes in creating artistic representations of people, capturing their likeness, personality, and mood. They use various mediums such as oil paints, charcoal, pencil, or digital tools to produce portraits from life, photographs, or imagination. Portrait artists often receive commissions for personal, family, or official portraits and may work independently or for art studios. Their work can be found in galleries, museums, private collections, and public spaces.

What is a portrait artist?

A portrait artist is a professional artist who specializes in creating paintings or taking photographs of a person or group of people. You either work as an artist that sells your pieces in galleries, or a commissioned portrait artist that works for a client. As a commissioned portrait artist, your duties include meeting with the client to discuss their desires for the portrait and having them sit for a painting or photograph. Your responsibility is to cater to their needs and produce a portrait the client is happy with, as opposed to focusing on your artistic expression. However, if you instead work to sell your pieces in fine art galleries, you may have complete creative control. You must have above average skills in your discipline, but formal education is not required. Portrait artists generally work for themselves, but photographers can find work with portrait companies.

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

To thrive as a Portrait Artist, you need strong drawing and painting skills, a solid understanding of anatomy, color theory, and art composition, often developed through formal art education or extensive practice. Familiarity with traditional media (such as oils, acrylics, charcoal) and digital tools like Adobe Photoshop or Procreate is increasingly important in the field. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective client communication help artists capture likeness and personality while managing commissions. These skills are vital for producing compelling, marketable artwork and maintaining successful client relationships.

How do portrait artists typically collaborate with clients to ensure satisfaction with commissioned work?

Portrait artists often begin by consulting with clients to discuss their vision, preferences, and the intended purpose of the portrait. This may involve reviewing reference photos, agreeing on pose, style, and medium, and clarifying expectations regarding timelines and revisions. Throughout the process, artists usually share preliminary sketches or progress updates, inviting feedback to make adjustments before finalizing the piece. Clear communication and a collaborative approach help ensure the finished portrait aligns with the client’s wishes and results in a positive experience for both parties.

What is the difference between Portrait Artist vs Portrait Photographer?

AspectPortrait ArtistPortrait Photographer
CredentialsArtistic training, portfolioPhotography skills, camera proficiency
Work EnvironmentStudios, art galleries, clients' homesStudios, outdoor locations, events
Industry UsageFine art, commissions, galleriesCommercial, personal, event photography

While both Portrait Artists and Portrait Photographers create images of individuals, Portrait Artists focus on hand-drawn or painted portraits often emphasizing artistic interpretation. Portrait Photographers capture images using cameras, emphasizing technical skills and lighting. The choice depends on whether you prefer traditional art or modern photography, but both roles require a keen eye for capturing personality and character.

How much do portrait artists get paid?

Portrait artists' earnings vary based on experience, reputation, and commission size. On average, they can earn from $20,000 to over $100,000 annually, with many working freelance and setting their own rates. Income depends on skill level, client base, and the complexity of the portraits created.

Is it hard to be a portrait artist?

Being a portrait artist requires strong drawing skills, attention to detail, and the ability to capture likeness and expression. Success often depends on practice, building a portfolio, and developing a unique style, which can take years of dedication. The profession may involve irregular income and self-marketing, making it challenging but rewarding for those passionate about art.
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Portrait Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Portrait Artist job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 48% Full Time, and 52% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $44,246 per year, or $21.3 per hour.

High School Teacher - General Interest

St. Anne's-Belfield School

Charlottesville, VA • On-site

$48K - $62K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description

About the School
Since 1910, St. Anne's-Belfield School has been committed to nurturing the whole student: body, heart, mind, and soul. As the largest independent school in the college town of Charlottesville, Va., our 900+ students, age 2 through Grade 12, inspire us each day as we aspire to educate the next generation of exemplary citizens and visionary leaders.
As a member of our school community, you'd be joining a team of people who are passionate about their roles and contributing to a community of purpose and belonging. Those who thrive at St. Anne's-Belfield are people who, as outlined in our Portrait of a Graduate, pursue knowledge to generate impact, seek to engage diverse perspectives and practices, engage in reflection, demonstrate moral character and integrity, and work to understand and meet the needs of the community.
Our two beautiful campuses on 55 acres serve as vibrant hubs for curiosity, creativity, and academic excellence. This is perfectly complemented by our location in Charlottesville, one of the top 5 happiest cities in the U.S., as recognized by National Geographic and Outside Magazine. Opportunities abound to connect with nature, enjoy arts and culture, engage with the University of Virginia, only one mile away, and explore American history both within our region or Richmond (one hour by car) and Washington, D.C. (two hours by car).
If you're looking for a dynamic learning environment where your contributions help spark each child's potential, we invite you to consider a career with St. Anne's-Belfield. We at St. Anne's-Belfield School believe it is the quality and passion of our people that set us apart. We seek to hire the best teachers, administrators, staff members, and coaches to support our student body by offering a competitive benefits package and providing a wonderful working environment.
This posting is for the purpose of creating a pool of qualified applicants for teacher positions for the 2026-2027 academic year.
If you are interested in applying for a non-advertised or open position please complete the application. All supporting documentation must be included as part of the application. After you have completed the online application, check back on our job vacancies list to apply for a specific vacancy.
Please do not send unsolicited materials such as emails, resumes, etc. directly to individual administrators or hiring managers. These will not be retained.
Please note we are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the U.S.
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment
In compliance with ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request and accommodation in order to apply for a position with our organization, please call (434) 296-5106 or email stabhr@stab.org

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