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Portrait Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Tri-C

Art Model - Metro

Cleveland, OH · On-site

$14/hr

Work in studio art classes based on need SUMMARY Sustains nude and clothed professional portrait poses for art students to observe anatomy and structure to compose artistic drawings and/or paintings.

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$7

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$71

How much do portrait artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for portrait artist in the United States is $21.87, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.98 and $22.36 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.

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 80/20 rule for artists?

For portrait artists, the 80/20 rule suggests that approximately 80% of their results come from 20% of their efforts, such as focusing on mastering key techniques or attracting high-value clients. Prioritizing these areas can improve efficiency and success in their art career.

How do you become a portrait artist?

To become a portrait artist, you typically develop drawing and painting skills through formal education, such as art school or workshops, and build a portfolio of work. Gaining experience by practicing regularly, understanding anatomy, and learning to work with clients or models is essential; some artists also learn to use digital tools like Photoshop or Procreate.

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

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 much money do portrait artists make?

Portrait artists' earnings vary based on experience, reputation, and commission size, with many earning between $20,000 and $80,000 annually. Skilled artists who sell their work independently or work with galleries can charge higher prices, often ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per portrait. Income can also depend on whether they work full-time or part-time and their marketing efforts.

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 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.

What job in art pays the most?

In the art field, roles such as art director, creative director, or specialized fine artists like concept artists tend to have the highest salaries. These positions often require extensive experience, strong leadership skills, and advanced knowledge of design tools and industry standards.
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PT Instructor Pool - Photography

Madison College

Madison, WI • On-site

Part-time

Posted 10 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Provide instruction in the Photography program, including courses such as Portrait Photography, Commercial Photography, and Studio Photo.

  • Develop and plan instructional strategies and alternative delivery methods including hybrid, face-to-face, and online formats.

  • Assist and advise students with assignments, tests, grades, course content, career concerns, and other academic matters.

Job description

Current Madison College employees must apply to the internal career site by logging into Workday
Job Posting Date:
January 29, 2026
Application Deadline:
Salary Information:
Salary depends upon workload.
Department:
School of BAA_Applied Arts
Job Description:
Madison College is recruiting a pool of highly motivated and qualified candidates to teach part time courses for the Photography program. Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis for the 2026-2027 academic school year. If you possess the aspiration to help others succeed, this is an opportunity for you to positively impact the community and lives of our students. Madison College is a first-choice institution that offers exceptional educational opportunities to our students providing high-demand skills for professional and academic growth.
Madison College's dedication to promoting equity, inclusion and diversity is reflected in our Mission, Vision, and Values. We believe every member on our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design, and deliver solutions. We value the ability to serve students from a broad range of cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, abilities, and orientations. Therefore, we seek applicants who demonstrate they understand the benefits of diversity in a higher education community. Hiring a diverse workforce that mirrors our student population is more than just a commitment at Madison College - it is the foundation of what we are striving to do. Come be part of our great team!
Organizational Function and Responsibilities:
This position is responsible for instruction in the Photography program at the college level. This includes developing a relevant and progressive curriculum, designing and implementing effective learning strategies and environments, delivering instruction of high quality, assessing student learning, advising students, and participating in college service activities at the department, division and college levels.
This position reports to the Associate Dean - School of Business and Applied Arts.
Essential Duties:
The following duties are typically expected of this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
1. Responsible for instruction in the Photography program including but not limited to the following courses: Portrait Photography, Commercial Photography, Studio Photo 1 (basic black and white large format photography and printing), Studio Photo 2 (advanced first-year studio lighting), Advanced Portrait Photography, Color 1 (basic digital color) and Color 2 (advanced digital color).
2. Develop and plan appropriate instructional strategies and alternative delivery strategies when appropriate including but not limited to hybrid, face-to-face and on-line course delivery.
3. Participate in in-service meetings, convocation training, staff development training or other activities or programs requested by the Department.
4. Assist and advise students who have problems with assignments, tests, grades, course content, career concerns, and other academic matters.
5. Comply with college policies and directions regarding student testing, record keeping, advanced standing, providing grades on a timely basis, evaluating student performance and maintaining office hours for student assistance and counseling, etc.
6. Maintain competencies as an instructor as aligned with the Faculty Quality Assurance System.
7. Assist students in developing work experience assignments such as internships, work study assignments, team projects, etc.
8. Demonstrate a commitment to college's mission, vision and values.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
1. Knowledge of current educational methods and strategies, including learner-centered instruction, assessment, evaluation and collaborative techniques and strategies that address closing the gap in student access and achievement across race, gender and disability.
2. Skill in the use of educational technology and alternative delivery methods.
3. Knowledge and ability to infuse multicultural perspectives into course content and delivery.
4. Skill in communications and human relations with populations having diverse socio-economic and racial backgrounds, as well as individuals with disabilities.
5. Ability to interact with business and industry to establish partnerships.
6. Skill in one or more of the following: portrait and wedding photography, commercial photography, digital photography/electronic imaging.
7. Knowledge of new technologies/digital photography and traditional silver-based photography.
Minimum Qualifications:
1. Associate's Degree in Photography.
2. Six (6) years or 12,000 hours of work experience in Commercial Photography.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Madison College utilizes pool postings for all Part-time Instructor positions. This posting is a pool position to collect applications for potential part-time instruction positions. Part-time Instructors are hired on a per course basis each semester, and teaching one semester does not guarantee assignment for the following semester. The teaching hours for a part-time instructor vary and can include day, evening, and weekend classes.
If interested, please complete the required online application and attach a resume, cover letter, and transcripts (unofficial copy). Please note that all transcripts will be checked for verification of accreditation before hire. This pool will close on approximately January 31, 2027. If you are not contacted by this time and you are still interested in employment with Madison College, you will be asked to reapply to a new pool. All communications will be through the email provided on your application materials.
We regard diversity in the workforce as a competitive advantage and strongly support its presence in our educational environment.
If you are experiencing application issues, please contact us at the Talent Acquisition email Talent@madisoncollege.edu or HR hotline (608) 246-6900.
To ensure that emails from us regarding your application do not go to your spam folder, please add the @madisoncollege.edu domain as a safe sender in your email.
Madison Area Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in employment, admissions or its programs or activities. Madison College offers degrees, diplomas, apprenticeships and certificates in Architecture & Engineering; Arts, Design & Humanities; Business; Construction, Manufacturing & Maintenance; Culinary, Hospitality & Fitness; Education & Social Services; Health Sciences; Information Technology; Law, Protective & Human Services; Science, Math & Natural Resources; and Transportation. Admissions criteria vary by program and are available by calling our Enrollment Office at (608) 246-6210 or (800) 322-6282 Ext. 6210. The following person has been designated to coordinate Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and to handle inquiries regarding the college's nondiscrimination policies: Lisa Muchka, Director, Civil Rights and Compliance, 1701 Wright Street, Madison, WI 53704 (608) 246.5221

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