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Artist

An artist shows the world in a way nobody has seen it before. Today that means much more than paintings in a gallery: artists illustrate books, design characters for games and cartoons, paint murals and build sets for theater and film. If you are always drawing in the margins of your notebook and you notice colors and shapes everywhere around you, this profession is about you.

Artist

Talent matters, but daily practice matters even more. A professional artist spends years learning drawing, composition and color, and these days digital tools as well. It is not always easy: commissions do not come in evenly, and you need to know how to present and sell your work. In return, you get to do what you love, and your ideas turn into something other people can see and feel.

What the job involves

  • Makes sketches based on their own idea or a client's brief
  • Creates paintings, illustrations or digital artwork
  • Discusses the task, deadlines and revisions with clients
  • Builds a portfolio and shows work on social media and at exhibitions
  • Learns new techniques, materials and software

Skills you need

  • Drawing skills

    Proportions, perspective and light and shadow are the foundation of any artwork.

  • Sense of color and composition

    You need to know how to arrange elements and pick colors so a piece has the effect you want.

  • Imagination

    Artists invent images and find an unusual angle even on ordinary things.

  • Persistence

    A single piece can take many hours or even weeks of careful work.

  • Taking feedback well

    Comments from teachers and clients help you grow if you take them calmly.

Who it suits

Personality types

Strong intelligences

  • Spatial
  • Bodily-kinesthetic
  • Intrapersonal

UNT subjects to take

Where to study

In Kazakhstan, artists are trained at art colleges and arts universities, for example the Zhurgenov Kazakh National Academy of Arts in Almaty. Instead of UNT profile subjects, applicants to creative programs take creative exams, usually in drawing, painting or composition, along with the compulsory UNT subjects. A bachelor's degree usually takes four years.

You can enter an art college after grade 9, and there is a creative selection there too. It is worth preparing early: many students attend an art school or studio and collect pieces for their portfolio. There are many directions to choose from: painting, graphic art, sculpture, decorative and applied arts, animation and design.

Outlook

Artists in Kazakhstan work at publishing houses, advertising and design studios, game and animation companies, theaters, museums and art schools. Many work freelance and take commissions from clients in different countries online. Illustrators and digital artists are especially needed in the gaming and media industries.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need the UNT to study art?

For creative programs, you take creative exams at the university instead of two profile subjects, while the compulsory UNT subjects are the same as for everyone. Check the exact list of exams on the website of the university you choose.

Can I become an artist without going to art school?

Yes, but you will need to prepare seriously for the creative exams on your own or with a tutor. An art school or studio gives you the drawing and painting basics that the exams test.

Can artists find work?

Yes, especially if you master digital tools and learn to work with clients. Illustration, game art, animation and advertising offer many opportunities, and a strong portfolio matters more than a diploma here.

Is this career right for you?

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