Digital Painter - Career Profile

What does a Digital Painter do? Where does a Digital Painter work? ACR takes a look:

About Digital Painters

Digital painters work with 2D drawn animation, 2D computer animation, and 3D digital computer animation. They add color to images created by animators and work as part of a team consisting of compositors, color key artists, scanners, and color stylists. The entire team works under the direction of the head of digital color and compositing.

Digital Painter Jobs

Digital painters receive drawings from the animation department. They use computer software to clean up line work, if needed, then add color using programs such as Photoshop, Toon Boom, Illustrator, Animo, or Opus. Digital painters have an exceptional eye for color and detail. They also understand the animation process, which helps them deliver spectacular images.

Digital painters work for animation companies, animation production studios, film and video production companies, and gaming companies.

Digital Painter Salaries  

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, median annual wages of salaried fine artists (this includes digital painters) were $44,850 as of May 2010. The lowest 10 percent earned $19,190 and the highest 10 percent earned $89,720. Individual salaries vary greatly by location, company, experience, education, and benefits.

Becoming a Digital Painter

Digital painter is an entry-level position. Some companies require a bachelor’s degree for these positions, while others will accept an associate degree. Degree paths include animation, fine art, painting, drawing, illustration, and industrial design. In addition to a degree, employers prefer experience in the industry. Experience obtained through an internship or other support position is acceptable.

Technical skills are considered an asset in this industry as well. To stand out from the crowd, aspiring digital painters must have good IT skills and be experienced with the latest software used in digital painting. Photoshop, Toon Boom, Illustrator, Animo, and Opus are just a few.

Job Trends for Digital Painters

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment growth for fine artists is expected to average nine percent for the 2008-2018 decade. In 2008, the workforce was 23,600 strong. By 2018, this figure is expected to increase to 25,700. The demand for digital painters with advanced computer skills and advanced knowledge of the latest software programs used in the industry will have the most opportunities in the field.

It is important to look at employment growth for animators and the motion picture industry as well since many digital painters work in animation and are working towards becoming animators in the film industry. Employment growth for animators is expected to average 14 percent for the 2008-2018 decade. This is higher than any other field in the artists and related workers category. Wage and salary employment in the motion picture and video industries is also expected to average 14 percent between 2008 and 2018, compared with 11 percent growth projected for wage and salary employment in all industries combined.