DesignISCO 7316
Wood painter
Wood painters design and create visual art on wooden surfaces and objects such as furniture, figurines and toys. They use a variety of techniques to produce decorative illustrations ranging from stenciling to free-hand drawing.
Check yourself in a minute: wood painter
Rate 5 of the 14 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
create artwork
develop visual elements
maintain an artistic portfolio
use artistic materials for drawing
create sketches
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (14)
intellectual property lawintellectual property lawThe regulations that govern the set of rights protecting products of the intellect from unlawful infringement.create artworkcreate artworkCut, shape, fit, join, mould, or otherwise manipulate materials in an attempt to create a selected artwork-be the technical processes not mastered by the artist or used as a specialist.develop visual elementsdevelop visual elementsImagine and apply visual elements such as line, space, colour, and mass to express emotions or ideas.maintain an artistic portfoliomaintain an artistic portfolioMaintain portfolios of artistic work to show styles, interests, abilities and realisations.use artistic materials for drawinguse artistic materials for drawingUse artistic materials such as paint, paintbrushes, ink, watercolours, charcoal, oil, or computer software to create artwork.create sketchescreate sketchesDraw sketches to prepare for a drawing or as a standalone artistic technique.select artistic materials to create artworksselect artistic materials to create artworksSelect artistic materials based on strength, colour, texture, balance, weight, size, and other characteristics that should guarantee the feasibility of the artistic creation regarding the expected sha...articulate artistic proposalarticulate artistic proposalIdentify the essence of an artistic project. Identify strong points to be promoted in order of priority. Identify the target audience and the communication media. Communicate key ideas and adapt them ...contextualise artistic workcontextualise artistic workIdentify influences and situate your work within a specific trend which may be of an artistic, aesthetic, or philosophical natures. Analyse the evolution of artistic trends, consult experts in the fie...submit preliminary artworksubmit preliminary artworkSubmit preliminary artwork or art project plans to clients for approval, leaving room for additional suggestions and changes.use painting techniquesuse painting techniquesApply painting techniques such as 'trompe l'oeil', 'faux finishing' and aging techniques.work independently as an artistwork independently as an artistDevelop one's own ways of doing artistic performances, motivating oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.create original paintingscreate original paintingsCreate paintings, drawing from your experience, inspiration and techniques.gather reference materials for artworkgather reference materials for artworkGather samples of the materials you expect to use in the creation process, especially if the desired piece of art necessitates the intervention of qualified workers or specific production processes.
Optional (19) — show
paint spraying techniquespaint spraying techniquesField of information which distinguishes different kinds of paint spraying equipment and spraying techniques., and the order in which parts should be spray-painted.types of woodtypes of woodTypes of wood, such as birch, pine, poplar, mahogany, maple and tulipwood.home decoration techniqueshome decoration techniquesThe techniques, design rules and trends applicable to interior decoration in a private home.select artistic productionsselect artistic productionsResearch artistic productions and choose which ones could be included in the programme. Initiate contact with the company or agent.stain woodstain woodMix ingredients to create a stain and apply a layer to the furniture to give it a specific colour and finish.collaborate with technical experts on artworkscollaborate with technical experts on artworksCollaborate with engineers, mechanics, and other technical experts to build, install and move pieces of art.paint setspaint setsPainting set constructions and stage props.study artistic techniquesstudy artistic techniquesStudy a variety of artistic techniques and learn how to apply them in concrete artistic projects.develop artistic project budgetsdevelop artistic project budgetsDeveloping artistic project budgets for approval, estimating deadlines and material costs.discuss artworkdiscuss artworkIntroduce and discuss the nature and content of art work, achieved or to be produced with an audience, art directors, catalogue editors, journalists, and other parties of interest.sand woodsand woodUse sanding machines or hand tools to remove paint or other substances from the surface of the wood, or to smoothen and finish the wood.dye wooddye woodMix the powder dye with water and/or liquid dye and any other necessary ingredients to create the desired colour and apply it to the wood.define set painting methodsdefine set painting methodsDefine painting methods and materials.define artistic approachdefine artistic approachDefine your own artistic approach by analysing your previous work and your expertise, identifying the components of your creative signature, and starting from these explorations to describe your artis...study artworksstudy artworksStudy styles, techniques, colours, textures, and materials used in works of art.use genre painting techniquesuse genre painting techniquesUse a genre or academic painting and drawing techniques.create 2D paintingcreate 2D paintingProduce a drawing by using a range of digital tools.decorate furnituredecorate furnitureUse techniques such as gilding, silver-plating, framing or engraving to add specific decorations in the material of the furniture.prepare furniture for application of paintprepare furniture for application of paintSet up furniture for standard or custom paint job, protect any parts that should not be painted and prepare painting equipment.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
decorative painter14 shared essential skillsglass painter14 shared essential skillsporcelain painter14 shared essential skillsceramic painter13 shared essential skillsartistic painter11 shared essential skillsstreet artist7 shared essential skillsconceptual artist6 shared essential skillsceramicist5 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What does a wood painter do?
Wood painters design and create visual art on wooden surfaces and objects such as furniture, figurines and toys. They use a variety of techniques to produce decorative illustrations ranging from stenciling to free-hand drawing.
What skills does a wood painter need?
A wood painter needs 14 essential skills, including intellectual property law, create artwork, develop visual elements, maintain an artistic portfolio, use artistic materials for drawing.
Will AI replace wood painter jobs?
The AI disruption score for wood painter is 15/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: intellectual property law, paint spraying techniques, develop artistic project budgets. Most resilient: work independently as an artist, paint sets, types of wood.
AI Replacement Risk
15/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
Is wood painter right for you?
Take the free 10-minute Career Portrait to see which career direction fits your motivations and strengths.
Take the free test