America is the land of the free; where people can choose whatever passion they want and pursue it as a career. Because of the freedom we have here to chose our profession, many choose to go into art and study art in school. There are many different types of art to choose from, such as painting, drawing, contemporary art, fine arts, photography, cartoons… All of these forms of art can be separated into two categories, fine art and commercial art. What’s the difference between fine art and commercial art? Most students must learn this answer if they plan on pursuing art as a career.

Fine art is art that is created for the aesthetic principles of art, rather than for selling. Most art students choose to study fine art. Fine art can also be considered classical art. Leonardo Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Monet, Van Gogh, are all examples of fine artists. Fine art is art for art’s sake, usually to be displayed in galleries or museums. Fine art is there for expression, portraying a feeling or emotion, displaying a scene. Fine art also has no clear meaning. Schools will teach you to dissect fine art, but everyone makes their own meaning from it. This is fine art.

Commercial art is art for selling purposes. This encompasses commercial photography, or photographs that are meant to be sold for a purpose, such as an advertisement or postcard. Graphic art is also considered to be in this category as most graphic artists usually create for websites, stores, and companies rather than expressing themselves through the art.

Most people do not know what’s the difference between fine art and commercial art and consider it to be the same. This is very wrong. Art is always created with a specific purpose and goal in mind, it is wrong to classify them in the same category.

All art students must know the difference because it will affect their future as artists. Many art students choose to stay within the confines of fine art and consider themselves “artists.” People who go into commercial art will make the most money because they are using their artistic skills for the specific purpose of making a profit. This does not make any person any less of an artist, but it is just an important distinction to make while in school to make better, more informed choices for the future.

What’s the difference between fine art and commercial art to most people? They cannot tell the difference, but it is important for someone in the field to know.

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