what is a scenic artist?

Jennifer CLinard

A Scenic Artist paints backdrops, murals, complex props and many other elements for theater, television and film. The scope of her work is broad; it can also include painting two dimensional architectural elements to look three dimensional, sculpture, aging and faux finishes. Most projects involve a paint crew working under a Charge or Lead Painter.

Usually, a Scenic Artist is interpreting the work of a Scenic Designer. She must be able to interpret a designer’s small scale idea to a size appropriate for the theater. The key to the craft is to interpret the designer’s intent. The designer usually submits a set of paint elevations or a scale model. The scenic artist must be able to recreate these images rather quickly.

To do this, the Scenic Artist must be both a creative artist and a highly skilled technician. Success demands an understanding of art history, architecture, theater and film. Her interpretive skill also translates to large scale display and interior decoration.

A Standby Painter needs these skills, when in the course of a film production, she may assist the Production Designer, Property Master and Wardrobe Designer. At all times, she must be available to the Director of Photography. There, she usually resolves problems for the camera, dulling things that are too shiny or darkening things that are too bright.

Of course, this is not all. Jennifer has painted everything from Highway One (Basic Instinct) to a stuffed dead horse (Jack). She likes to say, “I’ll paint anything that I can hold down.”