Career Post: Courtroom Sketch Artists

When I was little, I remember seeing a courtroom sketch on TV, and being fascinated at how a person could draw something so good in such a short time. More recently, I've been wondering why courtroom sketches are still necessary, since we now have cameras with a quality so high you can count the pores on someone's face. I researched why this job still exists, how it is paid, and how you achieve it.

Career Title: Courtroom Sketch Artist: record and report trials using visual art creations.

Tasks:

Simply put, a courtroom sketch artist draws courtrooms scenes during trials. In some cases, depending on the rules and regulations of a courtroom or jurisdiction, a courtroom sketch artist may need to get prior permission to do this type of work. A courtroom sketch artist will usually arrive several minutes before the start of a trial, usually to get the best seat possible, with a clear view of all the action. In fact, some courtrooms even have designated seats for courtroom sketch artists.

Some trials may last a few days or less, while others may last as long as several months. In general, most courtroom artists should be prepared to attend every part of the trial in order to record as much of it as possible. Some allow courtroom sketch artists to sketch while the trial is taking place. These artists must be able to draw very quickly and be able to decide which scenes are worth sketching and which scenes aren’t.

In some jurisdictions, such as the UK, a courtroom artist is not allowed to sketch during the trial itself. Instead, they must wait until court is recessed or adjourned and create their art from memory! If there's one thing I've learned from Tommy's figure drawing lessons, it's that you have to be paying attention to the reference, so I cannot imagine making this type of art from memory.

The tools that a sketch artist uses are usually a sketch pad and, depending on an artist’s preference, graphite pencils, colored pencils, pastels, and chalk.

Necessary Skills:

Able to draw well from memory, having a photographic memory, able to recreate semi-realistic sketches that capture movement, drama, and a person's likeness.

Potential Degrees or Work Experience:

A formal education is not always necessary for a successful courtroom sketch art career, but it can be very helpful. Most individuals pursuing a courtroom sketch art career will often find that a degree from an accredited art school can help them hone their skills and gain experience.

When pursuing an education for a courtroom sketch art career, students should earn drawing degrees. Some courses that may come in useful for this type of career may include portrait drawing, caricature drawing, and life drawing. All of these types of drawing help artists capture the human form.

Optimal Colleges:

- Duke University

- Harvard University

- Northwestern University

- Standford University

Average Salary: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, courtroom sketch artists fall under the category of fine artists. These art professionals made an average annual salary of $48,960 in 2018.

In general, though, these types of artists are usually paid per piece of art they create. Obviously, faster and more talented artists will be able to command a higher wage in this industry. Also, artists that list in larger jurisdictions that frequently do not allow cameras in their courtrooms will also be able to make more money as well.

Example: This is a sketch done by Christine Cornell, of Bill Cosby in court, April 2018