Career Post #2: Courtroom Sketch Artists

Though cameras are allowed in some trials, others require discretion as determined by the judge; courtroom sketch artists work to capture the events and emotion within the courtroom in either setting. These artists have been a staple of American courtrooms for centuries, depicting some of the most important events in judicial history. Most courtroom sketchers may work during a trial, requiring the ability to rapidly catch details as they occur. However, in some courts and other countries such as the UK, courtroom artists may only work after the trial, making an excellent memory an important requirement. Most sketches are done on toned paper using graphite, colored pencil, pastels, or chalk.

Becoming a courtroom sketch artist usually requires some background in illustration; though it doesn't always require a degree, some areas of study include portrait and caricature drawing. Some schools with the best illustration programs include Rhode Island School of Design, the School of Visual Arts in New York, and the Savannah College of Art and Design. Salaries for courtroom sketch artists vary, as they are often paid on commission from news agencies, but annual pay loosely averages $50,000.

One of the most well-known courtroom sketch artists of today is Jane Rosenberg, who has done sketches of some of the most high-profile figures in recent years, including Donald Trump (seen above).