Sign In Get Started
Prepositions with nouns

How to use prepositions with 'artist'

Different prepositions with 'artist' express authorship, purpose, collaboration, or connection.

Quick answer

Common prepositions with 'artist'

Use 'by an artist' for authorship, 'for an artist' for purpose or benefit, 'with an artist' for collaboration, and 'to an artist' when something is given or sent. 'Artist of' appears in specific titles or descriptions.

The painting was created by a local artist.
The software was designed for digital artists.
She worked with a famous artist last year.
The award was presented to the artist.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
by + artist

Showing authorship or creator

Use 'by' to identify who created a work.

We saw a sculpture by a young artist.
This song was written by an independent artist.
2
for + artist

Showing purpose or intended user

Use 'for' when something is intended to help or serve artists.

The gallery offers grants for emerging artists.
They developed tools for graphic artists.
3
with + artist

Showing collaboration or association

Use 'with' for working together or spending time alongside an artist.

She collaborated with a street artist.
I studied with a professional artist for two years.
4
to + artist

Showing direction or recipient

Use 'to' when something is sent, given, or addressed to an artist.

The prize went to the artist from Brazil.
Please send the contract to the artist directly.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
artist of
She became artist of the year.
Used in titles or descriptive labels.
by an artist
The mural was painted by an artist from Mexico.
Shows the creator.
for an artist
This guide is useful for an artist starting a business.
Shows purpose or benefit.
to an artist
The museum returned the sketch to the artist.
Shows recipient or direction.
with an artist
He trained with an artist in Paris.
Shows collaboration or association.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using 'of artist' for authorship

English normally uses 'by' to identify creators.

✕ a painting of artist Picasso ✓ a painting by artist Picasso

Confusing 'with' and 'by'

'With' shows collaboration; 'by' shows authorship.

✕ a novel with a famous artist ✓ a novel by a famous artist

Using 'to artist' without an article

Countable singular nouns usually need an article.

✕ send it to artist ✓ send it to the artist

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The portrait was painted ___ a local artist.
2. The workshop was organised ___ young artists.
3. She collaborated ___ a digital artist.

Check your sentence in context

Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

Free to try · No signup required

Frequently asked questions

Do we say 'by an artist' or 'of an artist'?

Use 'by an artist' for authorship. 'Of an artist' usually means the subject or description of the artist.

Can 'artist of' be correct?

Yes, in set phrases such as 'artist of the year' or descriptive titles.

When do we use 'to an artist'?

Use it when something moves or is directed toward the artist, such as a payment or message.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

Write with confidence in Linguix

Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.

Create a free account