Scenic painters primarily paint scenery, backdrops, and murals, although they also can paint props and other scenery pieces. A scenic painter needs to have a keen artistic eye and strong painting skills. It is essential for a scenic painter to have an understanding of different painting techniques such as landscape painting, portrait painting, and trompe l'oeil painting. It is also useful for a scenic painter to have experience with sculpture, rendering, gilding, and plastering.