How To Write an Artist Resume
Write an artist resume by painting a picture — with words — of the value you can bring to an organization. Include a link to your portfolio so interested employers can see examples of your work. Create a narrative about your past experience, skills, and unique artistic approach by providing tangible examples of your achievements. This guide will provide valuable tools and insights to help you craft an accomplishment-driven resume and land your next interview.
1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications
Set the stage for your resume with a profile summary highlighting your most impressive qualifications or explaining why you’re the right candidate for a position. Make it clear what type of artist you are by including terms such as graphic designer, makeup artist, or illustrator in the first sentence.
End strong by hinting at what you can do for a potential employer. For example, you might say you’re seeking a role where you can use your design talents to support a marketing team in driving more leads and conversions.
Professional Profile - Example #1
An art director with over 10 years of experience specializing in graphic design, character modeling, computer-aided design (CAD), and mixed media. A proven track record of defining visual aesthetics and artistic direction for premiere brands.
Professional Profile - Example #2
A freelance artist and painter with three years of experience creating stylized watercolor paintings and charcoal drawings using unorthodox conceptual approaches. Achieved recognition in various art exhibitions, including the Pioneer Works Gallery in New York.
2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
Although there’s no substitution for your actual artwork, you can provide context for your pieces by crafting impactful bullet points in your professional experience section. Highlight your creative approach to art by showcasing your most compelling achievements. For example, if you worked on feature films as a 3D artist, mention specific projects and studios to make a lasting impression on the hiring manager. If you designed a new art logo to enhance marketing efforts for a brand, showcase the impact of your artistic contributions using key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics.
Professional Experience - Example #1
Art Director, 3D Artist, Dreamworks, Duluth, GA | October 2017 – present
- Develop complex character animations and concept drawings for a variety of feature films, including “How to Train Your Dragon 3,” “Abominable,” and “The Bad Guys”
- Create impactful facial expressions and body language to enhance emotional resonance of film sequences and ensure alignment with directorial vision
- Coordinate with the animation team, producers, and director to define character and art designs during pre-production
Professional Experience - Example #2
Art Director, Max Clothing Inc., Lawrence, KS | May 2017 – present
- Develop a holistic approach to concept design for a large portfolio of clothing product categories generating $30 million in annual revenue and ensure alignment with global brand guidelines, standards, and identity
- Create innovative custom artwork and character designs for a clothing company featuring franchises such as Star Wars, Marvel, and DC
- Lead a team of over 20 artists to create concept art and sketches for new clothing products and deliver presentations and pitches to stakeholders
3. Include relevant education and portfolio
List degrees relevant to your work as an artist or the position you’re applying for. Consider any certifications you have, too. For example, a Certified Graphics Communications Manager or Adobe Illustrator credential might differentiate you from other applicants.
Artists should also include portfolio links. Avoid simply linking to your social media or LinkedIn profile; create a relevant portfolio for your applications. If you want to demonstrate graphic design skills, consider making your own portfolio website — otherwise, you might use an existing portfolio platform.
Education
Template:
[Degree Name]
[School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] – [Graduation Month and Year]
Example:
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Animation
Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA – May 2013
Portfolio
Template:
[Name]: [site URL]
Example:
Art Portfolio: www.marloenfingerpaintings.com
4. List pertinent key skills
The type of skills important for your resume depends on your field. A fine artist applying for illustration or set design work might highlight design, painting, and drawing skills, for example. However, an art director seeking work in a museum or gallery might want to include skills such as exhibition management or project leadership.
Consider the list of common skills for artist resumes below to get an idea of some things to include. Do always ensure the skills are relevant to you and your experience.
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| 2D animation | 3D animation |
| Adobe Creative Suite | Branding |
| Character modeling | Concept development |
| Creative thinking | Design |
| Exhibition or gallery setup | Fine art |
| Image editing | Mixed media |
| Multimedia | Graphic design software |
| Painting | Portfolio |
| Project management | Sketching |
How To Pick the Best Artist Resume Template
Choose an artist resume that illustrates your professionalism but gives a little nod to your creative personality. A few design elements are not completely out of place on an artist’s resume, but balance them with readability. Consider how your resume might convert to various digital formats and whether design components impede employer access to your resume file.
For many artists, a resume goes hand-in-hand with a portfolio. Choose a template that lets you include a portfolio link near the top of the page.
Artist Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Marlo Enfinger
(090) 123-4567
[email protected]
3232 N 1st Street, Paramus, NJ 07602
Profile
A Freelance Artist and Painter with three years of experience creating stylized watercolor paintings and charcoal drawings using unorthodox conceptual approaches. Achieved recognition in various art exhibitions, including the Pioneer Works Gallery in New York.
- Art Portfolio: www.marloenfingerpaintings.com
Professional Experience
Freelance Artist, Self-Employed, Duluth, GA
October 2018 – Present
- Design and develop paintings for clients according to specifications, including personal portraits, marketing images, and stylized paintings for offices
- Coordinate with two art galleries to provide a variety of charcoal drawings and watercolor paintings for major exhibitions
- Create custom artwork for client marketing materials, including brochures, brand images, and logos
Painting Instructor, Painting With a Twist, Duluth, GA
March 2018 – March 2020
- Led art classes with 15-20 adult students, provided feedback on style and technique, and created an inclusive, non-judgemental classroom atmosphere
- Executed high-quality acrylic and oil paintings in various painting styles and mediums to demonstrate art techniques
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts – Painting with Minor in Photography
Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA, September 2010 – May 2013
Exhibitions
- Solo Acrylic Painting Exhibition: Bold and Defiant, High Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA, 2019
- Solo Watercolor Painting Exhibition: Girl in Field, Hudgens Center for the Arts, Duluth, GA, April 2018
- Two-Person Photo Exhibition: Floral Jubilance, 2 Smith Art Gallery, Duluth, GA, September 2020
Key Skills
- Watercolor, Oils, Acrylics, Gouache
- Personal Portraits
- Art Education
- Charcoal Drawings
- Scenic Art Creation
Patricia Lawless
(211) 700-0000
[email protected]
590 Penny Lane, Duluth, GA 30096
Profile
A 3D Artist with seven years of professional experience, specializing in character animation, 3D modeling, and Maya. A strong history of developing complex human animations and facial expressions to enhance the emotional impact of sequences.
- Art Portfolio: www.patricialawlessanimations.com
Professional Experience
3D Artist, Dreamworks, Duluth, GA
October 2017 – Present
- Develop complex character animations and concept drawings for a variety of feature films, including How to Train Your Dragon 3, Abominable, and The Bad Guys
- Create impactful facial expressions and body language to enhance emotional resonance of film sequences and ensure alignment with directorial vision
- Coordinate with the animation team, producers, and director to define character and art designs during pre-production
3D Artist, Pixar, Duluth, GA
May 2015– October 2017
- Collaborated with a team of 3D artists to design 3D character models and concept sketches for animated films, including Finding Dory and Coco
- Utilized motion capture techniques to create high-quality animations for film sequences, ensured ideal scene pacing, and developed realistic character movements
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Animation
Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA, September 2010 – May 2013
Key Skills
- 3D Animation
- Character Modeling
- Maya
- Facial Expressions
- Motion Capture
Anna Barn
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 High Street, Columbus, OH 12345
Profile
An Artist Director with 10+ years of experience, specializing in graphic design, character modeling, computer-aided design (CAD), and mixed media. A proven track record of defining visual aesthetic and artistic direction for premiere brands.
Professional Experience
Art Director, Max Clothing Inc., Lawrence, KS
May 2017 – Present
- Develop a holistic approach to concept design for a large portfolio of clothing product categories generating $30M in annual revenue and ensure alignment with global brand guidelines, standards, and identity
- Create innovative custom artwork and character designs for a clothing company featuring franchises such as Star Wars, Marvel, and DC
- Lead a team of 20+ artists to create concept art and sketches for new clothing products and deliver presentations and pitches to stakeholders
Art Director, Alden Apparel, Lawrence, KS
Jan 2008 – May 2017
- Managed and built a team of 15+ artists to creative custom character artwork for shirt and hoodie product lines featuring iconic figures from Nintendo
- Created fresh and unique takes on Nintendo characters while maintaining alignment with character likeness and brand identity
Education
Master of Fine Arts in Visual Art, Department of Visual Art
University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, September 2007 – May 2011
Key Skills
- Character Modeling
- Art Design
- Computer-aided Design (CAD)
- Adobe Illustrator
- Team Management
Frequently Asked Questions: Artist Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for artist resumes?+
Start sentences and bullet points with action verbs to draw the reader into the narrative of your resume and make it more scannable. Action verbs also position you as a candidate who gets things done. For example, “designed 10 character sketches each week” is stronger language than “responsible for weekly character sketches.” Here are some action verbs you might want to use on your artist resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Build | Collaborate |
| Communicate | Construct |
| Create | Design |
| Develop | Direct |
| Draft | Establish |
| Evaluate | Implement |
| Partner | Persuade |
| Place | Publish |
| Review | Sell |
| Suggest | Supervise |
How do you align your resume with an artist job description?+
Figures published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that job opportunities for artists are increasing at an average growth rate, with about 6% growth through 2031. A competitive resume aligned with employer requirements increases your chance of landing a job in this market.
Read the job posting carefully to understand what the hiring organization wants and how they discuss it. When applicable, ensure you use their language to describe your skills and experience. For example, if a job posting lists digital asset management as a required skill and you helped convert a college art collection to a digital archive, use the employer’s phrasing when listing that accomplishment on your resume.
What is the best artist resume format?+
Reverse chronological is the ideal resume format for artists in most instances. This allows you to display your most recent and relevant work history toward the top of your document. Functional resumes should be avoided, even at the entry level, as this approach doesn’t provide a framework to capture your projects and achievements. If you lack a robust work history, feature your academic and independent projects above your professional experience.
Expert advice: include a cover letter with your resume
Use a cover letter to connect more personally with a potential client or employer. For example, you might say how much you enjoyed a specific exhibit in a gallery or why you believe you’re the right artist for a certain brand. Check out our artist resume cover letter example for some other ideas.
