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.
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 Artis, 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
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
Kevin Morrison
(123) 456-7890 [email protected]
www.kevinmorrisondesigns.com
Detroit, MI 12345
Profile
A graphic design specialist with seven years of experience specializing in web design, CSS, creative thinking, and InDesign. A proven track record of delivering innovative visual solutions and designs to enhance the user experience (UX).
Professional Experience
Graphic Designer, Stellar Graphic Design Solutions, Detroit, MI
November 2019 – present
Collaborate with a team of five graphic designers and web developers to execute web design projects for clients valued at $100,000 to $300,000
Deliver high-quality custom graphics, logos, typography, UX designs, and email templates to improve user engagement and reduce bounce rates by up to 20%
Develop custom logos and graphics and create a cohesive brand identity for an online gift company, resulting in a 50% increase in social media engagement
Graphic Designer, SKC Marketing and Design, Detroit, MI
May 2016 – November 2019
Conducted marketing research on demographics and marketing to determine the best design for clients based on brand aesthetics and identity
Coordinated with design team to develop branding concepts, product marketing ideas, logos, brochures, and product packaging designs for a wide range of clients
Key Skills
Digital marketing
Graphic design
UX design
Adobe Illustrator
InDesign
Certifications
UX Design Professional Certificate, Coursera, 2018
Education
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Digital Arts & Media Design, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI | May 2016
A professional photographer with seven years of experience delivering unique and powerful photographs for visual marketing assets. A strong history of interfacing with human models and animal subjects on various photoshoots.
Professional Experience
Senior Photographer, Orson Marketing Solutions, Boston, MA
November 2015 – present
Create engaging posed and action portraits of human models and animal subjects for product marketing images and commercials featured in $10 million advertising campaigns
Scout locations for outdoor photoshoots, ensure quality lighting and backgrounds, and develop rapport with subjects to capture compelling images
Coordinate with production and marketing teams to execute studio photo shoots, perform digital editing, and create engaging product marketing assets
Photographer, ABC Studios, Boston, MA
July 2011 – October 2015
Conducted over 300 high-quality photoshoots for graduations, proms, engagements, weddings, and award ceremonies and achieved a five-star rating on Google
Communicated with photo subjects to ensure optimal lighting, poses, and angles
Set up lighting and background equipment at each location to create a portable studio
Digitally retouched photographs to ensure each client got the best possible image
Education
Master of Fine Arts in Photography, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston | MA June 2011
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography, Parsons School of Art, Media and Technology, New York City, NY | June 2009
A professional illustrator with eight years of experience collaborating with clients to conceptualize and create high-quality illustrations. A strong history of using modern design principles to produce engaging visual solutions and enhance brand recognition.
Professional Experience
Digital Illustrator, Black Cat Studio, Denver, CO
November 2016 – present
Collaborate with illustrators and graphic designers to create 2D and 3D illustrations for client projects valued at up to $300,000, including brand logos, custom typography, and digital marketing assets
Convert hand-drawn illustrations into digital illustrations, prepare digital assets for print production, and attend creative meetings with client stakeholders
Create custom artwork, logos, and 2D illustrations for a client rebranding initiative, contributing to a 150% increase in social media followers
Illustrator/Animator, ThinkBIG Designs, Denver, CO
May 2014 – February 2016
Coordinated with web and graphic designers to create interactive animations, custom logos, and illustrations for client websites
Created hand-drawn and digital illustrations for print marketing materials, including brochures, magazines, and catalogs
Delivered high-quality illustrations and animations for social media content
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts, Illustration Emphasis, University Of Colorado Denver Denver, CO June 2012
Key Skills
Digital Illustration
Adobe Creative Suite
Animation
Corporate branding
Communication
Certifications
Adobe Certified Professional in Visual Design Using Adobe Photoshop, Adobe, 2018
How To Write an Artist Resume
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 application portfolio. 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. For example, a fine artist applying for illustration or set design work might highlight design, painting, and drawing skills. 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 what to include. 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
Graphic design software
Image editing
Mixed media
Multimedia
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 and portfolio are essential. Select a template that allows you to include a portfolio link near the top of the page.
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.
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Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).
