How to Write an Artist CV Guide with Tips and Examples

Pursuing a successful career as an artist requires more than raw talent and creativity. With an abundance of skilled professionals vying for limited opportunities, creative individuals need to present themselves most professionally and compellingly.

Your CV is similar to a painting. It displays your creative path, highlighting your special skills and experiences. It also demonstrates how you can contribute to the success of employers or projects. Starting on the path of an artist is an exciting journey that goes far beyond just being creative. Your CV is more than just a list of artworks and projects. It's a chance to showcase your versatility and ability to collaborate with others.

An application tracking system (ATS)-friendly and customised CV for your career path can help you open doors in this exciting field. This guide helps 3D artists, animators, and other creative professionals create an impressive CV that stands out from others. Like actors or painters need a solid CV to land a roles or get a job, creators also need good CV to succeed in the creative industry. It's not only showing off your art; it's highlighting experiences, training and skills that match your artistic goals.

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Artist CV example

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Cecil is a highly creative and skilled 3D artist with a track record of delivering high-quality, critically acclaimed AAA gaming titles. Using clear, bold headings a hiring manager knows exactly what to look for in the minimum amount of time. Cecil has made it easy to extract the personal attributes, work experience as well as hard and soft skills that make him a top candidate. Using the California CV template Cecil underscores his unique offer with a clean, creative look.

What to include in an artist CV?

In the diverse and vibrant creative sector, crafting a CV is akin to curating a portfolio or staging an exhibition. Each artwork has a story. Your CV should gather important elements to showcase your abilities effectively and interestingly. To get started, you should create a master document that includes all your artistic credits, training, skills and achievements. This foundation helps you customise your CV for specific jobs, showing that you are a skilled and successful professional.

In creative fields such as architecture or even within gastronomy, such as a chef, there are some sections you shouldn't leave out. Start with a compelling personal profile, where you have the opportunity to make a lasting first impression and highlight your strengths.

Next, outline your work experience, education and skills – all essential components showcasing your artistic journey, achievements and growth. Add an extra touch by listing your hobbies or interests.

For visual artists, include selected exhibitions, commissions and grants and awards alongside any teaching positions or professional appointments. 

In a creative position, you wear many hats – you might be showcasing your work, cooperating with events or collaborating on projects. Your CV should reveal flexibility, adaptability as well as work experience, education and skills. Refer to our designer CV example or UI/UX Designer CV example for more inspiration.

Start with a captivating personal profile for your artist CV

Employers want to know you as a person as well as your role-specific strengths. Your personal profile on a CV is a chance to highlight your unique qualities, showcase your versatility and provide a glimpse into your passions.

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What skills should I put on my artist CV?

In the creative job market, showcasing your skills allows employers to quickly assess your qualifications and suitability for the role. As with many other professions such as graphic design or marketing, skills are categorised into hard skills and soft skills.

Examples of hard skills for different professions

Illustrator:

• Knowledge of fine arts

• Drawing and sketching

• Graphic design

• Computer programs such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and After Effects

• 2D and 3D vector creation

• Character art development.

Visual Artist:

• Drawing and painting

• Mixed media

• Photography

• Digital art

• Art history and theory

• Colour theory

• Framing and presentation.

Computer Graphics Artist:

• 3D modelling

• Texturing

• Character rigging

• Animation

• Lighting and rendering

• Sculpting

• Particle and effects simulation

• Compositing

• UV mapping

• Virtual reality/augmented reality.

Artists, regardless of their level, should have the following soft skills:

• interpersonal skills to work in a team

• creative skills to bring ideas to life, and

• improvisation skills for problem-solving.

Examples of soft skills for different roles:

Illustrator:

• Adaptability

• Attention to Detail

• Communication and ability to implement feedback.

Visual Artist:

• Creativity 

• Problem-Solving

• Self-Motivation.

Computer Graphics Artist:

• Flexibility

• Team Collaboration

• Time Management.

How to write work experience on an artist CV

Simplicity and clarity are crucial for work experience on a CV. For a role in the UK's creative industry, you need to catch the attention of hiring managers and selection committees.

For a CV showing your creative journey to the best effect, consider using reverse chronological order to present your work experience. To create a clear timeline of your past, begin with your most recent jobs or projects. Include the company name, dates of employment, and location.

First, write a brief summary of your responsibilities and growth in the position. Then, list two measurable accomplishments using bullet points.

Work experience CV examples

Game Artist | Exploding Games, Manchester | 2022 - Present

Design and evolve preliminary sketches in alignment with the video game's overall style. Translate concepts into striking 2D or 3D models under the guidance of the Lead Artist, immersing players into captivating virtual worlds with distinct moods and personalities. Collaborate within a production pipeline to consistently deliver high-quality assets while adhering to demanding deadlines.

• Successfully contributed to the release of 5 mobile game titles since joining the firm a year ago, enhancing the studio's reputation for delivering engaging and visually appealing games.

• Developed a diverse cast of 30 characters across all games, infusing each with their unique traits, making the gaming experiences more immersive and enjoyable for players.

Senior 3D Artist | Bad Bear Agency, London, UK | 2019 - 2022

Collaborated closely with clients, generating innovative ideas and concepts, and transforming them into captivating visual experiences. Led the development of concept drawings and storyboards, conducting thorough research to ensure designs were cutting-edge. Skillfully incorporated real-world physics and movements into designs, ensuring authenticity and realism. Worked seamlessly within a team, including voice actors and fellow designers, to deliver top-notch 3D environments. Leveraged specialised software and tools to produce remarkable 3D art.

• Produced a remarkable suite of 30 branded assets for a prominent national broadcaster, elevating brand recognition and market presence.

• Worked closely with over 50 trusted clients in two years.

Graphic Artist | Web Wizards, Birmingham, UK | 2017 - 2019

Responsible for conceptualising compelling visuals that align with client requirements and brand guidelines. Utilised both manual techniques and design software to create captivating images and layouts that resonate across diverse media platforms. Rigorously tested graphics to ensure seamless adaptation across various media channels, providing clients with a consistent brand experience.

• Successfully crafted over 100-page designs and 20+ wireframes for multiple client websites, ensuring engaging and user-friendly online experiences.

• Demonstrated expertise in boosting client transactions by an average of 25%, through the creation of visually striking and on-brand graphics that captivate audiences and drive positive consumer actions.

Freelance Artist | Self-Employed, London | 2016 - 2017

Created exceptional, original artworks in a diverse range of mediums, including illustrations, paintings, and sculptures, tailored to client needs. Developed innovative concepts and designs for client projects, bringing ideas to life through sketches and mock-ups, ensuring satisfaction at every stage of the creative process.

• Successfully curated unique projects for a two-month art gallery exhibit that drew an astounding 5,000 visitors each week, captivating audiences with my distinct artistic style and vision.

• Commissioned by prominent local businesses to create bespoke artworks, contributing to a significant increase in brand recognition and customer engagement.

School leaver with little to no work experience

If you are a student, working part-time or starting in the creative industry it can be tough to start your CV. Consider the transferable skills you already have and apply them to a creative position. Be sure to use and volunteer or unpaid work to your advantage. Refer to our article on how to write a CV with no work experience for further inspiration.

General Editor | City Art College Magazine, London | 2013 - 2016

Created design layout, graphic elements and visual style of a quarterly student newspaper. Prepared articles including exhibition reviews, artist profiles, features and events. Revamped the look and feel of the publication to appeal to a diverse readership. Lead a team of 30 contributors heading up editorial meetings and brainstorming sessions.

• Published 12 editions during my tenure.

• Circulation increased from 1,000 copies to 5,000 in three years.

If you are looking for a career change into the creative sector from another industry, take a look at our CV template for career changes.

How to list education on an artist CV

As a creative, your education section may not be as interesting as your work history or skills. However, there are opportunities here to make it stand out and catch the eye of potential employers or selection boards. Whether you're applying for roles as an illustrator, visual artist, or computer graphics artist, keep these tips in mind to make your education section shine:

• Begin with your highest level of education and work backwards, listing the institution's name, qualification earned and date of completion.

• Mention any relevant certifications, funding or prizes obtained.

• Highlight any academic honours or awards received during your studies.

• If you have limited work experience, draw inspiration from a graduate CV example or consider using a skills-based CV format.

• Keep the education section concise; a brief line for each degree or certification is sufficient to capture the essential details.

Examples of education:

Art of Illustration (Short Course), Arts University Bournemouth | UK 2016

BA (Hons) Graphic Design, City Art College, London | UK 2013

The best way to gather experience in a new field is to apply for apprenticeships in your chosen creative niche. Remember, not all apprenticeships advertise and many opportunities come about through being proactive, cold-emailing and submitting an unsolicited internship CV.

Examples of apprenticeships:

An excellent way to get ahead in this sector and to give your CV that extra dimension is to seek out and apply for a creative apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are available across the creative industries including:

• Visual effects

• Sound engineering

• Television production

• Graphic design.

Here are a few ways by which you can secure a potential apprenticeship in your chosen field:

• Apply for advertised apprenticeships with a company or via a jobs portal.

• Search for creative apprenticeship opportunities on LinkedIn.

• Engage with the most active companies in your niche on social media and direct message creators.

• Direct email creative agencies and explore the apprenticeship options available.

• Attend networking events and be ready to exchange contact details.

• Leverage the personal network of your lecturers, tutors or other contacts.

Whichever route you choose, be sure to tailor your communication to the company or agency you would like to work with. Avoid copy-and-paste requests in your CV. Get to know the organisation or person you are applying to and make sure the value you can offer is clear. 

Competition within the creative sector is fierce with many young people trying to land valuable experience. Stay positive and always remain courteous and professional, as they will remember you next time.

Enhance your artist CV with additional courses and certificates

Incorporating additional courses and certificates into your CV showcases a commitment to continuous learning and professional development. Online courses and short workshops offer opportunities to hone specific skills, while specialised certifications demonstrate expertise in niche areas. Explore the photographer CV example for more inspiration.

• For illustrators consider digital art or character design courses.

• Visual artists can benefit from art history or gallery management workshops.

• Computer graphics artists can explore 3D modelling or visual effects tutorials.

Ensure your CV includes course names, institutions and completion dates, revealing your dedication to refining your craft and staying current in the dynamic creative industry.

[Title], [Organisation/Issuer], [Date]

Art of Illustration (Short Course), Arts University Bournemouth, 2016

A few additional courses you could look into include:

• Art of Illustration - Arts University Bournemouth

• Character Design in Adobe Illustrator - Udemy

• Screen Skills e-learning courses - Screen Skills

• Entry-level 3D art courses - Skillshare.

Key Takeaways

With so many aspects to keep in mind when creating a high-quality CV for the creative industry, it can be easy to lose sight of the main points. Here are five key takeaways.

1. Stand out in a competitive industry: Craft a CV that showcases your unique talents, experiences, and achievements to set yourself apart from other candidates in the competitive creative industry.

2. Highlight versatility and collaboration: Emphasise your ability to collaborate with others and your versatility. The CV should go beyond showcasing your artwork, demonstrating your capacity to work with event teams and adapt to various projects.

3. Use a master CV as a foundation: Create a master CV with all your artistic credits, training, skills, and achievements. Tailor this comprehensive document for specific roles and applications to present yourself as a dynamic and accomplished professional.

4. Create a captivating personal profile: Craft a concise and engaging personal profile that showcases your unique qualities, versatility, and passion for your creative niche. Keep it brief, around 70 words, and avoid using 'I' or 'me'.

5. Be clear on essential hard and soft skills: List both hard and soft skills relevant to your role, allowing employers to assess your qualifications and suitability for the position. Adapt these skills to match your chosen career path, whether you're an illustrator, designer, or creative director.

Next steps?

Iron out any creases using our intuitive CV maker with 20+ CV templates and professional designs to choose from. To accompany your CV, discover our cover letter templates. If you don’t want to leave anything to chance, connect with us here at CVMaker and take advantage of our professional CV Writing Service. Draw inspiration from our career blog to save time, emphasise important sections and make it easier for hiring managers to grasp your unique professional offer even quicker.

FAQ

What are the different types of artist jobs in the UK?

Different artist jobs in the UK include henna, graphic, game, freelance, fine, environment, and digital.

What to write in a CV for a freelance artist?

We recommend to highlight your creative projects, client collaborations and skills. Emphasise your versatility, adaptability, and ability to manage multiple projects.

What is a typical UK CV format for an artist?

A typical UK CV format includes personal details, a concise personal profile, relevant work experience, education, skills, and additional certifications or achievements.

How long should an artist CV be?

Youe CV should be concise and focused, one to two pages long, highlighting your most relevant experiences, skills, and achievements.

How do I include my portfolio in my artist CV?

Include your portfolio in your CV by providing a link to your online portfolio or attaching relevant samples of your work. Ensure that the portfolio showcases your best and most diverse pieces.

How to write an artist CV with no experience?

To write a CV with no experience, focus on relevant coursework, workshops, personal projects, and any voluntary or unpaid work in the creative field. Highlight transferable skills and a passion for continuous learning and growth.

What is an artist personal statement on a CV?

A personal statement is a brief paragraph (around 70 words) that highlights unique qualities, showcases versatility and provides insight into their passion for their creative niche. Avoid using 'I' or 'me' in the statement.