11 Freelance Artist Resume Examples for 2025

In this article, we'll show strong resumes for freelance artists. You'll learn key strategies to highlight your skills, projects, and achievements. We'll also cover how to format your resume to catch a hiring manager's eye.

  Compiled and approved by Marie-Caroline Pereira
  Last updated on See history of changes

  Next update scheduled for

At a Glance

Here's what we see in top freelance artist resumes.

  • Show Impact With Numbers: Use numbers to show your impact. Mention metrics such as project completions, client retention rate, commissioned artworks, and increase in follower gains. Metrics are key to show your success.

  • Include Relevant Skills: Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned on the job description. Popular ones are Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, digital painting, 3D modeling, and animation. Choose skills you have, and are in the JD.

  • Stay Current With Trends: Be aware of trends in digital and traditional art. Mention buzzwords like NFTs or virtual reality art. Highlighting such keywords can catch the eye of employers.

Get an unbiased resume assessment

Want to know if your freelance artist resume stands out? Our AI-powered tool simulates how hiring managers evaluate resumes in the creative industry. It checks for key elements that recruiters look for when hiring artists.

Upload your resume now to get a free, instant score. You'll receive feedback on how to improve your resume's readability and content. This will help you create a stronger application for freelance art opportunities.

...
Clear
Drop your resume here or choose a file.
English resumes in PDF or DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.
   100% privacyWe're committed to your privacy. Your resume will be scanned securely to give you confidential feedback instantly. Your resume is completely private to you and can be deleted at any time.

Position your education wisely

For freelance artists, where you place your education on the resume can vary. If you have recently finished a relevant degree, such as fine arts or graphic design, place your education section at the top. This shows you have up-to-date training. Include any specialized coursework that relates directly to art and design, as this can set you apart.

If you have been working as a freelance artist for some time, your experience should come first. Detail projects and clients you've worked with. In this case, list your education after your experience. Remember to keep this section short and directly related to art. Any workshops or artist residencies you've completed can be included here as well.

Show your portfolio

Include a link to your online portfolio at the top of your resume. Employers need to see your work.

Highlight special projects or collaborations in your experience. This displays your range and ability to work with others.

Right length for impact

As a freelance artist looking for work, your resume should be just long enough to show your strong skill set and experience. A single page is often enough, especially if you have less than ten years of art-related experience. Keep it concise to make a good impression.

If you need to go into detail about big projects or a long career, use two pages. Prioritize your most significant works and experiences on the first page. Make every line count to show that you can communicate well and value the hiring manager's time. For freelance artists, visuals matter a lot. Consider including a link to an online portfolio, which will not take up space on your resume and will let your work speak for itself. Remember, readability and prioritizing are key, so your resume is easy to look at and understand.

Skills section specifics

List technical skills you use, like Adobe Creative Suite or other art software. This shows your technical proficiency.

Include soft skills like time management and client communication. These skills are important for a freelance artist.

Beat the resume scanner

When you apply for work as a freelance artist, your resume might first be read by a resume screener, often called Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). These systems sort and rank resumes before a hiring manager looks at them. To get past these screeners, follow these tips.

  • Use clear, simple job titles and skills that match the job posting. For example, if the job asks for a 'graphic designer,' make sure you include 'graphic designer' in your resume.
  • Show your work experience with specific examples. Instead of just saying 'designed logos,' you can say 'designed logos for 10+ small businesses, increasing their brand recognition.'

Make sure your resume uses words that are in the job description. This helps the ATS see that your skills fit the job. Keep your resume format simple so the ATS can read it easily. Avoid tables and images in the main sections, as they can confuse the system.

Match skills to the job

You need to show the skills on your resume that the job asks for. When you do this, the person reading your resume can see you're a good fit. Here's how you can tailor your resume for a freelance artist position:

  • Look at the job post and use the same words for skills they want. If the job needs someone who is good with digital drawing software, make sure your resume says you're good with programs like Adobe Photoshop or Procreate.
  • List projects where you used your creativity to solve problems. For example, add Developed unique character concepts for a children's book. This shows you are creative and can work on different projects.
  • Include any times you worked with others on a project. For instance, write about when you've worked with writers, designers, or other artists. Use phrases like Collaborated with a team of five on a comic series.

Highlight your artistic toolkit

When you're a freelance artist, showing what you can do is key. Your resume should clearly list the tools and techniques you master. This helps employers see your skills at a glance.

Here are some skills you should consider:

  • Adobe Creative Suite
  • Storyboarding
  • Graphic design
  • 3D modeling
  • Drawing and Illustration
  • Photography
  • Motion graphics
  • User interface (UI) design
  • Printmaking
  • Color theory

Include these skills in a dedicated section, so they stand out. Also, tailor your skills to match the job you want. You don't need to list every skill you have, just the ones relevant to your work. If you're applying for a job in graphic design, focus on those skills. Remember, some companies use software to sort resumes. These systems look for keywords. So, use the exact terms from the job description.

Highlight leadership and growth

As a freelance artist, showing that you have taken on leadership roles or have been recognized with promotions is key to standing out. This can prove you are ready to handle bigger projects and lead teams.

Think about times you may have led a project or guided others in their work. Even if you do not have a formal title to show for it, these experiences are still valuable. Here are some ways to show this:

  • Managed a collaborative project with other artists and ensured deadlines were met.
  • Led workshops or training sessions for peers in your field, sharing your expertise and knowledge.

Remember, if you have had repeat clients or have been asked to take on more complex work over time, this too is a form of promotion. Consider how you might include this:

  • Repeatedly hired by clients for increasingly complex and high-budget artistic projects.
  • Transitioned from solo projects to leading a team of artists for larger-scale works.

Quantify your artistic impact

As a hiring manager, I've seen how numbers can make a resume stand out. When you're a freelance artist, this means showing the value you bring with clear metrics. You need to think about the results of your work and how to measure them. Here are two ways to do this:

  • Consider the number of projects you've completed. This can show your experience and reliability. For example, 'Completed over 50 commissioned works in one year, resulting in a 25% increase in client base.'
  • Think about the sales or audience reach your work has achieved. If you have created artwork for products, highlighting 'Artwork featured on products that sold over 10,000 units' can be compelling.

Remember, you may need to estimate some figures, but try to be as accurate as possible. Even if you're unsure, consider the following:

  • If you've participated in exhibitions or shows, estimate the number of attendees who saw your work. 'Displayed artwork in 8 gallery shows with an estimated total attendance of 3,000 visitors.'
  • If you've worked on a project that led to a client's increased exposure, you can state, 'Designed promotional material that boosted the client's social media engagement by 40%.'

Using metrics like these helps to show the tangible impact you've made in your field. It tells employers that you understand the business side of being an artist and that you can contribute meaningfully to their goals.

Tailor for company size

When you apply as a freelance artist to a small company or startup, show that you understand their unique needs. You might say 'contributed custom illustrations to enhance brand identity for local businesses.' This demonstrates that you are flexible and can create personalized solutions. In contrast, for a larger enterprise like Disney or Warner Bros Studios, highlight your ability to scale your artistry. For example, 'created character designs and storyboards for high-profile animation projects, ensuring consistency across large production teams.'

For small companies, focus on your direct impact. Use phrases like 'directly improved client engagement through custom artwork.' For big companies, stress your role in collaboration. Say 'collaborated with cross-functional teams to deliver creative projects on time.'

Need more resume templates?

Quick links

Samples


Insights