Digital Illustration Expert

About the Role: Digital Illustration Expert

Keystone Recruitment is seeking a talented Digital Illustration Expert to join our team as a Remote Contract specialist. In this flexible, hourly role, you will be responsible for creating professional digital illustrations and meticulously documenting your complete artistic workflow from initial concept sketches to final artwork delivery.

You will have the opportunity to showcase your full creative process, articulating artistic decisions and visual problem-solving strategies throughout each project.

Key Responsibilities

• Complete Illustration Projects: Execute full digital illustration workflows, utilizing professional software, from initial thumbnails through final rendered artwork delivery for diverse projects.
• Creative Process Documentation: Clearly articulate artistic decisions, layer management strategies, and visual problem-solving techniques through detailed written explanations accompanying your work.
• Composition & Color Development: Develop strong, compelling visual compositions by applying advanced color theory, value relationships, and fundamental design principles throughout every stage of the illustration process.
• Layer & Brush Management: Maintain highly organized and complex layer structures and expertly select optimal brushes and tools to ensure efficient workflow and achieve professional-grade artistic results.
• Quality Refinement: Iteratively refine illustrations, focusing on intricate details, rich textures, dynamic lighting, and a polished finish, ensuring client-ready delivery.

Required Skills

• Proven professional experience in digital illustration, demonstrating the ability to complete full projects from start to finish.
• Advanced proficiency with industry-standard digital art software such as Photoshop, Procreate, Clip Studio Paint, Krita, or similar platforms.
• Exceptional understanding and application of composition, color theory, and visual storytelling principles.
• Expertise in effective layer organization and efficient brush/tool management.
• Excellent written communication skills, particularly in explaining complex creative processes and artistic rationale.
• Demonstrated experience in effectively solving visual challenges that arise during illustration production.

Technical Tools Used

• Professional digital painting and illustration software.
• Pixel art and animation tools (where applicable for specific projects).
• Custom brush development and management for optimized workflows.
• Cloud collaboration platforms for project sharing and feedback.
• Robust layer and asset organization systems.

Weekly Workflow Example (15 hours)

• Monday (2h): Initial thumbnailing and composition planning.
• Tuesday (3h): Developing line art and establishing base color blocking.
• Wednesday (2h): Comprehensive process documentation and internal review.
• Thursday (3h): Focused on shading and texture development.
• Friday (3h): Applying final lighting, detail polish, and quality checks.
• Weekend (2h): Exporting final assets and preparing portfolio updates.

Ideal Background

• Experienced freelance digital illustrators with a strong portfolio of completed projects.
• Concept artists who are comfortable managing and executing complete artistic workflows.
• Graphic novel or comic artists skilled in digital painting techniques.
• Game artists specializing in 2D character or environment art.

Key skills/competency

• Digital Illustration
• Artistic Workflow
• Concept Art
• Color Theory
• Composition
• Visual Storytelling
• Photoshop
• Procreate
• Clip Studio Paint
• Layer Management