Illustrator cover letter example
An illustrator’s cover letter tells an art director what to look for in the portfolio. Name the post and the work you do, give one series or book with the numbers, say how you work with editors and deadlines, then why this publisher. Keep it to four short paragraphs; the pictures do the rest.
Read the letter as text
Cerys Bevan
Sheffield · [email protected] · 07700 900864
17 October 2026
Mr Daniel Osei
Art Director
Tallowfield Learning
Unit 4, Canal Wharf
Leeds LS11 9ZZ
Dear Mr Osei
Application for In-house Illustrator
I am applying for the In-house Illustrator post at Tallowfield Learning. For six years I have worked as a freelance illustrator for children’s and educational publishers, and before that I spent two years drawing game art at Copperkettle Games in Sheffield.
For Fernbrook Education I have drawn 320 spot illustrations for a Key Stage 2 science and history series, working to the series style guide. I research each unit before the first rough and agree every batch with the editor through two rounds of roughs, and every file goes to print in CMYK at 300 dpi with bleed.
The first six images in my portfolio come from that series, and the next four from The Lighthouse Fox, one of four picture books I have illustrated for Hollin Press. Each book was delivered in time for its print date.
Your primary science resources need the same clear, friendly drawing that I do for Fernbrook, and I would like to work beside your designers every day rather than at a distance. My CV is attached, with the link to my portfolio. Thank you for considering my application.
Yours sincerely
Cerys Bevan
Fictional letter from Cerys Bevan, the applicant in the illustrator CV example. Every person and employer in it is invented.
Why each paragraph is there
I am applying for the In-house Illustrator post at Tallowfield Learning. For six years I have worked as a freelance illustrator for children’s and educational publishers, and before that I spent two years drawing game art at Copperkettle Games in Sheffield.
The post, the work you do and where you started.
For Fernbrook Education I have drawn 320 spot illustrations for a Key Stage 2 science and history series, working to the series style guide. I research each unit before the first rough and agree every batch with the editor through two rounds of roughs, and every file goes to print in CMYK at 300 dpi with bleed.
One series, its numbers and how you work with an editor.
The first six images in my portfolio come from that series, and the next four from The Lighthouse Fox, one of four picture books I have illustrated for Hollin Press. Each book was delivered in time for its print date.
Which portfolio pages to open, and a deadline you kept.
Your primary science resources need the same clear, friendly drawing that I do for Fernbrook, and I would like to work beside your designers every day rather than at a distance. My CV is attached, with the link to my portfolio. Thank you for considering my application.
Why this publisher, the CV and a short close.