Retouch Artist

Our OEM Client based in Gaydon, is searching for a Retouch Artist to join their team, Inside IR35. This is a contract position until 31st March 2026.

Umbrella Pay Rate: £43.22 per hour.

Role Overview:

As a Retouch Artist, you will refine and enhance 3D CGI imagery and photographic assets, ensuring every pixel reflects our client’s design excellence.

You will bridge the gap between CGI and Photography, working closely with CGI Artists and Art directors to deliver breathtaking visuals for global campaigns, digital channels, and product launches.

Key Responsibilities:

• Refine 3D renders with colour correction, compositing, special effects.
• Convert 32-bit render outputs to 16-bit and 8-bit deliverables without quality loss.
• Seamlessly integrate CGI cars into photographic backgrounds and vice versa using photo-bashing and photographic lighting techniques.
• Perform photography clean-up: dust busting, skin and surface retouch, lens correction.
• Organise and maintain digital assets, ensuring version control and easy retrieval.
• Collaborate with Art Directors to interpret briefs and uphold brand guidelines.
• Mentor Junior Retouchers, sharing best practices in CGI post-production and retouching.
• Troubleshoot both technical and artistic challenges under tight deadlines.
• Stay current with emerging retouching trends, software updates, and visual effects techniques.
• Assist wider Visualisation Team on ad-hoc projects, lending your expertise wherever needed.

Essential Skills:

• Adobe Photoshop.

Experience & Qualifications Required:

• 3D CGI retouching experience preferred over pure traditional photography retouching.
• Proficient in ‘Back to Beauty’ workflow, render passes, Cryptomattes, compositing, and standard CGI pipelines.
• Deep understanding of photography principles and terminology.
• Excellent eye for composition, colour harmony, balance, and fine detail.
• Advanced skills in Photoshop.
• Proven track record of converting high-dynamic-range renders into final deliverables.
• Strong file-management habits and ability to maintain organised asset libraries and files.
• Effective communicator and patient mentor, able to guide other colleagues.

Desirable Experience & Qualifications:

• Automotive visualisation and advertising, basic CGI knowledge and experience.
• Experience in compositing software such as Nuke and Adobe After Effects.
• Experience using colour grading software such as DaVinci Resolve.