CG / Lighting Artist required at Black Kite Studios, UK

Job Overview

• Company: Black Kite Studios
• Role Title: CG / Lighting Artist
• Department: CG (Computer Graphics)
• Work Mode: Hybrid
• Primary Location: London, United Kingdom
• Job Type: Full-Time
• Project Scope: High-end VFX / Commercials / Design-led content

Black Kite Studios, an elite, independent creative powerhouse based in the heart of London, is currently seeking a visionary CG / Lighting Artist to join our world-class visual effects and design collective.

At Black Kite Studios, we are a talent-first, technology-inspired studio. We don’t just “process” shots; we craft art. Our community is a carefully curated group of artists, creators, designers, and technologists who have come together to challenge the status quo of the VFX industry. We believe that creativity is the ultimate differentiator, and we are looking for a CG Generalist with a mastery of lighting and look-development to help us continue delivering extraordinary visual content for high-end commercials, film, and television.

Compensation & Studio Benefits

Black Kite Studios is committed to attracting top-tier talent by offering a competitive package that reflects the high cost of living in London and the specialized nature of the VFX industry. We believe in treating our people fairly and providing an environment where ambition is rewarded.

The Role: Excellence from Pitch to Delivery

As a CG / Lighting Artist Artist at Black Kite, your mission is to deliver creative excellence across a wide variety of high-end projects. You are responsible for the “visual soul” of computer-generated objects and scenes. While your title emphasizes Lighting and Look-Development, we view our CG artists as versatile generalists who can navigate the entire pipeline with grace and technical authority.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lighting Artist & Look-Dev: You will create the aesthetic identity of CG assets, building and supporting complex light rigs and shading setups that integrate seamlessly with live-action plates or full-CG environments.

• Asset Creation: Take ownership of the modeling, texturing, and look-development of high-fidelity CG assets to be used across diverse sequences.

• Scene Assembly & Layout: Manage render scenes and production assets, ensuring that scene assembly is optimized for both visual quality and render efficiency.

• Collaborative Compositing: Develop shot and render passes in collaboration with Compositing leads. You will be expected to use Nuke for creating pre-comps to vet your own work before it reaches the final comp stage.

• Technical Troubleshooting: Independently troubleshoot your assets, scenes, and renders. You should have a proactive “problem-solver” mindset to overcome pipeline bottlenecks.

• Quality Control: Maintain a rigorous eye for detail, ensuring that every frame meets the “Black Kite Standard” of cinematic excellence before delivery.

Why YOU? (Candidate Requirements)

Black Kite Studios is looking for an CG / Lighting Artist artist who possesses a rare blend of technical “under-the-hood” knowledge and a refined artistic eye. You aren’t just a button-pusher; you are a visual storyteller.

• Proven Track Record: You have demonstrable experience creating high-quality VFX work within a fast-paced studio environment (Commercials, TV, or Film).

• Software Mastery:

  • Houdini & Maya: You are fluent in these industry-standard packages and understand how to bridge the gap between them.

  • Renderers: Expert knowledge of production-quality renderers, specifically Arnold, Mantra, and Karma.

• The Generalist Spirit: While you might specialize in lighting, you have and are keen to use your wider skills in modeling, texturing, and layout.

• The “Nuke” Factor: You have a solid working knowledge of Nuke. We believe our CG artists should understand the final destination of their renders.

• Communication Skills: You are an excellent communicator and a team player. At Black Kite, we achieve the extraordinary through “togetherness.”

• Problem-Solving: You possess a “can-do” attitude and a critical eye for visual style, never settling for “good enough.”

Why Black Kite Studios?

1. Independent and Talent-First

Unlike massive global VFX conglomerates, Black Kite Studios remains independent. This means we answer to our artists and our clients, not a board of directors. Our size allows us to stay agile, innovative, and deeply personal. When you join Black Kite, you aren’t a cog in a machine; you are a key architect of the studio’s future.

2. Technology-Inspired Innovation

Black Kite Studios invest heavily in our pipeline. Whether it’s pioneering new workflows in Houdini or embracing the latest in Karma/Solaris rendering, we ensure our artists have the best tools to produce visually outstanding results on time and on budget.

3. A Shared Ethics Code

Black Kite Studios place immense importance on treating people with respect. We believe in doing things “the right way”—which means looking out for one another and maintaining a supportive, inclusive culture. We are big on ambition, but even bigger on human values.

Summary Checklist for Applicants

The Application Process

Black Kite Studios is more than a studio; it is a community. We are excited about the future and we want you to be a part of it.

How to Apply: Please submit your CV and a link to your latest reel. We are particularly interested in seeing breakdowns that show your lighting setups and look-development process, rather than just final rendered shots.

Pro-Tip: If you have experience in FX (Houdini) or grooming, please highlight this in your application, as we highly value artists who can jump between disciplines to help a project cross the finish line.