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For anyone who wishes to keep their inner artist alive, this one’s for you!
Most of us have spent our childhoods engaged in doodling and drawing which helped our creative sides to shine. With a blank paper in front of us, a pencil in our hands, and an endless imagination to keep us company, drawing and coloring used to be a popular pastime activity.
But did you ever imagine drawing as an actual, viable career option? Whether it’s drawing cartoons and comics or etching illustrations for story books, the opportunities are endless, waiting for you to grab them and use them to your advantage. So, what are you waiting for? Check out the following 10 ways that will help you get paid to draw.
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1. Coloring Book Artist
Coloring books have become all the rage in recent times since people are opting for similar slow activities to center themselves and find some peace. This leads to a larger demand for diverse coloring books. Enter: you with your masterful drawings that can be filled with vibrant colors and help put stressed minds at ease.
You can opt to make coloring pages as per your design vision that may include mandala designs, farm animals, and even landscapes. More importantly, you can essentially earn money doodling and selling them on Etsy, where people are eager to buy unique drawings that can be colored and pinned on their refrigerators. With this, you will not just have creative freedom but also enjoy flexible hours of a slow-paced job.
2. Become A Drawing Influencer
Love drawing but hate doing it alone? Form a community of drawing lovers like you and monetize it via YouTube. Yes, we are talking about becoming a Drawing Influencer. It may sound like a made-up career, but aren’t they all? Becoming a drawing influencer ensures your creativity gets the visibility it deserves while also attracting like-minded people to your ever-growing community.
Hold live drawing sessions with your followers where everyone enjoys a free space to let their artistry flow however they like. More than the company of passionate people, the community can be a breeding ground for inspiration for all artists who feel stuck in a rut. YouTubers like Ali Haider also share their intricate skills with others, empowering their followers to unlock their full artistic potential.
3. Cartoon/Comic Book Artist
The intersection of artistic brilliance and storytelling magic can be a unique one. If you enjoy spending time on this precipice, then we suggest you go the comic book artist route! Let your passion for drawing and stories come alive with this so-called hobby that can help you earn a decent income.
We all know the enthusiasm for comic books, especially when so many of them have been bought to be adapted for screen. The potential in this career is limitless, with people always on the lookout for quirky characters and extraordinary stories. If you have a story to tell and the artistic genius to bring it to life on paper, then tune out the doubt and get started today! Platforms like Vault and Pipeline Comics are always looking for creative artists who can chalk out stories.
4. Freelance Illustrator
Who doesn’t wish to hustle from the comfort of their home? I certainly do. Add to that flexible hours and monetizing a hobby, and you have the golden potion for success. With a love for drawing logos, icons, and other brand imagery, you can easily make money as an artist by becoming a freelance illustrator.
Hundreds of new brands are coming up in the market almost every day and all of them have one thing in common. They all need a skillful artist to bring their brand vision to life. Are you that master artist? If so, check out job postings and other listings on platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, Indeed, and LinkedIn. Start out by following the right people such as new founders and hiring managers who are tasked with finding the right people for their teams.
5. Tattoo Artist
Becoming an actual tattoo artist who works with drills and inks might require technical training and even an apprenticeship, but you can sketch out tattoo designs from the comfort of your home. Two choices await you in this field, you can either choose to collaborate with one tattoo studio and work for them full-time, or you can be a freelance designer with the freedom to sell your designs to whoever bids higher.
Being a tattoo artist can be an incredibly gratifying job especially when you are able to conjure an artwork exactly as per a customer’s request. This brings up a third option where you can customize tattoos based on requests from clients. Again, there is no dearth of opportunities in this career. The only question is what’s stopping you?
6. Graphic Designer
Though this is pretty similar to the freelance illustrator role we just discussed, graphic designers work with a wider spectrum of roles and responsibilities. They have the freedom to work part-time, from home, and even freelance where they can have multiple clients at once. If social media and website creatives match your groove, then graphic design is your calling!
From online design platforms to drawings that can be digitally replicated, graphic design includes a larger variety of things you can do. Even apps need graphic designers to design their buttons, icons, and other related imagery. And with an app for literally everything these days, graphic designers are definitely in demand.
7. Children’s Book Illustrator
There are stories that entertain, and then there are stories that inspire! Children usually prefer the latter as it lets their imagination run wild with revolutionary characters and thoughts. Love exploring different worlds and instances that can spark a child’s curiosity? Becoming a children’s book illustrator would be more of a passion than a job for you.
As they say, when you love what you do, you don’t work a day in your life. Artists with a knack for storytelling will thrive in this business and make money online with effortless ease. Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom or a student struggling to make ends meet, this gig can be your life savior.
8. Custom Portrait Artist
Very few people have the knack of replicating life on paper. If you’re one such precious artist, then don’t sit on your talents for longer, and let them shine! You can become a custom portrait artist and sell your artwork online. From sketching a live scene at a wedding to choosing portraits as the perfect gifting option, this field is booming.
Portraits need an unmatched eye for detail and patience to see the artwork through. Hence, very few people dare to enter this field leading to less competition. On the other hand, there are numerous online courses available for you to ace the art of making custom portraits if you wish to brush up your skills before diving into the field headfirst.
9. Animation Artist
From Lion King and The Jungle Book to Moana and Tangled, we all love animated movies! They continue to be our go-to entertainment source since they invoke a familiar feeling of nostalgia in our hearts. Now imagine being the artist behind the scenes who gives life to these animated characters and worlds. Sounds like a dream job, doesn’t it?
Well, it can be a reality if you truly wish for it! As a beginner, we suggest you aim a bit lower than working for bigshot studios like Disney and Ghibli, but you’ll never know if you never try. Along with extraordinary drawing skills, it would be amazing if you hone your digital and animation skills too. Check out Walt Disney Animation Studio to get a deeper insight into the animation process and take advantage of the step-by-step guide curated by the world-renowned studio.
10. Muralist
Why should artists stay confined to the length and breadth of the paper? Try making the world your canvas and infuse the surroundings with a fresh layer of ideas (and of course, paint). A muralist works with offices, cafes, and even city beautification projects to breathe new life into walls and other bland objects. Try envisioning a brand’s ethos painted into its entrance wall or perhaps famous quotes sketched over the walls of a city to invoke a sense of community among the people.
Murals prove how game-changing art can be in propagating ideas and themes. For people interested in converging ideologies with art, becoming a muralist is your best bet. Even though you may not be able to work from home in this particular field, you will have loads of fun interacting with more artists and seeing your work come to life right in front of your eyes.
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