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“To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. So do it.”– Kurt Vonnegut.
If you can resonate with this quote from the revered novelist Kurt Vonnegut, at a spiritual level, art might be the food for your soul. But feeding your soul might not be enough, especially if your stomach is empty. But there is a way to do both, figuratively speaking. In this blog, we will talk about how to make money as an artist by leveraging digital tools.
Thanks to the internet, as an artist, you have more opportunities today than ever before to monetize your art and build an audience. You can have a creative job and become a 6-figure artist doing something you love. Whether it is video editing, selling paintings, writing about trendy topics, or something else, here are some of the best ways to make money as an artist.
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1. Sell Art Online
Selling art is the classic way to make money as an artist, and just by adding a digital twist, you can monetize your art and reach a wider audience. Be it paintings, sketches, sculptures, or digital designs, today it’s easier than ever to sell your art. You can sell handmade and fine art pieces on popular platforms like Etsy and Saatchi Art.
However, if you want to build an online business and take complete ownership of all sales, you can build your website on Shopify or Squarespace and sell directly from there. It allows you to price your pieces competitively by factoring in materials, time spent, and market demand. Another great way to promote your work is to use social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to build an audience and followers interested in your art.
2. Offer Art Prints & Merch
One of the best side hustles for artists is to sell art prints and merchandise online, especially if you are looking for a passive income. You can sell hundreds of pieces online simultaneously while sitting at home by leveraging print-on-demand websites like Redbubble, Society6, Teespring, and Printful. You can design posters, t-shirts, stickers, mugs, phone cases, etc., and sell them on these websites by uploading the designs as high-resolution scans.
If you still need a push, hear this – according to research, the global print-on-demand market was valued at $6.18 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 25.8% by 2030! It is your time to shine, and you can shine brighter using platforms like Instagram and Pinterest to promote your quirky designs. If you are confused about where to start, learn the basics of designing from YouTube on free platforms like Canva and start creating!
3. Take Commissions
All artists will agree that custom pieces are always more meaningful and hard-hitting than generic ones. You can feel a sense of purpose in these artworks and inherent motivation to work on these pieces. You can monetize your skills by taking commissions for custom art pieces like portraits, murals, pet drawings, wall art, etc. It is different from selling art online, as here you take orders from clients before starting an artwork.
You can find clients on social media channels like Instagram and Reddit or take commissions on freelancing platforms like Fiverr or Upwork. If you like a personalized strategy, it’s a good idea to build a personal website and include a “Commission Open” on your Instagram. To avoid issues with clients, always set clear expectations on price for commission work, including revisions and deadlines for hassle-free deliveries.
4. Start a YouTube Channel
Starting a YouTube channel is also a great way to earn passive income for an artist, especially if you have browsed through countless videos and know what works and what doesn’t. It can be scary being in front of a camera, but it is an excellent way to share your creative process, inspire people, and earn simultaneously. It is also fun as you do art tutorials, post speed drawings, time-lapse videos, behind-the-scenes content, and take on art challenges from your subscribers. The opportunities here are practically endless.
To monetize your channel, you can connect with brands like Crayola for sponsorships, do affiliate marketing by sharing your Amazon links to your favorite paint brushes, and generate passive ad revenue. To get more face time on YouTube and ensure your videos are distributed by YouTube’s algorithm, always add SEO-optimized titles and use eye-catching thumbnails. There are many ways to make money from YouTube, and if you are still concerned about stepping into the limelight, you can always start by focusing more on the art and using voice-overs.
5. Teach Art Classes or Workshops
In the past couple of years, online classes have become extremely popular because of their convenience, and as an online course creator, you can earn up to $50,000 per year. As a part of the creator economy, you can teach painting, digital art, calligraphy, sculpting, video editing, graphic designing, and more. At the risk of sounding like a wound-up toy, the opportunities here are also practically limitless.
Teaching art is not just rewarding but also can help you earn in multiple ways. You can take in-person classes or use virtual meeting platforms like Zoom or Google Meet to host one-on-one or group sessions. If you only have a couple of hours to spare, pre-record videos and upload them as a course on platforms like Skillshare and Udemy to earn a steady passive income. As for the pricing mode, you can get creative with your pricing model and charge per session or offer a subscription-based model. It’s a great way to earn a few bucks by spending a few hours a week teaching something you love doing or even building an online business!
6. Sell Digital Products
Why is selling digital products the hottest art business idea? Well, buyers love it because it gives them instant access to affordable, high-quality art without the added costs of shipping and handling. Imagine those easy-to-paint stencils you used in your childhood to draw and paint. Digital products work in a similar fashion where, by using your creativity, you can design quirky and artsy templates for different editing software like Canva and Photoshop.
If you have a knack for designing professional yet artistic digital products like Canva templates for logos, letterheads, and visiting cards, sell them directly to businesses and professionals. You can also sell digital planners, coloring pages, and other digital products on platforms like Etsy, Gumroad, Shutterstock, or Creative Market.
One important thing to remember here is to ensure your files are high-quality, downloadable, and easy to use for people with limited knowledge of design and software.
7. Work as a Freelance Illustrator
An illustrator designs book covers, branding content, webcomics, and more for clients across different niches. If you are blessed with a creative touch and can bring ideas to life by crafting characters for video games or designing illustrations for magazines, this might be THE job for you. Working freelance gives you complete control and freedom over choosing your projects and setting your rates while working from anywhere.
You can start by building your portfolio using free platforms like Canva and showcase it on platforms like Behance, Dribbble, or personal websites. Then, use it to pitch to clients and list your services on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or r/IllustratorsForHire. A Freelance Illustrator is a creative job that can pay over 100K a year, as you decide the fees based on your proficiency, time, and project complexity.
Bonus Tip: Include commercial rights fees if the client uses your work for profit!
8. Sell Handmade Jewelry
Jewelry-making is an art form practiced for centuries, and if you love designing and crafting handmade earrings, necklaces, or rings, you might be in luck. Custom handmade jewelry stands out in the market, and if you bring fresh, unique ideas to the table, you can tap into a lucrative niche where buyers are willing to pay a premium. If you’re unsure where to start, you can begin by creating a collection with a signature style, getting it professionally photographed on models, promoting it on social media platforms, and building your audience and brand in the process.
Social media is your best friend if you are a small creator, as it can help you reach people beyond your city. If you want to dip your toes first, start by selling handmade jewelry on platforms like Etsy, Shopify, or Instagram, as they are always in demand. Also, a great tip is to set up a booth at local artisan markets and pop-up events and promote your products and business.
9. Video Editing
Video editing might be your jam, especially if you fancy yourself as a storyteller and always have the fanciest edits of time spent together. What better way to earn digital art income than becoming a professional video editor? Becoming a part of the creator economy gives you the freedom to do what you enjoy and earn money while doing so.
If this sounds exciting, you can start by learning free editing software like Final Cut Pro, Filmora, and Canva from YouTube tutorials. Gradually build a portfolio with short-form videos (TikTok, Reels, YouTube Shorts) or long-form content and approach Instagram creators, YouTubers, businesses, and social media influencers. As a video editor, there are multiple ways for you to earn just by editing videos. You can create presets, and LUTs (color grading filters), and edit templates to sell them on platforms like Gumroad or Creative Market or use gig platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, Behance, or personal networking to find clients.
10. Create & Sell NFTs
If you think NFTs are long gone, you might be wrong. The global non-fungible token (NFT) market is expected to reach the $211.7 billion mark by 2030 with a steady CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 34.5%. It is not too late to jump on the wagon, and not too complicated either. If you are familiar with and intrigued by unique NFTs like Bored Ape Yacht Club or CryptoPunks, why not create your own?
Let’s uncomplicate the process of creating and selling NFTs. The first step is to design high-quality illustrations and convert them into NFTs on platforms like OpenSea, Rarible, or Foundation by simply uploading the art to their website. Voila! Your NFT is ready to be sold. Practically anything like art, music, videos, paintings, photographs, characters, etc., can be minted and sold as NFTs.
Bonus Tip: Understand the basics of gas fees, smart contracts, and blockchain wallets to choose the most suitable platform. Also, build a community on Telegram, Discord, Reddit, Instagram, etc., to increase demand.
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