There are many simple ways to make money online from your skills and hobbies. You can make money drawing even without being Da Vinci or Picasso. You only need to know how to monetize this creative skill to create a stream of continuous income.
In this article, you’ll learn how to make money drawing without even going to an art school. With our help, you should be able to turn your passion for drawing into something profitable.
Best Website Builders to Showcase Your Art Online
| Provider | User Rating | Recommended For | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 4.6 | Beginners | Visit Hostinger |
 | 4.4 | Pricing | Visit IONOS |
 | 4.2 | Design | Visit Squarespace |
The Evolution of the Art Industry in the Digital Age
Do you recall the era when being an artist involved in struggling in an apartment and awaiting your break to make it big in the art world scene? When do you need to be lucky to sell artwork and make money as an artist?
Well, things have evolved significantly in the art world. As an artist, you will have to adjust to these transformations well.
Traditional vs Digital Art
The choice between traditional and digital art is a strong debate in the art world. Traditional art is more natural. It allows you to connect to art through your brush on the canvas. Many art enthusiasts even argue that it is more original than digital art.
Creating art digitally offers flexibility and convenience compared to traditional methods. It allows for easy corrections, and you can also paint without the risk of getting paint on your clothes.
While you can sell drawings to make money as an artist from either of these methods, many artists have contrasting opinions on which is the original art. However, it’s all about your preference and which you want to use to make good money as an artist.
Essential Tools for Modern Artists
Now that you know both types of artwork, let’s talk about the tools you need. If you prefer working with traditional art, you’ll need the usual tools,
- Pencils
- Easels
- Canvas
- Charcoal
- Paints
But if you prefer digital art, here’s what you’ll need to get your digital art juices flowing:
- An updated and reliable computer.
- A drawing tablet or screen.
- Drawing software like Adobe Illustrator and Corel Painter.
Regardless of the type of art you enjoy most, a strong portfolio is essential to displaying your skills and making money in this digital era.
It could take the form of a personal website, an online shop, a YouTube channel, or an impressive Instagram profile.
Read our guide to learn how to create a portfolio website that showcases your work and attracts your audience.
Squarespace: Create Your Artist Website
Online Platforms to Sell Your Art
Now that you have the skills and your tools ready, the next question on your mind is probably where you can make money drawing. Let’s find out!
Art Marketplaces
Art markets are spots to sell your original artwork and engage with fellow artists. Here are a few top art marketplaces worth exploring:
- Saatchi Art: Saatchi Art is the world’s largest online art gallery. At Saatchi Art, will promote you on social media for free. This promotion will in turn attract potential clients.
You’d also get a 60% commission on sales. Sounds like a good deal, yeah? Plus, you get a free account. - Artfinder: With access to over 450,000 art fans on the website, you can sell your art on Artfinder. This benefit gives you more access to potential customers on the site.
However, you might have to wait a while as the application process takes longer. - Etsy: Etsy shop is an art website where you can sell handmade arts and crafts. All you need to do is register and list your items.
However, you need to pay a listing fee of $0.20 before you can list your items. On the brighter side, it is a low-risk way to make money selling art.
Print-on-Demand Services
You can easily sell your art prints using print-on-demand services. The print-on-demand store will handle the inventory, shipping, and refunds for you. All you have to do is:
- Create the art or import one of your art pieces.
- Choose the products to print your art on.
- Start selling them.
Product options include t-shirts, coffee mugs, and phone cases. Here are some print-on-demand platforms you should check out:
Best Print-on-Demand Platforms to Explore
| Website | Type of Website | Earning Potential | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Print on Demand | $100-$500/month | Visit Printful |
 | Print on Demand | $15–$45/hour | Visit Printify |
 | Print on Demand | $10–$20/hour | Visit Gelato |
NFT Marketplaces
Non-fungible Tokens (NFTs) act as a form of validation for your artwork’s authenticity. You can sell your art as one-of-a-kind pieces on well-known art platforms such as OpenSea and Nifty Gateway.
Here’s a quick guide to selling your art as an NFT:
- Choose a platform or NFT marketplace.
- Create your NFT.
- Set your art price.
- Then, promote it on social media platforms.
- Sell your artwork.
Freelance Opportunities for Artists
Are you a stay-at-home mum? or do you just prefer to work more as a remote freelance artist? There are plenty of opportunities to make money freelancing, just waiting for you to grab them.
Let’s break it down:
Illustration
Art comes in various shapes and sizes and that includes illustration. Ever dreamed of seeing your art in a book or on websites? Then illustration is the right part for you.
You could earn about $30,000 to $165,000, drawing everything from cute bunnies for children’s books to diagrams for textbooks or online websites.
AI tools have made illustration faster than ever. For instance, you can use an AI cartoon generator to quickly create character concepts or storybook-style artwork before refining them by hand.
Logo and Branding Design
However, if you prefer art design and can convert a company’s brand and style to an image, logo and branding design is your best bet.
According to Payscale.com, an average graphic designer makes $51,392. Not too bad for creating designs all day, right?
However, you’ll need to master logo design principles and design software like Adobe Illustrator.
Book, Comic, and Cartoon Illustration
Are you an artist whose work leaves people amazed by your skills in cartoon illustrations? If so, why not turn your passion into a source of income?
With potential earnings ranging from $31,000 to $124,000, you could be turning your hobby and artistic talents into some extra cash.
The best part? You can choose to be both the author and illustrator or collaborate with a writer.
Are you a skilled illustrator? Learn how to sell comics online and turn your creativity into income!
Technical Drawing
If drawing blueprints and architectural plans excites you, technical drawing should be your go-to. As a drafting technician, you’ll be sketching the buildings and work machines.
With a salary range of $38,000 to $51,500 or more, you’ll be making money drawing while making history.
Full-Time Career Paths in the Art Industry
Ready to go into a full-time art career? Here are some paths that might fit your artistic skills:
- Graphic Designer
- Animator
- Fashion Designer
- Art Tutor
- Curator
- Art Director
- Art Consultant
Diversifying Your Income Streams
As an artist, you could make money while drawing. But it definitely doesn’t have to be from one source. This is where diversification comes in.
Here’s how you can diversity your income streams withartworkt work:
Creating and Selling Online Courses
Apart from drawing, you can also sell your art skills and resources online to make extra cash. Create an outline of how you want the online course to go, then make short, understandable videos for aspiring artists.
Online drawing coareses is a great way of making money online. Platforms like Udemy and Teachable are great places to start.
When creating your course, remember:
- Start with what you know best.
- Keep it engaging and interesting.
- Break it down into digestible chunks so aspiring artists don’t get confused.
- Price it right.
A great way to develop this idea further is to host a physical art class or attend art fairs. An art fair will connect you with other artists and enthusiasts, which has many advantages.
Affiliate Marketing for Artists
Affiliate marketing doesn’t just work for influencers or bloggers. It can work for you too. It can also help you connect with more potential customers.
Here’s how it works:
- You recommend art supplies, software, or even your courses on your website or social media accounts.
- When someone buys through your unique link, you get a commission.
You need to be authentic. Avoid recommending products you wouldn’t use.
Discover the best practices for affiliate marketing:
Merchandising Your Artwork
With merchandising, your clients can actually wear and show their love for your art while helping you make enough sales. You can even build your brand through your clients.
Marketing Your Art and Building Your Brand
Creating and selling your art doesn’t end with drawing and posting it on social media sites. You need to market it and build your art brand. Here’s how you can do that:
Leveraging Social Media Platforms
As an artist, platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok are great platforms to get your art out there. You really don’t have to break the bank on a fine art gallery; you get to save money while making extra money at the same time.
By leveraging social media, you can advertise your art pieces and still make good money whenever you sell drawings online.
Remember:
- Consistency is key.
- Engage with your audience.
- Use relevant hashtags.
Creating a Professional Website
Ever thought of creating your own website? Or it could be your online store or an art portfolio. You could use it to showcase your best work, get more exposure, and make some sales while at it.
Your website should include:
- A great portfolio
- An about page that shows your personality.
- Blogs to share your process and thoughts.
- Website themes that connect you to your audience.
- An easy way for potential buyers to contact you.
Networking and Collaborations
You can network with other artists and get access to collaborations, job opportunities, and business friendships.
Try to attend art shows, join online communities, and don’t hesitate to reach out to artists you admire. Who knows? Your next big break might come from an unexpected connection.
Financial Considerations for Full-Time Artists
You’ve probably been itching to get to this topic: money. As an artist, pricing and managing your art can get complicated, especially if you’ve reached a wider audience. Let’s find out how To manage this:
Pricing Your Artwork
Pricing art is more art an art of its own. You need to consider factors like:
- The time you spent creating the piece.
- Cost of materials.
- Your experience level.
- Market demand
Your art is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Check out what similar artists are charging, then adjust the pricing based on your experience and art skill level.
And remember, it’s okay to raise your prices as you gain more recognition.
Managing Expenses and Taxes
As an art freelancer, taxes are part of your finance management. You need to organize your finances by hiring a good accountant to help you keep track of your expenditures and taxes.
Planning for a Sustainable Career
To make your career sustainable:
- Diversify your income streams.
- Build an emergency fund.
- Plan for slow art sale periods.
- Invest in your skills and tools.
Tips for Improving Your Skills and Staying Competitive
The art world is always evolving. And as an ,artist you also need to stay relevant. Here’s how:
Continuous Learning and Practice
You can find a lot of learning resources online. Watch YouTube tutorials and online courses, and read e-books.
Also, ensure that you practice constantly. Practice consistently. This would help you improve your drawing skills.
Adapting to Industry Trends
Watch for changes in industry trends so your art remains relevant. Update your knowledge by checking out industry blogs, attending webinars, and joining professional organizations.
Conclusion
By now, you should have all the knowledge on how to make money drawing as an artist. However, success in your art skills won’t happen overnight. You need to work hard, be persistent, and be willing to adapt.
But with passion, skill, and great business ideas, you can turn your love for drawing and art into a thriving career.
Need help starting your art portfolio website? Visit HostAdvice on the best portfolio website builders and pricing recommendations. Get expert advice to find the perfect platform that offers great value for your money.
Next Steps: What Now?
Ready to explore the world of digital art? Here are a few practical steps you can take to get started:
- Decide on your medium.
- Invest in the right and quality tools.
- Join online art communities.
- Experiment and practice consistently.
- Market your art and build an online portfolio.
Further Reading & Useful Resources
There are more ways you can make more as an artist. Below are a few examples you can explore:
- How to Generate Images with AI: Learn how to harness the power of AI to generate artistic images for your website or portfolio.
- How to Start an Affiliate Marketing Blog: From choosing a niche to optimizing your content for conversions, this guide will help you learn how to earn through affiliate marketing.
- How to Start a Photography Blog: Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned photographer, this article will show you how to showcase your portfolio and monetize your photography skills.
