How To Make Money as an Artist In 2024 (11 Best Ideas)

Last Updated June 9, 2024 by Davina Kelly

Are you an artist looking for ways to monetise your skills? Read on so you can learn how to make money as an artist. 

Art has always been a fulfilling and expressive endeavour, but making a living from it can be challenging.

Well, at least it used to be, now with some creativity artists have many ways to monetise their talents.

Whether it’s through traditional methods or leveraging digital platforms there are endless opportunities. 

In this post, you are going to learn how to make money as an artist along with artistic side hustles.

After reading this post, you’ll know how to make money as an artist online and turn your passion into a profitable venture. 

This post is all about how to make money as an artist.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we will receive a commission if you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.

How To Make Money as an Artist:

1. Teach Art Workshops

Teaching art workshops is a great way to share your skills and make money. Many people would love to learn new creative skills and who better to teach them than an artist? 

You can bring like-minded people together, teach them new skills and build a community. 

It will take some time and effort to make money as an artist with this method, but the hard work will pay off. 

To get started choose which area of art you want to teach. I recommend choosing the art you are the most passionate about because it will make teaching fun. 

Whether you’re teaching watercolour painting, drawing, digital art or pottery as long as you have an interest in the subject you’ll naturally be enthusiastic. 

Once you have decided which art you’ll teach you need to create an outline for your lessons. It is important to ensure that it is educational and engaging because you want your students to look forward to learning with you. 

Now that you have your fun and engaging lessons planned you need to find a venue. Local community centres are a good option or you can teach your workshops online via Zoom. You can teach 90% online and teach in person once a month to offer flexibility. 

Your venue is secured so now it’s time to market your workshops. You can utilise social media, local bulletin boards and word of mouth. 

Once you deliver your first amazing workshop your students will want to spread the word which can lead to more students. 

2. Sell Your Art at Art Fairs

Craft fairs and art markets are great places to sell your artwork directly to customers. These events attract art enthusiasts and collectors who are eager to discover new pieces and meet the artists behind them.  

This is also a good way to connect with buyers and share the story behind your art and it’s a great opportunity to network with other artists.

Do some research to find local art markets and craft fairs that align with your art style and have a good reputation for attracting buyers. Then book your spot. 

To set yourself up for success decorate your booth with attractive displays and banners and ensure you have business cards. Then display your beautiful artwork and watch the customers roll in.

How To Make Money as an Artist Online:

 

3. Sell Your Art On Etsy

If you’re wondering how to make money as an artist online selling your art on Etsy is the best option. Etsy is a popular online marketplace that has a huge audience of art lovers. You can sell anything from digital wall art and landscapes to portraits and paintings. 

Art is one of the most sold items on Etsy so the competition will be high, but if you sell your art correctly it can be a highly lucrative venture. 

Once you have decided which art you want to sell on Etsy you need to do some market research. This step is crucial because you could have the best ideas, but if there is no demand for your product you won’t make any money. 

You can do your research using erank. This is a great tool to help you validate your idea, get access to key information like search volume and demand and track your competitors. If you want to set Etsy shop up for success I highly recommend using erank. 

Once you’ve done your research and created your art you need to create listing photos. You want your art to be represented accurately and attract buyers so the images need to be high quality. 

The next step is to open your Etsy shop and create your art listings. Optimise your listings with relevant keywords and tags so that potential buyers can find your art easily. You can use erank to find the right keywords for your listing. 

To market your art you can use social media to attract buyers and drive traffic to your online store. This is one of the easiest ways to make money as an artist. 

4. Start an Art Blog

Starting an art blog can help you build a dedicated following and establish yourself as an expert in your field. You can write blog posts to share tips, ideas and tutorials that help other artists, while also showcasing and selling your own artwork.  

Blogging does take a lot of hard work and consistency, but it is very profitable so your hard work will be rewarded. It won’t happen overnight so you will need to have patience. 

To make money from your blog you need to get traffic. You can do this by publishing blog posts consistently, ideally 1 – 2 times a week. These posts should be SEO-optimised to ensure they show up in search results. 

Once you are getting consistent traffic to your blog you can monetise it through ads, affiliate marketing and sponsorships. 

To ensure you can monetise your blog you need to set it up the right way. If you’re a beginner ready to get started this affordable eBook The Treasure Map To Blogging Success In 30 Days is a great tool. 

This ebook will teach you how to start your blog the right way and avoid making costly mistakes. It will also give you a profitable roadmap to start making money from your blog. 

5. Create a Course

If you enjoy teaching and want to help other people tap into their creativity you can create and sell an art course. 

Courses are a very lucrative digital product I know many people who sell courses and make six figures. And they are a great form of passive income. 

As with most ways to make a lot of money it does require a lot of time and effort to get started. 

The first step is deciding which course you want to create. If you are good at drawing you can create a course to teach people how to draw. Or if you have learned a new art skill you can also create a course to teach this new skill to beginners. 

You would make a great teacher because your recent experience as a beginner gives you insights into the challenges that new learners face. This will allow you to provide effective and empathetic teaching. 

Once you have decided what you want to teach it’s time to start creating your course. You’ll need to plan your content and structure it in a way that is easy to follow and record your lessons. Ensure that your videos are high-quality and engaging. 

Finally, you’ll need to create any materials to go with the course like worksheets or printables. 

If you have a large following on social media you can sell your course on your website and market it to your followers. If not, you can put it on a platform like Skillshare which already has a large community. 

6. Be an Art Influencer

With the rise of social media becoming an art influencer is a viable way to make money as an artist. You can build an audience, share your art and connect with like-minded people. 

To be a successful art influencer you need to engage with your audience regularly. You can do this by showcasing your artwork, sharing tips, posting content about your art process and showing behind-the-scenes footage. 

For example, you can share videos of you drawing or painting. You can also create art challenges and encourage your audience to take part. This is an effective way to increase engagement and connect with your followers. 

Also, ensure you respond to comments and answer any questions.

The most popular platforms to be an art influencer are Instagram, Tik Tok and YouTube so choose one and post consistently. 

If you are consistent over time your audience will grow and you can start making money. You can earn money through sponsorships, brand partnerships and affiliate marketing. 

It is important to stay true to your brand and only promote products and services that you believe in. Authenticity is key and if your audience feels like you aren’t being honest they will lose trust and go elsewhere. 

7. Become an Art YouTube Creator

Creating videos on YouTube is another great way to make money as an artist. YouTube allows you to create videos and build a loyal following.

You can create content such as time-lapse videos of you creating a piece of art, vlogs to share a day in your life as an artist and tutorials to teach art techniques. Or you can make videos reviewing art products. 

Follow-along videos do well on YouTube so you can include them in your content. For example, if you are a digital artist you can create videos to teach your audience how to create illustrations with you. 

I watch these types of videos with my niece and nephew all the time, our favourite channel is Art Hub for kids. We have created some fun drawings by following their videos. 

Whichever type of videos you choose to create you need to be consistent. Whether that is once or twice a week as long as you upload regularly your audience will grow. 

To make money on YouTube you need to either have 1,000 subscribers or 4,000 watch hours. Once you meet this requirement you can monetise your channel through ads, sponsorships, brand deals and affiliate marketing. 

Another way to monetise your YouTube channel is through Patreon. This is a great way to make money as an artist because you will be doing what you love and helping budding artists. And it is consistent income. Watch this video to learn how to make money with Patreon. 

8. Do Commission Work

Doing commissions is a rewarding way to make money as an artist and bring your client’s vision to life. It also gives you the opportunity to work on diverse projects. 

People love customised items whether for themselves or as a gift for others so you will get lots of requests. 

You can offer commission portraits, paintings, illustrations, clay work and more. Or you can offer simpler items such as greeting cards or digital art pieces. 

There are two ways to get commission work. The easiest way is to show your work on social media. People will see your amazing art and contact you to request commissions. This option works well if you have a large following on social media. 

The other way to get commissions is by creating a portfolio showcasing your best work and looking for opportunities. You can do this on websites like Upwork and Fiverr. 

Once you have secured commission work it is important to manage your jobs. Ensure you have a clear agreement detailing the expectations, timeline and agreed payment terms. Also, maintain open and clear communication with your clients to manage their expectations. 

Watch this video to learn how this artist makes money by doing commission illustrations for children’s books. 

9. Create & Sell Your Own Products

Creating art isn’t the only way to make money as an artist. You can also create and sell your own products. This can be products like art brushes, eBooks, posters and greeting cards. You can even create your own art book to teach others how to draw. 

For example, I am currently working my way through You Can Drawn In 30 Days which is a book that teaches you how to draw with daily lessons. 

I have wanted to learn how to draw since I was a kid, I am on lesson 21 now and I can actually draw in 3D! I am in shock and so happy lol  Another example is the artist Christina Lorre, who has created colouring books and sketchbooks that she sells online. 

Creating products will give you the ability to reach a wider audience and help more people create art. If you did this alongside being an art YouTube creator you could create content around you using the products and skyrocket your sales. 

10. Offer Freelance Services

If you enjoy working on different projects you can offer your services as a freelancer. You can offer services like graphic design, illustrations, animations and more.

This option is a little more competitive so you’ll need to showcase your unique art style to stand out. Also, ask your clients to leave reviews to boost your profile. 

You can look for freelance work on websites like Upwork, Fiverr and Freelancer to connect with clients. Networking with other artists and advertising on social media is also a good way to find opportunities. 

Another way to find freelance jobs is to pitch to businesses you want to work with. You can send them a personalised email with a copy of your portfolio. Ensure your portfolio is up to date with your best work before sending it. 

11. Sell Stock Images

Selling stock images is another great way to make money from your artwork. If you are a digital artist this is a great option for you. You can create your images, sell them online and make money while you sleep. 

The best platform to sell stock images is Shutterstock. Adobe Stock and Getty Images are also good options.

Getting started is pretty easy. All you need to do is create your account, upload your images and that’s it. Your images will be included on the website and when a customer purchases one of your images you will get paid. 

There you have it I have now given you many ideas on how to make money as an artist.

Frequently Asked Questions About How To Make Money as an Artist

Below are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about how to make money as an artist.

What Type Of Art Makes The Most Money?

The type of art that makes the most money is paintings. Paintings are not new, but they are very popular and the most practised type of art. 

People tend to appreciate a good painting and they are a good option for art collectors. 

Can Artists Make Good Money?

Yes, artists can definitely make good money. There is a lot of money in art and now due to the advancement of Technology, there are many more ways to monetise your skills. 

The best way to make money as an artist is to have multiple income streams. For example, you can sell your art online, do commissions and be an art influencer. They all work together and combined they can make a lot of money. 

I have given you many ideas in this post you can choose one to get started and once you have perfected that income stream you can include another one. I recommend choosing one active and one passive income stream so you don’t get overwhelmed. 

Final Thoughts 

Making money as an artist requires a blend of creativity and business savvy. You can diversify your income streams and build a sustainable career. 

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different strategies to find what works best for you. With dedication and persistence, you can turn your passion for art into a profitable side hustle or business. 

I hope you have found this post helpful and now know how to make money as an artist. Which idea will you choose? Let me know in the comments below. 

This post was all about how to make money as an artist.

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