How To Make Money as an Illustrator (8 Amazing Ideas)

Last Updated July 4, 2024 by Davina Kelly

Do you want to learn how to make money as an illustrator?

Becoming a successful illustrator involves more than just honing your artistic skills. It requires a strategic approach to monetising your talent.

If you’re looking to turn your passion for illustration into a profitable career, there are several avenues you can explore. 

The rise of AI art has made things a little more challenging, but you can still make good money as an illustrator. 

Whether you are looking to make money on the side or become a full-time illustrator there are plenty of ways to monetise your art. 

If you’ve read any of my other posts related to making money you may have noticed a theme.

I create a lot of content about how to monetise artistic skills. This is because I love art. 

I think it’s a great skill to have and I find it amazing to see art transform from a simple concept in the imagination to a finished product. 

I’m not an artist myself, although I wish I was lol but I did recently learn how to draw in 3D from this book and I’m over the moon about it. 

Learning how to draw has always been a goal of mine and now that I’ve achieved it I feel a great sense of accomplishment. 

In this post, you’re going to learn how to make money as an illustrator along with how to monetise your art. 

After reading this post, you’ll know how to make money as an illustrator from home and turn your passion into a profitable business. 

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

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 Illustrator:

1. Find Freelance Gigs

The quickest and easiest way to make money as an illustrator is to look for freelance gigs on freelance platforms. Freelance gigs offer flexibility and the opportunity to work on a variety of projects which is ideal if you’re a beginner. 

This approach not only helps you earn income but also allows you to explore different styles and discover which types of illustrations you enjoy creating the most.  

Popular freelance platforms like Upwork and Fiverr won’t have a lot of jobs related to illustration. So you’ll need to join niche marketplaces to find work.

Here are some of the best freelance sites you can use to find illustration jobs.

• Toptal
• Behance Jobs
• Dribble
• 99Designs
• Indeed

Once you’ve signed up create a profile highlighting your skills, experience and portfolio. It may take a while to land your first gig but don’t be discouraged, it takes time. 

Keep trying and eventually, you’ll land your first illustration job. 

2. Offer Commissions

Offering commissions is a great way to make money as an illustrator. This is also another great option for beginner illustrators to get started.

Commissions involve creating custom artwork based on a client’s specific requirements. The way this works is that a client will make a request, you discuss the details, agree on a price, and get paid when the work is complete. 

There are many different types of commissions you can offer such as custom family and pet portraits or characters.

To get commissions you need to promote your work and attract clients. The best way to do this is by showing your work on social media. You can post pictures of your latest illustrations, clients will see your great work and contact you for commissions. 

This can lead to working on fun projects like picture books which is a great way to make consistent income. 

When you are working on commissions, it is important to set clear guidelines and maintain good communication with your clients. Include details like pricing, turnaround time and number of revisions. 

Having a clear structure helps manage client expectations and streamline the process. 

Another way to find commission work is by joining online platforms and looking for work. Here are some examples of websites for commissions.

• DeviantArt
• Artists & Clients

If you want to learn more about how to offer commissions and get inspiration watch this video. You’ll learn how this illustrator makes over $5,000 a month from commissions. 

3. Create a Course To Teach Others

Creating and selling online courses is a great way to share your knowledge and generate passive income. 

It is also one of the most lucrative ways to make money as an illustrator. If you love illustrating and want to help others learn, consider developing a course.

Think about an area of illustration that you excel in and others would be interested in learning. For example, you can create a course to teach beginners how to illustrate. 

Or if you have mastered a particular technique or style you can create a course to share your skills. It can be anything from digital painting to comic book art.

Having a well-defined niche makes it easier to market your course and attract the right audience. 

Once you’ve chosen your niche it’s time to plan your course. This includes creating an outline of the structure, number of lessons, topics covered and learning objectives. 

Next, create engaging and informative content that provides value to your students. This should include a mix of video tutorials, written materials, and practical exercises. 

Platforms like Udemy and Skillshare make it easy to create and sell online courses. These platforms provide the tools to upload your content, manage students and process payments. They also offer marketing support to help you reach a wider audience. 

If you already have an audience on social media you can create a website and sell your course. This option will require more effort, but it’s highly beneficial as you can avoid paying third-party fees. 

You can also leverage social media to market your course to your audience for free. 

4. Start a YouTube Channel

YouTube is an amazing platform for creatives. You can create content to share your journey and skills and build an audience. 

You can create time-lapse videos of your work, step-by-step tutorials, share tips and behind-the-scenes looks at your creative process.  

Many artists have created YouTube channels and had great success. It has led them to create their own products such as books, paint brushes, colouring pens, etc. 

Some examples are Art Hub for Kids, Christina Lorre and Mimimoo Illustrations. I watch a lot of these channels myself and follow their tutorials to create drawings.

You don’t need fancy equipment to get started, you can even use your phone. Once you start making money you can invest in a camera, microphone and lighting set-up

The key to having a successful YouTube channel is consistency. So decide how often you want to upload videos and maintain that frequency. It will take some time to get views and subscribers to your channel, but be patient your hard work will pay off. 

To monetise your channel you need to either have 1,000 subscribers or 4,000 watch hours over 12 months. Once you reach this threshold you can make money from ads, sponsorships, brand collaborations and affiliate marketing. 

Another great way to make money from YouTube is through Patreon. Patreon is essentially a membership service that allows artists to build deeper connections with their audience. 

The way this works is you create exclusive content, perks and digital products for your subscribers and they can get access by joining and paying a monthly fee. 

This is another great way to make recurring income which can be difficult for artists. 

5. Create an Online Store

Another great way to make money as an illustrator is by creating an online store. This is a great way to sell your artwork directly to customers and make money online. 

There are many platforms you can use to create an online store but I highly recommend Etsy. 

Etsy is the number one online marketplace for arts, crafts and handmade products. They have about 500 million monthly visitors so it’s a great way to get your illustrations in front of a wide audience. 

You can sell many different digital products such as digital art brushes, creativity workbooks, wallpaper and drawing guides. 

Before you start selling on Etsy it is important to validate your idea and do keyword research. This will help you ensure your product is in demand and include keywords to optimise your listings and drive traffic to your shop. 

You can get all of this information and more by using erank. Erank is one of the most popular SEO and keyword research tools for Etsy. It allows you to find keywords your customers are using, track your competitors and stay on top of trends. You can try it out for FREE here. 

Once you have created your products and completed your research it’s time to open your Etsy shop. Setting up your shop is straightforward, simply follow this guide to learn the steps for getting started.

6. Sell Stock Illustrations

Selling stock illustrations is a great way to monetise your art skills and make money while you sleep. 

You can create high-quality illustrations and upload them to platforms like Shutterstock, iStock, Depositphotos, Envato Elements and Adobe. 

These illustrations can be used in many ways such as for web design, marketing materials and publications so they are in high demand. 

However, you can’t expect to create any kind of illustrations and make sales. The key to success when selling stock illustrations is choosing a niche that appeals to a wide audience. 

To get this information you can visit these platforms and see which types of illustrations make the most sales. Then use your creative skills to create better illustrations. 

When any of your illustrations are downloaded you will earn money from royalties which can lead to a steady income stream over time. 

7. Continuously Improve Your Skills

Improving your skills is crucial when it comes to learning how to make money as an illustrator. It will help you sharpen your skills and maximise your earning potential.

Constantly refining your technique, experimenting with new styles, and staying updated with industry trends will set you apart in a competitive market. 

You can improve your skills by taking classes on platforms like Skillshare. Skillshare is an online learning community with thousands of classes for creatives. 

They have learning pathways in everything from entrepreneurship to illustration and digital art. You could even learn how to create and publish your own children’s book by taking this class here. 

Once you sign up you’ll have access to unlimited classes, think of it like Netflix for learning. You can try it out FREE for 30 days by signing up here. 

8. Utilise Social Media 

Social media is a powerful tool for promoting your work as an illustrator. It’s also a great way to find jobs and build an audience. 

The best platforms for artists are TikTok and Instagram. You can utilise these platforms to share your latest creations and create engaging stores related to your creative process. 

As with most social media platforms, the key to success is consistency. Posting regularly helps keep your audience engaged and attracts new followers. 

Engaging with your followers is super important, it will help build a sense of community and loyalty. You can do this by responding to comments, answering questions and creating challenges. 

For example, you can create a challenge to draw illustrations for 30 days and post your drawings. Your followers can take part and you can encourage each other to keep going. 

Once you’ve built a following you can make money by collaborating with brands, sponsorships and affiliate marketing. 

Having a social media presence isn’t just about having a lot of followers, you want to build a loyal following. 

This way if you move to another platform, start a blog or create products they will follow you and buy your products. So being authentic, consistent and engaging will go a long way. 

Can Illustrators Make Good Money?

In short, yes illustrators can make good money. But you’ll probably need to combine two income streams, at least in the beginning. For example, you can take on freelance gigs and sell illustration wall art on Etsy. 

Some illustrators can earn a substantial income through freelance gigs and commissions while others make good money by selling digital products. 

Different things work for different people so you need to try a few options and see which one works best for you. 

Final Thoughts about How To Make Money as an Illustrator

Making money as an illustrator requires a combination of creativity, strategic planning and perseverance. By exploring different avenues you can diversify your income streams and build a successful career as an illustrator.

Patience is key. Each path takes time and effort, but with dedication and a clear plan, you can turn your passion for illustration into a thriving business. 

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

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

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