10 Ways to Make Money as an artist

Mar 16, 2022

Making money from your passion can be done. Much like everything else to do, earning the money you want to make as an artist demands the right approach, and lots of work.

Based on our experience and conversations with a lot of artists and artists, we have put together an inventory of the most successful ways of making money as an artist.

 10 the most effective methods to earn money as an artist

  1.   Teach Online Courses
  2.   Provide Tutorials and Mini-courses
  3.   Video Consulting and Teaching
  4.   Video-making of the art-making process
  5.   Start a Youtube channel
  6.   Offer Original Pieces of Art for sale
  7.   Sell NFTs
  8.   Sale Art Prints
  9.   Sell Digital Stock Artwork
  10.   Working on commissions

Bonus: Where to market your artwork


There are a variety of ways to earn money as an artist, and you can have multiple sources of earnings. If you're a part-time artist or an artist who is self-employed for a long time, there are many ways to earn money from your artwork.

 Teach online courses

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Source: Jennifer Gast online courses

It's not easy to start an online course the first day however, it's possible to start by signing up with a few of them to check out how they're planned as well as using an established website that offers classes online to help you get started. We with us at CreativeMindClass we are keen in teaching online classes on an independent platform where you can be at the of the wheel.

 Tutorials as well as miniature-courses

If you've already established your credibility with a community of readers through your blog or other social media platforms, you could start by providing instructions or even mini-courses showing how you make your artwork that come in various forms, such as videos, pdfs, and webinars.

 Teaching and video consulting

If you've already had the experience, you could help others who are aspiring artists follow their goals. You can make paid video consults, and even teach using Zoom or even Facetime. A lot of people today opt to take an online course or webinar in their own homes, particularly those who don't have many opportunities in the area they live in to go to an educational course.

 Make videos of the making process

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Source: Riccardo Russomanno art-making process

If you're an illustrator making fun personal assignments, the next time you're working just start the camera, and capture the process of creating your work. Looking for a great online course suggestion? Illustration can be combined with someone's photography or make an entertaining illustration of your family. Your clients can not only enjoy the artwork, but also observe how the artwork was created.

 Make an Youtube channel

If selling an online course doesn't make you smile, however you enjoy entertaining, teaching, and being on camera, then creating your own YouTube channel could be the best option. Remember that you'll probably not achieve much at first however, content that is of high quality, that solves an issue or is entertaining, can draw more attention and will also make you cash over time.

 Sell your Original Pieces

You may sell your own original creations. Your artwork can be sold or sculptures as well as other jewelry items or ornaments on your online store or on your website.

It's much better to start by establishing an online art marketplace with thousands of clients and millions of users rather than waiting for prospective buyers to discover your online portfolio that does not have any visitors at all.

Certain platforms provide you with the possibility of having your work featured as an advertising opportunity.

 Sell NFTs

Do you have an aptitude for digital artwork? Perhaps you'd like to know how to market art created using NFT. A lot of collectors and artists are already taking advantage of this type of digital art collective' and earning some cool money. It's the hot thing right now and although the future of NFTs isn't yet certain, if there is a new method to earn money is based on a blockchain it's definitely something that you should not ignore.

There are a lot of marketplaces on the internet that provide artists the opportunity to sell their work through printing-on-demand. Additionally, some support artists by featuring the artists' work on their social media platforms.

 SELL Digital Stock Artwork

As a graphic artist, photographer, illustrator, and videographer are able to utilize your work for websites with stock images in order to make money from the art of making.

 Work on Commissions

Receive direct orders from individuals or corporations to create unique work starting with scratch.

Working for clients doesn't have to be monotonous. If you are an artist or illustrator as an illustrator, you could even get paid for street art , interior or outdoor mural design and painting. Also, you can pair with other artists like musicians to create, for instance illustrations for an Spotify song cover.

 Where can you promote your art?

Okay. So we've discussed which items to market, but it's time to decide where we can sell it.

 Create your own Creative Blog

The establishment of your blog of your preference is among the most effective marketing strategies to draw clients at present.

This was by far the best choice I've ever made during my professional journey. Trust and authority are earned by promoting your job. The way to do this is to address the people you want to reach and provide all the details they're looking for. If it's photography of graphic design and social media or perhaps arts, you'll be able to determine a blog niche that is suitable for you.

A site that is able to draw a large amount of visitors could become a lucrative business (this requires effort and dedication) through advertisements or affiliate hyperlinks, in addition to advertisers and sponsors.

 Make and Design an eBook

If you're writing and blogging then this is the next step which you'll take after you've gained a reputation. It's much easier to promote and sell your ebook to anyone who is interested in the subject. You'll be able to be confident and trust your expertise.

 Learning and Mentoring

Many artists and creatives have shared their experiences by coaching, teaching, and mentoring via video calls or online teaching platforms. There is a good chance that you start your career as a coach. However, when you're engaged in writing or teaching, it's possible to take your next move.

 Work for online Marketplaces or Galleries

It is important to gain experience from the behind-the-scenes work that provides services, such as curating, selling, or marketing artwork.

In addition to making cash, you can also explore possibilities that you wouldn't be able to.

This is an action that you should take if seeking to enter the art world and not only sell your artwork.

 Works to create blogs and magazines

The art of writing, photographing, or directing art for blogs and the media is a thrilling opportunity to earn some money as an artist, but as well to build strong connections and get your name before more people.

If you're finding it difficult to set up the blog or site that you're keen on, we're here to assure you that it's not so difficult as you think. All you need to be is a consistent follower (that is, commenting on their blog posts or joining groups on the internet).

Webmasters and bloggers tend to hire from their own users.

 Promote the use of social Media

You make money as an artist using Instagram as well as other platforms and blogging your own blog. Whichever channel you promote and showcase your work, remember that social media is one of the methods for promoting and networking and you should not be 100% completely dependent upon it.

Facebook, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube are among the most popular platforms for artists, however it is your responsibility to choose the best one that meets your requirements.

Social media marketing is an all-time occupation but it's a worthwhile one when you're prepared to dedicate the necessary time.

 Get ready for a long run

I'm not lying to you about the fact that the way to success doesn't come quick or simple. It's a long-term commitment to hard work persistence, perseverance and an approach that is strategic to earn some money from being an artist yet more and more individuals achieve success in earning a livelihood through this.

When you begin to think of your art as a business instead of just a fun hobby You will increase your chance of becoming one of those lucky people!

You can build a sustainable income stream through your work as an artist CreativeMindClass.