Many people who have a creative side and like to create art often just do it for fun and relaxation. However, the internet offers so many possibilities where you can sell your art and make money. It doesn’t sound too bad to get a little extra pennies or make a living by showing the world your creativity?
But what art can you sell, and how to make money with your art?
What art can you sell?
Before you decide where to sell your art, you should determine what you want to sell.
- Original art such as paintings, drawings, and illustrations. You can both see the original art and the prints of the same work.
- Limited or open edition prints (framed, unframed, or prints on canvas)
- Digital downloads (wallpapers, templates, print at home, art, stock footage, etc.,
- Custom art is made when a customer or business requests an artwork. It is generally one-of-a-kind art and not again as a reproduction.
- Merchandise Art print on t-shirts, hats, mugs, clothes, greeting cards, phone cases, etc.
- Repeat Prints on wrapping paper fabric or wallpaper.
- Licensing work to other brands or publications (great for photographers and illustrators).
- Collaboration with a brand like a limited collection sold through a brand partner store
How to make money with your art?
There are many useful and effective ways to earn money with your art.
1. Sell via art sites
If you create physical paintings, you can find different platforms like Artfinder, Etsy, and Saatchi art. However, you need already be established in the market for some sites like Artsy and Artnet.
The platform have all different commissions and rules to sell your art. So make sure to compare the websites and choose the most fitting one for your artwork.
It is also possible to use subscription websites like Patreon, where you offer different benefits and rewards for people that choose one of the various subscription levels.
2. Enter competition and art awards
Entering a Competition and art award is a way to show your artistic skills. While this is not exactly a way to make money unless there are cash prizes for the winner, it is still a good idea to bring your name out there.
Always read the rules carefully because if you want to stand out, then you need to fit the judge’s criteria. However, you still need to be creative and build something unique and extremely high quality so that out of the hundreds of submissions, you will be the one to remember.
3. Sell your art at stock websites
You not only can sell photographs on stock image websites but also any form of visual art like illustrations, templates, and fine art paintings.
On sites like Shutterstock, Getty images, etc., you can find a variety of detailed portraits, abstract designs, and backgrounds that buyers can use to digitally edit pictures.
Remember, as a stock image seller; you don’t have control over who buys a license to use the image in ads you might choose to promote.
If you have any artwork you want to sell as original work, you shouldn’t submit such images to a stock website. It can get compacted when you sell a physical piece the full ownership of the work because many others also have bought a license to use.
But it is still an amazing way to sell digital art and make a passive income this way.
4. Build a strong portfolio website
No matter if you first start out or have already made a name for yourself, building an artist portfolio website that showcases your work is a good way to boost your art sales online.
With WordPress, for example, you can relatively easily create a portfolio website. You can find many WordPress themes and plugins that are perfect for showcasing your work.
Use high-quality photos of your artwork and make the site visually appealing, as it should reflect your artist’s skills. Also, add an about me page where you share insight about your artistic background, interests, and if you studied relevant subjects like graphic design or fine art. And why you choose to create art.
Also, present your credential and give insight into your personal life. Write in a tone and style that feels natural to you because potential buyers might be keen to know the real person behind the artwork.
Make sure to link all your social media profiles, where people can buy your art, and how they can contact you.
5. Use social media to promote and sell your artwork
When you want to start selling artwork, it is almost essential to have a social media presence. Platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter are good for showcasing your art and building a following.
You can also share digital art and sell it on art platforms like Artstation and DeviantArt.
With such social media site, you can attract new fans to your art and increase your sales. Consistency and creating engaging content are key to growing your following. Also, be authentic and keep your responses friendly even when criticized.
6. Get commissions for your art
If you are skilled enough, you can start taking paid art commissions from friends or any people that want to pay for your art. Let people know on your profiles, business cards, and website how they can contact you and what prices you have. A simple “DM me for commissions” can be effective, so people get in touch with you.
You might also make your own prices depending on how long and how hard they work for the requested artwork. Ensure you choose a secure payment option and make a contract, so you don’t get scammed.
7. Use merchandise platforms or create your own store
There are various merchandise platforms like Redbuble, Designbyhumans, and Society6, where you can sell your designs as a print on demand. This can be all types of clothes, mugs, bags, phone cases, pillows, etc.
Your art should be high quality and meet the different resolution standards needed for print on demand. It is relatively easy to upload your designs on such platforms. But still look at how much commissions you get, the quality of the product, and if the company has good customer reviews.
It is also possible to create your online store and work with a third-party print-on-demand company together. Having an online store where you sell your art might be more profitable than when you only sell on merchandise platforms. Managing a shop is a lot of work, especially if you ship the product yourself.
No matter what you choose, you want to make any sales if you don’t promote your art and have a following. You can use many different marketing strategies like advertising and social media marketing to increase your sales and get customers.
8. Create an art book or illustrate book, film, or cd covers
When you have created enough art, you can create an art book or calendar where you can share little details or stories about your art.
Another possibility is finding gigs on Fiverr, 99Designs, Upwork, and other freelancer platforms. To get work, you need a portfolio and share what programs you use, what skills you have, and what designs you can create. Set your prices lower at first, depending on your skill, and increase when you have good reviews and success rate.
Also, think about the licenses of your work and use a contract that explains such details. Most platforms have a contract you can share with customers.
9. Sell NFT art
NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) are becoming a big part of the modern art market. NFTs are digital files unique to the owner, stored on a blockchain, and bought with the cryptocurrency Ethereum. Blockchain technology is essentially a secure way to verify ownership of digital items.
There are different online marketplaces that focus on NFT art, like Nifty Gateway and SuperRare.
It is an easy way to sell art this way as your work exists in a digital format but still can be bought, sold, and owned as original work of art. There is a lot of interest in NFTs in the art world as it is a relatively new and exciting concept that can potentially draw attention to your work.
The problem is that the NFT art market is pretty volatile, so you can not really predict how much money you could make and what the crypto coin Ethereum in the future is worth.
If you are interested in selling NFT art, do thorough research, learn about the potential risk, and carefully consider if it is the right choice.
10. Apply to sell at art fairs
Art fairs are often the biggest event in the industry. The top fairs attract some of the most influential people in the art world, including galleries, art dealers, curators, and artists. There are still casual art fans who also attend them.
Unless an art gallery already represents you, you are most likely unable to exhibit your work, but some accept applications from individual artists and art collectives.
Search on Google to find art fairs near you and if they would suit you and your artwork. Each website should have details about if applications are open to individuals artists along with rules on how to apply
When you secure a place to exhibit your work at an art fair, be friendly and open throughout and chat with as many visitors as you can. It would be great if you make a sale on the day but try not to be discouraged if this doesn’t happen.
Deciding to buy artwork can take time, so make sure you hand out a business card to anyone you chat with at the fair. Once visitors think through the decision, they might get back to you to buy your art.
11. Network with art buyers
Networking is always a good choice for any type of business. You can find many art dealers and potential buyers if you be confident.
Art exhibition openings have high guarantees to attract keen buyers and collectors. But you usually need to be added to the guest list. On the website or their social media profile, you might find info on how you can attend such an event.
If you make it talk to as many people as possible and have images of your at and business cards you can hand out. While it is unlikely that you will make a sale there, building a network of potential buyers and art exhibits is important.
You might meet someone interested in buying your work or an impressive curator and gallery director, which could lead to your art being represented in a gallery.
Also, use social media platforms where you can share and comment on art from other artists and cross-promote to attract new potential customers.
12. Approach commercial galleries
You can attend exhibition events and talk to as many people as you can, including the director and curators of the gallery. While they might not decide to start representing your artwork after the first meeting, it could if you take the time to build a relationship with them.
Show interest in the work they are representing asked a lot of questions, and become a familiar face at their exhibition openings.
Even if they don’t think you are ready for gallery representation right now, it can help to find out what you can do to improve your work.
Artists that are represented in well-established galleries can access some amazing opportunities like having their work exhibited at big art fairs, getting interviewed by art critics, and getting their art promoted by a trusted name to potential buyers.
But these opportunities usually have high commission costs, which vary by the art gallery, still often around 50% of sales.
When you think the suggested commission charge is too high before you sign, try to negotiate the fees in the contract between you as an artist and the gallery.
