Are you an artist? Here’s how to make money drawing

If you’re a skilled artist looking to take your work out into the world — and earn some money in the process — we’ve got some advice for you.

It’s possible to do what you love and earn good money for it. You just need to know how to make money online as an artist. Don’t let the competition or self-doubt keep you from offering your unique gifts to those who appreciate them. Your art shines, and so do you. If you’re looking for ideas on how to make money drawing, we’re here to help.

5 ways to get you going

Whether drawing is your hobby or what you do for a living, your art is valuable, and you deserve to be compensated for what you create. Even if you have a thriving full-time job, the following tips on how to make money as an artist online can help you establish a side hustle. After all, who doesn’t mind a secondary source of income?

1. Sell drawings online

Plenty of art lovers out there are looking for unique creations for their homes. You can reach these buyers by selling on Etsy or online art galleries like FineArtAmerica, Saatchi Art and UGallery. If you have a whole collection to show off, consider making your own e-commerce store on Shopify or a similar platform. This method is perfect for artists who have to physically ship their artwork (like original paintings and sculptures) to customers.

2. Use print-on-demand (POD) services

If you’re the kind of artist who works with a stylus instead of a pencil or a brush, print-on-demand services may be an ideal fit for you. These drop-shipping companies provide a way for you to sell drawings online for money. They can print your graphic designs on anything from good-old paper to yoga pants, so your customers will have the option to hang your work or even wear it if they like.

If you don’t mind creating copies of your original artwork, a POD service like Zazzle makes for an excellent opportunity to reach a wider audience and get your work out into the world. Imagine your doodles getting sent around the world on greeting cards or turning up on T-shirts and phone cases.

3. Share your knowledge with online tutorials

Build your own online community of artists by sharing your talents with beginners. Offer a course in pencil drawing, a tutorial on how to use a certain application, a class on art history — anything your community will find useful or interesting.One of the great things about living in such a connected world is that your students — or apprentices — can follow along in real-time, virtually. Charge each student an entry fee per class, and you can make some pretty good money as your digital classroom fills up.

4. Join the freelance community

If you want to turn your hobby into a job, you can offer your skills on a freelance work platform like Fiverr or Upwork. Share your portfolio, abilities, and professional website with an audience of clients looking for an artist’s help. You could find a drawing job that allows you to design logos, create visual concepts for brands, or even do bespoke artistic works. You can freelance and make extra money from your talent even if you already hold a nine-to-five.

5. Turn creative digital items into NFTs

Are you into art and cryptocurrency? Turn your creative pieces into non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, digital items issued to a blockchain (a very secure online ledger that records transactions across a network of computers). You can sign up on an NFT marketplace like OpenSea and start selling or auctioning your work to collectors. Some marketplaces even let you keep a cut (your royalty fee) when your NFT art is resold.

It’s the age of artists

Maybe you’ve heard about iconic artists like Van Gogh who never received recognition until after they died. Don’t be disheartened by those stories because times have changed.

With the internet, it’s much easier for artists to promote themselves and their work, even if they aren’t backed by a fine art gallery or patron. And we can't stress enough the importance of building your brand as an artist.

Get savvy on social media platforms and connect with other creators, even influencers. Be sure to put your work on all the major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. A sharp personal website, which should include your portfolio, is also a must. It serves as a virtual gallery that viewers and potential clients can peruse at leisure.

You can easily link to all your social media accounts, YouTube channel, WordPress, and online store via a Linktree URL, which houses all of these destinations in one central place. Put your Linktree URL in your IG bio, on your LinkedIn page and even on your own website so that no matter where your future fans find you first, they can continue to learn more about your work on other platforms. Get your personalized Linktree link here.

With these tips, you’ll be set to take all the amazing creative work you do to new heights. And as you do, we encourage you to continue to enrich your practice and grow as a drawing artist by taking classes, putting the pen to paper, and exploring and appreciating the work of others in your community.