7 Proven Ways to Make a Living as an Artist

With online art sales projected to reach US$13.5 billion by the end of the year, now is a great time to start selling your art online. In this article, you’ll learn seven proven ways to make a living as an artist, including selling your art online, teaching art classes or workshops, selling prints or originals of your work, entering art contests and competitions, getting involved with arts organizations, or groups, displaying your art in local businesses or galleries and licensing your artwork for commercial use.

1. Sell Your Art Online

There are many ways that artists can make a living, and many artists have multiple revenue streams to keep money coming in.

One way to generate an income as an artist is to sell your art online.

Many platforms allow artists to sell their work, including Etsy, Saatchi Art, and Fine Art America. These are just a few e-commerce platforms that will enable artists to sell their work worldwide and typically have lower commission rates than traditional art galleries.

Tips For Selling Art Online

• Decide on a selling platform that will allow you to reach the most potential buyers.
• Create an online portfolio that displays your best work.
• Make sure your website is professional and easy to navigate.
• Make sure your art is up to standard. This means having high-quality images of your work and well-written artist biography.
• Price your work fairly. Don’t price your work too low or too high, as you may not get the results you’re hoping for.
• Take advantage of social media. Use hashtags, post your work on Facebook, and tweet about your latest pieces.
• Ship your work safely. Use proper packaging and shipping materials when sending your artwork to buyers.

For more information, visit How To Sell Paintings Online – Complete Guide

2. Teach Art Classes or Workshops

Many artists find teaching art classes and workshops a great way to supplement their income. Not only do you get to share your love of art with others, but you can also make a good income by charging for your classes or workshops. You can teach in person or online, and there are many different types of classes and workshops you can offer.

• Teach online – Teaching art classes or workshops online is a great way to reach a larger audience. You can teach students worldwide, and you don’t have to leave your home studio.
• Online Video Courses – online courses are a great way to earn passive income. You can set up a course once and then make money from it over time as students enroll.
• Live Webinars – live webinars are a great way to connect with students in real-time. You can answer questions and help them with their artwork in real-time.
• Classes for Children – teaching art classes for children is a great way to introduce them to art and help them develop their creative skills.
• Teach in-person – Teaching in person can be a great way to meet new people and share your love of art with others. You can teach at local schools, community centers, or art studios.

3. Sell Prints of Your Work

One way to make a living as an artist is by selling reproductions of your original artwork. Selling prints can be done through online marketplaces, such as Etsy, or local galleries or businesses. You can also sell your work at art shows and conventions. Whichever method you choose, it’s essential to have quality reproductions that people will want to buy.

There are several ways to sell prints of your artwork.

Here are a few methods:

• Sell prints through online marketplaces, such as Etsy
• Sell prints through local galleries or businesses
• Sell prints at art shows and conventions
• Have a website where people can buy limited-edition or open-edition prints of your original artwork
• Use a print on demand service to sell prints of your artwork

Each of these methods has its advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a closer look at each one.

Online Market Places

Selling prints through online marketplaces, such as Etsy, is a great way to reach many people. Etsy is a popular online marketplace that has over 81 million active buyers. That’s a lot of potential customers.

The downside to selling prints through online marketplaces like Etsy is that you have to share the profits with the marketplace. Etsy, for example, takes 6.5% of each sale. So, if you sell a print for $10, you will only receive $9.35 minus shipping and payment transaction fees.

Local Galleries

Selling prints through local galleries or businesses is a great way to reach local customers. Galleries and businesses often have a loyal customer base interested in buying art.

The downside to selling prints through local galleries or businesses is that you have to compete with other artists for sales. You also have to pay for the cost of displaying your artwork, which can be expensive.

Art Shows

Selling prints at art shows and conventions is a great way to reach potential customers interested in buying art. Art shows and conventions are a great place to sell your work because you can reach a large number of people in a short amount of time.

The downside to selling prints at art shows and conventions is that you have to compete with other artists for sales. You also have to pay for being a vendor at the art show, which can be expensive.

Website

Having a website where people can buy prints or originals of your work is a great way to reach potential customers interested in purchasing art. A website allows potential buyers to learn more about you and your artwork.

The downside to having a website where people can buy prints or originals of your work is that you have to pay for the cost of setting up and maintaining a website.

Print-On-Demand

Using a print-on-demand service to sell prints of your artwork is a great way to reach potential customers interested in buying art. A print-on-demand service takes care of all the printing and shipping for you. This means you don’t have to worry about any logistics involved in selling prints.

The downside to using a print-on-demand service to sell prints of your artwork is that the production costs are more expensive than if you printed them yourself.

Each of these methods has its advantages and disadvantages. It’s essential to choose the method that best suits your needs.

For more information, visit How To Sell Art Prints Online (And Make Money)

4. Enter Art Contests and Competitions

There are a variety of art contests and competitions that artists can enter to win prizes and recognition. Some contests are for a specific type of art, such as photography or painting, while others are open to a wide range of mediums.

The most prestigious art competitions typically have high entry fees, but the winners often receive sizable cash prizes, along with other accolades.

Many artists enter art contests and competitions to get their work seen by a wider audience. Winning a contest can help artists gain exposure and boost their confidence, portfolio, and online sales.

Building name recognition by joining art competitions will help you sell more because people are more likely to buy art from an artist they know.

5. Get Involved with Arts Organizations or Groups

There are a variety of arts organizations and groups that artists can join to get more exposure to their work. These organizations and groups typically have newsletters, websites, and social media pages where artists can promote their work. Some organizations and groups also hold exhibitions, workshops, and other events to sell their work or gain more exposure.

6. Display Your Art in Local Businesses or Galleries

Displaying your art in local businesses or galleries is another way to make a living as an artist. This approach can be beneficial because it allows people to see your art up close and personal, leading to more sales. You can also gain exposure to potential art buyers and art collectors this way.

How To Reach Out To Local Businesses

If you’re interested in displaying your art in local businesses or galleries, start by doing a Google search for “art galleries” or “businesses that accept local artwork.” You can also contact your local art center, arts council, or chamber of commerce to get more information.

Make a list of all the small businesses and galleries in your area and send them a customized email or call to introduce yourself and your artwork. Be sure to include a link to your online portfolio or website so that they can see your work.

Be prepared to discuss the following:

• The type of art you create
• The size of your paintings or prints
• Your price range
• Whether you’re available for commissions
• Whether you have any existing pieces that are for sale
• Your availability to exhibit your work

For more information, visit How To Sell Art Prints To Stores

Gallery Tips

If you’re exhibiting your work in a gallery, be sure to read the agreement carefully before signing it. Some galleries may take a commission on any art that’s sold, so be sure to factor that into your price.

Also, be prepared to leave a deposit (usually around 50%) to reserve the space. This money will usually be refunded to you once your exhibit is over.

7. License Your Artwork for Commercial Use

Another way to make a living as an artist is to license your artwork for commercial use. This could involve licensing your artwork to be used on products, in advertisements, or for other commercial purposes. If your artwork is licensed for commercial use, you can typically make a lot of money. However, it’s important to note that you will likely need to sign a contract with the company or individual licensing your artwork. So be sure to read the agreement carefully before signing it.

For more information, visit How to License Your Artwork: 5 Tips for Artists.

Conclusion

There are many ways to make a living as an artist. You can make a successful career by selling your art online, teaching art classes or workshops, selling prints or originals of your work, entering art contests and competitions, getting involved with arts organizations or groups, and licensing your artwork for commercial use art world.

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