It is one thing to have a creative skill like a fine artist, it is another to be able to make money with your skill. If you are unable to earn money, you might not see the benefit in your fine art skill.
According to a recent LinkedIn survey, for 34% of professionals, the leading factor in a dream job is happiness, but only 22% of us are lucky to work on our dream jobs. If you are an artist who succeeded to turn your favorite occupation into a paid job, you are one of the few who made their dream come true.
Of course artists know that to make money, you must sell work. But there are other methods of making money that you may not be aware of, and we will expose them in this article.
- 10 Ways to Earn Money as a Fine Artist
- How Much do Online Artists Make?
- Why do Most Artists Fail?
- Who is the Richest Painter in the World?
- How do I Start Selling Digital Art?
- What Art Jobs Pay the Most?
10 Ways to Earn Money as a Fine Artist
There are several ways to make money as an artist and you can create more than one stream of income. Whether you’re a part-time artist, or a full-time freelance artist, there are plenty of ways to make money from your art.
Read Also: How do Digital Artists Make Money
1. Commercial Galleries
Commercial galleries typically sell artists’ works at a commission. The typical commission that galleries take is somewhere between 40% and 50% of the sale of the work. This is determined by the contract. Whether you submit your work for sale by consignment or enter into an ongoing relationship with a gallery, the parameters should all be written down in a contract.
2. Sell your original pieces online
You can sell your paintings, sculptures or decorative items and jewelry through your website or e-shop. It’s however more wise to start on an established online art marketplace, with thousands of clients and millions of visitors, instead of waiting for buyers to discover your fresh website portfolio with almost zero traffic.
Some of those platforms offer you the chance to have your art featured, which is a great promotion.
3. Grants
There are many grants for artists. They are very competitive to get, but as one mentor of mine advised me, “Don’t give up until you have applied ten times.” Grants vary in how much money they award.
Some grants are privately funded and some are publicly funded. Some are given for a specific project that you propose and some are given outright for the work that you do.
4. License your art for stock websites
As a graphic designer, illustrator, photographer or videographer you can license your artwork for stock websites as a way to make passive income for artists. To know where to start, check out this list below for the top websites to sell your work on.
5. Create your own blog
Creating your own blog is one of the best marketing strategies to attract clients today.
For me, this was the most successful decision in my career. You build trust and gain authority while you’re promoting your work. The trick is to write for your target audience, offering them what they’re looking for.
A blog that gets a lot of traffic can become a profitable business (this requires hard work and dedication), through ads, affiliate links and sponsors.
6. Create and sell an eBook
If you’re into blogging, this is the next step you’ll probably take, after having built an audience. It’s much easier to promote and sell your eBook to people who are interested in your topic, trust you and consider you as an expert.
7. Coaching and mentoring
Many creatives and artists are sharing their experiences through coaching and mentoring. You probably won’t start your career online as a coach, but if you get seriously involved in blogging or teaching, this is also a potential next step.
8. Teach an online class or start a workshop
It’s not so easy to set up your own webinar or online class from day 1, but you can start by subscribing to some of them to see how it’s organized, or use an already established platform which offers online courses, like Skillshare or How Now.
9. Work for online marketplaces or galleries
You can get valuable experience with the behind-the-scenes work, offering services like curating, selling or promoting art. Apart from earning money, you open yourself to opportunities you wouldn’t have otherwise.
This is a step you should take anyway if you’re dreaming of getting deeper into the art’s industry and not just selling your work.
10. Work for magazines and blogs
Writing articles, taking photos and doing art direction for the press and blogs is a fascinating way, not only to make money as an artist, but also to make powerful connections and put your name in front of a broader audience.
If you find it extremely difficult to work for a blog or another website, all you need is to be an active follower (that means commenting to their posts or connecting through online groups). Most bloggers and website owners are likely to hire from their own audience of readers.
How Much do Online Artists Make?
With all the different method a fine artist can make money with, you will already be wondering how much you could possibly make as an artist. If you are just starting out, you should know that a lot of effort will be required on your part before earning a living as an artist.
Below you will see the earning potentials for different category of artist.
Commercial artists
Commercial artists are artists who work for other people in a business setting or as freelance artists. Their duties included drawing illustrations for products, as well as catalog layout, newsletter writing, and a handful of other incidental jobs not necessarily considered “artistic.”
The duties of a commercial artist vary from employer to employer and on the size of the employer. Larger companies may have dedicated commercial artists who do nothing but create art. Smaller businesses may have artists doing other tasks as well as creating art.
Commercial artists can also be freelancers. This means they own their own company and work for a number of clients rather than a single employer. Freelance artists often have more latitude in accepting or declining assignments, but less security in income. They only earn when they have clients.
As with most careers, the higher on the corporate ladder an artist is, the better their wages. In 2017, art directors (the highest level of the commercial artist) earned an average of $92,500 annually. A more typical annual wage for commercial artists in 2017 was $48,700.
Visual artists & commission artists
Commission artists are artists who work for hire to create unique artwork for clients. That includes painting portraits of people and pets, landscapes, and any other type of “portrait” style art. Visual artists are doing the same kind of work, but they work for themselves with the hope of selling their work after it’s finished.
Both types of work can be sold through galleries, art shows, and from artist websites. In most cases, the artists are not working as employees. The income they generate depends on the work they produce and the amount of money they can expect to receive for each artwork.
Although the most successful visual artists made more than $90,050 per year in 2011 (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics) the average income for visual artists in 2011 was closer to $53,400, or about $25.67 per hour. The bottom 10% of visual artists took home around $19,150 per year.
Graphic design artists
Graphic design artists use typography, photography and illustration to create produce for clients and/or solve client problems. Logo creation is one common form of graphic design. So is magazine and publication design, as well as web design.
Graphic design artists can work for someone else or operate their own business. As of 2016, the median graphic design salary was $47,640. The bottom 10 percent of graphic designers made under $27,950 a year, while the top 10 percent earned over $82,020.
Illustrators & cover artists
Illustrators and cover artists are responsible for creating book covers and other types of covers and/or the illustrations inside books. Many manufacturing companies employ illustrators to create product art for operator manuals, assembly instructions, and similar publications for customer use.
Illustrators and cover artists also often work freelance, and charge a lump sum for each job. For example, a local book cover artist charges $300 per cover for his services, and a little bit more for interior book design as well.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in 2017, illustrators and other fine artists made a median wage of $49,520 a year. So half of all illustrators made less than that, and half earned more.
Teaching artists
Artists can teach at public schools and universities, art institutes, through websites such as Patreon, and by giving private art lessons in their homes, studios, or even online.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, K-12 teachers earn between $46,999 to $56,630 per year, depending on where they teach (wages vary from state to state).
Artists teaching private lessons can charge between $20 and $50 per hour. Location factors largely into what they can reasonably expect to be paid as well, since an artist living in a small town may not be able to charge as much as an artist living in a larger market.
That’s not a hard-and-fast rule, however, since many successful teaching artists live in small communities that have a high interest in the arts.
Online courses level the playing field somewhat by making it possible for anyone with computer access anywhere in the world to take a class or course from any artist anywhere in the world.
Artists who do the best have well-planned and executed courses that solve problems for other artists. A well-designed course website that’s easy to navigate and courses that leave students wowed can generate a seven-figure income.
Patreon has provided an especially lucrative platform for artists who use video as their method of teaching. The highest ranking visual artist on Patreon as of May 23, 2017 was Lisa Clough of Lachri Fine Art, who was earning over $6,000/month on that date (her earnings are currently $7,762 per month.)
She teaches a range of mediums from graphite to oil painting, and does realistic portrait work, surrealism, wildlife art, marine art, and still life work, so her work appeals to a broad audience.
Colored pencil artist Bonny Snowdon launched her Patreon page earlier this year (2019) and has already surpassed the $2,000/month level. Of course, there are a lot more artists earning $0 to $2,000 per month, but much depends on your following and your content.
Why do Most Artists Fail?
With all the earning figure mentioned above, you might be wondering why some artists are not running a successful business for themselves. Well, here are some reasons.
You’re not studying the business of art
“Professional artist” has a secret job description. Under artist, it should list marketer, social media specialist, CEO, inventory manager, accountant, and more. Because you’re not only an artist, you are also running your own small business—and that is something you need to take seriously.
We’re not saying to spend your life savings on an M.B.A. You simply need to devote a little time to develop your business chops each week. There are so many great resources out there for artists.
Whether you prefer reading books, perusing blogs, or listening to podcasts in the studio, every tidbit of information you absorb can help turn your art business into a sustainable career.
You’re not giving 100 percent
Working as an artist can be an unpredictable lifestyle. When the sales aren’t booming, even the most confident artists question their path. You have to learn how to harness your fears in order to find success as an artist.
Need a push? Take these words from actor Jim Carrey’s viral commencement speech: “So many of us choose our path out of fear disguised as practicality. What we really want seems impossibly out of reach, and ridiculous to expect, so we never dare to ask the universe for it.”
In the speech, Carrey discusses his father’s “safe” decision to become an accountant instead of an actor, and how he was sadly let go from this “safe” accounting job. He remarks, “You can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.”
You’re not organized
There is A LOT to keep track of when you’re an artist: the location of your pieces, client information, sales, aspects of your artworks, gallery dates, application details … and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
With so much to do and so little time, Excel spreadsheets just aren’t going to cut it. If you’re serious about making a career as an artist, you need a system to help manage your business. An inventory management program like Artwork Archive allows artists to easily stay on top of the administrative side of their career.
You’re not making use of your art marketing
The art world is rife with competition. While marketing may not sound that fun or glamorous, becoming your own marketing expert is necessary if you want to have a thriving art business.
When a solid and well researched effort is put towards promoting your work, you will see your audience wide and gain the ability to attract more customers and sales.
While very useful, social media and email can get monotonous for you and your potential buyers. Don’t be afraid to put your creative talents to use in your marketing endeavors too.
You’re not pricing correctly
Pricing can be one of the big reasons why your art isn’t selling—and how can you make a living as an artist if no one buys your work?
Before you start getting stressed out, take a look at these do’s and don’ts of pricing your artwork to get a better feel for what you should be charging. Next, consider these three straightforward formulas for pricing your artwork. Have you introduced multiple price points in your art business? It may help you sell to a larger crowd.
Finally, update your inventory status on Artwork Archive after you sell a piece so you can begin to measure your productivity and gain more understanding about who is buying what.
Who is the Richest Painter in the World?
1 GERHARD RICHTER
One of the most complex, particular, and important living artists of the 21st century, but also one of the highest-paid of all: in 2011 he sold works and achieved total revenue of about $ 200 million
2 JEFF KOONS
The king of art kitsch, and strafamoso for his collection of Balloon Dogs: selling a Balloon ‘Orange’ has made approximately $ 58.400 and is expected to grow the market value of the other dogs-balloons
3 ANNIE LEIBOVITZ
Photograph loved by fashion magazines and Hollywood stars; with the sale of photos of Keith Haring with the body painted in black and white theme with his way of painting, earned $ 57.458 well!
4 MAURIZIO CATTELAN
It is not only America to hold records in terms of contemporary art: born provocateur, criticatissimo and absurd character which is the Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan has sold the sculpture of Pope John Paul struck by a meteorite, the modest sum of $ 886,000.
5 DAMIEN HIRST
One of the members of the Young British Art (do you remember the glass cases with dead animals inside?) With an auction held at Sotheby’s in 2008, he made no fewer than 92 million pounds by selling some works, overcoming even Picasso
How do I Start Selling Digital Art?
Whether you’re an art director, illustrator or 3D artist, you could be selling your design assets directly to the public. Whether you’re looking to publish a book, sell your more experimental designs as prints, create your own T-shirts, or delve into product design, it’s now simpler than ever to sell design work online.
There are many existing ecommerce websites that will allow you to reach a wider market to sell your products. The following sites offer a tried and tested way to make the most of your design work and start generating extra income from it.
1. Art Web
Art Web is an ecommerce site that specialises in selling art online to buyers around the world. A community of different artists and creatives use this online platform to network and share their work, as well as to make money from it.
The service works on a no-commission basis, and there’s a free plan that gives you an online gallery with up to 15 images. There’s also a paid-for version that gives you more images and a professional-looking website. Sell your art with Art Web here.
2. Creative Market
A favourite among designers, Creative Market is a brilliant place to sell your designs online. Whatever it is you’re creating – graphics, fonts, photos, even 3D assets – get it online at Creative Market and it’ll be in front of five million members. There’s no exclusivity lock-in, you set your own prices and take home 70 per cent of each sale. Open a Creative Market shop here.
3. Design Cuts
Design Cuts is a community website offering high quality assets to designers at affordable and discounted prices. Patterns, brushes, backgrounds, fonts, graphics and other slick assets abound. “We’re very exclusive and work with only the best designers in the world, curating the highest quality marketplace around,” it told us. To be featured on the site, Design Cuts says to get in touch via its Contact page.
4. Big Cartel
Launched in 2004, Big Cartel is one of the most popular platforms for any creative looking to sell design work online. Unlike a lot of websites, it allows you to build your store and customise it to give it a unique feel as well as it adapting to your existing website.
Giving you all the professional tools you need to conduct market research – such as a tracking and social networking – you’re given total freedom and control over the ways in which you choose to sell and promote your work.
The price plan ranges from free to $29.99 a month depending on the support and facilities you wish to use, as well as the number of products you are offering. Sign up for a Big Cartel store here.
5. This is a Limited Edition
This is a Limited Edition, formerly Click for Art, specialises in art prints, canvas prints and limited edition products from cushions to mugs and laptop cases. It features work from tops artists including Jon Burgerman, Audrey Kawasaki and Mode 2. If you’re a talented artist, this could be a great avenue to sell your designs to a commercial audience. Fill out its Artist Application to be considered.
6. Artist Shops
Artist Shops is run by online community and ecommerce store Threadless, and provides artists with a customisable storefront, and the benefits of a hosting and checkout experience through Threadless. You can choose various products to sell your art on, and there’s no minimum order size. .
7. Society 6
Society 6 is another online platform for creatives to sell design work, focusing on “affordable art prints, iPhone cases and T-shirts”. It’s free to set up, and the products are produced made, shipped, and managed for you – leaving you with only the designing to do. With the site only taking a small percentage of what you sell back, this is a great place for designers and creatives looking to get their work featured onto a vast range of products. Find out .
8. Etsy
Etsy is a global ecommerce website that caters for the needs of creatives looking to sell design work, focusing on handmade goods, vintage items and art and craft supplies. Essentially, it’s an online version of a massive craft fair.
Etsy is the most popular of craft-driven retail sites, and offers the kind of million-strong global audience most creatives would struggle to reach on their own. The site is open to all sellers, and it’s relatively cheap to use: listing an item for four months (or until it sells), costs $0.20 (around 13p), and commission fees sit at 5 per cent (plus VAT) on each purchase.
There are some downsides, though: with this popularity comes stiff competition, quality control is essentially non-existent, and keeping on top of updates can be time-consuming.
9. Not On The High Street
It costs £199 to join Not On The High Street, and sellers have to pay 25 per cent commission, plus VAT (Etsy, by comparison, only charges 5 per cent). However, the site pulls in over two million unique visitors per month, which doubles at Christmas, so for many it’s worth the investment.
NOTHS focuses on quality rather than quantity. It’s more exclusive than competitors like Etsy, with strict guidelines and a tough application process. The result is only the best designer-makers can secure a spot on the site.
10. Design By Humans
Design By Humans is an online store offering T-shirts, phone cases, prints, mugs and more with designs from over 15,000 global designers. Describing itself as a “community” of passionate artists and customers, you upload your designs and the site handles the logistics of payments, printing items, shipping orders and so on. You can even opt for a custom storefront.
What Art Jobs Pay the Most?
Graduates who complete studies within arts disciplines gain a versatile degree providing solid educational foundation, means of increasing skills, and valuable experiences. Obtaining a degree based in the arts provides individuals with the opportunities to establish long term, secure careers within today’s top industries.
As most employers seek candidates with strong communication skills, analytical skills, and critical thinking skills, arts majors are among candidates most preferred by a number of organizations and businesses.
Due to the many disciplines available to students with an interest in majoring in the arts, the following Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs For Arts Majors will assist in choosing the best educational path to maximize earning potential.
1. Art Director
Art Directors are the upper level executives who design and direct layouts, art work, graphs, graphics, illustrations, and visual styles or images for productions. Art Directors oversee the planning, conceptual layout, and design of photographs, advertisements, and visual elements of magazines, newspapers, packaging, film sets, or television productions.
They also review and approve work submitted by design and graphic staff, work closely with clients to meet artistic and stylistic needs and present designs for approval, as well as coordinate projects within various creative, financial, and customer service departments.
Art Directors are required possess a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in art, design, photography, or a related discipline combined with previous work experience to qualify for employment.
Many also complete Master of Business Administration or a Master of Fine Arts degree to gain employment within administrative positions. Earnings for Art Directors range from $42,840 to $163,430 annually.
2. Art Agent/Business Manager
Art Agents and Business Managers are the experts of the art industry who remain current of industry trends and represent artists to prospective clients and employers. They also promote the talents of individual or groups of artists.
Art Agents and Business Managers offer strategic planning to advance their clients’ careers, handle contract and payment negotiations, arrange meetings with their clients and employers, write contracts, arrange travel and lodging, direct marketing campaigns, oversee advertising and public relations efforts, schedule meetings and promotional opportunities for clients, and handle their clients’ financial affairs by collecting fees, commission and payments.
Art Agents and Business Managers often complete a minimum of a bachelor degree in art history and work as artists until acquiring the work experiences and talent necessary to advance to agent positions.
Earnings for Art Agents and Business Managers are based on commission rates ranging from 10 to 20 percent of the art’s selling value. Salaries generally range from $41,740 to $116,370 yearly.
3. Art Professor
Art Professors offer specialized instruction and advanced expertise based in art to students within colleges and universities based. They plan, develop, and teach course curriculums, lesson plans, and assignments.
Art Professors improve students knowledge and skills through instruction and assessment of progress, serve on academic committees, and advice students on means of meeting and achieving their goals. Art Professors within larger secondary schools also perform research, offer critical reviews, analyze documents and artwork, and publish findings within scholarly articles to advance the field and remain current in the art industry.
Art Professors must complete a minimum of a master’s of education degree within the visual arts or art history combined with work experience to gain employment at two year community colleges.
Larger colleges and universities generally prefer candidates who complete a doctoral degree program to be considered for employment. Art Professors generally earn salaries of $45,370 to $88,290 yearly.
4. Commercial Artist
Commercial Artists are responsible for developing and creating graphics and images used within advertising campaigns, print and online magazines, and packaging materials.
Commercial Artists interpret basic conceptual ideas based upon employer or client descriptions and produce several drafts to meet client needs using freehand sketches or computerized design programs.
Commercial Artists work closely with clients, supervisors, and other staff to brainstorm ideas, refine designs, and increase understanding of target markets, budgeting issues, scheduling goals, and project objectives. Commercial Artists may work independently as freelancers or within advertising corporations, publishing companies, graphic design firms, and other organizations.
Many Commercial Artists are required to complete a minimum of a bachelor degree in commercial art to qualify for entry level employment. Salaried Commercial Artists generally have salaries of $43,980 to $85,160 annually.
5. Animator
Animators are responsible for the development, creation, and production of moving images used for websites, video games, film, and television projects. Animators utilize specialized computer software, computer graphics, and hand drawings to design and produce 2-D and 3-D animation for storyboards, models, and characters.
Animators also design advertisements for use on the Internet to attract and direct online visitors to a number of web sites. Qualifying for entry-level positions as animators requires completion of bachelor level studies within art or computer graphic disciplines combined with work experience and strong technical skills. Animators’ earnings range from $45,750 to $82,860 annually.
6. Interior Designer
Interior Designers are professionals who combine function, safety, style, and beauty to create aesthetically pleasing interior spaces. Interior Designers work closely with clients to determine the objectives and purpose of a project.
They also design sketches by hand or using computer software, select materials and furnishings, and plans to ensure a space meets the clients’ requirements. They also oversee all aspects of projects to ensure time efficiency, budgetary restraints, and proper installation.
Interior Designers work with contractors, architects, and structural engineers to ensure spaces adhere to client specifications, building codes, and inspection regulations.
Many Interior Designers specialize in particular structures, rooms, or styles to transform spaces using color, fabric, furniture, flooring, wallcovering, lighting, finishes and other elements within offices, private residences, and public areas.
Interior Designers must complete associate or bachelor degree programs in interior design, drawing, or computer-aided design to establish their careers. Some may even complete master’s degree programs to gain advanced positions. Interior Designers earn salaries of $35,320 to $65,960 annually.
7. Graphic Designer
Graphic Designers are the creators of graphics and other visual images for public and private organizations. They analyze client needs, design visual images, and produce illustrations, texts, animations, and promotional materials used for logos, displays, advertisements, marketing brochures, and signage.
Graphic Designers are utilize specialized computer software and hand sketched drawings for online and print magazines, websites, newspapers, journals and other publications.
They work closely with advertising and promotional professionals, public relations specialists, marketing representatives, and other members of creative teams.
Graphic Designers often begin employment within entry level positions upon completion of bachelor degree programs based in the fine arts or graphic design disciplines. Graphic Designers have annual salaries of $33,410 to $59,410 annually.
8. Art Gallery Dealer
Art Gallery Dealers are the art industry’s experts who buy and sell artwork. They work closely with artists, critics, collectors, curators, auction houses, and museums within independent, self operated businesses cultivating talent, representing clients, and matching works with purchasers.
They facilitate contacts between art professionals, create sales proposals, and set standards for accreditation or memberships within industry associations. They must remain current with industry trends, changes, and advances and often contribute to market influences.
Art Gallery Dealers frequently travel to international locations to attend auctions, exhibitions, and studios to purchase works for galleries and collectors. Many specialize in artwork from exclusive time periods, styles, or regions.
They generally must complete advanced graduate level degrees in art history and gain work experience as art critics or art academics to acquire the educational and work experiences necessary to qualify for employment. Art Gallery Dealers often earn salaries based upon commissions with yearly earnings ranging from $30,000 to $70,000.
9. Advertising Designer
Advertising Designers are specialized public relations professionals who plan, develop, and produce advertisements for online and print publications. Advertising Designers work closely with clients to create images using creativity and visual images like photographs, animations, sounds, illustrations, and photographs.
They also research target markets to ensure their creations are appealing to specific demographics to meet cultural, social, physical, and cognitive standards. Advertising designers generally must create and present multiple layouts and sketches to clients before the final design is approved.
Training to become an advertising designer requires a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, art, advertising, photography, or related disciplines. Earnings for advertising designers ranges from $33,960 to $58,400 yearly.
10. Freelance Writer
Freelance Writers are the researchers and preparers of articles, stories, books, and content for online and print publications, radio, and television. They work independently gathering information, sometimes conducting interviews, providing opinion, reporting facts, creating content, providing technical instructions, and edit or review final projects before submission to one or several contracted businesses and organizations.
Read Also: Using Skills In 3D Animation To Make Money As A Digital Graphics Artist
Many specialize in technical writing, journalism, creative writing and other communication fields to establish a niche and enhance employability. Freelance Writers often must complete a minimum of a bachelor degree in journalism, English, or other art/humanities fields.
Some freelance writing positions do not require a degree but do require creativity, dedication and motivation. Freelance Writers generally earn $28,610 to $55,420 annually.
Conclusion
Although it may seem overwhelming following all those steps, don’t get disheartened. Many of those who now run an online business felt the same way in the beginning — lost and confused in the chaotic web.
Subscribe to the best blogs in your niche (it’s easy to find them, their posts rank higher in Google searches) and start following fellow artists you admire.
You’ll learn a lot, not only by implementing what they advise you to do but by paying attention to how they do it. Don’t just look at their artwork and technique — see how they market themselves.
Every platform has its pros and cons, choose the most suitable for you to set up your website portfolio and sell your work.
However, the path to success is not easy and effortless. It takes hard work, patience, perseverance, discipline and a smart strategy to make money as an artist — only a few will end up living from it.
As soon as you start conceiving your art as a business and not just as a pleasurable hobby, you have more chances to be one of them!