Do you enjoy painting? What if I told you that no matter where you are, you can earn money through online painting without needing to be a famous artist? Would that excite you?
Imagine being able to paint online with your creativity and talent, not only earning money but also sharing your work with art enthusiasts around the world. When you capture the attention of an audience, there’s a chance to earn significant income.
This is not an impossible feat. Take a friend of mine, for example. She isn’t a professional painter; she just enjoys painting in her spare time. The only difference is that she shares her artwork on Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram.
Although her paintings aren’t extraordinary, her persistence and creativity have gradually built her a loyal following. By showcasing her work on these platforms, she has not only garnered appreciation from viewers but also started receiving commissions for custom pieces and collaborating with brands for promotions. With her income steadily increasing, it has become an important side hustle for her.
Compared to a decade ago, when the internet hadn’t yet surged, artists had few options to make money. Today, with the advancement of digital technology, artists and painting enthusiasts alike have more opportunities to realize their dreams through the web.
If you also enjoy painting and want to earn some extra cash online, then you should definitely read today’s article. It will enhance your understanding of making money through online painting.
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How to Make Money by Online Painting?
To earn money by painting online, you first need to understand how this income is generated. Essentially, there are two ways: direct and indirect income. Let’s start with direct income, which primarily refers to selling your own works or providing services to earn revenue.
This method of making money is common and is the most traditional and straightforward approach. You can sell your original artworks on various online platforms, such as Saatchi Art and Artfinder, or create your own online store using platforms like Shopify or Squarespace to allow customers to purchase your paintings directly.
In addition to direct income, there are many indirect ways to achieve profitability. These methods can help you expand your reach and create more income sources. For instance, sharing your artwork on social media to attract followers can lead to sponsorships or collaboration opportunities.
However, this isn’t easy. You might not see profits for a long time. Just like when I first started blogging for money, I received my first payment after three months. If you can persist and continually optimize your creation and promotion strategies, you will eventually see substantial returns.
How Much Can You Earn from Online Painting?
How much you can earn from painting online isn’t something I can determine; it depends on multiple factors, including your skill level, market demand, pricing strategy, and marketing abilities.
Using a simple calculation, if you can create a high-quality sketch daily and sell it for $50, you could earn $1,500 a month. If you create three paintings a day, each selling for $50, you could make $4,500 monthly.
This calculation gives you a preliminary idea of potential income from painting. However, the actual earnings from online painting are influenced by many other factors, such as:
Sales Channels: Different platforms may have varying fees and commission structures. For instance, some art platforms might charge commissions ranging from 15% to 50%, while selling through your own store allows you to keep all profits, though you’ll bear promotion and operating costs.
Type of Work: Different types of artwork (e.g., original paintings, prints, custom pieces) have distinct market pricing and demand, which can affect your income.
Creation Time: Every artist has a different pace and style; some pieces may take longer to complete.
So when you ask me how much you can earn from painting online, there isn’t a fixed answer. Earnings can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, or even more.
What Are the Ways to Get Paid for Online Painting?
There are many ways to make money through painting, with the most direct being to find potential customers who love your artwork. This is crucial. You can showcase your work on social media platforms to attract attention and build a fanbase. Share your creative process and finished pieces on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook to increase exposure.
Of course, painting knowledge can also earn you money. You might consider creating online courses on platforms like Skillshare or Udemy to teach painting techniques, attracting learners to subscribe and pay. There’s also Patreon, where you can allow fans to support you through a monthly fee, providing exclusive content and updates on your creations.
If you simply want to earn a little pocket money through painting, you can easily do so via platforms that allow you to share your artwork or artistic knowledge. I will share several websites with you that can help you earn income effortlessly through your paintings or expertise.
7 Best Websites to Make Money with Online Painting
Fiverr
Strictly speaking, Fiverr isn’t a platform specifically designed for artists, but it provides a flexible marketplace for creators to showcase and sell their art. Whether you are an illustrator, graphic designer, or digital artist, you can find suitable service offerings on Fiverr.
All you need to do is create a personal service (Gig) on Fiverr, offering custom illustrations, graphic designs, or other art-related services. If someone is interested, they can directly contact you for communication. Typically, Fiverr’s base compensation starts at $5, but you can set your prices based on your preferences—for example, charging $50 for higher-tier artworks.
Become a Fiverr seller and start making money immediately.
Becoming a Fiverr seller is an easy way to make money. Start your Fiverr journey now and seize this opportunity to earn!
One important thing to note is that Fiverr will take a 10% commission once you finalize a collaboration. While I think this fee is a bit high, it is worth it, as you save on many traditional marketing and promotional costs. Fiverr provides a ready-made platform that allows you to focus on creation without worrying about acquiring clients and handling payment processes.
Moreover, Fiverr offers various tools to help you manage orders, communicate with clients, and process payments, making the entire process more efficient and convenient. Although Fiverr isn’t specifically designed for artists, it provides an ideal environment for creators to turn their talents into actual income.
Read More: How to Make Money on Fiverr in 2024
Tiny Prints
Tiny Prints is a platform focused on personalized cards and invitations. If you have experience in designing these types of cards, choosing Tiny Prints is a great option. Here, you can showcase your creative designs and earn a steady income by selling your works. You can design cards for various themes, such as birthdays, weddings, and holidays, catering to different customer needs.
Most importantly, your work will reach a wide customer base without the need to promote it on various social media platforms. Instead, you gain exposure directly through Tiny Prints’ existing customer base. This model allows you to focus on creating without spending a lot of time on promotion.
Each time a customer chooses to purchase your card, you not only earn a commission but also build reputation and customer feedback, which is very helpful for your future creations and market positioning.
From the perspective of a painting enthusiast, even if your skill level isn’t extraordinary, it doesn’t matter. By joining Tiny Prints, you become part of an artistic community where you can share experiences and learn from other creators. This environment encourages innovation and collaboration, allowing you to continually improve on your artistic journey.
Avanti Press
This platform is suitable for creators who enjoy sketching and doodling. You can upload your works to Avanti Press and turn them into income, while the platform offers various ways to showcase your art, including postcards, greeting cards, and other printed products.
I recommend Avanti Press because it provides a comprehensive and flexible environment for artists. You can submit your artwork on this site, and once art buyers like your pieces, you can negotiate the price directly with them.
By submitting your work to Avanti Press, your pieces have the chance to be seen by a broader audience, and they may even be produced into beautiful greeting cards distributed to users worldwide.
Pomegranate
Pomegranate is a highly creative and diverse platform. For those seeking to earn money through online painting, collaborating with Pomegranate can increase your exposure and potential income. Through the platform’s distribution network, you can expand your influence and attract a wider audience.
By uploading your works to Pomegranate, you have the opportunity to turn your creativity into actual income. The platform’s high-quality product line, including art prints, calendars, greeting cards, and home décor, can provide you with a stable source of royalties.
Every time a consumer purchases your work, Pomegranate pays you a generous commission, ensuring your creations are not only appreciated but also yield tangible financial returns.
Additionally, the platform offers marketing support to help promote your works. For instance, Pomegranate may advertise your art on social media to attract more potential buyers.
If you are just a passionate painter with average skills, it may be challenging to gain the platform’s support. It is advisable to start by improving your painting skills and gradually progress.
DeviantArt
DeviantArt is one of the most popular websites for artists and art enthusiasts. For those looking to earn money through painting, DeviantArt offers multiple income streams.
First, you can showcase your works on the platform and earn income by selling digital prints, physical prints, and merchandise (such as T-shirts and phone cases). DeviantArt allows you to set your prices and communicate directly with buyers to form reasonable transactions.
Additionally, DeviantArt’s “Print” feature enables artists to turn their works into high-quality prints, with the platform handling production and shipping. Each sale earns you a commission, creating a sustainable income source.
Another way to earn money is through commission-based work. By engaging with the community on the platform, you can showcase your skills and attract potential clients. Many users on this site look for illustrations or artwork they like, providing extra earning opportunities.
To make money on DeviantArt, all you need to do is create an account on the site and upload your best works to attract potential clients.
You might not expect it, but you can also earn money through painting on Instagram. Although it isn’t a platform for directly selling artworks, you can attract clients and showcase your artistic talents through Instagram, opening the door to earning.
On Instagram, you can share your creative process, finished works, and sources of inspiration, building a personal brand by attracting followers. High-quality images can significantly enhance your exposure. Additionally, using appropriate tags and participating in art-related challenges can also increase the visibility of your works.
Once you accumulate enough clients on Instagram, you can attract the attention of brands. If your style aligns with their brand image, you may receive sponsorship or promotional opportunities.
However, achieving this requires you to understand some techniques and have a grasp of Instagram’s rules and algorithms. The timing, frequency, and manner of your posts can all affect your exposure, which is something you must learn on your journey to making money.
Similar to Instagram, Pinterest is a visually-oriented platform suitable for showcasing works and attracting potential clients. By creating engaging pins, you can share your paintings, illustrations, and designs while linking to your online store or personal website to drive traffic directly.
On Pinterest, users frequently search for inspiration, making your artwork a source of inspiration for them. Utilizing keyword optimization in your pin descriptions makes it easier to be discovered, significantly enhancing the visibility of your works. Once you have targeted traffic, you can guide it to your online store or personal website for sales conversions.
I know a lot about Pinterest; I’ve earned considerable income through it multiple times. Although I’m not a passionate painter, I’ve consistently attracted precise users to my blog through Pinterest and profited from it.
If you’re interested in making money on Pinterest, you can read: “How to Make Money on Pinterest?”
FAQ About Making Money Through Online Painting:
Is it feasible to make money selling drawings online?
Yes, it is, provided you find the right buyers. The key to making money through transactions online lies in finding an audience with demand, so choosing the right platform is crucial. Different platforms attract different audiences, and you can promote your work through various channels, such as social media, art markets, and your own website, to attract potential buyers and link to your purchase pages.
Additionally, understanding the needs and preferences of your target market is essential for success. Research your potential customers and create the types of works they are interested in to significantly increase your sales opportunities. In summary, with the right approach, making money selling drawings online is entirely achievable.
How can I earn $100,000 a year through online painting?
To achieve this goal, the best approach is to establish your personal brand through painting. Once you attract a sufficient number of loyal customers, you can diversify your income to reach the target of $100,000 a year.
First, determine your unique style and themes to stand out in the market. Utilize social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok for effective promotion. Post high-quality images and videos, using appropriate tags and interactions to attract more potential customers.
Secondly, expanding your income streams is also key. In addition to selling original works and prints, offering online courses is an excellent choice where you can share your painting techniques and creative processes. Use platforms like Skillshare, Udemy, or YouTube to attract students and charge tuition fees.
Will AI painting destroy this industry?
The rise of AI painting has indeed impacted the traditional art industry, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it will destroy the industry. On the contrary, AI can serve as a tool for artists, helping them create more efficiently and explore new styles. For example:
Creative Assistance: AI can provide artists with inspiration, generate sketches, or suggest color palettes, helping them complete works faster without replacing their creativity.
New Opportunities: As AI painting technology develops, artists can combine AI with their creations to produce new forms of art, opening up entirely new markets and audiences.
Personalization: While AI can generate many works, people still crave uniqueness and personal style, providing artists the opportunity to showcase and sell their distinctive pieces.
What are the best ways for artists to make money?
If you are willing to try selling art online, you can achieve significant income in this field. Art is one of the highest-profit segments for online sales, and the industry is expected to reach nearly $73 billion by 2028. In addition to traditional paintings and prints, consider selling digital art, which can lower production costs and increase profits.
Furthermore, offering online courses and workshops is an effective way to generate income, where you can teach painting techniques or creative processes and build strong connections with your audience. Additionally, providing membership content through platforms like Patreon, allowing supporters to enjoy exclusive works and interactions, is also a great way to secure stable income.
