There is a general stereotype that it is almost impossible to make good money as an artist. Not at least while you are alive. That may have been the case in the days of Vincent van Gogh and Johannes Vermeer. But in today's vibrant digital age, that's definitely not the case when it's practical to build a solid follower (and customer!) Foundation.

So if you're a creative person, congratulations! You can turn your talent into a lucrative profession that brings you both fame and money. Let's start with these 7 active and passive income ideas for artists.

1. Selling art on Instagram

Instagram has become the number one social media platform for artists and art lovers. This is great news for creative beginners, as you don't have to climb the social ladder and wait for famous critics to call a shot. Instead, you can connect with buyers around the world who are willing to pay for your work.

There’s a catch, though.

It all depends on how many fervent fans you have; the more well-known your Instagram account is, the higher the demand for your artwork will be. Thus, if you think you can increase your following, start there.

these are 7 tips to grow on instagram

  • Post high-quality images
  • When photographing your artwork, choose a clean background and natural light
  • Write creative captions that tell a story
  • Stick to your unified style or brand—find a certain filter, hashtag, language, etc. that represents you and your art
  • Use relevant hashtags (that correspond to keywords representing your art)
  • Write an attractive bio (it’s the only place where followers can click on a link)
  • Post on a regular basis (at least twice per week)

    • Pros:

    Selling on Instagram allows you to accomplish two goals at once: you can showcase and market your work while directing potential customers into your sales funnel.

      Cons:

      It's likely that you won't start making a lot of money right immediately, especially if you still have a small number of followers.

      2. Selling other merch with your art

      A print-on-demand or drop-ship service is the simplest way to get your artwork printed on an actual item. Printing, packing, branding, and client delivery of personalised products are all handled by this kind of service. The well-known print-on-demand services are Printful, Zazzle, and Society6.

      Some merchandise you can sell with your art on it:

    • Phone cases, mugs, and other souvenirs or gifts
    • Wedding invitations, party decorations, etc.
    • Greeting cards (Christmas, Birthday, Thanksgiving, etc.)
    • T-shirts, hoodies, kids clothes
    • Pillowcases, towels, and other home decors

      • Pros:

    • By developing a tangible product, you can make money in a pleasant and hassle-free method.

      • Cons:

    • A enormous cut (~25%) of your earnings will visit the print-on-call for service.

      • 3. Selling vector art

      Selling vector designs can be one of the best ways to make money as an artist while still unlocking your creative potential.

      Pros:

      An convenient and short manner to make your virtual paintings to be had for sale.

      By providing one of a kind designs and importing new merchandise regularly, you could generate a consistent passive earnings stream.

        Cons:

        Selling digital products is not enough. You still need to do marketing for them to get sales.

        4. Teaching art online or offline

        If you are an active and open-minded artist type, finding a student shouldn't be a problem. But first you need to find out which type of education is right for you.

        realtime teaching

        If you look closely, you can see that the neighborhood offers the opportunity to make money from art. It's even more useful if you have attractive niches such as astrophotography, calligraphy, and street snaps.

        Some ideas on how you can contribute to the social life of your community while gaining experience and earning money:

      • Offer a painting class (or your area of expertise) or a full-day workshop for adults, children, or students at a local community center
      • Organize “plain air” painting workshops in nature
      • Organize an exhibition alone or invite other artists to participate
      • Offer short, interactive art workshops for corporate events and parties

        • Teaching online

        Teaching an online course can be a better option to reach a larger audience. However, teaching more than one person at a time is much more difficult online than face-to-face.

        Another option is to turn your tuition into a passive form of income. You need to prepare once, and you can earn income for months or even years.

        Some ways how you can become an online art tutor:

      • Sell guides and tutorials on your own website or Sellfy page (these can take any form – video tutorials, ebooks, step-by-step guides with images, etc.)
      • Create your own YouTube channel to give weekly lessons on different techniques (we’ve already explained that selling tutorials on YouTube is easy as soon as you learn the basic principles of this process)
      • Sell courses on platforms like Udemy and Skillshare

        • Pros:

      • A great way to make money by doing what you already know and love.
      • An exciting process that includes a lot of learning for yourself.

        • Cons:

      • A simple guide doesn't cost a lot, especially if it's highly competitive. Make your guide very detailed or professional to make it more valuable.
      • Please be patient as course creation can be complex and time consuming.

        • 5. Applying for grants and competitions

        Many international programs, local communities, or nonprofits provide grants to artists. These are aimed at supporting young artists, promoting culture, or addressing specific issues. You may also need a real work of art for a local agency to decorate a new building or add a nice touch to your event.

        How to apply to these programs?

        Try simple online searches like 'artist grants' or 'art competitions'. You can add a country, state, or city to narrow your search. Chances are you'll find at least some contests and programs to enter and win cash and other prizes. You will also have the opportunity to exhibit your work.

        Also, be sure to follow the news on social media and your artistic or professional circles, like the university, artist association, or NGO.

        Pros:

      • Some grants and awards can be significant, giving you the opportunity to invest in new materials, skills, and more.
      • One of the best ways to get attention and recognition of your work as a participant or winner is mentioned in official publications and media such as those seen by exhibition visitors.

        • Cons:

      • Scholarships and contests are not regular, so they are not a constant and reliable source of income (and you do not always win).

        • 6. Earning passive income by selling wall art

        Painters, illustrators, designers, graphic artists, and even sculptors can make money by selling high-quality prints and copies of their work.

        There are two ways how you can turn your art into high-quality posters:

      • Digitize your artwork with professional photos and scans
      • Create a poster in printable format using Adobe Illustrator or another graphic design program

        • Some ideas on how to sell wall art:

      • Offer your art to your social media followers or set up an online shop on Facebook
      • Sell digital copies on Sellfy leaving the printing side to the customer
      • Sell photos from your portfolio website
      • Set up a shop on Etsy, one of the biggest international platforms for selling art and handicrafts
      • Use one of many print-on-demand websites that will print and ship the posters for you

        • Pros:

      • This type of gig gives fans who may not be able to pay for the original work access to your art and allows you to diversify your target audience.
      • A convenient form of passive income that can bring you unlimited income.

        • Cons:

      • Low revenue per item means you have to sell a lot to make a fair amount of money.

        • 7. Seeking commissions for original work

        Commissions are a popular strategy used by many aspiring artists and illustrators to make money both online and offline.

        The best place to get started is to showcase your work on social media. Remember to mention in your biography that you will accept fees for portraits, artistic photography, and other forms of art.

        If you're lucky, the first customer will spread the word and the second customer will contact you.

        Alternatively, these online platforms bring together artists and people who want to request portraits and other works of art.

      • ArtCorgi
      • Artfinder
      • Artists and clients
      • Art Please

        • Start by finding people with the same skill level as you and see what they charge. Alternatively, take the average hourly wage, multiply by the approximate number of hours it takes to complete the task, and add the price of the material used.

        Keep in mind that original works tend to sell much better than prints. Therefore, use this as a discussion when explaining the price to your customers.

        Pros:

      • Earning a living from selling your original work is the dream of every artist, right?

        • Cons:

      • It can be complicated to deal with some customers, and you won’t avoid dealing with them like you would when selling your prints online.