Imagine waking up each morning and doing what you love, painting, sketching, illustrating, or designing, and getting paid for it. If you’ve ever asked yourself how to make money as an artist, you’re not alone. 

Many creative people struggle with this same question. The good news? The digital world offers artists more opportunities than ever to turn their passion into a source of income.

Let’s explore how you can make money from your art step by step. You don’t need a fancy degree or a famous name. All you need is your creativity, a plan, and the right tools.

Key Takeaways

Here’s what you’ll learn by the end:

1. Build your own Shopify art store easily
2. Reach buyers through online marketplaces fast
3. Promote your art using social media
4. Sell prints and digital art products
5. Make money teaching, licensing, and commissions

How to Make Money as an Artist: Multiple Income Streams

The key to success is diversifying your income. Here are the main ways artists make money online:

• Social media monetization: Build an audience and sell
• Original artwork sales: Your core income source
• Print-on-demand products: Passive income from designs
• Digital downloads: High-profit margin products
• Teaching and courses: Share your expertise
• Commissions: Custom work for higher prices
• Licensing: Earn royalties from your art

How Much Money Can Artists Make Online?

Setting realistic expectations helps you plan better. Here’s what most artists can expect:

• Months 1-3: $0-$500 (building foundation and learning)
• Months 4-6: $500-$2,000 (first consistent sales start)
• Months 7-12: $2,000-$5,000+ (established online presence)
• Year 2+: $5,000-$50,000+ (depending on strategy and effort)

Top-earning artists make $100,000+ annually. However, most successful artists earn between $20,000 and $60,000 per year from multiple income streams.

Create an Online Store for Your Art

The best place to start is to create an online store. Why? Because it gives you full control over your brand and sales. You set your prices. You display your art your way. You sell 24/7. No gallery fees. No middlemen.

Choosing the Right Platform

Shopify is the best platform to build your online art store. It’s beginner-friendly, scalable, and supports apps that help you grow. Use a suitable Shopify theme.

There are Free and Paid Shopify themes in the Shopify store. But the Free theme lacks advanced features. Use the Mavon Shopify theme because of its multi-layout.

Mavon is a clean, modern, and responsive theme made for creators. It’s perfect for showing off digital art products or physical prints. Its versatile features will never leave you feeling a lack of e-commerce apps.

Setting Up Your Shopify Store

Setting up is easy:

1. Sign up on Shopify
2. Choose a paid Shopify theme such as Mavon.
3. Add your products – digital files, posters, canvas prints, or merchandise
4. Set up payments and shipping
5. Launch!

That’s how simple setting up an online store can be.

If you want to learn more about Mavon. Check the documentation.

Essential Store Pages to Create

Your art store needs these key pages:

• Home page: Showcase your best work
• Gallery/Shop: Organized by art type or collection
• About page: Your story and artistic journey
• Contact page: Make it easy for buyers to reach you
• Policies page: Shipping, returns, and terms

Pricing Your Art: A Beginner’s Guide

Many artists struggle with pricing. Here’s a simple formula that works:

Pricing Formula for Beginners

Final price = Materials cost + Time investment + Profit margin

Pricing by Art Type

Pricing guidelines for different art types:

• Original paintings: $100-$10,000+ (depends on size, complexity, and your reputation)
• Digital downloads: $5-$50 per item (wallpapers, printables, templates)
• Print-on-demand products: $15-$100 per piece (posters, canvas prints, merchandise)
• Commission work: 25-50% higher than regular pieces
• Art licensing: 5-15% royalty on wholesale prices

When to Raise Your Prices

Start with lower prices to build reviews and reputation. Increase prices as demand grows. Signs it’s time to raise prices:

• Your skills have significantly improved
• Your current pieces sell within 24-48 hours
• You have a waiting list for commissions
• You’re getting consistent positive feedback

Sell Artwork Online with Print-on-Demand

You don’t need to stock inventory. You can use print-on-demand services that print and ship when someone buys. Just upload your design, and they handle the rest. This is ideal for selling art prints online for profit without any upfront cost.

Best Print-on-Demand Platforms

Popular platforms that integrate with Shopify:

• Printful – High quality, wide product range
• Printify – Competitive pricing, multiple suppliers
• Gooten – Fast shipping, good customer service
• Teespring – Built-in marketplace + your store

Essential Shopify Apps for Artists

Pair your store with Shopify apps like:

• Analyzely GA4 for advanced analytics
• SalesPulse – Sales Pop Up to boost urgency and conversions
• CodeUp – Add Custom Code to customize how your site looks and behaves
• HelpEcho offers support to your buyers

GroPulse builds these apps and is available in the Shopify App Store. They’re easy to use and made for small creative businesses like yours.

Maximizing Print Sales

This is one of the best ways to sell artwork online and keep more profits. Tips for success:

• Create designs that work well on multiple products
• Test different product types to see what sells
• Use seasonal themes and trending topics
• Optimize your product descriptions for search

List Your Work on Online Marketplaces

While your Shopify store is your home base, listing on online marketplaces helps reach new buyers.

Benefits of Online Marketplaces

Platforms like Etsy, Redbubble, and Society6 already have shoppers looking for art. The benefits include:

• Built-in traffic and existing customers
• Easy setup with no technical skills needed
• No need to build a full website
• Instant credibility through platform trust

Best Marketplaces for Artists

• Etsy – Handmade and vintage items
• Redbubble – Print-on-demand products
• Society6 – Home decor and lifestyle products
• Saatchi Art – Original artwork and limited editions
• Artfinder – Direct sales to collectors

Use them to test what sells. But always guide customers back to your main store where you have full control.

Start an Artist Portfolio Website

Every serious artist needs a portfolio website. Think of it as your art resume. You can use your Shopify site for this, too.

Include:

• High-quality images of your best work
• A short bio and artist statement
• A contact form
• Links to your social platforms and YouTube

A good artist portfolio website builds trust and increases chances of sales, commissions, or collaborations.

Promote Art on Social Media

If you want to make money from your art, you need people to see it. That’s where social media for artists comes in.

Use platforms like:

• Instagram: It is the best for visuals and art discovery
• TikTok: It is great for behind-the-scenes content and viral growth
• Pinterest: It drives traffic to your store consistently
• Facebook: It builds a community and targets older buyers

Post regularly. Use hashtags. Tell stories about your art. Run small promotions. These platforms help you promote art on social media and drive visitors to your online store.

Consistency is key. People don’t just buy art, they buy the story behind it.

Launch a YouTube Channel as an Artist

Many artists have grown their income and audience by creating videos. Launch a YouTube channel to show your process, tutorials, or share your journey. It builds trust, drives traffic, and creates a second stream of income.

Some video ideas:

• Time-lapse painting sessions
• “Day in the life of an artist”
• Art challenges or tutorials
• Art supply reviews and recommendations

Once you grow, YouTube pays you. You can also promote your online store in the video description.

A YouTube channel for artists is one of the smartest moves for long-term growth.

Start a Blog to Drive Traffic

Another way to attract buyers is to start a blog. Write about art techniques, tools you use, or the stories behind each piece. Use SEO keywords like “how to make money with art” or “best platforms to sell digital art.”

Each blog post helps you rank in Google and brings visitors to your site. Pair it with the Analyzely GA4 app to track what content works best.

Over time, blogging helps build trust and positions you as an expert. That trust can turn into sales.

Create Passive Income with Digital Products and Teaching

Want to make money as an artist teaching classes? Use platforms like Teachable or Zoom to sell virtual lessons. Many people are happy to pay to learn from a working artist.

You can also sell digital art products like:

• Procreate brushes and stamps
• Photoshop templates and actions
• Coloring pages for kids and adults
• Phone wallpapers and digital prints
• Art tutorials and e-books

Once created, digital products are passive income. You sell them again and again without extra work.

Teaching opportunities include:

• Online art courses ($50-$500 per course)
• Live workshops ($25-$200 per session)
• One-on-one coaching ($50-$150 per hour)
• YouTube ad revenue ($1-$5 per 1000 views)

Earn Income from Commissions and Licensing

As your fan base grows, people may ask for custom work. You can earn income via art commissions by adding a commission request form on your site. Set clear rules, pricing, and timelines.

Another smart move is licensing your artwork. Companies pay to use your art on their products, books, or websites. You earn money while keeping your original work.

Commission pricing tips:

• Charge 25-50% more than regular pieces
• Require a 50% deposit upfront
• Set clear revision limits (usually 2-3 rounds)
• Provide detailed contracts and timelines

This is a great long-term strategy for earning a living as an artist without experiencing burnout.

Combine Online and Offline Art Sales

While the internet is powerful, don’t forget offline options. You can still:

• Attend art fairs to sell artwork in person
• Display your art in a gallery to build credibility
• Compete in art contests for exposure and prizes
• Network with local businesses for wall art opportunities

These methods help grow your reputation and bring new fans to your online world.

Use your Shopify store as your anchor and connect all offline efforts back to it.

Legal and Tax Considerations for Artist Businesses

As your art business grows, consider these important legal steps:

• Business registration: Choose LLC or sole proprietorship
• Tax tracking: Keep receipts for art supplies and business expenses
• Sales tax: Register for a sales tax permit if required in your state
• Contracts: Use written agreements for commissions and licensing
• Insurance: Consider liability insurance for your art business
• Accounting: Track income and expenses monthly

Consult with a tax professional who understands creative businesses. This investment pays for itself in savings and peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion: Your Art Deserves to Be Seen and Sold

You no longer need to wait for galleries or big publishers to notice you. If you’re wondering how to make money as an artist, the answer is within your reach.

Use Shopify to create an online store, list on online marketplaces, and promote through blogs, social media, and YouTube.

There’s never been a better time to make money from your art. The world is ready for your creativity. Now it’s your turn to show it.