How to Sell Art Online: 3 Ways to Make Money with Art Online

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As artists, we all want to be recognized for our art. And possibly sell art online and make money with our art!

This may sound impossible. But let me convince you otherwise. 🙂 In this video I share 3 simple ways to start making money with your art online, with no money upfront or a minimal investment.

I’m Tatyana Deniz. I am here to teach you how to draw using the cute and simple Japanese style called kawaii. I’ve helped thousands of my students build up their drawing confidence, and some of them even make money with their art online.

There are so many platforms to sell different types of art online – it’s hard to know where to even art. So let me highlight the 3 simplest ways to start.

Plus, at then end I am going to share with you a BONUS: my personal recommendation on how to start to earn an income from your art.

Sell Art Online with Print-on-demand

The first way to sell art online is with print-on-demand websites.

With print-on-demand platforms like RedBubble, you upload your artwork, and when an order comes through, they print it on to the selected object, and you get a percentage of the sale.

The best part about posting on a print-on-demand website (like RedBubble) is that you keep the copyright of your work. You can sell the same design on many different platforms and re-use it.

Selling your art online using a print-on-demand service is as simple as uploading your artwork and letting everyone know it’s there. When someone buys a product with your art – you get paid. 🙂

Because print-on-demand uses drop-shipping as their business model you won’t need to hold inventory at your home or deal with customer service.

It’s an excellent means of making passive income with your art with minimal effort. This way you have time to focus on your art!

In addition to creating a passive income for yourself, you’re also able to receive validation on your design as people choose products to buy. When someone buys a t-shirt with your design, they vote with their money: “Yes, this is good and I am willing to pay for it.”

And then you can do more of it. 🙂

Teach Others How to Draw Online

The second way to earn money online with art is by teaching your art skills to other people.

For example, my niche is “kawaii drawing”, so I teach it to students like you.

With websites like Udemy and Skillshare, you too can easily publish your classes online!

You can also use a free content platform to share your skills, like YouTube.

With YouTube, you’re able to monetize your drawing tutorial videos once you’ve reached a certain number of watch hours. The platform also gives you the ability to create a following, and bring people to your website where you might offer another course or an eBook.

While YouTube for some is a full-time job, it doesn’t have to be. You can make well-edited and easy to watch videos with your iPhone + iMovie on your laptop (if you use Mac). Or Camtasia on Windows.

While it’s totally achievable, teaching art online does require some learning and investment.

Producing videos is a new skill. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources online that make producing videos easier. 😉

Also, teaching is an act of service and you need to feel a calling for it. If you feel passionate to share your drawing skills with others, then this is a solid option for you.

Art Commissions and Art Licensing

The third way to sell art online is through commission-based work and official art licensing.

Examples of this might include getting magazines and books to pay for your illustrations, and partnerships with companies, like Urban Outfitters, to license your art for their product lines.

I mention this at then end, because it does require the most skill and the most time. The first two ways to sell art online (print-on-demand and teaching) are passive income streams. They require less time and effort to start.

When you’re doing a commission piece, you are trading your time for money. It might be “big” money, but the fact still remains that if you are not actively working – you are not getting paid.

And it takes time and effort to land a commission. To get professional commissions, you need to put in work beyond just creating the art. It requires reaching out to publishers, and starting to brand yourself to gain trust.

Whether it’s a website with your portfolio, an Instagram feed highlighting pieces of your work, or your YouTube channel teaching art: it all contributes to your status as an artist.

On the flip side, the more commissions you do, the more well-known you become, the more in-demand you become, and your rates go up.

When I illustrated the Kawaii Universe calendar for Quarto Publishing, I was drawing non-stop for three weeks. Because of this, my art skill improved and at the same time, I was getting paid!

BONUS: The Secret to Selling Art Online

And now as promised, I’m going to tell you my #1 recommendation for how to approach making money online with your art.

I’m sure you’ve heard the concept of having multiple income streams.

It’s totally right, but here is the caveat. You want to focus on one of these income streams at a time.

While there may be a time when you can manage all three, my recommendation is to first focus on one of these at a time. I would suggest following this order:

Sell your art with print-on-demand websites such as RedBubble
Teach art online with platforms such as YouTube or Skillshare
Build your personal brand and get professional illustration commissions

And while you’re working on these different streams of income and selling your art online, I recommend that you build your audience by consistently uploading new content.

I can’t make this statement big or bold enough. 😀

Create and upload a new piece of content at least once per week.

Whether it’s YouTube, Instagram or a blog – pick a schedule you can maintain and stick to it. Your followers will then know when to expect new content and will want to follow you for updates.

Become a Kawaiian!

In the meantime, consider joining our Facebook group How to Draw Kawaii with Tatyana Deniz. You will meet hundreds of other artists, inspire each other, and share you work.

Before you know it, you’ll be making money online with your art and have a thriving creative career. 🙂

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To practice your kawaii drawing skills, check out my tutorials on how to draw kawaii.

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