10 Ways to Make Money Online as an Artist

How to Make Money as an Artist Online: 10 Ways

To be honest — it used to look like chasing a unicorn to make a living as an artist. But in the digital world of today, that unicorn? It’s real, and it comes with Wi-Fi.

If you’re an artist who wants something more than notoriety and compliments, and if you’re prepared to turn those brush strokes or digital doodles into payments in the bank, you’re in the right place. This article covers how to make money as an artist online with 10 methods that are not only accessible by everyone, but scalable as well.

If an income source is like a color in a paint palette, then having multiple income streams is like creating your own masterpiece.

1. Selling Digital Products & Downloads

Probably the easiest way to make money while you sleep — literally — is to sell digital products. You build once, and you earn forever. Whether it be printable wall art, clip art, planners, or coloring pages, sites like Etsy, Creative Market, and Gumroad allow you to open shop and market to a worldwide audience.

Picture someone in Australia purchasing your digital painting at 3 a.m. when you’re dreaming about coffee — now that’s the power of digital downloads.

Read About: 15 Ways to Make Money Online as an Artist 2025

2. Open a Print-on-Demand Store

Don’t have space or capital to purchase inventory? No problem. Print-on-demand services such as Redbubble, TeePublic and Printful allow you to upload your designs and then sell them on everything from t-shirts to tote bags. They take care of printing and shipping — you simply receive the payment.

This hover method is like having a small army of robots working away to convert your art into products 24/7.

3. Teach Art Online

If you are good at what you do, why not teach others? Another way to monetize your knowledge is to create a course on Skillshare, Udemy or Teachable. Be it “Watercolor for Beginners” or “How to Draw Anime Characters,” the appetite to learn is voracious.

Bonus: You earn a passive income and help others find their creative outlet.

4. Launch a YouTube channel focused on art

YouTube is your own TV show — yes it pays well! From tutorials and time-lapse videos to vlogs about your artistic process, following can be monetized through ad revenue, sponsorships, and merch sales.

All you need is a camera (even your phone) and a desire to share. The key? Consistency and personality. You don’t have to be the best — you just have to be you.

Read About: Top Online Courses That Make Most Money.

5. Publish Highly Exclusives on Patreon

Patreon is your backstage pass into your creative world. Fans who appreciate your work can pay monthly for exclusive content — behind-the-scenes looks, say, bonus tutorials or early access to art drops or one-on-one feedback.

It’s consistent, predictable income — sort of like building your own digital art nightclub.

6. Work as an Illustrator or Designer as a Freelancer

You can be a freelancer not just as a coder. There is a high demand for artists for branding, book covers, game art, social media design etc. Here are platforms to help you do just that: Upwork, Fiverr, PeoplePerHour, etc.

Take on small gigs, bolster your portfolio, and before long you’ll land projects that pay more than you ever dreamed.

7. License Your Art for Products

Licensing allows you to make money whenever somebody else uses your art — and still retain ownership. Licensed art is used for everything from home décor to stationery to clothing. You can either pitch your art directly to brands or list it on licensing marketplaces.

It’s like renting your art out for a party — and being paid every time it shows up.

Read About: 7 Genius Ways to Make Money Online That Actually Work.

8. Selling Stock Illustrations and Assets

Have unused icons, illustrations or pattern designs in stock? Upload onto stock websites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock & Envato Elements. Each time someone downloads your work you get a royalty.

Even better? These items can usually generate passive income for years after their initial upload.

9. And you did learn (up to October 2025)

The NFT (Non-Fungible Token) universe is a wild place, but it is also an exhilarating new frontier for creators. You can create one-of-a-kind items on sites such as OpenSea, Foundation or Rarible, and trade them as digital collectibles.

Just be sure to do your homework beforehand — the crypto world is wild, but for many digital artists it’s been game-changing.

10. Get Your Social Media Into Profit & Build Your Own Brand

Your Instagram, TikTok or Twitter isn’t just for likes — it’s a possible income machine. If you consistently share your art, you will build a following who engage with you in either commissioning you, purchasing your work, or working with you. Needless to say, as your following grows, so do opportunities for brand sponsorships and affiliate marketing.

It’s more than simply “going viral.” It’s about building relationships and bringing value to conversations.

Conclusion

In the online world, to be an artist is to welcome a blank canvas. No matter if it’s traditional painting, digital design or experimental art forms, there are at least 10 ways to powerfully make a living at what you love.

And the best part? You can have more than one choice. Combine and combine to construct a business that feels as unique as your artistic way of life.

Keep in mind: Internet is your gallery. Your store. Your classroom. Your stage.

So what are you waiting for? Now is your time to show the world what you can do — and get paid for it.

FAQs

Can I really earn a living being an artist online?

Yes, a lot of artists (the good ones) have a full time income increasing it by combining different income streams such as digital sales, teaching and commissions.

What is the best platform for artists starting to sell art online?

Etsy is good for digital downloads and prints, and Redbubble and Society6 are easy places to start for those interested in print-on-demand.

How do I use Does my art matter?

Consistency is key. Update frequently, interact with your fans, hashtags matter, and show your personality behind the craft.

Do I need an art degree to teach an online course?

Nope! If you have a skill, and can explain it clearly, people will want to learn from you — all without a degree.

How can you safely explore NFTs as an artist?

Start small. Stick to established platforms, secure your digital wallet and familiarize yourself with the basics of crypto and blockchain before diving in headfirst.