How to Earn Money Online Through Digital Art
“We value your time and understand that sometimes you need the key points quickly. That’s why we’ve structured our posts with an At A Glance section at the top – perfect for a quick read. If you’re interested in diving deeper into any topic, you’ll find the Extended Discussion section towards the bottom. This way, whether you’re in a hurry or have time to explore, you’ll get the information you need, your way. Happy reading!”
At A Glance:
I. What Type of Digital Art Sells Best?
Often vary depending on current trends and the target audience; however, some consistently popular categories and themes include:
- Themes – Landscape and Nature Art – Abstract Art – Animals – Pop Culture and Fan Art – Fantasy and Sci-Fi
- Styles – Realism – Minimalist and Modern Designs – Whimsical
- Subjects – Portraits and People – Food and Drink – Illustrations for Children – Fashion and Beauty Illustrations
II. How to Create Sellable Digital Art:
Involves a combination of artistic skill, understanding market trends, and using the right tools and techniques. Here are some key steps to create digital art that appeals to potential buyers:
- Master the Basics
- Understand Your Market
- Develop Your Unique Style
- Choose the Right Tools
- Create High-Quality Artwork
- Get Feedback
- Stay Consistent
- Market Your Art
- Adapt and Evolve
What is the BEST Platform to Sell Digital Products?III. Selling Art Online for Beginners:
Here’s a step-by-step guide for those who don’t know where to start:
- Build a Strong Portfolio
- Create an Online Presence – Set Up a Website – Social Media
- Choose the Right Online Platforms to Sell Your Art – Online Marketplaces – Print-on-Demand Services – Your Own Website
- Price Your Art Appropriately
- Promote Your Art – Utilize Social Media – Email Marketing – Collaborations and Networking
- Understand Shipping and Handling (if you decide to sell physical artwork as well)
- Customer Service
- Learn and Adapt
Sidenote: You can do email marketing and create a website for free with Systeme.io.
IV. Promoting Digital Art Online:
- Social Media Marketing: Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok are great places to showcase your artwork and build a following.
- Building an Artist Website: Great tool for showcasing your portfolio, creating a professional online presence, and selling your artwork.
- Leveraging Online Marketplaces: Etsy, Society6, and Redbubble are popular platforms for selling digital art.
- Email Marketing as a Tool: Send newsletters and updates, it’s a great way to stay in touch with your audience and promote your artwork.
- Networking for Growth: This can help you grow your audience and reach new buyers. Attend art events, join online communities, or reach out to other artists to explore collaboration opportunities.
V. How Much Should I Sell My Art for Beginners?
- Research Comparable Artwork
- Factor in Your Time and Expenses
- Don’t Undervalue Yourself
- Consider Sales Channels
Keep pushing the boundaries of your creativity and embrace the digital art world with confidence. Your unique artistic expressions have the power to inspire and connect with an audience worldwide. Stay passionate, stay curious, and let your digital art journey be a fulfilling and profitable adventure.
Extended Discussion:
I. What type of digital art sells best?
As a digital artist, you want to create artwork that showcases your creativity and sells well in the online art market. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to what type of digital art sells the best, certain themes, styles, and subjects tend to be in high demand among buyers. Creating high-quality artwork that resonates with your audience can increase your chances of selling your digital art online.
Popular Themes in Digital Art
Many buyers in the online art market are drawn to artwork that depicts popular themes and trends. These themes range from nature and animals to pop culture and abstract art. Below, I’ve listed some popular themes in digital art that tend to sell well online:
- Landscape and Nature: Scenic landscapes, seascapes, and nature-inspired artwork are popular among buyers who want to add a peaceful and calming touch to their home or office space.
- Animals: Animal-themed artwork, especially portraits of pets, has a large and growing audience in the online art market.
- Pop Culture: Artwork that features popular culture references, such as TV shows, movies, and celebrities, often has a strong appeal to the younger audience.
- Abstract: Abstract artwork often features bold colors and geometric shapes, can be a great way to add a unique and eye-catching piece to any collection.
Popular Styles in Digital Art
The style of your artwork can also play a key role in its success in the online art market. Buyers often gravitate towards artwork that showcases a distinctive and recognizable style. Below, I’ve listed some popular styles in digital art that tend to sell well online:
- Realism: Realistic digital artwork that looks almost like a photograph can be highly appealing to buyers looking for a lifelike representation of a subject.
- Minimalism: Digital art with simple and minimalist designs has become incredibly popular in recent years, especially among younger buyers who want to add a contemporary touch to their living spaces.
- Whimsical: Whimsical digital art, often featuring playful illustrations and bright colors, is popular among buyers looking for unique and quirky pieces.
Popular Subjects in Digital Art
The subject matter of your artwork can also influence its success in the online art market. Buyers are often drawn to artwork that depicts subjects that are personally meaningful to them or that align with their interests. Below, I’ve listed some popular subjects in digital art that tend to sell well online:
- People and Portraits: Portraits of people, whether realistic or stylized, can be popular among buyers looking for personalized artwork or unique gifts.
- Fashion: Artwork that features fashion, clothing, and accessories is increasingly popular, especially among younger buyers who are interested in trends and style.
- Food and Drink: Digital art featuring food and drink, such as illustrations of cocktails or food-themed artwork, can be popular among buyers looking for quirky and fun pieces to decorate their kitchen or dining area.
By creating artwork that aligns with popular themes, styles, and subjects in digital art, you can increase your chances of selling your digital art successfully in the online art market.
II. How to Create Digital Art to Sell
If you’re looking to monetize your digital art skills, it’s essential to create artwork that stands out and appeals to potential buyers. Here are some essential techniques and tools to create digital art that sells online.
Choose Your Tools Wisely
The key to creating high-quality digital art is to choose the right tools. There are many software programs available for creating digital art, so it’s important to find the one that works best for you. Some popular options include Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Procreate (only for iPads and iPhones), and Clip Studio Paint. Each of these programs has its strengths and weaknesses, so it’s essential to do your research and find the one that suits your style and needs.
Master the Basics
Before you dive into creating complex artwork, it’s crucial to master the basics. This includes understanding color theory, composition, and perspective. These skills will provide a foundation for your artwork and help you create digital art that is visually appealing and engaging.
Find Your Style and Subject Matter
One of the most critical aspects of creating digital art that sells is finding your unique style and subject matter. This can take time, so be patient and experiment with different styles and themes until you find what resonates with you. Once you’ve found your style, focus on creating artwork that showcases your unique voice and vision.
Use High-Quality Images
When creating digital artwork, it’s essential to use high-quality images. This means creating your artwork at a high resolution and using high-quality images in your design. This will help ensure that your artwork looks its best when viewed online or in print.
Get Feedback and Refine Your Work
Finally, it’s important to get feedback on your artwork and refine your work. Join online communities and forums to get feedback from other artists and potential buyers. Take constructive criticism and use it to improve your artwork and refine your skills.
By following these tips, you can create digital art that stands out and appeals to potential buyers. Remember, creating digital art is a process, so be patient and persistent in your efforts to create artwork that sells online.
III. Selling Art Online for Beginners
If you’re new to selling your artwork online, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Don’t worry; I’ve got you covered! I’ll guide you through the process of setting up your online presence and choosing the right platform to sell your digital art.
Building Your Online Presence
The first step in selling your digital art online is to build your online presence. This includes creating a portfolio website, setting up social media accounts, and establishing a brand identity that represents you and your artwork.
Design a portfolio website that showcases your artwork and reflects your personality and aesthetic. Make sure it’s visually engaging and easy to navigate. Include a biography or artist statement to give your audience insight into your inspiration and creative process.
Setting up social media accounts such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook can help you reach a wider audience and give your artwork more exposure. Use these platforms to promote your artwork, interact with potential buyers, and build relationships with other artists and art collectors.
Establish a consistent brand identity across all your online platforms. This means using the same profile picture, banner image, and color scheme to help people easily recognize and remember your work.
Choosing the Right Platform
Once you’ve built your online presence, it’s time to choose the right platform to sell your digital art. There are several options available, including online marketplaces, print-on-demand services, and your own website.
Online marketplaces such as Etsy, Society6, and Redbubble are great for beginners as they have a built-in customer base and handle all the transactions for you. These platforms take a commission on each sale, so be sure to read their terms and conditions carefully before signing up.
Print-on-demand services like Fine Art America and Zazzle allow you to upload your digital art and sell it as prints, canvases, and other products. They handle the printing, shipping, and customer service, leaving you more time to focus on creating new artwork.
If you want more control over the sales process and don’t mind handling the transactions yourself, you can set up your own free website using platforms like systeme.io or WordPress. This gives you complete creative freedom and allows you to keep 100% of the profits, but it does require more work to set up and maintain.
Selling your digital art online can be a fulfilling and profitable venture, but it does require patience, perseverance, and a willingness to learn. Take your time to build your online presence and choose the right platform for your needs. Don’t be afraid to experiment, make mistakes, and learn from them. With hard work and dedication, you can turn your passion for digital art into a successful online business. To learn more about the best platform to sell digital products, click this link for the article.
IV. How do I promote my digital art online?
Creating digital art is just one step in your journey to earning money online. To maximize your earning potential, you need to promote your artwork and get it in front of the right people. Here are some effective ways to promote your digital art online:
Social Media Marketing
Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter are great places to showcase your artwork and build a following. Create a business account on each platform and post your artwork regularly. Use hashtags to make your posts more discoverable and engage with your followers through comments and direct messages. You can also collaborate with other artists or influencers in your niche to reach a wider audience.
Build an Artist Website
An artist’s website is a great tool for showcasing your portfolio, creating a professional online presence, and selling your artwork. You can use free website builders like WordPress or systeme.io to create a website that reflects your artistic style and brand. Don’t forget to optimize your website for search engines by using relevant keywords in your content and metadata. (I suggest SEMRush or Ahrefs. SEMRush is my favorite b/c they have a free trial period.)
Online Art Marketplace
Online art marketplaces like Etsy, Society6, and Redbubble are popular platforms for selling digital art. These websites provide a ready-made audience and handle the transaction process for you. Create a shop and upload your artwork to start selling online.
Email Marketing
Email marketing is a great way to stay in touch with your audience and promote your artwork. Collect email addresses on your website or social media platforms and use email marketing tools like Systeme.io to send newsletters, updates, and promotions to your subscribers. (To find out how to create a funnel, go to this article.) (Sidenote: systeme.io is an all-in-one platform where you can sell your digital art and do email marketing. More about why systeme.io is the best platform to sell digital products in this article.)
Collaboration and Networking
Collaborating with other artists and networking with industry professionals can help you grow your audience and reach new buyers. Attend art events, join online communities, or reach out to other artists to explore collaboration opportunities.
By implementing these strategies, you can promote your digital art and establish a profitable online presence as an artist. Remember to be consistent, engage with your audience, and stay true to your artistic vision.
As a digital artist, earning money online is a real possibility for you. By tapping into the countless opportunities the digital age has presented, you can turn your passion for art into a profitable venture.
V. How Much Should I Sell My Art for Beginners?
If you’re just starting to sell your digital art, pricing can be a challenging task. You want to be fair to yourself, but you also don’t want to price yourself out of the market. Here are some strategies and guidelines to help you determine a reasonable price for your art:
Research Comparable Artwork
Start by researching the prices of digital artwork similar to yours. Look for artists who produce similar styles, themes, and types of art. You can also research websites that sell digital art to see the going rates. Pay attention to the size of the artwork, the medium used, and other relevant details that could affect the price.
Once you’ve found comparable artwork, make a note of the price range. This should give you a general idea of what you can expect to charge.
Factor in Your Time and Expenses
When setting your prices, it’s important to consider the time and effort you put into creating your artwork. You’ll also want to factor in any expenses you incurred while making the art, such as software or equipment costs. Consider how much you would like to make per hour of work and add this to the price of your art.
Don’t Undervalue Yourself
Remember that your talent and creativity are valuable. Don’t be afraid to charge what your art is worth. If you’re creating high-quality and unique pieces, you should feel confident in pricing them accordingly.
Consider Sales Channels
Finally, remember that different sales channels may have different commission rates, which will affect your overall earnings. For example, if you sell your art on a third-party platform, they may take a percentage of the sale. If you sell directly through your website, you’ll have to factor in any transaction fees or website hosting costs.
By doing your research, considering your time and expenses, valuing your talent, and factoring in commission rates, you’ll be able to determine a fair price for your digital art, even as a beginner.
Unlocking Your Artistic Potential
Remember, the key to success is to keep creating and improving your craft. With every piece of digital art you create, you will learn new techniques and hone your skills, making you a better artist than you were yesterday.
Taking the Leap of Faith
If you’re feeling hesitant about selling your art online, let me encourage you to take the leap of faith. Believe in your abilities, work hard, and stay committed to your goals. One day, your art could be the next big thing in the online art world.
Building a Strong Online Presence
From setting up social media accounts to creating an artist’s website, there are many ways to establish a strong online presence and promote your digital art to a wider audience. Take advantage of these platforms to showcase your artwork and connect with potential buyers.
Pricing Your Artwork
Pricing your artwork can be tricky, but it’s essential to determine a fair price that reflects the value of your time and talent. Consider factors such as the complexity of your art, the time and effort invested, and the current market demand to establish a price point that works for you.
Embracing the Creative Journey
Ultimately, selling your digital art online is a journey of self-discovery and creative expression. Embrace the process, learn from your successes and failures, and always strive to grow as an artist. Who knows? With dedication and hard work, you just might make a name for yourself in the exciting world of digital art.
Keep pushing the boundaries of your creativity and embrace the digital art world with confidence. Your unique artistic expressions have the power to inspire and connect with an audience worldwide. Stay passionate, stay curious, and let your digital art journey be a fulfilling and profitable adventure.
