7 Practical Ways to Make Money as a Digital Art Artist

Published on 31 July 2023 7 min read

Sell digital art prints online
Create and sell online courses
Offer custom portrait services
License your art to companies
Sell your art on merchandise
Create and sell digital stickers
Become a digital art influencer

Turning your passion for digital art into a source of income might seem like a daunting task. But, don't worry. There are several practical ways you can make money as a digital art artist. This blog post will share seven of these methods, all of which are doable, profitable, and rewarding. Let's jump right into it.

Sell Digital Art Prints Online

Our first method on how to make money as a digital art artist is selling your art prints online. Imagine this: your digital artwork, admired and treasured in someone's home or office. Now, that's a satisfying thought, isn't it? But, how exactly do you get there? Let's break it down:

Choose a platform: Various platforms like Etsy, Fine Art America, or even your own website can be a great place to start selling digital prints. These sites handle everything from printing to shipping, leaving you to focus on creating.
Create high-quality prints: It's not just about creating art, but creating art that looks good in print. Ensure your work is high resolution, and remember, the better the quality, the higher the price you can command.
Promote your work: Use social media, a blog, or an email newsletter to get the word out about your prints. Remember, people can't buy what they don't know exists!

By selling digital art prints online, you not only get to see your work appreciated by a wider audience, but you also get to make a tidy sum in the process. Now, who wouldn't want that?

Create and Sell Online Courses

Have you ever thought about sharing your digital art skills with the world? If so, creating and selling online courses is a great way to do just that. It's profitable, fulfilling, and can help establish you as an authority in the field. Here's how you can go about it:

Identify a Topic: What are you good at? Is there a specific technique you've mastered? Or perhaps you have a unique approach to digital art that others might find interesting. That's your course topic right there!
Plan and Create Your Course: Organize your course into easy-to-digest modules. Use a mix of video tutorials, written content, and assignments to make learning interactive and fun.
Choose a Platform: Platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, or Coursera are excellent for hosting your course. They offer robust tools for course creation and have a large user base that can become your potential students.
Promote Your Course: Leverage your social media, blog, or email list to spread the word about your course. Remember, even the best course won't sell if people don't know about it.

Creating and selling online courses not only helps you make money but also assists others in mastering the art of digital creation. So, ready to play the part of a digital art guru?

Offer Custom Portrait Services

Another interesting way to make money as a digital art artist is by offering custom portrait services. Yes, you heard it right! People are always looking for unique and personal ways to celebrate their loved ones, and a custom digital portrait does just that.

Develop Your Style: Every artist has a unique style. Yours could be hyper-realistic, cartoonish, abstract, or anything in between. Embrace it, because that is what will set your work apart.
Set Up an Online Shop: Platforms like Etsy or Fiverr are a great place to start. You can display examples of your work and set your prices. Remember, consistency is key. Your shop should reflect your style and personality.
Communicate With Your Clients: Understand their requirements, and make sure they understand your process and timelines. Happy clients often become repeat customers and are more likely to recommend you to others.
Promote Your Services: Use social media platforms like Instagram or Pinterest to showcase your work and attract potential clients. Word of mouth is also a powerful tool, so don't underestimate it!

Offering custom portrait services not only allows you to make money but also provides an opportunity to constantly improve your skills and push your creative boundaries. So, are you ready to bring people's visions to life?

License Your Art to Companies

Here's a lesser-known but effective way on how to make money as a digital art artist: licensing your art to companies. It might sound intimidating, but in reality, it's a great way to earn passive income. Let's break it down.

Understand What Art Licensing Is: Art licensing is essentially renting your artwork to a company for a specific use. In return, you earn royalties every time your art is used, be it on a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or a poster.
Reach Out to Potential Clients: Look for companies whose products align with your art style. Before approaching them, make sure you have a solid portfolio that clearly showcases your style and range.
Be Aware of the Legal Aspects: Always have a clear, written agreement about the terms of use for your art. You might want to consider getting legal advice to ensure your rights are protected.
Keep Creating: The more art you create, the more options companies have to choose from. This increases your chances of getting your art licensed.

So, while it might require a little more groundwork, licensing your art to companies can provide a steady income stream. And the best part? Your art reaches a wider audience, and you continue to own it. Sounds like a win-win, doesn't it?

Sell Your Art on Merchandise

Another exciting way to make money as a digital art artist is to sell your art on merchandise. This means your artwork can become wearable or usable art that people can integrate into their daily lives. Let's see how this can work for you.

Choose the Right Products: Think about what type of merchandise would best fit your art style. T-shirts, hoodies, or tote bags? Or maybe coffee mugs, phone cases, or notebooks? There's a world of possibilities out there.
Find a Print-On-Demand Service: Services like Printful or Redbubble can print your artwork on various products as orders come in. This way, you don't have to worry about manufacturing or inventory.
Set Up an Online Shop: Websites like Etsy or Shopify make it easy to set up your own online store. Plus, they have integrated shipping solutions which can be a huge time-saver.
Promote Your Merchandise: Use social media to show off your merchandise. This could be as simple as posting photos of the products, or as creative as hosting a giveaway for your followers.

By selling your art on merchandise, you're not only making money but also creating a brand around your art. And who knows? Your art could become the next big trend. So why not give it a shot?

Create and Sell Digital Stickers

Let's dive into another exciting way of how to make money as a digital art artist — creating and selling digital stickers. This might sound a bit unconventional, but in the digital age, digital stickers are all the rage. They're fun, they're expressive, and you can sell them. Here's how:

Design Your Stickers: The first step is to design your stickers. The great thing about digital stickers is they can be anything you want — from cute animals to inspirational quotes. Get creative and design stickers that people would love to use in their digital communication.
Select a Platform: There are many platforms where you can sell your digital stickers, such as Etsy or even the App Store. Do your research and choose the one that fits your needs and goals.
Price Your Stickers: Pricing can be a tricky part. You need to consider your time, effort, and the market demand. It's always a good idea to check out what similar products are priced at.
Promote Your Stickers: Use social media to promote your stickers. Show them in action — people love to see how they can use the stickers in their chats or social media posts.

So, ready to jump into the world of digital stickers? It's a fun and creative way to make money as a digital art artist. Plus, your artwork could be popping up in people's chats all over the world. Now, isn't that a cool thought?

Become a Digital Art Influencer

Here's the final stop on our journey of exploring how to make money as a digital art artist — becoming a digital art influencer. Yes, you heard that right. Your art could have more power than you think. It has the potential to inspire others, to open up new perspectives, and to influence the digital art scene. So, why not leverage that power to earn some money? Let's see how:

Build Your Online Presence: Before you can influence, you need an audience. Start by building your online presence. Post your art on social media, engage with your audience, and show them the person behind the art.
Collaborate: Collaborations can help you reach a wider audience. You could collaborate with other artists, brands, or even art platforms. The key is to collaborate with entities that align with your art style and values.
Offer Value: Being an influencer isn't just about showcasing your art. It's about offering value to your audience. This could be in the form of art tips, tutorials, or even insights into your creative process.
Monetize: Once you have built a substantial following, you can start to monetize. This could be through sponsored posts, brand partnerships, or even paid promotions of art-related products or services.

So, there you have it — becoming a digital art influencer is not as far-fetched as it might sound. It's about leveraging your art and your influence to inspire others and make money while doing it. So, are you ready to take your digital art to the next level?

If you enjoyed learning about ways to make money as a digital artist and want to further explore how to promote your work, don't miss the workshop 'Utilising Social Media As A Freelance Artist' by Voodoo Salad. This workshop offers invaluable tips and tricks on how to effectively use social media to reach more clients and showcase your art, ultimately increasing your income as a digital artist.