Beginner's Guide: Crypto Art & NFT Understanding Written by Daisie Team Published on 27 July 2023 8 min read ContentsWhat is Crypto Art?How Crypto Art worksWhy Crypto Art mattersWhat are NFTs?How NFTs workWhy NFTs matterHow to buy and sell Crypto Art and NFTsTips for beginnersEntering the world of digital art could feel like stepping into an abstract painting. Everything's a blur of neon colors and pixelated shapes. But don't worry, you're not alone. We've all been there, and it's actually not as complex as it seems. Let's start with the basics—crypto art and NFTs. This blog will serve as your easy-to-follow introduction to crypto art and NFTs.What is Crypto Art?You might think crypto art has something to do with cryptography or coding, but it's much simpler than that. In essence, crypto art is digital artwork linked to the blockchain, a kind of digital ledger. This link makes every piece of crypto art unique and verifiable, much like a digital signature.Here's a simple breakdown:Digital Artwork: It's art created using digital tools. Think of Photoshop or even Microsoft Paint.Blockchain: This is a type of database that stores information in blocks that are chained together. It's mostly known for its use in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.Digital Signature: It's the unique identity attached to every piece of crypto art. It's like an artist's signature on a physical painting, but it's digital and unchangeable.So, when you buy a piece of crypto art, you're not just buying a digital image. You're buying a unique, verifiable piece of digital property. It's like buying a one-of-a-kind painting, but in the digital world. That's the magic of crypto art—it takes the concept of traditional art ownership and brings it into the digital era. Isn't that a neat introduction to crypto art and NFTs?How Crypto Art worksNow that we've covered the 'what,' let's move on to the 'how.' How does crypto art work, you may wonder? Well, it's all about the blockchain. But don't panic, we're not going deep into the technical jargon. Instead, let's imagine the blockchain as a giant, public ledger. Everyone can look at it, but no one can change the entries once they're written.When an artist creates a piece of crypto art, they 'mint' it. Minting is the process of adding the art to the blockchain, giving it a unique digital signature. This signature, or token, proves that the art is original and belongs to the artist.Once the art is minted, it can be sold or traded like any physical piece of art. The buyer gets the digital signature along with the art, proving they're now the legitimate owner. And thanks to the public ledger, everyone can see that the art has a new owner. It's like having a notary public for digital art!Remember, the art itself is digital. That means it can be copied, shared, and displayed by anyone. But only the owner of the digital signature truly 'owns' the art. It's a bit like owning an original painting versus owning a print. Both might look the same, but one is definitely more valuable than the other. That's crypto art in a nutshell!Why Crypto Art mattersLet's take a step forward and ask - why does crypto art matter? Is it just a trend, or does it have some real-world implications? Well, the answer lies in the realm of artists and the art market itself.First off, crypto art gives artists a unique way to sell their work directly to buyers, without needing a gallery or an agent. That's more money in the artist's pocket and a chance for fans to directly support their favorite artists. It's a win-win!Next, remember that digital signature we talked about? That's a game-changer too. It solves a major problem in the art world - proving that a piece of art is genuine. With crypto art, there's no question about authenticity. The ownership of an artwork can be traced right back to the artist, all thanks to the blockchain.Finally, crypto art opens up the world of art to a whole new audience. Anyone with an internet connection can buy, sell, or trade crypto art. You don't need to be a millionaire or live in a big city to get involved. It's democratizing the art world, and that's pretty exciting!So, the next time you hear about a piece of crypto art selling for millions, remember this - it's not just about the money. It's about a whole new way of creating, buying, and selling art. That's why crypto art matters.What are NFTs?Now let's switch gears a bit and talk about NFTs. NFTs, or Non-Fungible Tokens, are a special type of digital asset. The word 'non-fungible' might sound a bit complicated, but all it means is that each NFT is unique and can't be replaced with something else. A bit like your favorite childhood toy, right? Each NFT is special in its own way.You might be wondering how this is possible. It's all thanks to the magic of blockchain technology. Just like crypto art, NFTs are stored on the blockchain, which keeps track of who owns what. Because each NFT is unique, they can represent ownership of specific items, like a piece of crypto art, a tweet, or even a virtual piece of land in a video game.But why would anyone want to own a digital item? Well, think about how much time we spend online these days. We live in a digital world, so it makes sense that we'd start to own digital items too. Plus, owning an NFT can give you special rights, like being able to display your digital artwork in a virtual gallery, or earning royalties every time someone resells your NFT.So, NFTs are more than just a digital token. They're a new way to own and interact with digital assets. And that's pretty cool, don't you think?How NFTs workAlright, so we've established that NFTs are unique digital assets. But you might be wondering: how exactly do they work?Let's start with the creation of an NFT, also known as 'minting'. When an artist or creator mints an NFT, they're basically writing a set of information onto the blockchain. This information includes details about the NFT, like who owns it and what it represents. It's like a digital birth certificate for your NFT.Once the NFT is minted, it's ready to be bought and sold. This is where things get interesting. Because each NFT is unique, they don't have a set price. Instead, the price is determined by supply and demand, just like in a traditional marketplace. If lots of people want to buy an NFT, the price goes up. If not, the price goes down.Now, how do you buy an NFT? It's pretty simple, actually. All you need is a digital wallet and some cryptocurrency. Once you've found an NFT you want to buy, you can send the seller your cryptocurrency in exchange for the NFT. The ownership details are then updated on the blockchain, and voila! You're the proud new owner of an NFT.So, in a nutshell, that's how NFTs work. It's a bit like trading cards, but with digital assets instead. And who knows? Your NFT could end up being worth a fortune one day!Why NFTs matterNow that we've got the "how" out of the way, let's tackle the "why". Why do NFTs matter? What's all the fuss about?Well, for starters, NFTs open up a whole new world for artists and creators. In the past, artists had to rely on galleries and middlemen to sell their work. But with NFTs, they can sell directly to their audience. This not only gives them more creative freedom, but it also means they get to keep a larger share of the profits.But it's not just artists who benefit from NFTs. Collectors do too. Because each NFT is unique, they can be incredibly valuable. Just think about it: you could own a one-of-a-kind digital artwork, or a rare digital collectible. That's pretty cool, right?And it's not just about money. Owning an NFT can also be a status symbol. It's a way of showing off your unique taste and style. Plus, it's a fun way to engage with the digital world.So, whether you're an artist, a collector, or just a curious observer, it's clear that NFTs have a lot to offer. And as the digital world continues to evolve, who knows what exciting opportunities they'll bring?How to buy and sell Crypto Art and NFTsSo, you're ready to dive into the world of Crypto Art and NFTs. But where do you start? Here's a simple step-by-step guide to help you navigate this new digital frontier.Firstly, you'll need to set up a digital wallet. This is where you'll store your cryptocurrency — the digital money you'll use to buy and sell NFTs. There are plenty of digital wallets to choose from. Some popular ones include MetaMask, Trust Wallet, and Coinbase Wallet.Once your wallet is set up, you'll need to buy some cryptocurrency. Ethereum is the most widely used cryptocurrency for buying and selling NFTs, but some platforms accept others, too.Next, you'll need to choose a platform to buy and sell on. There are many NFT marketplaces out there, but some of the most popular ones include OpenSea, Rarible, and Foundation.Now you're ready to start browsing! Take your time to explore the different pieces of Crypto Art and NFTs available. When you find something you like, click on it for more information. You'll see the price, the owner, the creator, and other important details.When you're ready to buy, simply click 'buy now', confirm the transaction in your digital wallet, and voila! You're now the proud owner of a piece of Crypto Art or an NFT.Selling is a similar process. You'll need to upload your artwork or NFT to the platform, set your price, and wait for a buyer. When someone buys your piece, the transaction is processed automatically, and the funds are transferred to your digital wallet.Remember, this is your introduction to crypto art and NFTs. Take it slow, do your research, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Good luck!Tips for beginnersEmbarking on a journey into the world of Crypto Art and NFTs might feel overwhelming at first. But just like any other field, it becomes easier as you gain experience. Here are some tips that can help you as you take your first steps.1. Understand the Basics: Before diving in, make sure you understand what Crypto Art and NFTs are, and how they work. You wouldn't jump into a game of chess without knowing the rules, right?2. Research: This can't be stressed enough. Research the market, the artists, the platforms. The more you know, the better decisions you'll be able to make. The internet is your friend here.3. Start Small: Don't feel like you need to invest thousands of dollars right away. Start small, learn the ropes, and gradually increase your investment as you become more confident.4. Be Patient: The world of Crypto Art and NFTs can be volatile. Prices can skyrocket one day and plummet the next. Don't let this discourage you. Be patient, and remember – you're in this for the long haul.5. Join the Community: There are many online communities of Crypto Art and NFT enthusiasts who are more than willing to help newcomers. Join these communities, ask questions, share your experiences. You're not alone in this.Remember, everyone was a beginner once. You're just starting your journey of understanding Crypto Art and NFTs. Take your time, learn as much as you can, and most importantly – have fun!If you're excited to learn more about the world of crypto art and NFTs, we highly recommend checking out Andrea Orejarena's workshop, 'Intro to NFTs.' This workshop will give you a solid understanding of NFTs and how they are revolutionizing the art world. 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