How Can I Make Money With My Art

Do you want to make money by selling your art projects? Today, we're exploring the best places to sell art online so you can earn money from your passion!

Many people want to become artists but aren't sure how to earn a living selling art. Maybe you already consider yourself an artist, but you are having trouble making money with your art.

I'm sure you've heard the term starving artist, am I right? Well, it doesn't have to be that way. In this post, we'll show you how to sell art online and make money, so you can be free to pursue your passion as well as pay the bills.

A flatlay of an artist's watercolor workspace on a pink background.

As more and more people are selling products online these days, there are a plethora of websites dedicated to helping you do the same with your art.

Where you sell your art online depends on what type of art you are selling. There are a wide variety of mediums that art encompasses. From drawing and painting to crafting and woodworking, chances are if you're doing it, you can sell it and make money online.

Here are some of the best websites we've found to help sell your art online.

1. Etsy

Most of us know the power of Etsy. Since its launch, Etsy has helped many people go full-time with their art business. Yes, there are listing fees and a lot of competition, but there is also a massive, engaged audience on their platform. If you haven't considered selling your art on Etsy, you should check them out.

Of course, with any online platform, you'll want to put your best foot forward by including high-quality images of your creations. If you're not sure how to set up your home photography studio — this post covers what you need to know so you can get stunning photos of your art projects.

Related Content: How to Be Successful on Etsy

2. Artfinder

Artfinder is an online marketplace for independent artists to sell their original work—be it painting, photography, sculpture, and more! This platform is marketed toward high-end art collectors. On the plus side, it means that buyers are often more willing to pay a better price for quality work. However, it also means Artfinder's qualifications for sellers are a little more exclusive. You must apply to be a seller on Artfinder, and your application will be reviewed for quality and originality. Ideally, you will be self-represented and produce primarily limited-edition work, though it seems like there is some room for agent- and gallery-represented artists.

Artfinder charges a base monthly fee of free to $12 AND a commission on all sales that range from 33-40%. Check out their seller subscription plans here.

3. Big Cartel

Big Cartel's pricing ranges from free to $29.99 per month. The cool thing is that it's a flat fee, and they don't take a percentage of your sales.This one is definitely worth checking out if you're looking to make money from your art.

4. Storeenvy

Storeenvy is all about discovering and connecting amazing brands, people, and products. And the best part is, you can sell your art for free using their platform. It's pretty simple to set up. My middle daughter started her website, The Crafty Crafter when she was only 12 years old.

5. ArtPal

You can sell your art for no upfront cost on ArtPal and keep 95% of the profits (when selling your artwork. Different terms apply for their on-demand service).

6. Artmajeur

Artmajeur is an online marketplace based out of Paris, France, but it sells artwork all over the world. You can list paintings, sculptures, photography, drawings, multimedia, and more! Their payment plans include a free Basic Account, which takes a 20% commission, or a $5 per month Platinum Account that takes a 15% commission.

7. Zatista

Zatista is one of the more popular platforms for selling original fine art. It's been featured in tons of big-name publications like The New York Times, Apartment Therapy, and Architectural Digest. This makes it great for both sales and exposure, but it is also more exclusive in the artists it accepts—its current acceptance rate is only 5%. You must apply, and your artwork will be reviewed for quality, marketability, and the balance it brings to the site's overall collection. It is free to join and list on the site, but Zatista takes a hefty 45% commission.

8. Zibbet

Get your custom website plus access to the Zibbet Marketplace. There are no listing fees to sell your art, and their monthly plans are super affordable, anywhere from $4-$16 per month.

You can also put your artwork on a t-shirt, coffee mug, or many other varieties of merchandise. There are a variety of websites that make it very easy to do this. Learn more about making money designing t-shirts.

Looking for more ways to sell your art online and possibly make money selling other stuff too? Check out this post!

You might be wondering if there are ways to sell art online and make money without using one of the sites mentioned above. Having a platform to sell your art is recommended, but there are also other ways you can bring in the cash.

Other Places to Sell Art Online

9. Instagram

My daughter sells art directly to her followers on Instagram. All that's needed is a way to collect payments such as PayPal or Stripe. She posts pictures of already completed digital art and people message her when they want to buy.

10. Facebook

Groups are still popular on Facebook, and as an artist, you can create a community of art lovers that you can get your newest creations in front of any time. Again, a payment processor is all you need here. You can also sell on the Facebook Marketplace which is usually local sales. You can meet up in person and accept cash or checks if you choose. Lastly, if you already have a Facebook Business Page, setting up a shop that allows you to sell directly on Facebook is a breeze.

11. Patreon

Artists can make money from their art on Patreon through a subscription-based model. Fans pay for exclusive experiences and behind-the-scenes content. Create art on your terms and keep 90% of the profits. Patreon keeps 5%, and transaction fees are around 5% as well. There are a variety of ways you can earn on this platform. I would recommend visiting their site and looking at the examples of how people are earning money with Patreon.

12. Shopify

With most of the sites listed above, you're likely to notice a particular trade-off: either a high barrier to entry or a fair amount of work to market yourself. If you're already doing much of the heavy lifting to market yourself (SEO, social media, advertising, etc.), consider setting up an eCommerce website and selling directly to your customers. Shopify is easy to use, and monthly plans start at $29 per month.

Conclusion

I hope this post has given you some fresh new ideas about how to sell your art online and make money that can help you transition from hobby artist to business owner. Please consider sharing if you found it helpful and leave your additional ideas in the comments; we'd love to hear them!

Originally published November 7, 2018. Content updated April 28, 2021.