Are you an artist looking to transform your passion into a career? There are plenty of exciting ways to get paid to draw!
There’s a long-held misconception that art is a hobby, not a viable career path. But this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Art is an integral part of life and industry. And with the right business plan, you can make a full-time living as an artist.
Today, we’re exploring 15 ways you can get paid to draw. There’s an option for everyone, from lucrative side hustles to full-time creative careers.
So grab your pencils, and let’s get to it!
1. Logo + Brand Designs
Is digital art your thing?
Graphic designers can make a great living by collaborating with companies to create digital art that contributes to strong branding.
This can include designing logos, custom graphics, email marketing layouts, website design, and more.
Diversify your offerings and sell custom branding packages designed to maximize brand awareness with aesthetically curated artwork.
2. Tattoo Artist
Talented drawers can move from page to skin, creating tattoo designs for wearable art!
The basis of a great tattoo artist is first being a great artist. You’ll need strong line work, a good knowledge of color theory, and a strong artistic perspective to succeed in this art form.
Please note that you will need to work as an apprentice for 1-2 years before you can start tattooing professionally. This will require a significant time commitment upfront.
3. Custom Portraits
Drawing custom portraits is a great way to start a creative business from home.
Consumers are often looking for unique and meaningful gift ideas. Custom portraits of pets, couples, families, and memorial photos perfectly fit the bill.
Custom portraits are a top seller on Etsy, so it’s a great place to get started.
4. Live Wedding Painter
Becoming a live wedding painter is one of my favorite creative business ideas.
It’s a well-known fact that adding “wedding” to any job title means you’re entering a premium market. In other words, customers will pay good money for your skills.
As a live wedding painter, you’ll attend a wedding and paint a “live” picture of the happy couple. The pressure will be on, but so will the pay-off!
5. Print-on-Demand Products
Offering print-on-demand services is one of the most accessible ways to get paid to draw.
To get started, create digital art through Adobe Illustrator or Procreate. Then, choose an online platform to sell your custom graphics through.
Platforms like Redbubble will handle most of the work, printing and shipping your designs on t-shirts, coffee mugs, stickers, and more.
6. Design Greeting Cards
Partnering with a greeting card company is an exciting way to get paid to draw.
Many companies work with in-house artists, though you can find freelancing opportunities through sites like Upwork.
7. Children’s Book Illustration
If you have a flair for color and endless creativity, you might be well-suited to illustrate children’s books!
In-house artists are most commonly used, so I recommend seeking illustration agencies like The Bright Agency or Advocate Art (both UK-based).
For casual work, consider freelance opportunities listed on remote job boards.
8. Teach Art Classes
Share your love for art with new aspiring artists!
Whether you host an online course or pop-up classes in your community, you can get paid to teach your skills.
Consider your niche and how you can translate it into an engaging art class—for example, comic making, portrait drawing, or watercolor painting.
9. Run an Etsy Shop
Etsy has become a major player in the art world, providing an easy way to sell your work, from printed graphics to wood-burned coasters.
Plus, your profile essentially works as an artist website, showcasing your art with options for direct purchase.
Etsy is also a great choice for folks who prefer to make and sell from home rather than do the craft fair circuit.
10. Start an Art Channel
Creating an art channel through YouTube or TikTok is a fun way to share your artistic process while monetizing it.
You can generate income through platform partner programs, selling affiliate links, selling your art through the TikTok shop, or paid sponsorships with like-minded brands.
11. Fan Art Commissions
Beyond portrait work, fan art is another big market for custom art commissions. Create original artwork of beloved characters, taking fan requests for higher price points.
Note that many characters are protected by copyright and trademarks. Characters, logos, and even color schemes can be protected by copyright.
Never sell exact copies; instead, keep renderings inspired rather than exact, and choose characters from open domains whenever possible.
You can also focus on themed artwork vs. character work—for example, transporting the commissioner into the artwork.
If this appeals to you, read this guide from ScoreDetect on copyright clearance for fan-made creations.
12. Mural Painting
Expand your canvas through mural commissions!
If you tend to think “big picture,” consider mural work. Small businesses, galleries, apartments, and city councils often hire mural artists to beautify their spaces.
13. Publish Comics
Comic lovers who prefer to draw online can garner a loyal fan base through comic platforms.
You can monetize your comics through Webtoon or Patreon, with readers paying for exclusive content or merely as a sign of support.
14. Sell at Craft Fairs
If you’re the extroverted type, consider taking your drawing expertise on the road and attending local craft fairs.
A marketplace is a cool way to get paid to draw, connect with the community, and put a face to your work.
You can sell all sorts of crafts, from art prints to on-demand portraits. This can also be a good way to drive new customers to your online presence.
15. Sell Stock Art
Selling stock art is a great way to earn some extra cash as a manageable side hustle; it can also turn into a passive income source over time (score!).
Design Bundles, Creative Market, and Envato are good places to start.
You can also try popular sites like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock, though these platforms are generally more exclusive.
Get Paid to Draw: How to Get Started
Ready to get started? Follow these steps to turn a creative idea into a lucrative business plan.
Create Your Business Model
First, decide on your business model. Hopefully, the ideas above have given you an idea of where you’ll most thrive.
Ask yourself these questions:
- What is my creative niche?
- How will potential buyers find me?
- Where will I sell my work?
- How can potential clients reach me?
- How will I take payment?
Build Your Portfolio
Build an online portfolio of your best work. Think of it as a mix of a resume and a digital art gallery – the work speaks for itself.
The format of this portfolio will vary based on your business model. Etsy sellers don’t need much more than their Etsy shop to display their work. A business Instagram account may be sufficient if you sell at craft fairs.
If you’re working with other companies, however, I would recommend creating a business website.
Canva is one of the best places to create a simple portfolio. Get a free account and take advantage of their user-friendly editing tools.
When scaling your business, consider registering your own domain through a site like WordPress, Wix, or Shopify.
Market Your Work
Your online presence is the perfect way to showcase your artwork.
Cross-post your work on social media accounts, including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Visuals of your art are your very best marketing materials.
Beyond social media platforms, share your work through online marketplaces, local craft fairs, or even an online blog.
Scale Your Business
Established artists should consider scaling their business to reach new viewers and clients.
This will look different for everyone. It could mean moving your Etsy business to your own online store or transforming your freelance business into an agency.
Look at areas of expansion, both in the short and long term.
Get Paid to Draw: Finding Work
Finding work as an artist can be intimidating when you don’t know where to look. Luckily, the creative market is actually ripe with opportunity.
Here are a few options:
- Upwork – Freelance job board
- Fiverr – Remote freelance marketplace with lower rates, but can be great for building your portfolio and gaining referrals
- Saatchi Art – Online art gallery from artists around the world
- Gelato – Print-on-demand services
- Etsy – An online craft marketplace where you can sell your original works
- TikTok Shop – Great for showcasing your art and bringing users to your portfolio
- Art Station – Showcase platform for digital art
- Deviant Art – A large online art gallery to showcase your best work
- Fine Art America – Curated art for purchase from independent artists
- Society6 – Print-on-demand for wall art, apparel, houseware, and more
Get Paid to Draw: Final Thoughts
Creatives deserve to get compensated for their expertise.
I hope these ideas can help you transform your drawing skills into a flourishing career. So, take this as your sign to pursue your art (and get paid for it!).
Need more ideas? Here is a list of ideas for getting paid to color!