Ever thought about how much money online artists make?
Well, you’re not alone! As more creatives begin selling their work online, there are countless possibilities and questions as well.
These days, creators can sell directly to their audience without the help of a gallery or an agent to showcase their work.
Some people just use it as a side hustle while others are able to make it their primary source of income.
But this is where it gets interesting—there’s no guarantee making money online as an artist has anything to do with talent.
The platform you use, your marketing skills, and the plans you have can impact your earnings tremendously.
So, what do artists really do to make more money online?
Join me as we go through real earnings, the most popular platforms, and effective ways to earn more from your art business.
Let’s get started!
What factors determine the income of online artists?
So, you’re an artist looking to earn money online? Amazing!
But here’s the catch, you won’t earn the same amount of money as everyone else.
Some artists earn a little pocket money, while others have the opportunity to turn their passion into a living wage.
What makes the difference?
Let’s break it down in a way that actually makes sense.
1. Your Art Style and Niche Matter
Not all art sells the same way. Some styles are more in demand, and some are just easier to monetize.
NFT art can make big bucks because it’s digital, exclusive, and trendy.
Commissions & digital prints sell well because people love custom work.
Graphic design & trendy styles (think fan art, anime, or minimalistic designs) often do better than random paintings.
Tip: If your art has a unique touch or taps into a trending niche, you have a better shot at making more money.
2. Where You Sell Makes a Huge Difference
Imagine setting up a lemonade stand in the middle of nowhere vs. on a busy street—same effort, totally different results! The platform you choose works the same way.
Etsy – Great for selling handmade, printable, or custom art.
Redbubble and Society6 – Good for selling art on t-shirts, mugs, and stickers.
Patreon – Helps you earn monthly income from loyal fans.
NFT marketplaces (OpenSea, Rarible, etc.) – Can be a goldmine, but also super competitive.
Tip: Pick a platform that fits your style and audience. You can upload your work to different platforms at the same time to earn more money!
3. Marketing and Engagement = More Sales
You cannot just upload your art and hope an audience magically appears.
Most selling artists have to sell themselves and interact with their followers.
Instagram, and TikTok are perfect for displaying your work.But, responding to audiences’ comments and interacting with them makes them appreciate your skills, which means they’re more likely to buy your work!
Some artists even manage to promote their artwork before they are finished.
Tip: Marketing might feel weird at first, but think of it as sharing your passion with the world. The more people see your work, the more sales you’ll make!
4. Pricing
What happens when you set your charge too low? You will sell more, but what you make might not be worth the effort.
When you set the charge too high, you will sell less, but earn more for each sale.
Striking the right balance in price between the buyer and seller is the aim of any sale.
Tip: Check what similar artists are charging and adjust based on your experience and demand.
5. Experience and Reputation Help You Earn More
When you’re new, you might have to price your work lower to attract buyers. But over time, as more people see your work and trust your brand, you can charge more.
New artists → Start small, build your portfolio, gain reviews.
Experienced artists → Set premium prices because people know and trust your work.
Tip: Don’t get discouraged if sales are slow at first. Stay consistent, keep improving, and your reputation and income will grow!
How Much Do Different Types of Online Artists Really Make Now?
Of late, some artists have been earning just a little on the side, while others have turned it into a full-time career.
Let’s check out the numbers!
a. Freelance Illustrators and Commission Artists
If you take commissions or work as a freelance illustrator, your income can vary a lot:
Artists designing collectible card games can make $400 to $600 per card, and top professionals go up to $1,200+ per card.
On Fiverr and Upwork, you set your own prices, but demand and reviews affect how much you can charge.
Many commission artists negotiate prices directly with clients—a common rule is to ask for half upfront and the rest when finished.
b. Print-on-Demand Artists
This is for artists who sell designs on products like t-shirts, mugs, and phone cases through sites like Redbubble, Society6, and Merch by Amazon.
Your earnings depend on sales:
Redbubble and Society6 usually give artists a 20-30% cut per sale.
Merch by Amazon has a base royalty, but you can set higher prices to earn more.
The real trick? Creating trending, high-demand designs that keep selling.
c. Stock Illustrators and Photographers
If you prefer passive income, uploading your artwork or photos to Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and similar platforms can bring in extra cash:
Shutterstock pays between $0.25 to $4.40 per download, depending on the license.
Adobe Stock works the same way—more downloads = more earnings.
It’s a slow build, but if you upload regularly, your income can grow over time.
d. NFT Artists and Crypto Art Sellers
The NFT world is wild—some artists sell pieces for thousands, even millions! But… it’s also unpredictable:
If your art catches the right audience, you could make a fortune.
But since NFTs are tied to cryptocurrency trends, earnings can be super unstable.
If you’re thinking about NFTs, do your research first—it’s not for everyone.
e. Online Course Creators and Art Instructors
Some artists make money teaching their skills on platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, or YouTube:
Udemy instructors can earn up to 97% of course sales (if they promote it themselves).
Skillshare pays based on watch time—the more minutes students spend on your class, the more you make.
YouTube artists can earn from ads, sponsorships, and selling their own merch—but it takes time to grow a following.
So, Can You Make a Living as an Online Artist?
Absolutely! Some online artists make a few bucks here and there, while others pull in thousands every month.
The key? Choosing the right platform, marketing yourself well, and diversifying your income streams.
Pro Tip: Don’t rely on just one source—combine commissions, print-on-demand, stock images, or teaching to build a stable income.
Got a dream to make money from your art? Try it already!
Top Platforms for Selling Art Online (and How Much You Can Make)
Some platforms are great for making steady money, while others take a bit more effort.
Whether you’re into prints, custom commissions, or digital art, here’s what you need to know:
1. Etsy – Great for Handmade and Digital Art
Etsy is like a giant online craft fair where you can sell physical and digital art. You set your own prices and run your own shop.
How much can you make?
Some artists make a few bucks, while others pull in thousands per month—it depends on what you’re selling and how well you market it.
Why it’s great: Huge audience, perfect for unique handmade art.
Downsides: Lots of competition, and Etsy takes a cut (around 5% per sale, plus listing fees).
2. Redbubble and Society6 – Easy Passive Income
These are print-on-demand sites where you upload your designs, and they print them on t-shirts, stickers, mugs, and more. You don’t have to deal with printing or shipping—they handle everything!
Most artists earn 10-30% per sale, meaning a few dollars per item unless you price higher.
Advantages: No inventory, no shipping, just upload and sell.
Disadvantages: The base prices are high, so you don’t earn much per sale unless you price strategically.
3. Patreon and Ko-fi – Best for Recurring Income
Want a reliable paycheck from your art? Patreon and Ko-fi let your fans support you through subscriptions (Patreon) or one-time donations (Ko-fi).
Small creators might earn $100/month, while big names make $5,000+.
Pros: Steady income, direct fan support.
Cons: You need an engaged audience, and keeping subscribers means constantly creating new content.
4. Fiverr and Upwork – Best for Custom Commissions
These freelance sites let you sell custom artwork, like portraits, logos, or illustrations. If you’re good at working with clients, this could be a great option.
How much you can make depends on the project—some gigs start at $5, but skilled artists can charge $500+.
Benefits: Flexible work, and you set your own rates.
Drawbacks: High competition, and these platforms take a 20% commission from your earnings.
5. NFT Marketplaces – High Risk, High Reward
NFT platforms like OpenSea let you sell digital art as one-of-a-kind pieces. Some artists have made millions, but the market is unpredictable.
How much can you make from NFTs?
Some NFTs sell for $50, others for $50,000+—but the market is all over the place.
Ups: Potential for big profits and royalties on resales.
Downs: The market is risky, and you need to understand cryptocurrency.
So… How Much Can You REALLY Make?
Honestly? It depends. Some artists make a few extra bucks, while others turn it into a full-time career.
As mentioned earlier, just pick the right platform for your style, price your work well, and market yourself.
Again, if you’re just starting, experiment with a few platforms and see what works best for you.
Revenue Streams and Monetization Strategies for Online Artists
If you’re an artist looking to make money online, the good news is—there are plenty of ways to do it!
You don’t have to rely on just one income source.
In fact, the most successful online artists mix and match different methods.
Here are some of the best ways to do that:
1. Sell Your Art Directly
Want full control over your prices and customers?
Selling on your own website or through platforms like Etsy and Redbubble lets you set your prices and keep most of the profit.
The only catch? You’ll also need to handle marketing and customer service yourself.
2. Take Custom Commissions
People love personalized art! Whether it’s a pet portrait, a digital avatar, or a unique illustration, custom orders can bring in big bucks—especially if you find the right audience.
Websites like Fiverr and Upwork make it easier to connect with clients, though competition can be tough.
3. Earn from Licensing and Royalties
Want to make money while you sleep?
Licensing your art to stock sites lets you earn a small fee each time someone downloads your work.
It takes time to build up, but once your portfolio grows, you could be making passive income without lifting a finger!
4. Sell Your Art on Products
Ever wanted to see your art on t-shirts, mugs, or phone cases?
Print-on-demand sites handle everything—printing, shipping, and customer service.
You just upload your designs and earn a cut from every sale.
5. Get Paid by Your Fans
If you have a loyal audience, you can make money through Patreon or Ko-fi, where fans support you with monthly payments in exchange for exclusive content.
You can also use Kickstarter to fund a big project.
The key here? Engagement! The more connected your audience feels, the more likely they are to support you.
6. Work with Brands and Get Sponsored
If you have a strong online presence, brands might pay you to promote their products!
This could mean sponsorship deals or earning a commission through affiliate marketing (where you recommend art supplies or tools and get a cut of the sales).
At the end of the day, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. The best way to make money online as artists is to experiment, see what works for you, and keep creating.
Conclusion
Making a living as an online artist isn’t always easy.
There’s a lot of competition, figuring out the right price can be tricky, and income can be unpredictable.
But the good news? With the right approach, you can turn your passion into a steady income.
Build a strong personal brand, sell your work on multiple platforms, use social media to get noticed, and keep improving your skills.
Most importantly, engage with your audience—people love to support artists they connect with.
Keep going, stay consistent, and you’ll see your hard work pay off!