6 Side Hustle Ideas for Artists

Before I started my online sticker shop, I used to wonder how I can turn my art passion into a steady side hustle. I was constantly searching for ways to sell my artwork but kept coming up empty.

I have read in a recent survey that 39% have a side hustle, and 44% believe they’ll always need one in the US alone.

So, if you felt the same, well, you are not alone!

For artists, this is the perfect opportunity to transform creativity into a rewarding income stream. In fact, many artists are finding unique ways to generate extra income while doing what they love. Making a living from art can be tough, but there are exciting side hustle ideas designed just for like me who likes to make artworks.

So, let me show you some 6 side hustle ideas for artists people like me and you who love to create art.

1. Start A Youtube Channel

Launching a YouTube channel is a great opportunity for artists to grow their audience and earn extra income. If you're camera-shy like me, no worries—you can showcase your art skills without showing your face!

To get started, create a YouTube account and then customize it. Add a clear profile picture, a nice channel name, and a description that reflects your unique artistic style and the content you'll be sharing.

Youtube Art Tutorial Videos

After that invest in a high-quality camera, stable tripod, and good audio equipment. As for me, I have the latest iPhone and it does very well in recording my videos. When I make videos, I sometimes show my art techniques and style, my studio setup, creative process, and share art tips for new artists. This can help my viewers learn and engage with my content.

I also encourage viewers to ask questions about my techniques and comment on my videos. This interaction not only keeps my viewers coming back but also makes them feel involved in my creative process. Once my channel starts gaining traction, I can now monetize it.

This monetization creates a steady income stream for me. The best part is that it's passive—once I upload a video, it can keep generating ad revenue for as long as YouTube exists. As of today YouTube Partner Program requires at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours over the past 12 months.

One way to earn income as an artist on Youtube is through brand sponsorships or by featuring art supplies or tools in your videos. For now, I don’t get much sponsorship since I just started my channel. I will reveal my Youtube channel soon!

If you are interested but need more help creating your first YouTube videos, check out some of the top Udemy courses that offer step-by-step guides and tips for beginners.

2. Be A Freelance Graphic Designer

Becoming a freelance graphic designer is a great way to make money while showing your creativity.

Essential Adobe Art Software

To be successful in this field, you need to master graphic design software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

Additionally, problem-solving, creativity, and attention to detail are highly valued by clients. Once you've honed your skills, building a strong online portfolio to market your best work is a great start.

As for me, I started by designing artworks for friends, like creating T-shirt designs, logos for their family businesses, or sticker giveaways for events. Every time I design for them, I often get referrals. This opens up new opportunities to work with other clients and create more designs. This showed me that freelancing as an artist is truly a viable way to earn an income.

However, if you don’t have many referrals yet, websites like Behance and Dribbble are ideal platforms to display your designs and connect with your future potential clients.

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Social media platforms, particularly Instagram and LinkedIn, can also be used to share your work and build a following.

Making money as a freelance graphic designer comes from a combination of finding clients and offering value.

upwork.com

You can also join freelance platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and 99designs, where you can bid for design jobs.

As you build your reputation and gain more experience, you can increase your rates and work with larger businesses, steadily growing your freelance career.

3. Illustrate Children’s Books

One great way to create an income stream as an artist is by illustrating children's books.

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I’ve noticed some artists make a good passive income by selling children’s coloring books. While I haven’t personally tried this myself which I will do later, I believe it’s a viable and achievable idea. For this, strong drawing skills is a must, particularly the ability to create engaging, whimsical characters and scenes that appeal to children.

I also believe that you should adapt your drawing style depending on the tone and audience of the book, whether it’s for toddlers or older children. Software like Procreate, Adobe Photoshop, and Illustrator can help digitize your artwork easily and enable you to create high-quality illustrations more efficiently.

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Once your illustrations are ready, the next thing to do is to self-publish your work. I used to think publishing books was really difficult. But now, self-publishing platforms make it so much easier to publish artwork with minimal hassle.

Self-publishing platforms such as Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) or IngramSpark give you the ability to publish both e-books and print books, allowing you to maintain control over your project.

Once I complete an artwork, I share it on social media, especially Instagram. This helps showcase my work, attract followers, and connect with potential clients.

Personally, I’ve always wanted to create a coloring book or art book as I really find this doable. One day, I will make it happen.

4. Start A Blog

Starting a blog as an artist is an excellent way to share your work, build an audience, and eventually make money from your creativity. The first step is choosing a platform to host your blog.

squarespace.com

Squarespace is an ideal option for artists because it offers beautiful templates that are easy to customize, allowing you to create a professional website without needing coding experience. It’s incredibly easy to use. I can add pages, template cards for my artwork, and explore many other features that help me promote my work.

In your blog, write posts about your creative process, techniques, tips for other artists, and engaging content like stories, art challenges, or tutorials to attract and connect with readers. You can also discuss different art styles, materials, and trends in the art world, and share insights that reflect your unique perspective as an artist.

Monetizing your blog as an artist can be done in various ways. You can sell prints, original art, or commissions directly through your website. Another great way to make money is through affiliate marketing. This is where you can promote art supplies or tools you love. You can also earn a commission when readers make a purchase through your affiliate links which is awesome.

Moreover, once you have built a following, you can explore sponsored content, where brands pay you to feature their products in your posts.

5. Start A Patreon

Patreon is a fantastic platform for creators to build a sustainable income by offering paid memberships, exclusive content, or selling digital products.

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Think of it as running a small online shop for your loyal fans! I have a Patreon account, but I currently only use it to follow other artists. One day, I’d love to create my own and build a following, as it can be a great way to generate income.

To start a Patreon is so easy as a breeze. Simply sign up, then customize your main page with a profile picture, cover image, and a compelling intro, then set up membership plans.

Next, get the word out by sharing your page link on your social media and website so your audience knows they can support you. To keep your supporters engaged, offer them something special in return, like early access to content, exclusive merch, shoutouts, or a behind-the-scenes look at your creative process.

For example, you can create a free video on how to install art software, then add a link on your Patreon page where supporters can pay and download the software. This makes your supporters feel valued and more connected to you and your work. Remember, when you have a following on Patreon, it’s essential to consistently create valuable content for your supporters. Your content should offer them meaningful insights as an artist or teach them something new and unique.

6. Sell Digital Products

Selling your own physical products as an artist can be a great way to earn extra income. Personally, I use Etsy to sell my artwork, and so far, it’s been going well.

Currently, I’m focusing on selling stickers. Etsy makes it easy to upload my sticker designs and even lets me promote specific designs for a set duration.

etsy.com

However, if you prefer not to sell physical items, digital products are a hassle-free alternative since there’s no need for shipping. Etsy also allows selling digital artworks and also Ebay.

To get started, digitize your artwork into a high-quality image. Then, upload the digital file to platforms like Etsy or eBay. When someone purchases your product, they’ll receive a digital copy of your artwork. That’s how simple it is to earn income by selling digital copies online. There’s no need to reproduce your artwork or ship it to buyers—just upload it once, and you’re ready to start making money.

Wrap Up: Why Make Side Hustle Business?

The possibilities for artists to make money online are truly endless, from selling physical artwork to digital products and beyond or to create valuable art contents. It all comes down to your willingness and dedication—how much effort you're ready to put in will determine your success.

The ideas are vast, and the potential for creative entrepreneurs is unlimited, so take the leap and start today. If you have any other online income ideas for artists, feel free to share them in the comments below!

Leah Espinosa

Blogger

A single mom of 4 who loves productivity, marketing, and selling. Passionate about cooking, storytelling, and finding inner peace in every life’s adventures.