How do artists earn money? Freelancing for artists and illustrators: remote work and part-time work

Hello, Yana)
Thank you a million for your advice, thoughts and wisdom!

So I have a question. Largely thanks to your posts and books.
Not long ago, I finally found an activity that was at the crossroads of whether I like it, it works out, I want to do it. And this activity turned out to be drawing.

Here I must say that by education and profession I have nothing to do with creativity. However, I have always been drawn to doing hand-made things, sculpting, painting, knitting. As a child, I loved art lessons, I liked to draw. But in such a way that she draws directly - then no. I tried it recently and was hooked.
And now the third month has begun, I try to draw every day, when I follow the textbook, when I copy, when I just draw all sorts of doodles - zentangles - mandalas. I understand that I want to develop in this. And somewhere in the depths of my soul, a small flame smolders - what if I manage to change my unloved job to something related to creativity.

And now, actually, the question. It is clear that first practice, basic things, study-study-study. And now it’s too early to talk about anything specific. But I have very little idea what’s next. Just draw, look at the work of others and go by experience? If you really set a goal to change your profession, then where should you start moving? What do people who can draw become? Stockers, designers, illustrators? What are the directions? There are probably a lot of them, but maybe you can at least outline some of the main points) Thank you!

There are all sorts of doodles here) (http://happy-real-life.livejournal.com/) the magazine does not need to be shown.

Hello!
It's never too early to ask yourself what exactly you want to do. Because the answer (partly) determines what is best for you to develop in yourself, what is worth working on.

There are really a lot of directions: illustration, drawing and selling originals, selling souvenirs with your pictures (and separate question, whether you want to make them yourself). Stocks, writing and illustrating books, graphic novels, illustrations for magazines. And if you like to draw ornaments, or something similar, then there is also the opportunity to draw patterns for fabrics, scarves, carpets, wallpaper, etc.

I propose to start by collecting the maximum possible applications for drawing.
Dear readers, write what I haven’t mentioned yet?

Then - look on the Internet for examples of everything mentioned, and listen to your feelings: what gives you the feeling “this is how I would like it” more.
You need to collect more of these directions, and then narrow the circle: what do you like more, and what do you like even more?

And here it is very important point- honesty! We like to watch many things from others, and we even feel some envy that someone has broken through with this. But when you look at the question honestly, it becomes clear that you don’t like doing this yourself. And the thought that I will do this every day for many years is rather depressing. These are the things we like in others. This is wonderful and useful, but it is not suitable for trying to live on it.

It is advisable to narrow the circle to several areas. Preferably no more than ten. And preferably very specifically formulated. For example: “Draw pictures for T-shirts and sell T-shirts with them, which will be printed by other services” or “draw originals and sell them, regularly exhibiting in galleries.”

As you go, studying samples of what other people are doing, try to read from their websites exactly where they are sold. Some are standing in the markets, others are licking the online store. Still others walk through galleries. Everyone has their own, and many people may really like some of it, or vice versa. You need to try all this on yourself. Could you imagine going to nice shops and offering your goods to a commission? Or write to publishing houses and editors and offer them your drawings? Or is it easier for you to just work on some store and hope that people will flock to it? strangers from some platform?

In general, when there are very few options left, you have to try. Because Only in practice does it become clear how much you really like the work. Well, in this phase it will become clear what skills you are missing, what you still need to learn, what to extract from materials and tools.

I wish you success in finding your dream! :-)

Hello! In this article we will talk about making money for artists.

How much can you earn: from 10,000 rubles per month for beginners.
Minimum Requirements: ability to draw, self-discipline, free time.
Is it worth it?: Yes .

General information about earning money for artists

A good artist should no longer be hungry: on the Internet you can easily find income for those who can draw coolly.

Artists who know how to work with graphic editors are in great demand.

In graphic arts, a portfolio plays a huge role. In programming and other freelance professions, you can test an employee’s skills in literally 20 minutes. This cannot be done in graphics simply because each performer has his own style, vision and execution.

If you want to start making money quickly, make sure you do good portfolio.

Method 1. Images for microstocks

Microstocks are sites where you can sell your illustrations for a fee.

Working with microstocks is convenient because after downloading the image remains in the system, and each time you receive a percentage of its purchase. This is peculiar.

There are also image trends on microstocks. That is why the illustrator will have to find a compromise between “I can draw” and “This is in demand.” On top of that, it is constantly growing, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for beginners to get started. You will have to draw 6 - 8 hours a day to build a good database of images.

In order to work with microstocks, it is best to master Adobe Illustrator.

Method 2. Custom design

- a very in-demand profession. In any field, you need a person who can convey graphically what the client wants.

Specialization works best in design. If you really want to earn a lot, you have to choose certain direction and work only according to it. This could be a design:

multi-page sites.
one-page sites.
PC applications.
applications for mobile.
advertising banners.

The workflow for a novice designer is as follows:

choosing a direction -> several invented orders for the portfolio -> searching for clients -> work -> replenishing the portfolio.

The most difficult thing in design is to adapt to the client's requirements. You can see the idea from one angle, the customer from another, and he will be right because it is his project.

Method 3. Paintings to order

This is already full-fledged. I think many of you have come across such communities on social networks “Portraits to order”, “Paintings to order”, etc. This is a great business for artists.

It is best to promote through communities in in social networks. You can use VKontakte with store functionality as a platform, and Instagram for publishing your portfolio.

Portraits to order are in great demand. This is an original gift that can please almost any person. It is more difficult to make money from painting, paintings are in less demand, but nevertheless you can find a buyer.

I have a friend whose great-grandfather was a famous artist in our city. And now his grandson makes money by creating replicas of his paintings and selling them at low prices to those who cannot afford the originals. The demand is such that it allows both him and his wife not to work.

It is very difficult to make money from your paintings. Simply because no one knows you as an artist, and your work is of no value to collectors and art connoisseurs.

Method 4. Selling designer postcards

You won’t surprise anyone with ordinary postcards. Lovers original gifts They often order unique cards to show how much they care about the idea.

If you know how to work with graphic tablet, you can easily cooperate with stores selling unique postcards.

Stores are a great place to start. They provide access to large audience and allow you not to reduce prices to attract customers. There is also the opportunity to run this business yourself. But for this you need to draw an idea, come up with the right words, fulfill your plans.

I have seen more than once how modern poets collaborate with good artists and create atmospheric postcards, and then sell them in their own communities.

Method 5. Drawing comics

Internet comics are many individual images that are connected mainly by the main character, habits and general mood.

There are two options for working with comics: post them in the public domain or publish them in publications. Monetization methods depend on this. If you work with groups on social networks or a personal blog, you can make money from advertising integrations: advertising inserts in social networks, pictures with advertising, etc.

If you work with full-fledged publications, you will need to create a comic book: big story, an illustration of a specific story. In order to earn money in this way, you need to either constantly catch competitions in large print or online publications, or get a job permanent job illustrator.

Method 6. Private lessons

This is a great way for those who can not only draw, but can also teach it. There are more and more self-taught artists. And that means those who want to realize themselves in a certain profession. You can give private lessons via Skype to:

Those who want to learn how to draw.
Those who want to master graphics programs.

There's a lot on the net free lessons drawing in free access. But your main advantage is individual work. You will be able to explain, show and tell something to your student much faster.

Method 7. Creating your own information product

The most promising way to make money on the Internet is to create your own information products. You are selling what you have already learned. In the case of artists, this could be:

Drawing lessons.
Graphic design lessons.
Ways to find clients.
Ways to earn money for designers.

You can come up with many options. It is very important that you yourself understand what you can teach.

How can an artist find clients?

Let's talk about three current ways to find clients. Each of them is worthy of attention and they are still working today.

Microstocks

In order to register on most microstocks, you will have to pass an exam. Let's look at the list of the most profitable microstocks.

Shutterstock— the largest microstock. Accepts photos, illustrations and vector graphics for uploading. There is an exam: it is enough to accept at least one job out of 10 proposed.

For experienced users there is a bonus program: the more works sold, the higher the deductions.

This is a great starting point for beginners. Images are checked very quickly, and the works of beginners are exhibited on an equal basis with professionals. The minimum withdrawal is $35, but not earlier than 3 months after registration.

IStock— one of the oldest microstocks. Accepts photos, illustrations and vectors.

Part of Getty Images, the largest professional photo bank.

A normal starting point for beginners. The main disadvantage: the high withdrawal threshold of $100. The service also does not show sales statistics well: it will be possible to update the data only after a month.

Fotolia is a microstock that integrates with Adobe products in the form of Adobe Stock. There is no exam here.

Built into Adobe products. There are quite a lot of buyers.

The minimum withdrawal threshold is $50. Among the majority of authors, it is one of the five most profitable microstocks.

Freelancing sites

- the most profitable way to earn money for designers and everyone who works with computer graphics. But every year it becomes more and more difficult for newcomers to break through. Almost all projects will require starting investments: from 800 rubles to purchase a premium account. Without it, you can only access basic orders.

List of freelancing sites:

Freelance.ru.
Fl.ru.
Freelansim.
Work-Zilla.
Kwork.

You can find orders for both graphic rendering of images and drawings on canvas.

Social media

The option is suitable for running a business and making money on comics. The best social network for this is VKontakte. There is full functionality for attracting clients.

You can use the VKontakte community either as a group in which work will be posted, or as a personal store.

You can use Instagram to create a portfolio. This social network has the best format for working with images. You can post photo reviews from clients or a list of completed work.

How much can an artist earn?

Now let's talk about which direction is most profitable to work in. To do this, let’s look at the income figures, the minimum threshold and the time/money spent on each type of income.

Pictures on microstocks— top users earn from illustrations from $1,000 every month. A beginner can count on an income of 100 - 200 dollars 2 - 3 months after starting work. But at first you will have to work really hard to gain a base regular customers and collect a portfolio.

Custom design — good designer with an average workload (3 - 4 hours a day with 20 working days a month) he can freely earn from 30 to 40 thousand rubles. But this will require a good portfolio. A beginner will have to make several orders for himself, invest in a portfolio and work for some time with orders at low pay.

Paintings to order— It is very difficult to predict income. From what I was told, you can earn up to 50,000 rubles a month by selling replicas. There is no information on copyright works.

Sale of original postcards- a very difficult way to make money. In collaboration with modern poet You can provide yourself with good sales. But the monthly income will still be low - from 10 to 15 thousand rubles.

Making money from comics— there is no information about illustrators who make money from full-fledged drawing of comics. Creative companies often keep this secret. Internet comics are not created to make money. In the Russian segment, this is more a way of creative self-realization and small earnings on advertising.

Private lessons — individual lessons They are quite expensive on the Internet. An hour costs from 500 to 1,000 rubles. But there won’t be a workload of 20-30 hours a week, so you can count on 5-7 thousand rubles a week.

Creation of an information product- income depends on the value of the product. A large initial investment of time and effort is required for training (from a week to a month) and promotion costs - the minimum level is 20,000 rubles.

Conclusion

Internet provides great amount earning opportunities for people with creative professions. It’s enough to take the issue of earning money seriously, start studying and don’t stray from your path.

Every person sooner or later thinks about earning extra money. The first thing that comes to mind is to make a business out of your favorite hobby. And this is quite real.

If you are a good drawer and, by the will of fate, you sit at home or want to earn extra income, you may have already wondered how to make money by drawing. Indeed, this hobby can be used not only for moral satisfaction, but also for complete real earnings.

Nowadays, selling your creativity has become much easier than before, and you often don’t even need to leave your home. All that remains is to understand the details, weigh the risks and move from plans to actions, and the magazine Reconomica will be happy to help you with this.

My name is Stepantsova Olga Aleksandrovna, I am 22 years old, I live in the city of Blagoveshchensk.

Many of us loved to be creative as children: someone was good at playing musical instrument, some did crafts, while others liked to draw. Talent exists within every person, and it goes without saying how important it is to discover and realize it.

It is known that drawing has a positive effect on nervous system, which means the whole body will benefit.

By being creative, you can not only have fun, but also make money, while spending a couple of hours a day on it!

First publications

I always loved to draw and did it often. I just sat with a piece of paper and a pencil wherever and whenever I wanted, because I liked it and got better every time.

And for a person engaged in creativity, it is necessary for his work to be seen and appreciated as much as possible. more people, so I decided to publish mine best works in social networks.

Now this is one of the the best ways show what you are capable of, and look at others, learn new things. By the way, I used A4 paper and simple pencils. The cost of this did not ruin me, especially since the pencils lasted a long time.

My drawing.

Earning money idea

One day I was trying to figure out what to give my friend for her birthday, and an idea popped into my head - why don’t I draw her? A handmade gift from the heart is greatly appreciated.

I put all my skills into my work, received a lot of praise and was inspired. At the same time, this was my advertising, and the idea of making such gifts to order was thoroughly ingrained in my head. I had to improve my skills using the Internet (studying facial anatomy, drawing techniques).

After browsing the Internet, I realized that you can and should make money from this, and most importantly, drawing a portrait did not take much time and was a pleasure!

First profit

After the donated drawing, several people appeared who wanted to buy a portrait for money, or even not quite a portrait, but something more unusual. For example, one guy asked me to draw a robot for him.

By the way, drawing a portrait from a photo is very convenient, because the photo is constant, the person does not change pose, as can be the case when drawing from life, in addition, you can work when it is convenient, and focus only on the customer’s deadlines.

Of course, the first orders were among friends, but it gave good experience and small profits. When the first wave of orders passed, I realized that it was necessary to do more advertising and focus on people I didn’t know (after all, I redrawn everyone I knew). To do this, I promised to quickly complete the work (all this on the social network page) and sat down to draw as soon as someone contacted me.

What did this lead me to?

Starting once with simple, unsightly drawings, I came to good skills and a constant income.

Having experience in drawing, you can find many options for different part-time jobs:

In addition to portraits, there are sketches for tattoos, and people are also interested in them.
A good imagination will serve as a tool for creating funny cartoons.
And if you film the process of creating a work, you can make money by watching it on the Internet, because such videos are often popular.

And this is also my drawing.

Many have seen artists painting portraits on the street, and why not? All paths are open!

Let's calculate the income

Based final result, I can say that the main cost is time for training and improvement, and I do not take into account the purchase of paper and pencils, erasers, and sharpeners.

On initial stage the portrait cost 250 rubles (for a beginning artist), after a while the final price was established - 500 rubles.

If we take into account that, on average, by the second month I painted one portrait a day, we get an amount equal to 15,000 rubles (and this is far from the limit), despite the fact that the work was done in my free time and took 2-3 hours a day .

The cost can be increased, but left adequate in relation to your abilities. Sometimes there were two orders a day, and sometimes none.

Not everything is as simple as it seems

When buying a finished product, the client has no idea how much effort was spent on making him find you and want to cooperate with you.

Drawing is not as difficult as it seems, but making your work in demand is a more serious task.

One way or another, you have to communicate with people, and it would be nice to be able to do it correctly (be polite, tactful, win over, create a positive conversation).

If you like to draw and want to try to earn some money, then I want to give some tips and recommendations that helped me:

One of my favorite expressions, which I often used as a guide: for every artist there is an art connoisseur.

This is true. There will always be a person who will like the character of your work, your drawing style and the author's zest (and everyone has it).

The customer likes to see all the information at once.

For example, when visiting your page, he should find answers to all the questions he is interested in: price, deadlines, format, drawing technique, examples of your work. This will increase the likelihood that he will want to order from you.

There is no need to be afraid of anything.

Creating a portfolio.

You don’t need to write a lot about yourself; your works will say the best about you. Design your drawings beautifully, and people will definitely like them. There is no need to post all the works; choose the brightest, most special and catchy ones in your opinion.

Pay attention to your competitors.

Draw conclusions for yourself (regarding cost, quality of work).

Successful people overcome their laziness and fear. Don't be lazy and everything will work out!

Artists can always count on an extra piece of bread. If you know how to draw, then think hard about how to make money from this hobby at home.

If you are a good drawer and by the will of fate you sit at home or want to earn extra income, you may have already wondered how to make money by drawing. Indeed, this hobby can be used not only for moral satisfaction, but also for very real income. Now it has become much easier to sell your creativity than before, and you often don’t even need to leave your home to do this.

What can you sell and where to start?

You can sell both original works and digital files, such as prints for clothing. There are various websites that offer their services. You can sell digital pictures that customers buy for sometimes mysterious purposes. But the author feels satisfaction from his work when he sees that his pictures have found their application in real world.

First, decide whether you want to draw illustrations, prints or sell your paintings and graphics. Some artists combine several options at once. You can choose a direction such as selling your images on stock sites. Best Selling vector images. In this case, you will have to learn a couple of programs in order to create them.

The “old” method of selling works was quite simple - artists went to galleries or publishing houses and offered them their work. With the advent of the Internet, making money by drawing has become much easier. You can successfully promote yourself, not only in your country, but throughout the world. Of course, we shouldn’t forget about back side medals - competition among artists is now very high.

If you decide to make money as an illustration, you definitely need to create a portfolio. It will need to select your best works. There are more than enough quality resources to post your work. Don't neglect foreign sites. Their audience reach is much larger than their Russian counterparts.

To sell paintings, you must register on websites that sell handicrafts. There is always a film section, and the audience is very large. There are several sites that only sell paintings. Basically, professionals post their work on these sites.

Where to sell your creations

There are different platforms for making money on the Internet:

sites offering to sell originals of your works;
Stocks or microstocks. Here you can offer digital files for sale in different formats. Initially, the image costs very little.
stores that offer ready-made templates. You upload your prepared images, and the site automatically applies them to its templates. For example, T-shirts, bags, mugs and much more. The disadvantages of such stores are that they often charge most earning money for yourself. The advantages are that you do not need to spend any money. An example of such a store is All T-shirts;
do not hesitate to offer your services to sites, perhaps portals need unique illustrations for articles.

Don’t neglect the opportunity to sell your work at various fairs. You can organize exhibitions, displaying drawings made with paints and pencils. Invite your friends and acquaintances using social networks.

Practical implementation of the idea

Practical steps:

Take high-quality photographs of your work. If you don’t know how, you can ask a professional friend or read how to correctly photograph art. This required condition to sell your paintings or graphics. The buyer likes high-quality images. In this case, there is little risk that in reality the picture will be very different from the photograph.
Determine your pricing policy. The price should not be too low, but not too high, otherwise you won’t be able to make money from drawing. It is very difficult to understand how much money to take from a client. So find popular artists who work in a similar style. How much do they charge for their work? This way you can roughly determine how much to ask for your creative work.
Register on specialized sites. You can post your work on many resources - this will increase your chances of sales. Chat with colleagues, take part in competitions. This can help attract potential clients.
Start a blog. It is recommended to start blogs on popular free platforms. Don't forget about the possibilities of social networks. Not only post your work more often, but also write about yourself, your thoughts about life. Show photos of the process. People are always interested to see how a master creates his masterpieces, even if they are created from digital “materials,” as well as his ordinary life. Be sure to respond to user comments. People like to feel feedback. Sometimes they buy simply because they liked the conversation with the master.
Learn new things, keep track popular destinations . The world is rapidly updating, people’s tastes are changing: today cats are popular in the interior, and tomorrow there will be thoughtful whales. Undoubtedly, works that are interesting to the mass consumer sell better. If you're good at drawing on paper, it makes sense to learn how to transfer your creations to the digital environment. Steep graphic drawing in a notebook can easily become a selling print that will bring you a lot of money and fame.

Don't be afraid to try. In the end, you will not lose anything, but gain new experience and earn money for your loved ones

Not a single wall by itself will save you, his father once told him,
walking with him along the fortress walls of Winterfell.
- The wall is strong by the people who defend it.
.

Hello, reader!

§2. Freelance exchanges and sites with advertisements

I’ll tell you: freelancing is remote work. A freelance photographer or freelance artist works remotely. You sit at home, in a cafe or on the beach, do your work and send the finished version to the customer via the Internet. The customer can be located anywhere on globe. You receive payment to your bank account, card, or e-wallet.

If you work through , then everything becomes much simpler. The same as in the case of photo banks. The exchange itself attracts new customers and takes care of interaction with them (receipt of payment, order delivery, etc.). The customer will not be able to “cheat” you or deceive you in any other way. Money for work comes to your account at the exchange, from there you can withdraw it to a bank or card.

On the Internet, for example, drawing portraits from photographs is very popular. A person sends you a photo, you paint a portrait, scan the drawing and send it to him via the Internet. Or you send the original portrait by mail or transport company.

They also often ask me to draw a picture for an article. For example, I often order such drawings. So if you good artist, then write to me at [email protected]. Or better yet, through personal messages on social networks (links to my accounts).

Customers live on freelance exchanges and classifieds sites. Both there and there you can both search for orders and publish offers about your services.

Here's the freelancing market.

Advertisement sites - .

§3. Website offering your services

We are creating a website on which we describe what we can do and how much we want for it. We indicate contacts. We get clients from the Internet and make money on their orders.

That is, we use the site as an advertising channel. To enhance the effect, we create a high-quality website and promote it. You can also attract potential customers to your website using online advertising services.

Instead of a website, you can create a page on social networks, a free blog, or use a website builder.

How to make a popular website -.

All the ways to create your website -.

Free blogging services are lurking.

Website builders with hosting are waiting for you (for money) and (relatively free).

§4. We create an information site

In this case, we describe on the site not our services, but our skills. And we make money on the site through advertising and affiliate programs. Let me explain.

You know how to take photographs, draw or otherwise create drawings, pictures and photographs. The Internet is full of people who want to learn how to take photographs, draw or create drawings, pictures and photographs in other ways. They are looking for information about this. You post this information on your website. Together with advertising (contextual, banner, direct) and/or with your affiliate links. The more visitors to your site, the more clicks on advertising (views, in the case of banner and direct ads) and clicks on your referral links, the more more money you earn.

It is clear that in this case you must be not just a photographer or artist, but a photographer or artist who also knows how to write coherently.

This option is good if you have enough orders, but no money. Such an information site will give you the opportunity to monetize your skills without interrupting your work. Share the secrets of your craft, and the site will provide you with passive income.

It’s worth starting with a combination of contextual advertising and affiliate programs. It’s better for her to continue.

Partnerships - from online stores with photo products or goods for artists, books about photography and drawing, and everything in that vein. In principle, you can attach different affiliate programs to the information site of a photographer or artist. For example, in an article with photographs of the ten most beautiful places In Thailand, a link to a service for booking airline tickets and hotels would fit well. It will also attract attention in a text with the ten most popular paintings Louvre. As you can see, the principle is simple and can be replicated widely and for a long time.

Our newsletter has repeatedly talked about accumulating wealth through affiliate programs. We were talking specifically about making money from online airline ticket booking services.

We discussed in great detail how to make money from affiliate programs of online bookstores.

We are talking about the principles of making money on affiliate programs via mailing lists. There are also several nuances and hidden points.

From the list of aggregators of affiliate programs and affiliate programs under different topics - .

Other ways to make money on the site -.

§5. We write and sell articles about photography and drawing

This is the case when you are not exactly such a photographer or artist, but rather an amateur or interested. And the first two options are not suitable for you due to a lack of skill, knowledge and skills.

And you go to article exchanges, look for orders there for articles on photography, drawing and the like, send an application to the customer, if he approves of you - write an article according to the given parameters (indicated by the customer), if it suits him, then to your account in the exchange payment arrives (agreed before placing the order), withdraw money (as a rule, money from the exchange is withdrawn to an electronic wallet, from which you can send it to your card, mobile phone or bank account).

Everything is simple.

I’ll tell you more about working as a copywriter (writing articles is copywriting).

The stock of articles is languishing in anticipation of brilliant copywriters.

I’ll show you how to create an electronic wallet in pictures.

§6. Newspapers, agencies and other exotics

Various online media (newspapers, magazines, online publications) sometimes require photographers and artists. Advertising agencies need them too. Web studios also use drawings with photographs (they create websites). Continue the list yourself.

Go to the website of a potential employer, look for contacts, get in touch, they hire you - you work, no - look for a job as a photographer or artist further.

With links to the websites of large newspapers and magazines -.

And news agencies - .

§7. On the road

There are hundreds of other ways for a photographer or artist to make money on the Internet. I have listed the most widespread and accessible ones. Go for it!

That's all about work for photographers and artists. In the next issue we'll talk about...

Congratulations to you, great health and wealth!