How to become a professional artist
Many people see paintings by Mondrian or Rothko or conceptual art by Duchamp or Cattelan and think, "Well, even I could do that!" But as an artist, you know those works are deceptively simple, and becoming a successful artist is much more complicated than duct-taping a banana to a wall. Has your art thus far been relegated to the realm of hobby or side hustle? If you are ready to turn your artistic talents into a career that pays the bills, here are some practical steps to become a professional artist.
Browse online art programs and courses
What does a professional artist do?
Professional artists express concepts, ideas, and emotions through various artistic media, such as painting, drawing, sculpture, textile, handicraft, digital illustration, and even performance art. Artists may work in different industries, like advertising, entertainment, fashion, publishing, and architecture.
They may work as freelance, independent artists who promote and sell their work to galleries and buyers. Artists can also collaborate with brands and companies or create commissioned pieces for patrons.
Other possible careers for artists include graphic designers, illustrators, animators, art educators, museum curators, photographers, art therapists, choreographers, or social media content creators.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) craft and fine artists — such as painters, sculptors, and illustrators — earn a median annual salary of $52,910 as of May 2023.
Professional artists working in the federal government or in the film and sound recording industries had higher median salaries of $105,640 and $95,590, respectively, in 2023. The median income for independent artists or performers, however, was $45,970 during the same time period.
Steps to become a professional artist
A career as a professional artist is not just about your level of artistic talent — making a living from your creative work requires persistence, consistent practice, strategic planning, and some degree of luck.
Here are some common steps you can take to put you on the path to becoming a professional artist:
Step 1: Master your craft
Whether you're passionate about comic book illustration, hand-thrown pottery, or basket-weaving, an artist should constantly be honing and fine-tuning their skills and expertise. Here are some tips for helping you out in that process:
- Take online courses to learn foundational art principles and elements, art history, and other art forms, like graphic design, animation, or even fashion.
- Attend in-person workshops to learn and practice new techniques, styles, or media.
- Play and experiment with your art form to discover your strengths and develop your own unique style.
- If you can, invest in quality art supplies to make the creation process smoother and elevate your finished work.
- While not required, you may also consider earning a degree, such as a bachelor's in fine arts degree.
Step 2: Build a portfolio
Your artist portfolio should include a selection of your strongest works that best demonstrate your abilities, vision, and style. For today's artists, regardless of their medium, a simple portfolio website is an efficient way to showcase your art and increase your visibility to potential clients, galleries, or employers.
As you continue to create more work, update your portfolio, but keep quality over quantity in mind.
Step 3: Connect with the art community
Your art isn't going to sell itself. Networking within the local art scene and establishing an online presence is crucial to getting your name out there. Mingle with other artists at art shows or gallery openings, volunteer for creative projects, join art clubs or organizations, write guest posts for art websites, and engage with other artists through social media platforms.
Making valuable connections with other professional creatives could lead to future collaborations, mentorships, or paying opportunities.
Step 4: Diversify your income streams
A career as a professional artist often means developing multiple income sources and monetizing your skills or content. Some possible income streams are:
- Traditional sources: Selling your work to local cafes or businesses, hosting a booth at local art festivals or farmer's markets, collaborating on short-term projects or freelance gigs, and producing works commissioned by buyers or patrons are all potential avenues for making money through your art.
- Social media: Post tutorials on your own YouTube channel, review various art supplies or brands on TikTok, or showcase your finished work on Instagram. With a large enough following, ad monetization and brand sponsorships can potentially bring in a full-time income on their own.
- Digital platforms: Other income sources could include freelancing on platforms like Upwork, teaching art classes or workshops, or selling your work or prints on sites like Etsy, Saatchi Art, Behance, RedBubble, Fine Art America, eBay, etc.
Being adaptable and open to different revenue streams can give you the financial stability to make it as a full-time artist.
Step 5: Run it like a business
A professional artist doesn't only create art all day — you must run your own business as a self-employed individual, adopting an entrepreneurial mindset and developing your business acumen.
You are the one who must plan your business strategy, conduct market research, decide pricing models, manage your finances and taxes, write contracts, photograph your work, identify new potential clientele, update your portfolio site, promote your art, send invoices, and keep supplies stocked.
Artists must find a balance between creating their art and running their business with organization, diligence, and time management skills.
Get started on edX
Becoming a professional artist won't happen overnight, but are you ready to at least get started? Explore edX's online art courses and begin your journey from amateur hobbyist to professional artist.