The Reality of Selling Art Online

It is no surprise that today, artists have multiple ways to profit from their talents. One could start working in animation under big companies, while others might generate interest by presenting their art on social media. Someone could sell merchandise, offer to create specific artwork for an audience, or—arguably the most popular way—sell their art online.

Obviously, a person wouldn’t want to get involved in something without knowing the advantages and challenges, the good and the bad. Selling your art online is no different. Before deciding to do so, take a step back and make sure you are aware of everything that comes with this process. This blog aims to make you aware of the reality of digital art.

There Will Be Competition

Online art isn’t complicated—anyone can start selling their art through platforms such as Etsy and Redbubble. You’re displaying your art among a huge range of other artworks, with different styles, colors, and messages. You're not just competing with a handful of local artists—these sellers are from all around the world, and they want the same thing you’re looking for: to sell their art.

What’s Special About Your Art?

The main reason someone buys your art is because it appeals to them. They might be drawn to your color choices, your subject matter, or your unique style. Often, a person buys art because the message resonates with them on a deeper level. As mentioned earlier, you’re up against artists from all over the world, so your art must stand out from the rest. Buyers have endless options—they can scroll through artworks in seconds without a second thought. Your art needs to stop them in their tracks, visually and emotionally. This can be achieved by knowing the audience you're targeting so it grabs their attention directly.

Think About Your Pricing

Making art is as expensive as it is time-consuming. Considering the cost of art supplies and advertising, and naturally, you’d want to make good money back for your efforts. While this idea makes sense, one has to be careful about how they price their work. Pricing your artwork too high can discourage potential buyers. Remember, they have endless options—if your artwork seems too expensive, they’ll move on. At the same time, pricing it too low can diminish its value, making it seem less professional. Try to keep clarity with your pricing. Often, listing prices clearly can make it easier for the buyer to decide whether it's within their budget or not.

The Effort Required

There’s no doubt that creating art is not easy. With so much competition, making your art stand out is already a challenge. Coming up with a unique idea and bringing your vision to life takes more time than expected. Unfortunately, the work doesn’t end there. Marketing is a big part of gaining awareness. You’ll often need to be active on social media, constantly posting to engage your audience. There are other helpful options too—you could collaborate with fellow artists, start your own brand, or join online art communities. While all these strategies can help, they can significantly impact your daily schedule and take up a lot of your time. Beyond marketing, there's also pricing your work, helping customers, and packaging orders—all of which are important, but far from easy.

The Vulnerability You Will Deal With

Leaving your art open to be looked at and judged by anyone can be daunting. Art is more than just paint on a canvas—it’s an emotion. Deep, often personal feelings go into making art. Putting those feelings on display and opening them to judgment or criticism can sting.

Then there’s the fear of rejection, which can stop many people from ever sharing their work publicly. You have to remember: people are going to give their opinions on your art—both positive and negative. Harsh criticism can be discouraging, but it shouldn’t stop you from showing your talent. Because while some may criticize it, many others will appreciate it.

It Will Be An Ongoing Effort

Don’t think that selling art online means earning money while you sleep. While it sounds fantastic, this isn’t truly passive income. There’s more active work than you might expect—creating, editing, and formatting files. Platforms like Etsy are great for selling art online, but they don’t do the heavy lifting for you. Marketing, advertising, and promoting your art? That’s all on you. These platforms give you a space to showcase your art—but how much awareness you gain is in your hands. You’ll be constantly sharing, uploading, and pushing out your work to stay visible.

Despite the hustle, the vulnerability, and the constant work, selling digital art online comes with a kind of freedom and fulfillment that’s hard to match. Anyone can have a global reach and can reach people all over the world. You will be able to build a community of people who love your art and your talent, and while it is hard work, you have multiple options to earn an income! Think about it, you are creating something you love, using your talent to attract people and make them happy, and using your skills as a way to convey your emotions. At the end of the day, isn’t that what art is about?