Some artists may face challenges making a stable income due to underpayment and a volatile market where demand and supply constantly change. As this is an ongoing issue for many, side hustles can help artists regain financial stability while maintaining creative freedom.
Side hustles are more than hobbies; they can generate extra income. They are also different from full-time jobs, as side hustle income is typically lower but requires less effort.
If you want to make an extra income and keep doing a creative job, read on to discover the best side hustles for artists.
Best Side Hustles for Artists to Make Extra Cash
Finding a job as an artist may be difficult, but making a stable outcome may be even more challenging. However, we found five side hustles where you can express your creativity and improve your financial status.
#1. Freelance Illustration & Graphic Design
As a freelance illustrator, you represent ideas and texts by providing clients with artwork using various tools (e.g., online and offline software). Businesses or similar organizations may order illustrations for marketing purposes (e.g., a leaflet illustration).
Similarly, designers create artwork by hand or using specialized software. The artworks they make are related to products, campaigns, or companies. If you are inclined toward these professions, you can specialize in logo design, book illustration, and social media graphics.
Additionally, you can offer services on freelance platforms such as Upwork, Behance, or Fiverr. As a self-employed individual or a freelancer, you will be responsible for paying your taxes. To simplify this process, you can use a pay stub generator and track your side hustle income.
#2. Selling Digital Art & Printables
If you like to create digital, decorative, interior, and exterior art, such as digital wallpapers, mosaics, greeting cards, posters, and templates, consider turning that into a side hustle. You can also create coloring pages, planners, wall art, and stickers, and showcase your work on platforms such as Gumroad, Etsy, or Creative Market, where you can even take custom orders.
Selling digital art and printables is a side hustle for artists, which demands small but neat paperwork (e.g., a licensing agreement). To secure your agreements and artwork (e.g., consent to a selling contract and copyright enforcement), you can use software such as PDF.net, which allows you to add a digital signature, logo, or watermark to your document.
#3. Teaching Art Online
Being a talented and educated artist allows you to share knowledge and make this a side hustle. You can create online videos and courses about different techniques and art levels on Coursera, Udemy, and Skillshare. Moreover, you can conduct one-on-one or group lessons via Skype, Zoom, or similar platforms.
Websites like YouTube and Patreon allow you to post and monetize tutorials, meaning they can generate income. On these websites, you can also post behind-the-scenes and speed painting videos, increase your outreach, and create opportunities for more collaborations and sponsorships.
#4. Custom Commissions & Portraits
If you are skilled at painting or creating digital or other visual art related to portraits, you can offer your services on sites like ArtStation or DeviantArt. Social media such as TikTok and Instagram are also great advertising channels where you can receive requests for custom commissions and portraits.
Furthermore, you can promote your work on Reddit or other communities and set different prices for different types and portrait sizes (e.g, oil on canvas, large or small, etc.). To make your services and prices official, we recommend using high-quality tools like a PDF editor to generate, edit, tweak, and secure your documents.
#5. Print-on-Demand (POD) Merchandise
Websites such as Teespring, Printful, Redbubble, and Society6 allow you to create and sell print-on-demand (POD) merchandise. PODs are products such as hats, T-shirts, and phone cases containing your design that a partner company can print for you and distribute to your customers.
For example, a famous influencer may hire you to create PODs for their merchandise. Your design and illustrations can also be self-themed or inspired. Regardless of the source concepts and ideas, creating and selling PODs has good passive income potential with minimal upfront costs.
Conclusion
With various opportunities in design, illustration, PODs, and other niches, side hustles for artists can bring extra income and financial stability. A good way to maximize earnings is to explore and combine multiple income streams (e.g., joining several platforms such as Redbubble, Teespring, and Society6 at once).
In addition to using talent, knowledge, and creativity to improve their financial status, artists must secure their business contracts and track their finances for tax and other purposes. This will help them comply with their region and state's laws, rules, and regulations, sparing them from unnecessary tax amendments or lawsuits.