As an artist, you may have been told countless times that there is no money in selling art. But we suggest, don’t let these naysayers get to you. As we are increasingly moving towards a more digitized environment, the art world is also being revolutionized and finding online sites to sell your artwork is becoming easier and easier.
Auction houses and galleries are also now moving online and the trends show that more than half of their sales are happening online.
Per a research by the Association for Creative Industries, the total size of the US creative industry grew by a staggering 45% from 2011 to USD 43.9 billion in 2017. If you are an artist, an art director, a 3D artist, or an illustrator, deciding to sell your art online could be the best choice you will ever make.
This is because online galleries not only help to widen your reach to a global audience but they also provide curatorial experience and guidance to you as well as the buyer. Even if you are new to this field but have a passion in art, then this type of work from home career could be ideal for you.
The Top 10 Online Sites to Sell Your Artwork and Make a Living as an Artist:
1. Vango:
One of the newest additions to the online art world and despite being a new player, this juried platform offers a high-quality level to its artists and collectors. Artists can sell their artwork such as drawings and paintings and keep 70% of the sale price.
There are no binding contracts required. Shipping is very easy as once an artwork is sold, Vango emails the pre-paid shipping label to the artist. The site’s content strategy together with a podcast and blog for the artists requires a special mention.
2. Artfinder:
Artfinder showcases the artwork of over 10,000 artists spread across more than 100 countries. More than 4,00,000 pieces of original art are displayed at their online art gallery. The site does not permit reproduction prints or posters.
This is a juried platform which uses a selection process before allowing you to join their online community. A plus point at Artfinder is that they hold authenticity in high regard and accept everything from collages and digital art to printmaking.
3. Saatchi:
Saatchi Art is undeniably one of the top art marketplaces out there. Over 65,000 artists use the platform to display paintings as well as exhibit sculptures. The gallery goes beyond art displays with its art fairs and curator groups that promote the artists actively.
Artworks on the website range from less than $500 to over $10000. A flip side though is that Saatchi Art takes a significant 35% cut from your artwork sales. However, they take care of the courier and shipping expenses for you in return for the fee.
4. Society6:
If you are keen on seeing your artwork get printed on different products such as t-shirts, phone cases, posters, prints, or stickers, this is the perfect platform for you. This print on demand website lets you set your own royalties on canvases and art prints.
For other items, the profit is set by the site and can range anywhere from $1.50 up to $13.90. In addition to this, if your artwork is that good, you have a chance to feature in the site’s main shop. This means your designs can be discovered without having to search specifically for them.
5. Artnet:
Artnet is the ideal online artwork platform if you are a painter or artist who wants to connect with buyers, collectors and gallery owners. Established in the year 1989, Artnet added their online services in 2008 after realizing the potential of the digital world.
You can create your gallery member page and benefit from the Artnet tools that can likely improve your sales. The website is very popular and has almost 25 million yearly users ensuring an increase in the visibility of your work.
6. Artfire:
Opening an online shop on Artfire is very easy for the artists as the products can be easily added within minutes. It caters to a wide range of products ranging from vintage items to handmade goods and craft supplies.
With more than 10 years in the art business, Artfire has almost 3,00,000 visitors per month. The site focuses on building good relations with the artists and helps new sellers deal with prospective buyers and learn new skills. Every shop is SEO optimised, so the artists can focus on their artwork instead of trying to figure out how to be discovered.
7. Etsy:
Etsy is a global e-commerce website that caters to the artists looking to sell their design work; handmade goods, vintage items, and art and crafts supplies. It has over 30 million registered shoppers which makes it one of the most popular craft-driven retail sites.
The downside to this is, you may have to face some stiff competition before you get noticed. However, it is still wiser to reach to such a wide audience then a limited one. It costs $0.20 to list an item and an has a low commission fee of 3.5% when your item sells.
8. DeviantArt:
This online art community exhibits more than 285 million pieces of art from over 31 million registered art enthusiasts and buyers. Founded in 2000, DeviantArt is one of the largest online art networks with over 65 million visitors on a monthly basis. It covers everything from digital art, film, photography to comics, animation, anime and more. DeviantArt is the right choice for you if you want to make great contacts and grow your career.
9. Artplode:
Artplode is a great online site to sell your artwork. You just list your products if you wish to sell directly to art dealers and galleries. What’s better is that you get to keep 100% of your profits from the sales of your artwork. You can also get assistance from the site to decide how to price your art if you are new to the online art-selling world. The artists are only required to pay a one-time advertising fee to display their work through the site. You can choose whether you wish to cover the shipping cost on the pieces you sell or pass it on the customers.
10. AbsoluteArts:
This site allows the artists to sell their artwork including paintings, sculptures, and photographs. You can sell prints as well as originals through this site. There are various commission structures that you can choose from to promote your work. You can choose to pay 35% commission at a free level or pay 20% to 25% of your proceeds as commission together with a 5% fee on the paid level. As the website is very large you can use its customer base to your advantage and showcase your work well.
These were our top 10 recommendations where you can sell your artwork online. So what are you waiting for? Do your own research and discover which one is the best for you. With so many options to choose from, there has never been a better time to get your art online and work from home full time while doing something you love.