How to Make a Good Income from Your Art in 2025 (and Maybe Even Live Off It!)

Making a living as an artist is a dream for many… but let’s be honest, it’s not always easy. The good news? In 2025, there are more ways than ever to turn your art into a solid source of income. And no, it’s not just about selling expensive paintings or hoping a gallery discovers you.

Artists today have incredible tools at their disposal—social media, online stores, NFTs, collaborations… The key is diversifying your income streams instead of relying on a single approach.

So, how can an artist actually make good money from their work in 2025? Let’s dive in with some real-life examples of those who are doing it successfully.

1. Selling Art Online Has Never Been Easier

There was a time when you had to exhibit in galleries to sell your work. Now, thanks to Instagram, Etsy, Artblr, Redbubble, and even TikTok, artists can reach buyers worldwide without needing an intermediary.

Take Mélanie, a Canadian illustrator. She used to struggle selling her drawings in galleries. In 2023, she started posting her work on Instagram and TikTok, showing her creative process. One day, one of her videos went viral, and a store ordered 200 prints to resell. Not only did she make money, but she also gained exposure. Now, she earns half her income from art and is working toward making it her full-time career.

Tip: Instagram and TikTok love process videos. Even if it feels ordinary to you, film yourself painting, drawing, or sculpting!

2. Custom Commissions: A Market You Shouldn’t Ignore

People love having one-of-a-kind art made just for them—whether it’s a family portrait, a stylized pet illustration, or a special memory turned into art. And they’re willing to pay for it.

Look at Alex, a self-taught painter. He used to post his artwork on Facebook with little success. Then, he started offering custom watercolor portraits. He began with a few commissions for friends, and before he knew it, he had more requests than he could handle. He even had to raise his prices!

Tip: Offer a limited number of commissions per month. It creates a sense of exclusivity and encourages people to order faster.

3. Monetizing Art in Other Ways: Prints & Merchandise

Not everyone can afford an original painting for $1,000, but many people will happily pay $30-$50 for a high-quality print, a t-shirt, or a mug featuring your artwork.

Take Camille, a digital artist. She loves creating dreamlike landscapes, but original sales were slow. She opened a store on Redbubble and Society6, selling her designs as posters, phone cases, and notebooks. Within a year, she was making over $1,500 a month in passive income.

Tip: Test different types of products to see what sells best. Some artists make the most money from stickers, while others find success with hoodies or home decor.

4. Teaching & Sharing Your Skills

If you have a technique you’ve mastered, why not teach it to others? In 2025, teaching art is easier than ever, whether in person or online.

Look at Jérôme, a sculptor. He had trouble selling his work, so he started offering workshops in his studio. He also filmed some tutorials and uploaded them to YouTube and Patreon. The result? He now makes more from teaching than from selling sculptures!

Tip: You don’t need to be an absolute expert to teach. If you know something cool, there are people who want to learn it!

5. Exploring NFTs & Digital Art

NFTs may be controversial, but they’ve created a real opportunity for some artists, especially those working in digital mediums.

Thomas, a sci-fi illustrator, used to sell prints, but it wasn’t enough. He decided to try Foundation and OpenSea, selling limited-edition digital artworks as NFTs. Within a year, he had made over $20,000 from NFTs, giving him a stable secondary income on top of commissions.

Tip: If you’re curious about NFTs, start by following successful artists on Twitter or joining Discord communities to understand the market before jumping in.