Are you an artist looking to make some extra money?
Don't worry! There are tons of great side hustles for artists and creatives to earn cash on the side.
Whether you want to make an extra $200 a month or even a full time living from your side hustle – there's something for everyone.
In this post, I'll explore the best artistic side hustles, how much money you can make, and much more. Let's get started!
- Selling custom art
- Starting a blog or YouTube channel
- Working as tutor or offering private art lessons
Best Artistic Side Hustles for Creatives
1. Sell Photos Online
Depending on the type of artist you are, selling photos online can be a tremendous way to earn passive income.
There are many websites that allow you to upload and sell your photos, some of my favorites include Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and Depositphotos.
With this side hustle, you can simply upload your photos and then earn a commission every time someone buys one of your photos.
Now, becoming a successful stock photographer can take some time and skills to get the hang of it. You'll need to know how to market your photos and
The great thing about selling photos online is that you can earn money even while you sleep!
Check out the video below to learn more!
2. Work as a Makeup Artist
If you're looking for extra income from your artistic abilities, working as a makeup artist is a great option for many people.
There are many opportunities for makeup artists, such as working at a salon, completing makeup for weddings, and even working with local theater groups.
The average makeup artist earns $30-$75 per hour. However, the income potential is much higher for those who are able to find high-paying gigs.
3. Consider Art Therapy
If you have experience working with people, this is a great side hustle for social workers and therapists who have the skills.
As an art therapist, you'll help people express themselves and deal with problems through art.
This can be a very rewarding job, and you can typically charge $50-100 per hour depending on your experience and qualifications.
4. Sell Designs Online
If you have a knack for creating digital art, selling your designs online can be a fantastic opportunity to make extra money.
These designs can be anything ranging from Photoshop templates, to Vector illustrations, Canva templates, and more.
You can then sell your artwork on sites Etsy and you'll earn a commission for every design purchased.
This is a fantastic way to make passive income online and I know several creators who make $5k a month with this side hustle.
5. Sell 3D Printed Art
Do you have a 3D printer and want to earn money on the side? There are many ways you can use a 3D printer to make money.
One option is to sell your 3D printed art. This can be anything from sculptures, to jewelry, to home decor, and more.
For example, check out this 3D printed Star Wars art that has over 2,000 reviews on Etsy. This listing has easily made over $20,000!
There are many sites that allow you to sell your 3D printed art, but I always recommend platforms like Etsy that make it easy to get started.
The income potential for selling 3D printed art is quite high. It's not uncommon for people to make an extra $500 per month from this side hustle if not more.
Because of the unique skills required for 3D printing, this is also a great side hustle for architects looking to earn extra money.
6. Become an Art Tutor
There are plenty of art students who need help with their studies. If you have the skills, becoming an art tutor can be a great way to make extra money.
This is an excellent job for retired teachers and artists who have some free time and want to make some extra cash.
The pay for this job is usually $20-$50 per hour depending on your experience and qualifications but it can be even more.
7. Sell Print on Demand T Shirts
T-shirts can be a tremendous opportunity to make extra money. As an artist, you probably have a good eye for design and can come up with creative and clever shirts that easily sell.
Check out this Etsy listing with over 20,000 reviews. Even with a profit of a few dollars per shirt – that's a great income!
You can then list them for sale and have each shirt printed and shipped directly to your buyer through a third party like Printful or Printify.
The best part of selling printed on demand items is that you don't have to keep inventory, which can keep your startup costs low.
8. Work as a Freelance Graphic Designer
Freelance designers can make great money helping businesses complete projects both big and small.
If you're a graphic designer, why not use your skills to earn some extra money on the side?
This can be a great side hustle because usually the work is pretty flexible and it pays quite well.
The average freelance designer earns $30-$50 per hour, but the sky is the limit for those who have top skills. Check out some of these freelance graphic designers I found available for hire.
9. Start an Art Blog
Blogging a a great remote side hustle for artists who want to make money online.
While it can be quite time-consuming, if you stick with it, you can make a great income from blogging.
This can be one of the highest paying side hustles and I would consider it a fun side hustle because you can write about anything you love and are passionate about.
Blogs can make money through a variety of ways including display advertising, affiliate marketing, selling sponsored content, and much more.
So, how much can you make?
Blogging is all about the amount of effort you put in. For bloggers who take it seriously, you can earn over $50k a month from your efforts. While it takes some time to reach those levels, you can easily make $2,000 a month or more within a few months.
For example, check out my earnings from display ads alone last month. Over $6,000 from a single blog!
If you have a passion for art and enjoy helping others learn about art, starting an art blog is an excellent side hustle you should consider.
Check out the video below to learn how to get started.
10. Start an Art YouTube Channel
Creating a YouTube channel is another great option for artists who want to make some extra money on the side.
As an artist, you can create videos about anything art-related such as tutorials, equipment reviews, and artist features.
For example, take a look at Moriah's YouTube channel. She has over 9 million subscribers and likely makes over $100k a month from her channel.
While you won't make millions of dollars overnight, you can easily make an extra $1,000 per month or more from this side hustle if you're willing to put in the work.
11. Sell Online Courses About Art
Selling an online course about art can be a lucrative side hustle for artists looking to make passive income online. This can also be a great side hustle for actors or other creatives looking to earn money online.
Now, your course doesn't technically need to be art related, but you might find that easier because of your experience.
Take a look at this figure drawing course I found selling for $139.
Selling online courses can be a tremendous option for artists looking for a side hustle because it costs nothing to get started and you can make great money from them.
Here's a great video explaining how to get started.
12. Offer Private Art Lessons
If you have some free time, offering private art lessons can be a fun side hustle to earn extra cash on the side.
You can post your services on social media, create a website to promote your offerings, or try online platforms to promote your lessons.
The amount of money you can make will vary but it's possible to earn over $100 per session in some areas. Check out the rates of some private art tutors in my area!
13. Work as a Landscape Designer
If you enjoy landscaping, this could be the perfect summer side hustle for any artist.
Many people are looking for ways to improve their home's curb appeal and are willing to pay good money for someone with a creative eye.
As a landscape designer you'll make decisions on your customers landscaping like which plants to consider, the layout of the landscaping, and the colors to use.
You can make thousands of dollars for each design you complete and many designers make a full-time income from this side hustle.
14. Take Online Surveys
This digital side hustle is for anyone who ways to make money online in their spare time.
While it's not the highest paying option, it's one of the easiest – allowing you to earn money on your own schedule.
While you won't make thousands of dollars overnight, you can easily make $10 a day or more.
Some of the best survey sites include:
You'll also get some free money when you open a new account with many sites so how can you say no to that!?
15. Work as a House Painter
Painting homes can be a great way for artists to make money on the side. While the work might not be the most fun, it can pay pretty well with many painters earning over $20 or $25 an hour for their work.
You can promote your services on platforms like NextDoor or Facebook to find clients and you can always ask friends and family if they know anyone who needs your services.
16. Become a Logo Designer
Similar to a freelance graphic designer, working as a logo designer can be an extremely profitable option for digital artists.
Logos can be quite expensive. Take a look at this logo I paid $750 for in 2018!
Even if it takes a few hours to create, that's a healthy hourly rate.
You can get started using freelance sites like Upwork or Fiverr to pick up your first clients and then eventually rely on referrals from your work.
17. Design Websites
As everything shifts online, there is a tremendous opportunity for artists to make money designing websites for businesses.
Even basic websites can cost thousands of dollars to design making it one of the higher paying side hustles worth considering.
You can then partner with a developer to have them build the site for your client or you can use a website builder yourself.
Final Thoughts on the Best Artistic Side Hustles
There are plenty of side hustles for artists looking to make more money.
From starting an art blog to selling 3D printed artwork, there are many different avenues for artists to make money on the side.
Try a few and see which ones are best for you!
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