What You Need To Start Your Art Business

Are you ready to start your art business but feeling overwhelmed? This post will give you some helpful tips for getting started as a beginning artist. 

I am an acrylic painter, but these tips work for almost any type of art. 

This blog post will cover some of the basics of starting an art business that every beginner should know about before they begin their art journey, no matter which medium they use. 

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and buy, I may receive a small commission. Please see my full privacy policy for details.

How to Get Started with Your Art Business

1. Pick a Niche

You need to consider a variety of things to pick the best niche for your artistic endeavors, whether you want it to be more creative or commercially lucrative. 

What kind of audience most interests you? What style do they like? Do they prefer realism or abstractionism over impressionism? How much would people pay for artwork with these qualities on auction sites or at galleries?

If you want to learn more about the different art styles, read my post about finding your art style.

Whatever you choose, be consistent. This will ultimately be what you are known for and on which you can build your brand.

2. Decide How You Will Market Your Art

There are many different ways to get started with marketing yourself as an artist. Narrow down your target audience and focus your marketing on the places where these potential customers can be found. 

If you’re looking for ways to promote yourself as an artist, try some of the following:

1. Create an art website for your art business to showcase your artwork and write about your art and your processes. Start a mailing list to collect the email addresses of people interested in what you have created so you can contact them when new pieces come out or events occur.

There are free or cheap platforms, such as Wix, where you can set up a website and store to sell your art. However, if your website will be a big part of your art business, I recommend a paid website with managed hosting. That way, you will have more control over what happens with your website.

I have tried several hosting platforms over the years and found Lyrical Host to be the best. They have flexible pricing and an amazing amount of support. They will set everything up for you and answer any questions you have. You can check them out here and enter the code ART10 to get 10% off your hosting plan.

2.  Use social media sites like Facebook and Instagram where other artists and potential buyers might see your work. Post pictures of your work, your studio, and your inspiration to get yourself seen and known. 

You could also use other social media platforms, such as LinkedIn and Twitter, for potential opportunities for networking purposes.

Post regularly to your social media accounts to build an online presence and make your name and brand known.

3. Set up a YouTube channel to show in-progress work and explain your artwork. Link your YouTube channel to your website so buyers can purchase your artwork.

4. Show your work in galleries, art shows, exhibitions, local craft stores, and malls. Anywhere where there is an opportunity to have your artwork seen.

5. Have some business cards made with your email and website address and drop them anywhere you can.

6. Sell at local art fairs, flea markets, and craft shows. Local shows help to get your name out there, especially when you are starting off.

3. Use Professional Materials

Make sure the materials you use are professional-grade artist materials. Your paints, canvases, and any other materials you use to produce your work should be archival, meaning they will stand the test of time and won’t fade quickly.

Using craft paints and cheap dollar-store canvases will lead to a bad buyer experience. These materials can fade or degrade very quickly, sometimes within months.  

If you want to be seen as a professional artist, spend the extra money to purchase professional materials.

4. Determine How You Will Price Your Art for Sale

Pricing is always a controversial topic. You don’t want to undersell yourself, but you also don’t want to go too high since you are an as-of-yet-unknown artist. 

There are two ways of arriving at a reasonable price.

• First, you can decide what hourly wage you would like to give yourself. Multiply that by the number of hours it takes to do the painting and add the cost of materials. This should give you a fair price for your work.
  
  For example, if you spend $30 on a canvas and other materials, spend 10 hours painting, and want to get $15 per hour, you would charge $180 for your painting. ( 10 x $15 + $30 = $180 )
  
• Second, you could charge a price per square inch. The generally accepted price for a beginner painting is $2 to $3. You can increase this price as your work becomes more known.
  
  So, if you paint an 8 x 10 canvas and charge $2 per square inch, you would charge $160 for the painting. ( 8 x 10 = 80 square inches x $2 = $160)
  
  

As I said, pricing is always controversial, especially for new artists. Do you worry if you are overcharging or undercharging? Will you end up working for less than minimum wage? Is it worth all the time you put into the details of your work?

One of the best articles about pricing art that I have read in a while is this one by Melissa Dinwiddie written for The Abundant Artist website. It really made me look at pricing differently and feel good about what I charge. Well worth the read. 😊

5. Prints

If you are a painter, decide if you want to make prints from your artwork. Art prints can be sold much cheaper and in greater volume and, therefore, can be more lucrative for your business. 

You can sell the prints matted or unmatted. Matted prints would, of course, sell for a higher price. Matts will protect your prints from being bent and damaged.

You should also purchase some archival clear bags to present your prints for sale or shipping. The bags offer another layer of protection for the print.

Don’t forget to include the cost of mats and bags in the price for your print. 

6. Taxes and Legalities

While I have a background in bookkeeping and tax preparation, I recommend you consult with an accountant specializing in small businesses to ensure you have your business set up properly from the start. 

Sales tax and business laws vary from country to country and even among states or provinces within a country. It is best to consult with someone familiar with your country’s legal requirements.

Here are a few simple tips to help you get organized and have everything ready to take to your accountant or bookkeeper.

An art business is like any other business. You have to pay taxes on your profit and keep records of revenue and expenses.

While you can purchase accounting software like Quickbooks to help you, when starting off and money is tight, a simple Excel or Google Spreadsheet is fine to record your transactions.

Record all of your expenses, including supplies, professional fees, website costs, shipping and printing costs, and studio expenses, even if your studio is your dining room table.

When recording your revenue, make sure you record the actual selling price, not just your profit on each piece.

Most governments require you to have a business license of some type. Check with your local and state government to ensure you have all the necessary licenses to operate your business. 

Open a separate business account at your bank to keep your business profits and expenses separate from your personal transact. 

Some banks require you to have an actual business bank account, while others are ok with a personal checking account. Talk to your bank about what’s best for you.

These are just a few things to help you get organized when you first start. You will develop your own system of recording as you go along.

Some Questions New Artists Ask

1. How do I know if I am ready to start selling my art

Ready to Sell Your Art?

You’ve been working on your art for quite a while now. It’s time to showcase it in the big wide world beyond family and friends, right? 

You know you are ready to start selling your beautiful prints or originals when you are proud and confident in your finished pieces and have started developing your own style.

Many friends and family members may ask for prints or commissioned pieces. Maybe you have won awards at art shows or been asked to do a special piece for a charity. 

All of these are indications that you are more than ready to start marketing and selling your artwork.

If you still don’t feel you are ready and are feeling unsure about your work, you may be suffering from imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is an ongoing feeling of self-doubt and inadequacy when it comes to our artwork. To learn more about imposter syndrome and how to overcome it, read What is Imposter Syndrome and How Artists Can Overcome It

2.  What is the difference between a professional artist and a hobbyist?

The most important distinction of the two is their motivation. Professionals have an innate desire to create and grow their art business, while amateurs may only enjoy it as a side hobby that they do for fun or because someone else asked them to. 

Also, on average, professionals receive more hours of formal training than those who choose not to pursue art professionally, although formal training is certainly not a prerequisite to becoming a professional artist.

Professional artists produce more refined and expensive work. They often make art their career and use professional-quality materials.

On the other hand, Hobbyists are not as serious about their art-making pursuits and tend to do artwork for enjoyment and relaxation. They usually ( but not always ) use cheaper craft paints and materials with an eye to keeping costs down for their hobby.

3. How can I find inspiration for new pieces of artwork?

Artwork can be inspired by anything and everything, from people, thoughts, ideas, and artworks within themselves. Artists find inspiration from the world around them.

Walking in nature, listening to a song, browsing the internet… all are great ways to find inspiration.

You can even find inspiration from your own artwork. What are some of your favorite pieces of artwork? Do you have any pictures or sketches that you made in the past? Look back at these and see if there is another angle you can try or a similar piece you want to make.

People who create art are always finding inspiration in their surroundings, and there’s no better place to start than with a blank canvas!

4. Should I sell my work online or in person?

I recommend selling online and in person if possible. More and more people are choosing to shop online, especially given the current events in the world.

You should sell your artwork online because it is convenient for both artists and customers. Not only does selling through platforms such as Etsy make things easier, but customers are much more likely to purchase pieces they love when browsing their favorite websites or scrolling past them on Instagram. 

A lot of people choose to research their purchases online before they actually go to a store to buy. Having your own website or online store makes it easier to reach a larger audience and increases your chances of making a sale.

If you don’t have your own website or don’t want to set up your own store, you can sell your work on sites like Etsy, Redbubble, and Society6, among others. 

These platforms allow artists to make more money by selling their art in different formats without any upfront costs or the risk of losing inventory if the product doesn’t do well. 

The commissions are small, but you don’t incur any production or shipping costs other than your original painting. The money will be made in the larger sales volume from more products.

Selling your artwork in person has advantages, too. Selling in person lets you interact with potential buyers and get feedback, and it is an incredibly personal experience. 

You have the opportunity to create and share what inspires you most through a one-on-one conversation with somebody who may eventually purchase something from you.

It can be difficult to find an art gallery that will take on novice artists like yourself, and there is a high chance that you won’t get the proper exposure. But this doesn’t mean it’s impossible! 

5. Should I take classes to improve my art or just keep practicing on my own time?

To improve your art, you can take some simple steps. 

First and foremost, do not be afraid to experiment with different mediums of art. Experimenting with other mediums inspires creativity. 

Try painting with oils, acrylics, watercolor, or digital art. You can also try sculpting with different materials or experimenting with textiles.

I find using other mediums to be especially good for breaking creative blocks. 

Likewise, don’t feel pressured into sticking with just the same type of subject matter for your artwork. 

I know people who paint landscapes every day but never really show any variation in their work because they have painted in this particular genre so much. Learn from them—master something, then move on!

Practice, practice, and more practice! Keep your creativity flowing by trying new techniques and exploring different types of media.

You should also keep up with trends in the art world to stay ahead of the game in terms of style and technique. 

Attend exhibits and read books about art and design.

Taking classes can certainly help improve your art, but choose the class carefully. You and your art teacher may not be on the same page when it comes to style and technique, so find one who shares your creative vision. 

Online courses may be a good option for you. Skillshare has some great art classes at reasonable prices that may be just what you need if you struggle with a particular technique or medium.

6. What are some tips for being a successful artist?

Here are a few tips on how to be a successful artist:

1) Make art that you yourself enjoy. This is important because it will help filter out what your audience wants from the start and allow them to see more of who you really are. 

2) Be open-minded about criticism, but make sure it’s constructive before deciding whether your work needs changing. 

3) Have fun with art! Don’t just think, “I’m making this for my portfolio” all the time–Think ” I am creating something awesome!”

4) Finally, remember why we create anyway: It’s self-fulfilling and rewarding

Some Things to Keep in Mind 

• Make sure it’s your own work. Don’t plagiarize.
  
• Use archival materials so your work lasts.
  
• Sign your work so viewers know who created it.
  
• Always get the money upfront before shipping your work to the buyer.
  
• Package your artwork well before shipping.
  
• Learn about taxes in your area and keep good records.
  
• Don’t underprice yourself.

It can be hard to know where to begin when you’re just starting out. But if you take the time now to learn about what makes a successful art business, then this won’t feel so daunting when the time comes! 

The advice provided is a great starting point for any artist looking to get started with their own art business. I hope these points remove some of the overwhelm of setting up your own business. 

I hope you have a very successful career in art!

If you have questions, you can leave them in the comments below. You can also join our free Facebook group, Trembeling Art Creative Corner, where you can ask questions, post your work and get to know some fantastic artists from all genres and skill levels. 😊

Thanks for reading.