How can I monetize my art? Can I create passive income online? Does my old work belong in my portfolio? Jake Parker, Lee White, and Will Terry share their hot takes on these questions.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

The more visually appealing your work is, the less you need to rely on storytelling. If your art skills are still growing, your images need to have good stories to captivate viewers.
Your portfolio should demonstrate the kinds of work you do and the problems you solve.
Charge more. You may get fewer clients, but you’ll be better paid for your work and have time to do more profitable things.
Consider hiring an assistant! Your annoying shipping and admin work is a high school or college student’s perfect part-time job.

QUESTIONS

Rachel asks, "I’m 28 and lost my illustration job a few years ago due to the lockdowns. Since then, I have been bouncing between odd jobs to support myself while using most of my free time to draw/paint. I have picked up small freelance projects, started a Patreon, and sold a few paintings, but struggle to pay the bills. I want to support myself with my art; any tips to monetize my work?"

Attract the right clients. You can do this by making your portfolio more specific. Your portfolio should say, “Clients and art directors, here’s how I can help you.” The needs you fill should be obvious. If they’re not, it’s time to declutter. That might involve clarifying with yourself first and deciding what problems you want to solve with your work (do you make decorative art, children’s books, concept art, etc.?).
Charge more. You may get fewer clients, but you’ll be better paid for your work and have time to do more profitable things.
Leverage your characters. If there are characters you’ve been drawing for a long time, give them a story. Make a series of them in different situations. This small project could be the grounds for a larger one, like a book or graphic novel.
Keep making personal projects. You never know which one will turn into a $40k Kickstarter!

Anonymous asks, “I’ve done a lot of religious projects but want to make art that is more appealing to the masses. I’m rebuilding my portfolio and wondering: Should I include any of my religious work, even though I don’t want more jobs like that now?”

If a project represents some of your best recent work, you should include it in your portfolio. Art directors can see past your subject matter to assess your sequential storytelling skills, action, and color.

Estrela asks, "I’ve been trying to create passive income with my art but with no success. I started selling on Society 6, keeping all of my illustrations themed and on-brand, but my store has gotten almost no sales since I launched last year. Etsy sounds like more than I want to manage right now. Any tips to create a stronger brand and sell better online?”

You’ll never make a worthwhile profit on Society 6, no matter how many sales you get. Their production costs are so high, you’ll only earn a few dollars on a $40 item. It’s only a good idea if you want to market-test new designs or pricing and see which listings get the most interest.

Etsy is more profitable but does take time. If you can hire a high school or college student, they can manage the dirty work of shipping and marketing while you focus on creating. If you can’t do that right now, consider finding a licensing agent. They can help you take patterns and motifs and license them to stores like Target and Walmart. (We have two classes on licensing at SVSLearn if you want to explore that route: Art Licensing and How to Get Your Art on Products Sold in Retail Stores. Watch for free with a 14-day trial!)

Art with characters is hard to sell online, but themed work can sell well. Think under the sea, forests, trucks, fairies, etc. Applying these themes to cute phrases, alphabets, wallpaper, etc. for children’s decor is super popular. Get on Pinterest if you need inspiration!

LINKS

Svslearn.com

Jake Parker: mrjakeparker.com. Instagram: @jakeparker, Youtube: JakeParker44

Will Terry: willterry.com. Instagram: @willterryart, Youtube: WillTerryArt

Lee White: leewhiteillustration.com. Instagram: @leewhiteillo

Daniel Tu: danieltu.co.

Lily Camille Howell: lilycamille.com

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