Being an artist in the modern age is anything but easy. The competition is high, and trends, markets, and consumerism are constantly accelerating the demand for new art. So, becoming acknowledged as an artist–whether a beginner or not–is considerably complex.
Artists also face the challenge of balancing doing what they love with marketing their creations to sustain their lives. At the same time, the pressure from social media is quite burdening, as there always seem to be better-skilled artists out there, affecting people’s self-confidence in their artistic abilities.
Creating art in today’s fast-paced world can be difficult and overwhelming, but there are ways to do it without sacrificing your passion or lifestyle. So, here are some tips to consider when creating and selling your art.
Capitalize on your uniqueness
Every artist has something special that makes them stand out. Whether you’re a fast drawer or know exactly which color to choose to convey a specific feeling, consider these abilities the best chance at putting your best fine art for sale online.
While the best way to find these features is to ask other artists who are close to you, getting to know yourself and your art in-depth will help more. You could start by searching for art similar to yours and seeing what’s different between your creations and others.
Analyze what subjects you usually choose for materializing them with your medium. What message are you trying to send to users, and what does that tell you about your intentions? Look at the materials used to create your usual artwork and consider switching to alternatives to see if they better highlight your message.
Experiment with ways to express yourself
Sometimes, artists can lose themselves in all the messages and stories they want to put on paper. This is called artist’s block, and it happens when no amount of creativity can unlock your potential. During this time, you could try exploring several new methods of expressing yourself through which you can unleash your ideas.
Start by taking a walk outside and letting your mind wander. Keeping a notebook or sketchbook next to you will ensure you have a place to put your ideas when they come individually. Then, as you’ve gathered all the materials, start painting, sketching, or modeling in different ways to see which techniques best bring your imagination to life.
For example, you could approach mixed media, an artistic method in which you glue pieces of paint or textiles on paper and paint along them to create unique arrangements. You can also do this digitally through graphic features.
Be present on all social media channels
Having multiple social media accounts is nothing new to modern artists. While some platforms bring more visibility than others, it’s best to be present wherever you have the chance to expand your art exposure.
Artists who want to present their visual art better should definitely be on Instagram, Pinterest, and Tumblr, where many art lovers are reblogging and reposting unique art. For those who create video-based content, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch are great for finding the right audience.
Those who create art in the form of text should definitely go on Reddit and X, whereas platforms for donations, like Patreon, help with incentives.
Luckily, there are tools that centralize all your social media accounts, so you don’t have to manage them separately. This will help you save time and better assess which posts perform well on different social media platforms.
Approach commission work
Commission art is something you can do to meet people’s requirements. Fandoms are great places to start offering your commission services because many fans want their favorite ships or characters in environments different from those in the media.
At the same time, commission work is great for small businesses and startups, so you could expand your skills to UX design to appeal to their criteria and develop your portfolio. This type of activity is about being flexible but also creative in the pursuit of earning income and becoming known on the market.
Make sure you don’t take on too many side projects and reach burnout. This is a common problem for artists who want to achieve financial stability and fame quickly. While this may be possible when backed by a significant fan base, it’s best to take your time assessing commissions.
Learn the difference between real and perceived value
As an artist, overthinking comes with the skill package, so you may confuse your art’s actual value and the perceived one. Being subjective towards your art, whether you consider it good or underwhelming, is the perceived value.
On the other hand, the real value comes after people engage with it, share what you create, and give reviews. It’s easy to confuse these aspects, especially in the beginning, when there aren’t that many people to give feedback on your art.
Unfortunately, many novice artists feel that their art isn’t good enough based on their perceptions of it. They might also not find the true meaning behind their art, so if the message isn’t clear and it doesn’t reach the audience, the difference between these two values deepens.
That’s why artists must be consistent and learn when to listen to their intuition or seek advice. Sometimes, it takes weeks, months or even years to build an audience base on which you can count to share your art. Sometimes, it takes just a few days to become viral on the internet!
Are you ready to start creating again?
Art creators face endless challenges, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence. Competition is at an all-time high, and the multitude of tools, ideas, and opportunities can be overwhelming. In addition, the need for income can make people give up on their dreams of telling visual stories. However, there are ways to continue creating and capitalizing on your art by discovering your unique skills, being on social media, and experimenting with art.
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