How to Make $20 a Day with Your Art – A Step-by-Step Guide to Making Passive Income as an Artist

Many artists dream of turning their creative passion into a source of steady income—but few know exactly where to start. The good news? It’s not only possible, but easier today than ever before.

Thanks to the power of social media, online marketplaces, and digital tools, artists around the world are building consistent income streams from their creativity, often starting with modest goals like earning $20 a day.

In this guide, we’ll break down realistic ways to earn daily income with your art, how to set your goals, and the actionable steps you can take to turn your creativity into a sustainable business. Let's Go!

Is It Possible to Make $20 a Day with Your Art?

Every day, new creators—from dancers to gamers to ASMR reviewers—gain financial freedom through platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.

What they all have in common is consistency, creativity, and a clear understanding of how to use these platforms effectively.

Billions of people scroll through social media daily. That’s billions of potential eyes on your art, your process, and your story. Whether your passion is drawing, painting, designing, or animation, there are audiences out there who will connect with what you do.

The key is to believe it’s possible. That belief is more powerful than you might think. Many artists give up too soon—not because they lack talent, but because they lack conviction. Knowing that it is possible to earn daily passive income as an artist is the first mindset shift you need.

Once you see yourself as a professional, your behavior, habits, and opportunities start to align with that vision.

Set Your Intention

Before diving into the “how,” you need clarity on the “what.”

Ask yourself: How do I want to make money as an artist?

Setting your intention helps you stay focused and consistent. Instead of jumping between ideas or platforms, you’ll channel your energy into a specific path that suits your lifestyle, time, and skill set.

Here are some of the most practical ways to make money with your art:

1. Sell Art Products

Selling your own art products is one of the most timeless ways to earn as an artist. The beauty of this approach is that it can be scaled both online and offline.

Here are some examples:

• Art Prints: High-quality prints of your illustrations or paintings that customers can frame and display. Platforms like Etsy, Redbubble, and INPRNT allow artists to upload their art and start selling within hours—no upfront inventory needed.

• Stickers: Popular with both casual buyers and collectors—great for artists with bold or expressive designs.

• Clothing & Apparel: Turn your designs into wearable art on shirts, hoodies, and tote bags.

• Home Décor: Offer pillows, mugs, or wall art featuring your work.

• Digital Downloads: Sell digital wallpapers, backgrounds, or coloring pages online.

• Books or Zines: Compile your art into sketchbooks or themed zines. This is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to start—your drawings hold real value when collected together.

  
  

  For an example, check out one of my first art products, DIZZY! Sketch Collections, where I turned years of sketches into a complete artbook.

DIZZY! Sketch Collections Original Artbook

2. Offer Paid Commissions

Commissions are a powerful way to earn directly from your audience. With commissions, someone pays you for a custom piece of art, often tailored to their preferences.

Examples include:

• Portraits for birthdays or anniversaries

• Custom illustrations for book covers, podcasts, or music albums

• Character art for indie games or animations

You can promote your commission services on platforms like Instagram, X (Twitter), Discord communities, or through your personal website. Start with competitive pricing while you build your portfolio and reviews—then raise your rates as demand grows.

3. Earn Through Ad Revenue

If you’re comfortable creating content, ad revenue can become a source of passive income. This means your videos or blog posts continue to generate income long after you’ve created them.

Examples of monetized platforms include:

• YouTube Partner Program – Earn money from ads on your art tutorials, time-lapses, or speed paints.

• TikTok Creativity Program – Get paid based on video performance and engagement.

• Meta Creator Monetization – Earn ad income through Facebook or Instagram reels.

• Google AdSense or WordPress Word Ads – Display ads on your art blog or website.

Ad revenue takes time to build, but once your content gains traction, it can provide a consistent daily income stream—even while you sleep.

4. Accept Donations or Crowdfunding

Many artists sustain their work through community support. Platforms like Patreon, Ko-fi, or Buy Me a Coffee allow your fans to contribute monthly or one-time donations to support your art journey.

These platforms are perfect for artists who create regular content or have a dedicated fan base. You can also offer perks—like exclusive sketches, early access to new art, or behind-the-scenes updates—to keep supporters engaged and appreciated.

Once you decide which earning methods fit you best, set a simple goal. For example:

“I want to make $20 a day consistently within the next 60 days.”

It’s a modest but powerful starting point. With time and consistency, that $20 can grow into $50, $100, or even more per day.

Create Your Plan — Prepare for Success

“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”

This classic quote (attributed to Benjamin Franklin) perfectly sums up why strategy matters. A solid plan helps you stay on track, measure progress, and avoid burnout. Success doesn’t come from massive action once—it comes from small, intentional actions every day.

Here’s how to plan your path to $20/day.

1. Create Every Day — Master Your Craft

No matter your medium—drawing, painting, digital art, or video—you should aim to create something every day. Consistency builds both skill and momentum.

Even just 15 minutes of sketching or practice each day can dramatically improve your technique over time. When you create regularly, your content library grows naturally, giving you more to sell, share, and promote.

For more hands-on ways to strengthen your skills, check out my post How to Improve Your Art Style FAST: 18 Creative Drawing Exercises Every Artist Should Try — it’s packed with fun challenges to help you get closer to mastering your craft.

Creating daily also helps you find your signature style—the unique artistic fingerprint that makes your work stand out from others online. That distinctiveness is what builds loyal fans and repeat customers.

2. Compile, Organize, and Materialize Your Art

Once you have a growing body of work, it’s time to organize it for sale.

Start by collecting all your finished pieces—digital and traditional. Sort them into folders based on type or theme (portraits, nature, fantasy, etc.). Then, pick out the pieces that are the most polished or popular among your audience.

Next steps:

• Digitize your art by scanning or photographing it in high resolution.

• Edit your images for clarity, brightness, and color accuracy.

• Prepare your files in the right formats (PNG, JPG, or PSD depending on your platform).

• Upload them to your online store or print-on-demand platform.

Take your time. If you work on one or two artworks per day, you’ll build a professional online shop faster than you think.

3. Create a Content Routine

In today’s digital economy, visibility is everything. To earn money consistently, people need to see your art—often.

Here’s a simple weekly routine you can try:

Day	Task
Monday	Post a work-in-progress video or timelapse
Tuesday	Share a finished piece with a story or caption
Wednesday	Engage with followers, reply to comments, follow new artists
Thursday	Post a tutorial or art tip
Friday	Promote a product or commission slot
Saturday	Share behind-the-scenes or studio setup
Sunday	Reflect and plan next week’s posts

By following a content rhythm, you’ll build trust with your audience, attract algorithm attention, and convert followers into buyers. It also helps tremendously to post on each social multiple times a day. Don't be afraid to reuse videos and reels if you run out of new content.

Online and In-Person Marketing

Once your art is ready to sell, it’s time to share it with the world. Marketing may sound intimidating, but at its core, it’s simply storytelling—sharing your journey in a way that connects with others. Creating is only half the battle; promoting your work is often the bigger challenge for many artists.

To learn how to get more eyes on your art, check out How to Promote Your Art: 11 Practical Strategies to Give Your Art More Visibility.

Online Marketing Strategies

1. Use Multiple Platforms: Cross-post your art on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Pinterest for maximum exposure.

2. Show Your Process: People love seeing how art comes to life. Share sketches, progress videos, and final reveals.

3. Engage Consistently: Reply to comments, join art challenges, and interact with similar artists to grow your network.

4. Use SEO & Hashtags: Include keywords like #artforsale, #artistsonline, or #supportindieartists in your captions to reach new audiences.

5. Build a Website or Blog: Having your own platform makes you look more professional and gives you control over your audience—no algorithms involved.

You can use Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress to create a clean, professional art portfolio or shop in just a few hours.

In-Person Marketing Strategies

Offline marketing still works—especially for artists.

• Attend Art Fairs & Conventions: Great places to network and make direct sales.

• Sell at Local Cafés or Boutiques: Many small businesses are open to showcasing local art.

• Hand Out Business Cards: Include your website, Instagram handle, or QR code for easy access.

• Engage Your Community: Offer live painting demos or mini workshops.

These interactions can lead to commissions, collaborations, or even long-term partnerships.

Branding and Customer Service

Think of your art as a brand—not just a hobby.

Your brand is more than your logo or color palette—it’s your story, your values, and the emotion your work evokes.

Be intentional with how you present yourself. Use consistent visuals, keep your store layout clean, and communicate in a friendly, professional way.

And when someone buys from you or commissions a piece? Deliver great service. Send a thank-you message, include a small bonus (like a free sticker), or follow up to ensure satisfaction.

Those thoughtful touches make customers feel valued and turn them into loyal supporters.

Final Thoughts: Turning $20 a Day into a Creative Lifestyle

Making $20 a day from your art might seem small at first—but think of it as your foundation. That’s $600 a month or $7,300 a year—from your creativity alone. And once your systems are in place, it only grows from there.

Start with belief. Build with intention. Stay consistent.

Each day you create, share, and learn brings you closer to financial freedom as an artist. The internet has leveled the playing field—you just have to step into it with confidence, persistence, and creativity.

Your art isn’t just something you make—it’s something that can make a difference in your life.

So, start today. Create something. Post it. Share your art!