How to make money from drawing cartoons is something that many artists want to know. After all, having a steady stream of income from your art can help you achieve financial independence and freedom.
To preserve the condition of original cartoons, it is a good idea to date them when they are drawn. Marginal notes indicating reduction percentages and corrections should not be erased, as they provide valuable documentation of the creative process.
1. Submit Your Work to Magazines
Many people like to draw for a living, but it’s a hard career to get into. It takes dedication, talent, and tenacity to make it work. However, there are ways to earn money from your drawings that don’t require a full-time commitment to the art world.
One way to make money from your drawings is by submitting them to magazines. Many magazines accept submissions through their websites or by email. However, some may require you to include a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE).
It’s important that you follow the submission guidelines of each magazine. Some are only interested in certain genres or themes, and some set word or page limits.
Some artists have found success by creating their own websites where they display and sell their work. For example, artist Pernille Stordahl has a flourishing Instagram and website that guides her fans to support her work. You can also use platforms like DeviantArt to showcase your work to potential buyers. These platforms allow you to sell digital prints, posters, T-shirts, mugs, and face caps. You can also earn by displaying ads on your site.
2. Sell Your Work Online
There are a lot of ways to make money from your drawing skills. Some of these options include being a graphic artist, storyboard, technical, or general illustrator, becoming a fashion designer, animator, and more. You can find many of these opportunities in online job marketplaces such as FlexJobs.
You can also sell your work online on platforms such as DeviantArt and Saatchi Art. These platforms will often take a large cut of the sale, but they give you the opportunity to have your work seen by a wide audience and to earn money from sales.
Another option is to create an online portfolio and then license your cartoons to companies that want to use them. This can be a great way to make money from your drawings, but it does require a substantial investment of time and energy.
Finally, you can also become a freelance artist and create your own website to showcase and sell your work. This can be a more lucrative option than working as an employee or selling your work on art marketplaces.
3. Submit Your Work to CardGnome
If you are a talented artist, you can earn money through your work. You may even get commissioned for a specific drawing project. There are many websites that can help you connect with clients who require the services of a professional artist.
You can also make money from your artwork by submitting it to different companies that print greeting cards. These companies are always looking for good quality artwork to use on their cards. These companies may pay you a royalty for each card sold.
Some companies, such as Papyrus, review submissions on a regular basis. They accept all types of art and will contact you if they find a match. Other companies, such as CardGnome, are a bit more selective. They only accept works that complement their existing card designs.
Another option is to submit your work to a stock cartoon market, such as Artplode. These markets are relatively new, but they are starting to grow. They are a great way to get your work in front of a wide audience, and they can provide a steady source of income.
4. Submit Your Work to It Takes Two
While working as a professional cartoonist can be incredibly rewarding, it also requires commitment, talent, tenacity, and enthusiasm. The good news is that there are now a number of different ways for people who love to draw to make money from their work.
One option is to create a website where people can purchase your drawings. This is a great way to make passive income, especially if you have a large following on social media.
Another option is to submit your work to a print-on-demand company. These companies will print and sell your artwork on a variety of different products, including t-shirts and other clothing.
Finally, you can also submit your work to a stock art company. These companies will pay you a small fee each time someone buys your artwork.
5. Submit Your Work to Local Businesses
One of the best ways to get paid for your drawing skills is to submit them to local businesses and businesses that specialize in a particular industry. For example, if you’re talented at drawing portraits or caricatures, you can try to work with companies that offer photo-editing services. Many of these companies will post calls for artists on their websites or social media pages.
Moreover, you can also contact local restaurants and salons to see if they are interested in displaying your artwork in their establishments. Many of these businesses will be happy to pay you a small fee to display your work.
Finally, it’s always a good idea to develop a website where you can display your work and sell your drawings. Having your own website gives you the freedom to set your prices and the terms of sale. It also allows you to work with a wide range of online marketplaces and platforms, including Patreon and Instagram. Having your own website can be more time-consuming than using online art marketplaces, but it’s worth the effort in the long run.
