If you’re a talented artist looking to flex your creative muscles and earn some extra income, you’re in for a treat. Whether you’re a painter, a graphic designer, a photographer, or a crafter, there are plenty of exciting opportunities to showcase your skills and make money on the side.
In this article, we’ll dive into the best side gigs for artists that are not only fun and fulfilling but also offer endless possibilities for creative expression and financial success. We’ll provide the details of each gig, including the tools and software you might need, how to find clients, and tips for success.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your artistic horizons, this article will provide you with a wealth of information and inspiration to kickstart your creative side gig journey.
So, buckle up and get ready to explore the world of artistic side hustles that can elevate your artistic career and boost your income!
Table of Contents
Best Side Gigs For Artists.
1. Illustration work for children’s books
With the opportunity to bring colorful and imaginative characters to life, you can engage with a story and create illustrations that make it easier for children to follow along.
This market is constantly growing, and there’s lots of potential for additional income.
This means that you can work with publishers or authors directly, providing the flexibility to choose projects that align with your artistic style and interests.
2. Painting portraits or pet portraits for clients.
Painting portraits or pet portraits for clients is a fulfilling and profitable creative side gig, that allows you to showcase your skills and also create something your clients will treasure.
To get started, you have to decide on a preferred medium and style and gather reference photos of their subject. Then, it’s all about wowing your client at every turn.
3. Designing logos or graphics for small businesses.
With the advent of online marketplaces and freelance platforms, finding clients and building a portfolio as a creative in this gig economy has never been easier.
By creating unique designs, you can help businesses stand out and build lasting relationships with clients. Strong communication, a good sense of typography, color theory, and software proficiency are essential to succeed in this field.
4. Creating custom artwork for wedding invitations.
By designing custom illustrations, paintings, or calligraphy, you can help make a couple’s special day even more memorable.
This opportunity can also lead to future business referrals, making it both emotionally and financially fulfilling.
That’s to say, creating custom wedding invitations is a great way for you to expand your portfolio and skillset while being a part of a joyous occasion.
5. Selling art prints or merchandise on online marketplaces.
Many online marketplaces, such as Etsy, Society6, or Redbubble, provide a platform for artists to showcase and sell their art prints, posters, home decor, or other merchandise.
You can set up your own online shop, upload high-quality images of your artwork, and customize your products to suit your style and target market.
Promoting your shop through social media or other marketing efforts can help you reach more customers and increase your sales.
If you need an art-related side hustle, this might just be the thing for you.
6. Teaching art classes or workshops in person or online.
If you have a passion for teaching and sharing your artistic skills, you can offer art classes or workshops to individuals or groups.
You can teach in person at local community centers, art studios, or even in your own home, or you can teach online through platforms like Skillshare or Udemy.
You can offer a wide range of classes, from drawing and painting to photography or crafting, depending on your expertise. This is the perfect artistic side business for art teachers and educators.
7. Designing t-shirts or merchandise for bands or musicians.
This is one of the most popular income-generating opportunities for artists. Many bands or musicians are looking for distinctive designs to represent their brand or create merchandise for their fans.
As an artist, you can collaborate with bands or musicians to create custom t-shirt designs, album covers, posters, or other merchandise items.
It’s an opportunity to combine your artistic skills with your love for music and create visually appealing and meaningful designs that resonate with the band’s style and audience.
It’s a win-win situation as you get to express your creativity while helping bands or musicians enhance their visual presence and promote their music.
8. Painting murals for businesses or individuals.
Murals can be commissioned for businesses, restaurants, offices, or even for individuals who want to add a personalized touch to their homes. As a mural artist, you can create large-scale artworks that are visually impactful and tell a story.
It’s a collaborative process that involves understanding the client’s vision, creating sketches, and bringing the mural to life with paint and brushes.
Murals can be a great way to showcase your artistic skills, leave a lasting impression, and even gain exposure as your artwork becomes a public installation – not to talk of the extra cash that goes into your pocket.
9. Creating custom art pieces for interior designers or home staging.
Interior designers often seek custom artwork to enhance the visual appeal of their projects, whether it’s for residential or commercial spaces.
As a creative individual looking for an alternative earning opportunity, you can create custom paintings, sculptures, or other art pieces that match the style, color scheme, and theme of the interior design project.
It’s an opportunity to create art that becomes an integral part of the overall design and adds value to the space.
10. Designing album covers for musicians or bands.
Designing album covers for musicians or bands is a creative side gig for artists that combines art and music.
Album covers are an essential part of a musician’s brand and visual identity, and artists can play a significant role in creating eye-catching and memorable designs.
As an album cover designer, you can collaborate with musicians or bands to create artwork that reflects the music’s genre, mood, and style.
It can involve creating illustrations, typography, and graphics that capture the essence of the music and evoke emotions in the audience. It’s a unique opportunity to merge your artistic talents with your passion for music and contribute to the visual storytelling of an album.
Your artwork will become a part of the music package and be seen by fans and listeners worldwide. It’s a chance to use your creativity to enhance the visual appeal of a musical release and leave a lasting impression on the audience.
11. Drawing or designing tattoos for clients.
If you have a knack for drawing and a passion for body art, designing tattoos can be an exciting creative side gig. You can collaborate with clients to create custom tattoo designs that reflect their personal style and preferences.
This can include creating detailed illustrations, incorporating meaningful symbols or elements, and working with different color palettes.
It’s essential to understand the technical aspects of tattoo design, such as size, placement, and compatibility with different skin tones.
Building a portfolio and networking with local tattoo studios or artists can help you find clients and grow your tattoo design business.
12. Creating digital illustrations for video games or animation studios.
If you have a flair for digital art and a love for video games or animation, creating digital illustrations for these industries can be a fulfilling side gig.
Many video game studios and animation companies are constantly on the lookout for talented artists to create concept art, character designs, environments, and other visual elements.
You can use digital art software like Adobe Photoshop, Procreate, or Clip Studio Paint to bring your imagination to life. Collaborating with game developers or animators to understand their vision and requirements is crucial.
Building a strong portfolio and showcasing your skills in online communities or platforms dedicated to game development or animation can help you gain exposure and find freelance opportunities in these industries.
13. Designing packaging or labels for small businesses.
If you’re an artist with an eye for aesthetics and branding looking for artistic entrepreneurship ideas, then designing packaging or labels for small businesses can be a lucrative side gig.
Small businesses often need attractive packaging or labels to make their products stand out on shelves or online marketplaces.
You can create visually appealing designs that align with the brand’s identity and target audience, using graphic design software like Adobe Illustrator or Canva.
Understanding the practical aspects of packaging, such as size, material, and printing requirements, is important.
Networking with local businesses, participating in craft fairs or markets, and showcasing your designs on social media or online portfolios can help you connect with potential clients and grow your packaging design business.
14. Creating stop-motion animations or short films for clients.
If you have a passion for storytelling and animation, creating stop-motion animations or short films for clients can be a unique and creative side gig.
Stop-motion animation involves creating motion by taking individual frames of a scene and putting them together to create an animation. You can use various materials like clay, paper, or objects to create your characters and sets.
Short films can be used for promotional purposes, educational content, or entertainment. Collaborating with clients to understand their storytelling goals and creating visually appealing animations requires creativity, attention to detail, and patience.
Building a portfolio of your animations and showcasing them on platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, or social media can help you attract clients and grow your stop-motion animation or short film business.
15. Designing posters or flyers for events or concerts.
Designing posters or flyers for events or concerts can be a creative side hustle for artists with a flair for graphic design and visual communication. Event organizers and concert promoters often need eye-catching posters or flyers to promote their events and attract audiences.
You can create visually appealing designs that convey the event’s theme, mood, and details, using graphic design software like Adobe Photoshop or InDesign.
Collaborating with event organizers or promoters to understand their branding and marketing goals, and adhering to design guidelines and deadlines, is crucial.
Building a portfolio of your poster or flyer designs and showcasing them on social media, local community boards, or event planning platforms can help you connect with potential clients and grow your event design business.
16. Painting or designing sets for theater productions or films.
If you have a flair for scenic design and love the world of theater or film, painting or designing sets can be a perfect match if you’re also an artist who wants extra income. Theater productions, films, or other performances often require visually captivating sets that help bring the story or script to life.
You can use your artistic skills to design and paint sets that create the desired atmosphere, mood, and visual impact for the production. This can involve creating backdrops, props, and stage designs that align with the director’s vision and the story’s setting.
Collaborating with production teams, including directors, producers, and other artists, to understand their creative vision and technical requirements is essential.
Building a portfolio of your set designs and showcasing them to local theater companies, production houses, or film crews can help you find opportunities and grow your set design business.
17. Creating animations or graphics for social media marketing campaigns.
In today’s digital age, social media marketing is crucial for businesses and organizations to promote their products or services. As an artist, you can use your creative skills to create animations or graphics for social media marketing campaigns while earning some sweet cash.
This can involve designing visually appealing and engaging content for social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.
You can create animations, infographics, or other visual elements that help convey the marketing message, tell a story, or engage the audience.
Collaborating with marketing teams or businesses to understand their branding, target audience, and marketing goals is important.
Building a portfolio of your social media animations or graphics and showcasing them on social media, online portfolios, or marketing forums can help you attract clients and grow your social media marketing design business.
18. Designing book covers for authors or publishers.
Designing book covers can be a creative side gig for artists who are skilled in graphic design and have a keen eye for visual aesthetics.
Book covers play a crucial role in attracting readers and conveying the essence of a book. You can create visually captivating and unique book covers that capture the reader’s attention and entice them to pick up the book.
This can involve creating illustrations, typography, and other visual elements that align with the book’s genre, tone, and target audience.
Collaborating with authors, publishers, or literary agents to understand the book’s content, target audience, and marketing goals is essential.
Building a portfolio of your book cover designs and showcasing them on author websites, online marketplaces, or social media can help you connect with potential clients and grow your book cover design business.
19. Creating custom designs for clothing or fashion brands.
If you have a passion for fashion and artistic skills, creating custom designs for clothing or fashion brands can be a creative and lucrative side gig for you as an artist.
Many clothing or fashion brands look for unique and eye-catching designs to set themselves apart in the competitive fashion industry.
You can create custom designs for apparel, accessories, or other fashion items that reflect the brand’s identity, style, and target audience. This can involve creating illustrations, patterns, or graphics that can be used for printing or embroidery on clothing or accessories.
Collaborating with fashion designers, clothing brands, or fashion entrepreneurs to understand their design requirements, brand identity, and marketing goals is crucial.
Building a portfolio of your fashion designs and showcasing them on social media, fashion forums, or online marketplaces can help you attract clients and grow your custom fashion design business.
20. Making and selling handmade crafts or jewelry.
If you have a flair for crafting and creating unique items with your hands, making and selling handmade crafts or jewelry can be a fulfilling artistic gig for specialty artists.
You can create handmade crafts or jewelry items using various materials like clay, wood, fabric, or metal, depending on your skills and interests.
This can involve creating home decor items, accessories, or other handmade goods that are visually appealing, functional, and have a market demand. You can sell your handmade crafts or jewelry online through platforms like Etsy, or through local craft fairs, markets, or boutique shops.
Building a portfolio of your handmade items, displaying them on social media, and engaging with potential customers can help you establish a brand and grow your handmade crafts or jewelry business.
Collaborating with other artisans or taking part in craft shows or markets can also help you network and expand your customer base.
Also, offering custom-made or personalized items can be a unique selling point that sets you apart from mass-produced goods.
You can use your artistic skills to create one-of-a-kind pieces that resonate with your customers and make your handmade crafts or jewelry stand out in the market
21. Creating personalized art pieces for individuals.
Transforming cherished memories into personalized art pieces is another rewarding side gig for artists. By working with clients’ photos or stories, you can capture special moments and create unique artworks that hold sentimental value.
Whether it’s a family portrait, a beloved pet, or a significant event, you can use your skills to bring these moments to life on canvas or paper. This side gig allows artists to connect with clients on a personal level, creating art that holds a special place in their hearts and homes.
22. Designing and painting murals for schools or public spaces.
Murals can bring life and color to bland walls, creating an immersive and engaging experience for students, teachers, and the public.
You can work with educational institutions or local organizations to design murals that convey positive messages, promote cultural awareness, or inspire creativity.
This side gig provides a platform for artists to make a lasting impression in public spaces and leave their mark on the community.
23. Creating illustrations or animations for e-learning courses or educational materials.
With the increasing demand for online learning, creating illustrations or animations for e-learning courses or educational materials is a valuable side gig for artists.
You can use your visual storytelling skills to create engaging visuals that enhance the learning experience for students of all ages.
Whether it’s creating illustrations for textbooks, designing animations for interactive educational apps, or developing visual aids for online courses, you can contribute to educational content in meaningful ways.
This side gig allows artists to blend their artistic talent with educational content, making learning more enjoyable and effective.
24. Designing and creating custom-made greeting cards or postcards for events or occasions.
Designing and creating custom-made greeting cards or postcards is a delightful side gig for artists who enjoy creating small-scale artworks. From birthdays and holidays to weddings and special events, custom-made cards can be a thoughtful and unique way to express emotions and commemorate occasions.
You can offer your artistic skills to design and create one-of-a-kind cards that are personalized for each client. This side gig allows artists to infuse their creativity into everyday items, making meaningful connections with clients through their art.
25. Making and selling art supplies, such as handmade paint or unique brushes.
Artists with a passion for crafting can turn their skills into a creative side gig by making and selling art supplies. Handmade paint, unique brushes, custom palettes, or specialized tools can be in high demand among fellow artists.
By offering high-quality, unique, and handcrafted art supplies, you can cater to niche markets and create a loyal customer base. This side gig allows artists to combine their artistic talent with their craftsmanship skills, creating products that inspire and support fellow artists.
26. Creating artwork for magazine covers or editorials.
Magazine covers require eye-catching designs that convey the essence of the publication and attract readers. Editorial illustrations can accompany articles or features, bringing the content to life and creating visual interest.
This side gig provides opportunities for artists to see their work in print and gain exposure in the publishing industry.
27. Painting or designing board game artwork for publishers or game designers.
Board games are experiencing a resurgence in popularity, and artists can tap into this market by creating artwork for board games.
From designing game boards and cards to creating character illustrations or game assets, you can use your creativity to contribute to the visual elements of board games.
This side gig allows artists to collaborate with game designers or publishers and be part of the exciting world of board game design.
28. Creating custom-made 3D models or designs for architecture firms or engineering companies.
3D modeling and design can be a fascinating creative side gig for artists who enjoy working with digital tools and have a knack for creating detailed and realistic models. Working with architecture firms or engineering companies, you can bring their concepts and designs to life in the virtual realm.
Using specialized software such as SketchUp, AutoCAD, or Blender, you can design and create 3D models of buildings, structures, or product prototypes. Collaborating closely with clients to understand their requirements, you can produce visually stunning and accurate 3D models that aid in visualization, planning, and presentation.
This side gig allows you to combine your artistic skills with technical proficiency, and it can be a fulfilling way to contribute to real-world projects and earn extra income.
29. Designing and creating infographics for businesses or organizations.
Infographics are a popular and effective way for businesses or organizations to convey complex information in a visually appealing and easily understandable format. As an artist with a flair for design and data visualization, you can offer your services to create eye-catching infographics that communicate key messages in a clear and engaging manner.
Using design software such as Adobe Illustrator or Canva, you can create custom infographics tailored to the needs of your clients, whether it’s for marketing materials, educational resources, or internal communications.
By combining your artistic talents with data interpretation and storytelling, you can create infographics that are visually impactful and help clients effectively convey their information to their target audience.
30. Creating unique and personalized wedding favors, such as hand-painted glasses or custom-made candles:
Weddings are special occasions where couples often seek unique and personalized touches to make their big day even more memorable. As an artist, you can offer your creative services to design and create custom-made wedding favors that add a personal touch to the celebrations.
From hand-painted glasses and custom-made candles to personalized wedding signs or unique keepsakes, there are countless possibilities for creating one-of-a-kind wedding favors.
By collaborating with couples to understand their preferences, themes, and styles, you can create bespoke wedding favors that are not only beautiful but also meaningful and cherished by the newlyweds and their guests.
This side gig allows you to apply your artistic skills in a joyful and celebratory context while helping couples make their wedding day extra special and earning some much-needed extra income.
So, there you have it – 30 of the best ways to put your artistic skills to work with some of the high-paying side gigs for artists. From designing graphics and logos to creating 3D models, infographics, and personalized wedding favors, there are endless possibilities for artists to turn their passion into a profitable side hustle.
Remember, finding the right side gig that aligns with your skills, interests, and schedule is key to success. So, go ahead and let your creativity shine, and explore the exciting world of artistic side hustles!
If you’re eager for more inspiration and information, be sure to check out these related posts:
- 10 Tips for Success in Your Creative Side Gig.
- How to Market Your Artistic Side Hustle: Tips and Strategies.
- Top Online Marketplaces for Selling Your Artistic Creations.
- Navigating Freelancing Platforms for Artists: A Comprehensive Guide.
- Transforming Your Hobby into a Profitable Artistic Side Gig: A Step-by-Step Guide.
- Crafting Personalized Wedding Favors: A Fun and Profitable Side Gig for Artists.
- DIY Art Kits: A Creative Side Gig for Artists to Share Their Craft with Others.
- Art Parties and Workshops: Hosting Events as a Side Hustle for Artists.
- Art Restoration and Conservation: A Niche and Lucrative Side Gig for Skilled Artists.
- Creative Collaborations: Partnering with Other Artists for Profitable Side Gigs.
- Artists in the Digital Age: Exploring Online Art Classes as a Side Gig.
