It may seem like an unattainable dream for you as an artist to be able to live off your passion. But thanks to digital platforms, it is now possible to sell your artwork online and achieve a global reach.
DeviantArt is an excellent option for this – an online community specifically for artists who want to offer their work on the internet.
This article provides helpful tips and tricks for getting started selling on this platform; so your creative creations will finally receive the recognition they deserve!
DeviantArt is an online platform that offers creative minds a global audience, thus becoming a hotspot for art lovers and collectors .
But what kind of art sells best on this digital gallery? Due to the platform's diversity and dynamic nature, this question cannot be answered in general terms.
Nevertheless, there are some trends that stand out in particular: depictions of popular icons from film, TV or video game worlds are very popular, as is high-quality fan art in this area.
original works with strong emotional expression, meaningful messages or technical mastery also find great favor with users.
Ultimately, the success of a work of art on DeviantArt depends on whether it can captivate and inspire the viewer.
To find out if your work could be successful on DeviantArt, you should first define your niche .
What art style do you create?
Which medium are you using?
Who is your target audience?
To move forward, your next step should be to conduct a comprehensive search for artists in your field.
If your creative passion is, for example, anime art , then it's worth specifically searching among anime artists or digital artists. On platforms like DeviantArt, you can find a digital artist and check the quality of their work – ideally considering the kind of response it might have generated with the audience.
Start with a plan
To successfully sell your artwork on DeviantArt, you should first create a well-thought-out plan.
This primarily involves deciding what kind of art you want to develop and establishing a smart pricing model. To gain a better understanding of successful products and pricing structures on the platform, it's also advisable to take a closer look at other artists.
This can provide valuable insights and perhaps even inspiration for one's own projects.
Furthermore, one should decide whether to offer prints or originals, or, depending on the target group, combine both in order to appeal to as many potential customers as possible.
What it means to be a Core Member
A loyal member of the DeviantArt community refers to a user as a Core Member if they support the platform by purchasing a premium membership . Unlike standard users, they benefit from additional features and advantages such as selling their own prints without commission from DeviantArt and expanded profile customization options.
Furthermore, their exclusive membership grants them access to special forums and prioritized customer service – all measures for improved visibility on the platform and increased income.
How to become a Core Member at DeviantArt
Becoming a DeviantArt Core Member is incredibly simple. Just visit the website and "Purchase Core Membership""Shop" dropdown . You can then choose from various membership levels to suit your needs and budget—for example, monthly, annual, or two-year plans. Once you've made your selection, simply proceed to checkout and complete the payment process.
Once the amount has been confirmed, you as a Core member will have access to exclusive features which can be used immediately.
Selling art prints on DeviantArt is no longer possible
At this point, we wanted to discuss the possibility of selling art prints directly through the corresponding DeviantArt program. However, the DeviantArt Prints program was removed on October 31, 2022.
Showcase yourself and your artwork portfolio effectively
The first step to sharing your artistic vision on DeviantArt is a compelling profile . Here you can showcase your portfolioconnect with other social media platforms .
A compelling biography underscores your artistic journey and creates an emotional connection between you and your target audience. Be inspired by how professional artists tell their own stories.
To better showcase the value of your work, titles and descriptions be carefully crafted – especially when it comes to purchasing decisions. For example, if you are creating anime drawings, the relevant keywords should definitely be included in the title.
tags to each artwork can also help users access it more easily by specifying the medium or theme. This simultaneously increases the image's visibility when searching for specific keywords on DeviantArt.
Create your DeviantArt profile
It is crucial that you design your DeviantArt profile in a way that immediately appeals to viewers and makes a professional impression. Therefore, you should ensure that you fill out all relevant information completely and add a compelling profile picture – ideally, a picture of yourself.
To increase your visibility on the platform and attract potential buyers, it's also recommended to add keywords to your bio and tags to your artwork. This allows interested parties to easily search for art in a specific style or genre and quickly find your portfolio.
Promote your art
Advertising on DeviantArt plays a significant role in the sale of prints and original artwork. One way to promote your artwork is by using social media platforms such as Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter .
There is also the option of contacting various DeviantArt groups and asking them to feature your work – especially in groups with similar interests in your artwork, it is worthwhile to approach the members.
Increase popularity
Do you want to gain popularity on DeviantArt and learn how to get more favorites, viewers, or comments?
Since the DeviantArt Eclipse update , many users no longer know how to make their artwork visible.
Fortunately, you will learn how to maximize your reach on this platform with practical tips and the knowledge that YouTuber The Art Mentor has acquired and tested through DeviantArt submissions.
This tutorial outlines three fundamental steps to increase your visibility on DeviantArt and grow your influence on the platform. As a long-time user of DA, the YouTuber is intimately familiar with its mechanics and is happy to help you expand your DeviantArt account with this helpful growth guide
High-quality works of art
The quality of your artwork can be crucial if you to make money . To ensure your work sells successfully on DeviantArt, it must be high-resolution and of excellent quality.
Several file formats are available (JPEG, PNG or TIFF) for uploading your work – however, please make sure to stay within the portal's upload limits!
Capturing high-quality images for DeviantArt
To prepare a work of art for sale on DeviantArt, it is of great importance to ensure that the image quality is as high as possible.
For successful implementation, please note the following steps and required equipment:
right equipment is crucial . A high-quality digital camera or a smartphone with a good camera is essential. While a professional DSLR would be ideal, many modern smartphones also offer high-resolution cameras, allowing you to capture the details of your artwork.
Choosing right lighting is crucial softboxes or ring lights can help to distribute the light evenly and minimize harsh shadows.
To showcase your artwork to its best advantage, place it against a neutral background . Ensure your camera is parallel to the subject to avoid distortion. A tripod will provide stability and ensure a consistent image.
View your artwork from different perspectives : Examine your creations from various angles and distances. This will give potential buyers a more comprehensive view of the work.
optimal image quality : High resolution is key to a perfect photo. Select the highest possible setting on your camera to capture every detail and make it visible in your artwork.
Post-processing : Use image editing software to adjust the contrast, brightness, and colors to reproduce the original artwork as faithfully as possible. However, be careful not to over-edit and thus distort the expression of your work.
An important aspect of selling your artwork on DeviantArt is creating a faithful representation that attracts potential buyers. High image quality plays a crucial role in this.
If you offer digital products for sale, they should be of the highest quality and appropriately sized. For physical prints, it's crucial to ensure they arrive safely and undamaged – this is the only way to gain loyal fans.
Offer excellent customer service
Reliable customer service is crucial for making sales on DeviantArt. Customers may have questions about your artwork—whether about pricing or shipping. A prompt and professional response from your service team is essential: Answer all inquiries thoroughly and carefully so that potential buyers have no doubts.
Conclusion
on DeviantArt requires dedication , creativity , and a well-thought-out strategy. If you follow the recommendations we present in this article, you'll be well-equipped to turn your passion for art into a profession.
Remember to develop a plan, build your profile professionally, and market your work effectively – excellent customer service and high-quality work should not be neglected.
Owner and Managing Director of Kunstplaza . Publicist, editor, and passionate blogger in the fields of art, design, and creativity since 2011. Graduated with a degree in web design from university (2008). Further developed creative techniques through courses in freehand drawing, expressive painting, and theatre/acting. Profound knowledge of the art market gained through years of journalistic research and numerous collaborations with key players and institutions in the arts and culture sector.
A fundamental need for every artistically creative person is likely to be the ability to live off their art.
earning money through art is essential . In fact, contrary to popular belief, many artists today can make a good living from their creative work. Nevertheless, the vast majority of freelance artists still rely on additional sources of income (e.g., teaching courses, commissions, side jobs, etc.).
Recognition as an artist often does not bring immediate financial security. Therefore, artists are often also life artists.
The opportunities to make a living from one's own art have, however, grown significantly due to the internet and social media. As an artist, however, you must be versatile and flexible to succeed. A certain degree of perseverance is also essential.
Customer relations and self-marketing are also important pillars for success as an artist .
In this section, we compile numerous articles, information, tips, and advice to help you make a living from your art.
AI Art – Art and Artificial Intelligence
In this magazine section, you will find numerous reports and articles about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in art,design and architecture.
It's not just about the question of how AI can be used in these areas, but also about the impact this has on creative creation.
For while some experts believe that the use of AI will lead to a revolution in art and design, there are also voices from within the industry itself that are skeptical of AI art and AI-powered image generators.
An early example from 2016 of the use of AI in art is the project “The Next Rembrandt” . Here, software was developed that created a new painting in the style of the Dutch painter based on data analysis – without human intervention.
The result was surprisingly realistic and clearly demonstrated the potential of this technology even back then.
What does this development mean for traditional crafts? Will they become obsolete or can new opportunities be created?
These questions occupy many people both within and outside the industry alike.
In any case, the connection between art and artificial intelligence offers us exciting insights into possible future scenarios.
We warmly invite you to embark on an adventure of discovery with us!
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