How to Make Money Drawing: 11 Creative Side Hustle Ideas

Do you love to draw but wonder if you can actually make money from it? Good news: you can! Drawing is more than just a relaxing hobby — it’s a skill with real-world demand that can open the door to side hustles, online shops, freelance work, and even full-fledged businesses.

From doodles on a napkin to professional-level illustrations, there’s an audience for every kind of art. Whether you’re into portraits, cartoon characters, tattoo designs, or abstract sketches, someone out there is willing to pay for your work.

💡 Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not financial advice. Pricing and earnings examples are industry averages — your results may vary depending on your skill level, market demand, and location.

In this guide, we’ll share 11 creative side hustle ideas for artists — from selling digital prints to teaching online. Each idea is beginner-friendly, scalable, and perfect for anyone who wants to turn a sketchbook into income.

For more information, click below:

💡 Why Drawing Makes a Great Side Hustle

Unlike some side hustles that require large startup costs, drawing is accessible, affordable, and flexible. Here’s why it’s such a strong path for creatives:

Low cost to start: You only need basic supplies like paper and pencils (or a tablet if you go digital).
High demand: Personalized, hand-drawn art is always trending — whether for home décor, logos, or one-of-a-kind gifts.
Flexible: You can take commissions online, sell prints at local markets, or build a global fanbase on social media.
Scalable: Start with a single drawing for a client, then expand into a print shop, online course, or even a full art brand.

If you’ve been searching for ways to turn your creativity into extra cash, this list will give you actionable ideas to get started.

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🖌️ 11 Drawing Side Hustle Ideas

Here’s a breakdown of profitable drawing-based hustles, including how they work, the best platforms, and who they’re best for:

Side Hustle Idea	How It Works	Best Platforms	Best For
1. Freelance Illustration	Create artwork for blogs, ads, and businesses. Clients send briefs, you deliver illustrations.	Fiverr, Upwork, Freelancer	Artists who like working on varied projects and client requests
2. Sell Prints Online	Turn original drawings into prints, posters, or digital downloads.	Etsy, Shopify, Gumroad	Traditional or digital artists
3. Portrait Commissions	Draw custom portraits of pets, families, or couples for gifts.	Instagram, TikTok, Facebook Marketplace	Artists skilled in realism
4. Children’s Book Illustration	Work with indie authors to illustrate stories.	Reedsy, Behance, personal website	Whimsical or storytelling artists
5. Print-on-Demand Products	Upload art to platforms that print on T-shirts, mugs, phone cases, etc.	Redbubble, Teespring, Society6	Graphic, bold, or pop-art style artists
6. Create Digital Assets	Design clipart, coloring pages, tattoo flash sheets, or icons.	Creative Market, Etsy	Artists with a niche theme or style
7. Teach Drawing Online	Record tutorials or host live workshops.	YouTube, Skillshare, Udemy	Artists who love explaining techniques
8. Social Media Content	Post process videos, tutorials, or speed-draws to grow an audience.	TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest	Artists wanting to build a personal brand
9. Logo & Branding Art	Offer hand-drawn logos, mascots, or branding elements.	99designs, Dribbble, Instagram	Minimalist, lettering, or graphic artists
10. Local Fairs & Markets	Sell physical sketches, zines, or live caricatures at events.	Local art fairs, pop-ups	Artists who enjoy in-person sales
11. Digital Collectibles (NFTs)	Create and sell unique digital art assets on blockchain marketplaces.	OpenSea, Rarible, Foundation	Tech-savvy artists exploring new media

🌟 Deep Dive: How Each Side Hustle Can Work

To help you see what’s possible, let’s expand on a few of these ideas:

1. Freelance Illustration

Companies, bloggers, and small businesses often need original illustrations for articles, social posts, or ads. For example, a food blog might want hand-drawn recipe graphics, or a YouTuber may need cartoon-style avatars. Starting on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork can give you a portfolio quickly.

Tip: Specialize in a niche (like children’s book illustrations, food sketches, or fashion art) to stand out from other freelancers.

2. Sell Prints Online

Selling art prints is one of the most popular side hustles because your work can earn money again and again. Draw once, digitize your art, and sell copies. Many artists sell both physical prints and instant download files (which are cheaper for buyers but require no shipping from you).

Pro Move: Bundle prints in themed collections (e.g., “botanical line drawings set”) to increase sales.

3. Portrait Commissions

Custom portraits make perfect gifts — especially for holidays, weddings, or memorials of pets. Artists often market themselves on Instagram or TikTok by showing before-and-after reels of a photo turning into a sketch.

Tip: Offer different price tiers (e.g., pencil sketch vs. full-color digital) so clients have options.

5. Print-on-Demand Products

Instead of managing inventory, upload your designs to POD platforms. Each time someone buys your art on a T-shirt, pillow, or tote bag, the platform prints and ships it for you.

Best Sellers: Cute doodles, typography-based art, and funny illustrations often perform best on Redbubble or Society6.

7. Teach Drawing Online

If you’re comfortable teaching, you can earn by sharing your skills. Tutorials on YouTube can earn ad revenue once you grow a following, while sites like Skillshare or Udemy let you create structured courses.

Idea: Focus on beginner lessons like “How to Draw Hands” or “Cartooning Basics,” since these topics have consistent demand.

8. Social Media Content

Social platforms reward artists who post engaging process content. Time-lapse videos of your drawing process are particularly popular on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and Pinterest Idea Pins.

Monetization Path: Grow a following → get brand sponsorships → launch a print shop → sell tutorials.

Earning Potential (Ethically Framed)

Income varies based on skill, experience, and marketing effort. Here are industry averages for context — not guarantees:

Freelance Illustration: $20–$150+ per project (higher for experienced artists).
Portrait Commissions: $50–$300 per piece depending on style & size.
Art Prints: $10–$40 per print; digital downloads often $5–$15.
POD Products: $2–$10 profit per sale (volume-based).
Teaching Online: $100–$1,000+ per month depending on audience size.

👉 Beginners may start on the lower end, while experienced artists or niche specialists can charge more.

📌 How to Market Your Art on Pinterest

Pinterest isn’t just for recipes and home décor — it’s a visual search engine that can help artists attract new audiences.

Here’s how to use it effectively:

Create pins for each side hustle idea: Example: one pin linking to your portrait commissions, another to your Etsy shop.
Use keywords in pin titles: “Custom Pet Portraits | Gift Ideas” will perform better than “My Drawing.”
Make vertical pins (1000x1500px): These perform best in search results.
Think seasonally: Create pins for Valentine’s Day couples portraits, Halloween tattoo flash, or Christmas gift art.

Over time, your pins can keep driving traffic to your shop or portfolio — even months or years after posting.

🛠️ Tools You’ll Need

Starting a drawing side hustle doesn’t mean investing thousands of dollars upfront. Here are the essentials:

Drawing Tools: Sketchbooks, pencils, pens, or digital tablets like iPad + Procreate or Wacom.
Marketplaces: Etsy, Fiverr, Redbubble, Gumroad, or Shopify (if you want your own shop).
Social Media Apps: Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest for showcasing and promoting your work.
Organization Tools: Wakewall is perfect for tracking commissions, storing client notes, scheduling reminders, and posting updates to followers.

🚀 How Wakewall Can Help

Building a creative side hustle is exciting, but keeping track of commissions, deadlines, and marketing can get overwhelming fast.

Wakewall simplifies this by giving you one place to:

Set reminders for commission due dates or product launches.
Save notes for art concepts, client requests, or future project ideas.
Post updates to your business wall for clients or fans.
Stay organized across multiple platforms, side hustles, and projects.

By keeping everything in one app, you’ll have more time to focus on your art instead of stressing over logistics.

✅ Conclusion

Drawing is more than just a creative outlet — it’s a side hustle waiting to happen. From selling prints and portraits to teaching online or creating digital assets, there are countless ways to turn your sketchbook into extra income. The key is to start small, stay consistent, and market yourself smartly on platforms like Pinterest, TikTok, or Etsy. With the right mix of creativity and organization, your art can go from hobby to profitable business.

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