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Do You Have The Talent To Become A Professional Artist?

1. Learn about the different types of art
Do You Have The Talent To Become A Professional Artist? Did you study art at school? or at Art College or at University? Do you know what sorts of art and artists that there are, such as The Impressionists, Renaissance Art, Modern Art.

Who is your favourite artist? Renoir, Matisse, Cezanne, Monet, Constable, Banksy?
It does not really matter who you may admire and follow, if you have your own talent and this may be appreciated by an audience that you build for yourself.
You do not have to have undertaken a formal course in the study of art in order to enjoy art, not indeed to participate in art personally.

All you have to do is look at modern artists like Grayson Perry or Bob Ross, who appreciate a "Laissez Faire" approach to accepting all types and styles of artists.
Maybe you are a natural artist like Banksy and prefer street art, rather than more traditional artistic media. Alterntively you may be a digital artist, and there is a high demand for such skills these days.

2. Research what it takes to be a professional artist
Perhaps it is worth just questioning your motivation for becoming a professional artist.

There are lots of different types of artist as well such as the performing arts, music and dance, as well as expressive art.

What sort of artist are you? Do you wish to express your art for public appreciation, or do you prefer to keep your art for your own and your family´s satisfaction? Do you want to earn a living from your art, or do you wish to do it as a hobby, for enjoyment and not necessarily for remuneration?


3. Evaluate your talents and decide which type of art you want to pursue

So the first thing is to critically evaluate your own talent and see whether it is possible to actually earn a living from selling your art (if that is in fact your aspiration).

Ask your friends and family to give you feedback about your art, and what they like and dislike about it. You need constructive criticism in order to be realistic about your aspirations and aims and objectives.
4. Study the work of other artists who are successful in their field and have similar interests as you do.

Once you have identified the area of art that you are best at, then look around and see if there are other artists in that niche, and see what they do and how they commercilize their art, so as to earn money from it.

If you are an author, it is easy to find lots of examples of books and authors in your niche. With traditional art, you may also find successful artists and you can speak to them and ask them for advice, and for them to give you their counsel and guidance about how to move forward.

You may even find among these new friends and acquaintances, a mentor which could be extremely valuable in terms of helping you to progress and become successful in your chosen field.
 
5. Practice drawing or painting for at least an hour every day, whether it's on paper or digitally using software like Photoshop or on canvas or paper or board.

You may be a sculptor or a ceramic artist, in which case choose the medium that suits you and your art and practice every day. You are on a journey of development of your own skills and craft, so not everything will be perfect when you start.

You can use the work of others in order to develop and hone your own skills and become a more advanced practitioner of your art.
6. Join an online community where people can critique your work and help you improve

1. What are the requirements to become a professional artist
2. How do you get your work recognized and make money off of it
3. How much can artists earn in different fields of art
4. What is the process for becoming an artist, from start to finish
5. Why would someone want to be an artist instead of a doctor or lawyer or something else more traditional 
6. Do you have what it takes to succeed as an artist - yes or no quiz!

What are the qualities of a professional artist

1. What are the qualities of a professional artist
A professional artist may have to work to particular specifications or requirements for each project on which they are engaged. Perhaps the best thing to do is to try out small projects for yourself and see how your work may be appreciated by your clients. Depending upon their reaction, and how they accept and engage with your artistic creations, you can decided whether you have what it takes to make it as a professional artist.


2. How do I know if I have what it takes to become an artist?
Probably the best thing to do, if you dont know whether you have what it takes 

There are all sorts of artistic and graphic design work needed and you may be skilled at one or more types, such as a a graphics designer for signage (signwriter), a freelance artist who specializes in particular sorts of commissions, for example pet portraits, animal portraits, aircraft or even railway engines or cars, even specializing in classic or vintage types.

3. Ways to improve your skills as an artist.
Once you decide upon what your forte is as an artist, then you should practice your particular skills and talk with people in that space. Learn from them about what is in demand and what works for people. The most important success indicator is when people offer to buy your work.

4. Tips for getting started in the art world
In order to get started, you can join your local arts society or club. There you will meet other local artists and gain an understanding of 

5. Where can you find more information about becoming a professional artist
Check out the following article from Natasha Dikareva, MFA
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Professional-Artist

How to Become a Professional Artist
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PARTS
1Developing Your Talent
2Promoting Your Work
3Earning a Living as a Professional Artist
OTHER SECTIONS
Questions & Answers
Related Articles
References
Article Summary
Co-authored by Natasha Dikareva, MFA
Last Updated: April 30, 2021 References

Transitioning from an amateur artist to a professional artist, an artist who earns money for their work, can be challenging. Developing your talent and exhibiting your work will help you establish yourself as a professional artist so that you can begin to earn a living. Becoming a professional artist takes a lot of time and hard work, but in the end, it will be worth it to get paid to do what you love.

Part
1
Developing Your Talent
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1
Go to art school. Search online to find out which art schools are in your area, or which schools offer specializations in the type of art you want to pursue. While it is possible to become a professional artist without attending school, this is the most common starting point for amateur artists who want to transition into professionals.[1]
If you know what type of professional art career you want to pursue, try looking into trade school programs. These programs are generally non-degree programs that offer extensive courses in several specialties, such as graphic design and painting.
If you know you want to be a professional artist but are unsure what type of artist you want to be, try looking into schools that offer a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Bachelor's programs are typically 4 year programs that give you the opportunity to take a variety of art classes and afford you time to figure out what your artistic passion is.[2]
If you have a Bachelor's degree and are looking to specialize in a particular type of art, consider looking into a Master's degree program, such as a Master of Fine Arts.
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2
Attend art classes or workshops held by professional artists. Check with local museums, galleries, art schools, and studios to find out about opportunities to take art classes or attend workshops.[3]  Many art-related institutions offer classes and workshops frequently, so you will likely be able to find several options.
Taking advantage of these offerings will allow you to learn more about the type of art you want to pursue professionally, and will give you the opportunity to practice and receive feedback from professionals.[4]
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3
Work on improving your artistic skills every day. As with any career, becoming a professional artist takes hard work and consistent practice. While you may have natural talent and/or have developed new artistic skills in a degree program or by taking classes or workshops, working on your art every day (or as often as you can) will help you hone your skills and find your artistic strengths.[5]
Putting in the work also helps build your confidence in your art and in presenting yourself as a professional artist.
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4
Find your unique perspective as an artist. Experiment with different mediums and search for inspiration in a variety of places to help you find your unique perspective as an artist.[6]  To make a name for yourself as a professional artist, you will want your art to be recognizable as yours. While talent and quality are important, distinctive pieces of art are the most popular in terms of what sells.[7]  
Traveling, seeking out new experiences, and observing the world around you can help you find inspiration and uncover what you want to convey through your art.
Part
2
Promoting Your Work
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1
Create a portfolio of your work. To promote your work through almost any professional organization, you will need to create and submit a portfolio of your work. A strong portfolio highlights your best pieces, so include any pieces that you feel particularly confident in, as well as any that have garnered positive critical feedback. Your portfolio should also showcase your abilities, so feel free to include promising unfinished pieces that display any skills not seen in your other pieces.
Whether you choose a digital or paper format for your portfolio will depend on your career goals, personal preference, and the type of art you typically create. If you are a graphic designer, for example, you will want to create a digital portfolio, as this will likely be the expected format. If you specialize in small, original drawings, you may want to include original or copies of your work in a physical portfolio to show to gallery or museum personnel.
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2
Submit your art for display in a gallery. Learn how to get your art into a gallery to help you establish yourself as a professional artist.[8]  While the competition is fierce and it may take some time for you to break into the gallery world, getting into a gallery is a great step towards selling your art and making a living as a professional artist.
As you start submitting your work, visit gallery openings and events to get to know the people that work there, as well as other artists. The more people get to know you, the more familiar they will become with your work.
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3
Start social media accounts to display your art online. Regardless of where you are in your career as an artist, starting an Instagram and/or Facebook account to display your art online can give you a boost in recognition. Once you create an Instagram and/or Facebook account, start posting your art at least 3 times per week, if not every day, to familiarize your followers with your unique artistic style and perspective.
You might also want to look into how to advertise on Instagram and Facebook to widen your social media audience and, eventually, boost your sales.
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4
Display your art in public spaces. Think outside the box and reach out to various establishments to ask if you can display your art. Retail stores, restaurants, public parks, craft fairs, and festivals are great places to display your art and get noticed as a professional.[9] Try to be creative and don't be afraid to put yourself and your art out there – you never know what opportunity to exhibit your art might lead to a sale.
Part
3
Earning a Living as a Professional Artist
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1
Research the market to price your art. To determine how much to charge for your art, assess the size, shape, medium, weight, subject matter, colors, how long it took you to make it, how much the supplies cost, and how experienced you are at that particular artistic medium.[10] Once you have determined these factors, research how much similar pieces in your area tend to sell for. You can do this by searching online, or by talking to stores, galleries, and other retailers that sell similar artwork.
When you price your art, you need to be able to justify the amount. While your artwork is surely unique, so is every piece of original art. Thus, this cannot be a major factor in determining how much you much you should charge for your pieces.[11]
When you first start selling your art, you may have to sell it for less than what other, established artists are selling their work for. After selling a few pieces, you can begin charging more.[12]
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2
Create a business plan. Regardless of what type of art you create, writing a business plan can help you establish your goals as a professional artist and determine your financial needs.[13] As part of your business plan, research and outline the potential markets for your type of art. Take into consideration all the ways that you can potentially sell your art, as well as the prices you have determined for the various types of pieces you create. Then, outline in your business plan how many pieces you need to produce and sell to meet your financial needs, and how you are going to go about doing so.
In determining your financial needs, consider all the things that you need to pay for, including food, housing, more art supplies, and any other expenses you incur on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis.
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3
Join professional art organizations. Search online to find professional organizations that are relevant to your type of artwork and sign up to become a member.[14] This can help you establish yourself as a professional artist and send the message to potential clients and/or employers that you take your career as an artist seriously.[15] In addition, professional organizations can provide opportunities for you to network with other artists, helping you spread the word about your work.
Joining organizations and staying connected to local artistic communities is a great way to meet other artists, learn about the industry, and get exposure.
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4
Sell your work in stores, galleries, or online. In addition to promoting your work, you can also sell your work in a store or gallery.[16] While retail stores and galleries take a percentage of your sales, selling your art through such companies is a great way to expose your work to a larger audience and, hopefully, make more sales. In addition to brick and mortar options, look into the many ways to sell your art online, including through social media, an artist collective website, or through your own retail website. 
Learning how to sell your art on Etsy is also a great option. Etsy is popular site that gets a lot of traffic, so it is a great way to expose your work to a large audience and help you make a living as a professional artist.
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5
Create commission pieces. Wherever you display your art, advertise that you are also available to create original pieces for individual clients on commission. Most artists create commission pieces at some point in their careers. Working on commission may not be as steady or artistically fulfilling as following your own inspirations, but it can be a great way to get your art out into the world while making some money.[17]
The key to being successful as a commissioned artist is to be flexible and listen to your clients. While you want to stay true to yourself as an artist, you are also being paid to create something specific based on your clients' needs. Finding a balance between what you want and what your clients want will make the experience mutually beneficial and, hopefully, help you build a positive reputation and land more commission work.[18]
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6
Teach art workshops and classes. As a professional artist, you can make money while sharing your knowledge and skills by teaching classes and/or workshops to budding artists. There are several opportunities you can look into, including teaching classes at a studio, gallery, community center, or school.[19] Teaching can also help you stay up to date on current trends and techniques, helping you improve your own skills. You might even find that you learn some new ideas or find new inspiration from your students!
You could offer different classes based on skill level and technique. For example, you might teach basic drawing classes for beginners, as well as advanced shading techniques or still life watercolors for intermediate or advanced students.
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7
Produce art for a company as an employee. Work as an in-house artist for a company in need of your artistic skills. There are many companies that hire professional artists, including software and print materials companies, advertising and design agencies, and motion picture companies.[20] These types of companies are consistently in need of artists with various special skills, including graphic design, product label design, and illustration. 
Working as a professional artist for a company has the added benefit of ensuring that you have a steady salary.


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References
↑https://www.careeraddict.com/become-a-professional-artist-in-the-us
↑https://www.careeraddict.com/become-a-professional-artist-in-the-us
↑https://mymodernmet.com/transition-hobby-professional-artist/
↑https://mymodernmet.com/transition-hobby-professional-artist/
↑https://www.hesston.edu/academics/departments/art/snider/
↑https://professionalartistmag.com/how-art-careers-happen/
↑https://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelhennessey/2013/04/02/3-keys-to-making-it-as-an-artist-without-starving/#62292e52facd
↑http://jessicaserran.com/blog/2017/4/5/how-to-become-a-professional-artist-and-get-paid-to-do-what-you-love
↑https://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelhennessey/2013/04/02/3-keys-to-making-it-as-an-artist-without-starving/#4f0ea55f2fac
More References (11)
About This Article
Natasha Dikareva, MFA
Co-authored by:
Natasha Dikareva, MFA
Ceramics & Sculpting Instructor
This article was co-authored by Natasha Dikareva, MFA. Natasha Dikareva is a San Francisco, California based sculptor, and installation artist. With over 25 years of ceramics, sculpting, and installation experience, Natasha also teaches a ceramic sculpture workshop titled "Adventures in Clay" covering concept development, hand-building techniques, texture, and glazing techniques. Her work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions at the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts, Abrams Claghorn Gallery, Bloomington Center for the Arts, Maria Kravetz Gallery, and the American Museum of Ceramic Art. She has taught at the University of Minnesota and the American Indian OIC School. She has been awarded the Excellence Award at the 1st World Teapot Competition, Best in Show at the 4th Clay & Glass Biennial Competition, and a Grand Prize at the American Museum of Ceramic Art. Natasha holds an MFA from the University of Minnesota and a BFA from Kiev Fine Arts College. This article has been viewed 330,157 times.

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6. Common misconceptions about being a professional artist

A career as a professional artist could be termed a vocation since it can be quite a difficult career to keep continuously and also make sufficient money for living in modern society. Some artists manage to do this, while others struggle to find the right balance between their artistic talent and the need to provide commercial art.

Some people find a happy medium by getting a job in their chosen specialism, such as study to become an art teacher, which will give you some income for paying the bills as well as an environment that is supportive to your own art and developing your reputation as an artist.

Possibly if you become highly succesful with selling your own art, you will not need to carry on with the teaching and can at some point devote yourself to your own creative artworks.