How to Become a Successful Artist
To understand how to become a successful artist, you must focus on consistent practice, developing a strong portfolio, mastering your unique style, learning marketing skills, networking with the right audience, and creating a strong online presence. Success in art today requires both creativity and business skills—build your craft, show your work everywhere, and treat your art career like a professional brand.
How to Become a Successful Artist: A Complete Guide for Beginners & Growing Creators
Becoming an artist is not difficult, but learning how to become a successful artist is where most people struggle. Success in today’s art world is no longer only about talent—it is a balanced mix of skill, visibility, strategy, branding, networking, and consistency.
Whether you’re a painter, digital artist, illustrator, or mixed-media creator, this complete guide will teach you exactly how to become a successful artist in the real world.
1. Understand What “Success” Means in the Art World
Before learning how to become a successful artist, it’s essential to understand what success means to you. Every artist’s journey is different.
Success can be:
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Selling your art consistently
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Earning full-time income
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Getting recognition
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Building a fan community
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Exhibiting in galleries
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Working with brands
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Teaching or freelancing
When you define your purpose, it becomes easier to plan your path.
2. Build Strong Foundations: Skill, Style & Practice
One of the biggest steps in learning how to become a successful artist is developing an artistic identity.
Skill Development
You must practice regularly to improve your:
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Technique
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Understanding of colors
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Anatomy
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Composition
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Software skills (for digital art)
If you are also interested in becoming a digital creator, check out this related guide:
How to Become a Digital Artist
Education & Degree Requirements for Becoming a Successful Artist
Many beginners wonder whether a formal degree is required when learning how to become a successful artist. The truth is simple: a degree is optional, but structured education can improve your skills, confidence, and opportunities.
Do You Need a Degree to Become a Successful Artist?
No. Many famous and successful artists are self-taught. Talent, consistency, portfolio strength, and marketing skills matter more than formal education.
But a degree can be beneficial depending on your goals.
Popular Degrees for Artists
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
A BFA is the most common degree for aspiring artists.
It includes subjects like:
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Drawing & Painting
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Art History
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Digital Illustration
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Sculpture
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Photography
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Portfolio development
A BFA helps if you want:
✔ Gallery representation
✔ Teaching opportunities
✔ Academic recognition
Bachelor in Digital Arts / Animation
Perfect for artists who want to explore:
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Digital painting
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Character design
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2D & 3D animation
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VFX
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Game art
This degree is helpful if you want to build a career in movies, games, or digital marketing.
Graphic Design Degree
A great choice for artists who want commercial opportunities in:
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Branding
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UI/UX
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Advertising
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Print & digital design
Helps you earn steady income as a freelancer or full-time designer.
Diploma & Certification Options (No Degree Needed)
If you don’t want a long-term degree, you can grow your skills through:
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6-month or 1-year diplomas
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Online workshops
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Skill-based courses
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Masterclasses
These programs focus on practical training, making them great for self-taught artists exploring how to become a successful artist through flexible learning.
Self-Taught Path (Most Popular in 2025)
Many modern artists grow without any traditional degree by learning via:
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YouTube tutorials
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Online courses (Skillshare, Udemy, Domestika)
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Practice + consistent posting
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Portfolio building
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Community feedback
This path proves that success depends more on practice and visibility than formal education.
When a Degree Helps
A degree might be useful if you want to:
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Teach art in schools or colleges
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Apply for competitive art residencies
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Work in established studios
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Get into premium galleries
But even then, your portfolio matters more than the certificate.
Final Thought on Education
Whether you choose a degree or go self-taught, the key to how to become a successful artist lies in:
✔ Consistency
✔ Skill improvement
✔ Building a strong portfolio
✔ Marketing & networking
✔ Showing your art to the world
Your education is a bonus — your dedication is the real foundation.
Develop Your Unique Style
Your style is your brand. It helps people identify your work instantly.
Ask yourself:
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What themes inspire me?
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What emotions do I want to express?
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What mediums do I enjoy most?
Consistency in style is a key part of how to become a successful artist in today’s competitive market.
3. Create a Professional Portfolio
Your portfolio is your ticket to opportunities.
A good portfolio includes:
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10–20 of your best works
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A mix of personal and commissioned pieces
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A short artist bio
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High-quality images
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A clear structure
If you don’t have a portfolio yet, build one step-by-step. This is essential for anyone wanting to learn how to become a successful artist in the long run.
You can also create your artist profile on:
Submit Your Profile – to showcase your art to potential clients.
4. Build Your Online Presence: The Modern Key to Artist Success
In today’s world, when people search how to become a successful artist, the number one answer is:
“Go online.”
Where Should Artists Be Active?
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Instagram
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Pinterest
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YouTube
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TikTok
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Behance
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Art marketplaces
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Personal website or portfolio site
What Should You Post?
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Your artwork
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Behind-the-scenes videos
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Tutorials
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Timelapses
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Your artistic process
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Storytelling posts
Artists who consistently show their work gain more opportunities, commissions, and followers.
5. Learn the Business Side of Art
Knowing how to become a successful artist also means understanding the business side.
You Must Learn:
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Handling commissions
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Marketing basics
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Maintaining buyer relationships
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Understanding copyright
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Selling online
If you want to earn from your art, read this:
How to Make Money as an Artist Online
The business side is just as important as your creativity.
6. Find the Right Audience & Connect With Them
You cannot become successful if your art is invisible. Learning how to become a successful artist involves putting your work in front of people who appreciate and pay for it.
Where to find your audience:
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Online forums
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Instagram art pages
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YouTube audience
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Pinterest
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Art fairs
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Exhibitions
You can also connect with people looking for artists directly using:
Find Artist – a useful place for artists to connect with potential clients.
7. Learn to Market Yourself Confidently
Marketing is NOT showing off.
Marketing is communication.
It helps people understand:
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Who you are
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What you create
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Why your art is valuable
If you want to learn how to become a successful artist, you must adopt self-promotion with confidence.
Learn these skills:
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Branding
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Storytelling
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Using the right hashtags
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Writing compelling captions
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Posting consistently
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Social selling
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Email marketing
Combine creativity with communication—and doors will open.
8. Master the Art of Networking
Networking is a major part of how to become a successful artist. The more people you meet, the more opportunities you get.
Who to network with:
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Other artists
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Art collectors
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Teachers & mentors
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Gallery owners
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Event organizers
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Art influencers
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Content creators
How to network:
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Join online art groups
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Attend exhibitions
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Participate in competitions
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Collaborate with creators
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Take part in local art events
Strong relationships can boost your career more than you can imagine.
9. Participate in Art Competitions, Events & Exhibitions
Every competition you enter increases your visibility. Exhibitions help you understand the market and connect with art lovers. This is one of the best ways to learn how to become a successful artist quickly.
Benefits:
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Portfolio building
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Networking
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Recognition
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Confidence boosting
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Better understanding of trends
Try to showcase your work as much as possible.
10. Keep Learning & Evolving
Art changes with time. Technology changes. Trends change.
If you want to master how to become a successful artist, you must commit to learning forever.
Keep improving with:
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Online courses
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Tutorials
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Workshops
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Books
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Feedback from other artists
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Experimenting with new mediums
The more you learn, the more you grow.
11. Stay Consistent — The Most Important Rule
Most artists fail not because they lack talent—but because they stop.
Consistency is the foundation of how to become a successful artist.
Set simple habits:
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Create something daily
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Post weekly
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Practice regularly
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Track your progress
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Set monthly art goals
Small steps lead to big achievements.
12. Build a Personal Brand
Every successful artist today has a recognizable brand.
Your brand includes:
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Your style
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Your personality
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Your message
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Your colors
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Your voice
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How you present your art
Branding helps people connect with you emotionally, which is a major part of how to become a successful artist.
13. Monetize Your Art in Different Ways
To fully understand how to become a successful artist, you must explore different income streams.
Popular ways to earn:
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Selling original paintings
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Commission work
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Digital art services
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Prints & merch
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NFT art
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Teaching art
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Selling courses
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Freelancing
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Stock illustrations
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Brand partnerships
Multiple income sources provide stability in your artist career.
14. Be Patient & Trust Your Journey
Success in art is different from traditional careers. It takes time.
If you’re learning how to become a successful artist, remember this:
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Every artist grows at a different pace.
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Fame is not success—impact is.
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Money comes after consistency.
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Growth is slow but steady.
Patience is your best friend.
15. Learn From Experts & Professional Artists
Many successful artists share their journey and tips online. Learning from them is a powerful way to speed up your progress.
A great resource:
Check this detailed professional guide on becoming an artist:
How to Become a Professional Artist
Studying professional experiences helps you understand how to become a successful artist with clarity.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I start learning how to become a successful artist?
Start with daily practice, building your portfolio, and improving your skills. Consistency is the key.
2. Do I need expensive tools to become a successful artist?
No. Even simple tools are enough. Your creativity matters more than equipment.
3. Can I become a successful artist without formal education?
Absolutely. Many successful artists are self-taught.
4. How long does it take to become a successful artist?
It depends on your dedication—but consistency for even 6–12 months shows massive progress.
5. What if no one buys my art?
Keep improving, marketing, and expanding your audience. Sales grow with visibility.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to become a successful artist is a long but beautiful journey. It requires hard work, courage, creativity, and strong dedication. With practice, visibility, marketing, and passion—any artist can build a meaningful and profitable career.
If you’re serious about your art journey, you can also start here:
How to Become an Artist
Your success is waiting—just start creating.
