Make MONEY as an ARTIST in 2020! 

For full-length narrated breakdowns & tutorials you wont find here on RU-vid, Brushes, and timelapses for my most complex and detailed paintings - Consider supporting me on Patreon! ▶ geni.us/ergojoshpatreon

this video is higher quality than my eyes

liking the video based solely on that you acknowledged that the rich only use those weird blank paintings to move money around

"This law is so powerful and can make you a LOT of money" Me: "It's porn, isn't it. It's porn."

Laws 1. Have a name, a brand 2. Have good art 3. Evoke emotion with your art 4. Follow trends and fandoms 5. PORRRRNNNN

Goals: • Create Illustrations, Merch and hopefully animations. • Improve Networking and make connections • Profit •Repeat (and Order a Pizza Occasionally)

Thank you for saying this out loud: "I believe one day everyone is going to envy the term artist or creative and no one is going to look at us as lazy people who just need to get a real job and stop complaining about their art or messing around or what people say every now and then..." I struggle with these oppinions myself and fortunately I love art too much to ever stop drawing and painting. THANK YOU.

I’ve been diagnosed and suffering from depression for the past 3 years and i’m absolutely tired of it. So for 2020 i just want to use my art as my crutch to get me through the year and get much better at it

Coming from a NSFW artist (albeit a small one): While i 100% agree that nsfw gains a lot of attention, id say to artists to PLEASE dont think of it as the easy way to get money and fans. Only go into it if youre actually interested. People can tell really easily if you dont enjoy your own work and are just doing it for the "attention". Experiment with it first before you dive right in! You'll find rather quickly whether you like both it and the community around it.

So I watched @audra auclair right after this and realized there's a million other ways to make money that aren't necessarily digital art or working in big name industries. You could literally do murals, cakes, paint glass windows, sell your work at conventions, become a scientific/magazine/comic/children's book illustrator, or even become a tattoo artist! All of those things can be done freelance or as your own business. So hopefully those of you who don't vibe with what I suggested can still realize a path for yourself because the possibilities are nearly endless!

I love how the first tip is personality and brand! I’ve been working as an artist since I was about 16-17. Personality gets u far. Yes the art should be great as well but sometimes you’ll have people supporting you simply because they like who u are.

The background looks like he's in wakanda.

To those who are still in high school, and still trying to figure out what you want to do in life. If you love to draw and want to do it for a living, you can become a medical illustrator! It essentially combines both art and science, so for those who want that stability in life, that can be a great option. I'm currently getting my Bachelor's in Biological and Pre-medical Illustration, so if you guys have any questions, please feel free to ask questions! :)

Just remember an "artist" was paid $120,000 for taping a banana to a wall.

How is his voice so calming? Mine sounds like I got possessed by a kettle :,/

I never really thought I could make any money with my art. I am in my 40’s and when I was younger the internet wasn’t around so no one encouraged me to do anything with my talent. Now I have some ideas. Thank you.

Hey I was just watching this video and heard the shout out. Thanks so much Josh!

Pretty girls, big lips, flowers everywhere, hold on lemme get a piece of paper. I can do this!

When playing this video on my tv, it looks like you have smothered glitter all over your face. So shinyyyyyy

I'm 14 and I'm thinking of starting to sell my art by next year. My mom said she's gonna try and get me a drawing tablet this year and I'm really excited!! I'm sticking with drawing stuff from anime like JJBA, the first thing I'm gonna do once I get my drawing tablet is practice getting use to it, and then other stuff :D

Drawing pictures isn't enough, you have to give people a reason to give you money. I make money with ads on my comics and then people get to read the comic for free but have to pay through patreon for the r-rated panels. This is a really common way to make money with art. R-rated content is probably the best way to make money for someone who is just average. When I get better I want to work in a different genre but for now it's my only option and I'm just glad to get to draw all day everyday instead of some unrelated job.

I love that you're so honest

bro i love that u got this tech channel look and vibe to an art channel, looking crisp

Right now 2020 is halfway over and I've come back to this video for inspiration on how get back on track with art. Thank you kindly for the advice! You're an amazing human being!

dude, the "composition" of your videos ALONE is enough to keep my eyes glued & makes me wanna watch you over so many others. LOVE the backdrop, lighting, THE CHAIR lol. But seriously, it's simple yet brilliant. the panoramic landscape with the meat of the piece hiding just behind you... really smart bro. beautiful sunset colors contrasting w the video lighting on either side of the screen... crisp & pleasing to the eye. Your words are clear & consise & your vids feature great, USEFUL & UNIVERSALLY APPLICABLE CONTENT! Nice job man. Thank you for your time, ergojosh! Just wanting to give you props & show respect when deserved.

Three top things i always suggest people when they ask about "making money as an artist": 1. Don't draw what you don't like. People will more likely to appreciate your work, if you enjoy what you do. 2. Find whether you want to be a freelancer or work in industry as end goal. While both path can interweave, people who order assets for games or films, and people who order cute cahracter art don't really communicate between each others. Word of mouth is an important resource you get from your works. Taking projects and working with people in industry will benefit people who want to work in it, while taking commissions and drawing for regular people benefin freelancer, since yor clients often are just people looking for a single art piece. 3. Never drop your price. You are not competing against "cheaper" products, you are extablishing yourself. You won't get more clients if your price is lower. Early it's always hard to find clients without external help, no matter how low your prices are. You are putting value on your time. After all, people who are willing to pay for your work are looking for your skills in a first place. - Another little thing is to avoid "artist promotion" groups and sites. While they can be benificial to people who yet to find their ground, they are often used by "shady" companies or not so nice people to find as cheap artwork for their need as possible, often undermining value of each indivudual artist, sometimes leading to a lot of bad experiences for an artist and potential losses. Not to mention that you are not establishing your own social media presence, giving more traffic to creator of the group or a site. Work on your own social media presence and how to seek out clients and promote yourself.

Draw ship art for a new upcoming fandom will get u that bread

I am watching from Brazil, rebuilding myself as artist and you have just confirmed that all my plans are going on the right direction! You are magic! Thank you sooo much! I'' ll be following you from now and then!

Thank you souch. I have been trying sell art for decades. I am not giving up because genuine artists like you are giving genuine advice and positivity. Thank you for the positivity. May all your wishes and dreams come true from today. Happy New Yrar and New Decade.2020.

It's scary how well timed this is, I was literally researching it when I received the notification. You're a life saver, thank you.

My goals for 2020 are to start making enough money off of my art that I can move out of my parents house. I've been wanting to move out for years but haven't been able to afford it. I'm getting close now though! Thanks for the video it was really helpful!

I haven't even watched your video, but I have to say.. the video quality is amazing and the audio. Really top-notch quality production there! The lighting and everything. Just props for that right off the bat!

I've been searching for a video like this for the longest. Thank you so much for this!

this is helping a lot, and if i ever had art block or something i always watch you and immediately want to draw. your magic-

Man, your voice is so soothing. I love to listen to you.

I'm so glad that I found Ergo's channel because he actually gives good advice and criticism. I literally hate it so much when I try to look for ways to improve and find out what I'm doing wrong in my art and some RU-vidrs straight up sugarcoat it. So, Thank You Ergo. :D

You’re so comforting! Both your voice tone and advice make me feel relaxed after a long day.

Even after hearing this, it’s still so scary to think about selling my art. It feels like it’s never gonna happen.

Let's be honest this channel is so underrated 💕

Celebrating your success as an artist! Thank you for sharing and helping us all! We are all in this thing together.

Hello, I love how you tried to help people that are emerging now! As well I'd like to add something. Not everyone's passion for drawing is made to become a job.. not because you are not good enough, but because some people will end up having a really hard time with it.. "Do what you love, and you'll never work another day in your life" is not always true, especially for artistic people. If some of you like to draw, remember that you can as well just keep it as a hobby :) Thanks for being so honest tho, and as well for making other artists names, very helpful!

Oh my gosh, thanks so much for this video Josh, I really appreciated the calm and clear way you explained the trends and fan art as a promotion strategy. Plus not giving up your day job immediately, great advice! Thank you.

Being an artist sucks sometimes

I think this is a video most if not all aspiring artists need to see, this was very helpful thanks

This is the best advice I have ever gotten regarding succeeding with my artwork. I am taking it and running with it. Thanks so much!

My goals sound pretty much just like yours 😂 which actually makes me feel content because looking to you as someone who is actively achieving that goal makes me feel more confident that I can achieve it too. Good luck other artists out there

you are the most chillest artist im subscribed to.

I love everything about this video. Not only is it inspiring, but it is also precise in details, and shot wonderfully. Thank you Ergo for putting this up. :)

This was really insightful and to the point, I especially stand behind the learning entrepreneur skills, I believe it is very important to know how to manage your time and work while showcasing your best skills. Also making connections and being present in the now. As in always being aware of what is happening around you, even if it doesn't seem to relate directly to your field, it might be a big help to landing a job or improving yourself. It was also a very good point to not try to imitate other artists(style wise) and rather to try and achieve at least the same level of skill that is rivaling your work. Kudos to you good sir

“For $5 like ive been asked” lmao

I respect this man so much for he has that sense of respect for other artists.

The most honest yet helpful video i've seen. I like how you added the sakimichan bit in it. Thank you so much for sharing a wealth of information with us.

This years goal is to learn more about the business of making a living with my art...so thank you for you works of wisdom

Already liked before watching, we know it, it's gonna be something of quality coming from you.

THANK YOU. This helped me today so much. Had a rough day as an artist and found this video. Thank you.

Great info, polished delivery, & boss lighting setup!!! 👏🏾

Clear and concise . Nice video. Raw and not over edited

I travel the world painting monsters for the Halloween attraction industry..self employed 25 yrs..would not have it any other way..great vid!

My goals for 2020 are to keep improving my drawing skills, build an Instagram following and get my first commission! Thank you for this really insightful video. Love your facecam btw, so clear and crisp

Thank you I've been drawing for years for friends and family and just now starting to want to grow. I'm gonna look at all the videos and it's amazing that your helping young artist understand the basics.

Thankyou for the great insightful video brother, i have found myself on some of these options so i can relate alot!

This is my first time on his channel. First impressions: HIS VOICE IS SO SMOOTH!!

Great video. Right on time for me. Ill be taking a closer look at this info. And for those who say to get a real job , "Ive had jobs more real than the average person even cares to know." Yet Im 40 now, and I still want to be an artist when I grow up. Thank you sir.

this is so helpful! I'm glad you made this video and your voice is so fine ✨

Thank you for making this video ~ ^^ i just recently started getting serious with my work as an artist this year since i feel like this is something that will bring me fulfillment ^^ also you have a beautiful voice ^^

Everyone that watched this NEEDS to go watch part two. It is incredibly insightful, and it barely has a fraction of the views. If you're serious about art as a career, you will gain a lot from that video, so don't miss it.

Jesus christ josh , this video crispy as hell

I just discovered your channel and your videos are awesome ! High quality content, voice, light. Thank you so much for sharing :) Love from France !

I just wanted to say how much I Appreciate you for making this, and your other mentioned videos. I am a digital artist, who just recently decided to do art for real this year, but I have been completely clueless as to how I would make a living doing so. I've even went so far as to trying to get my art in local galleries. To no avail.. I would like to be a freelancer, and have ventured into several of the online artist shops you mentioned, as well as Instagram, although I have few followers, and don't get the best way to hashtag my art to gain followers.. But I am putting the finishing touches on my logo as I watch this. For sure hitting that subscribe button! I've spent the past 7 years tempering my style, and this year I'm really want to make this happen! Much Love and Appreciation, All!

I remember when you were kind of shy. Now you talk right into the camera like you've been doing it for years.

I’m not an artist with paper but an artist with music. This video is such a gem

Thanks for inspiring others to continue creating

i am a new fan of you. i am glad that i am alive and here and glad that you made this video. thanks. love those finishing words " one day people will envy the word artist or creative"

Great tips for aspiring full time artists! Although building a brand/personality behind your art might take the longest to achieve it’s essential for all creatives (even if you’re selling art like the Mark Rothko lol) because people don’t buy products (yes art can be a product) they buy personalities. Most people think that artists are mystical beings with talents like no one else so artists need to take advantage of connecting with people not only with their work but with who they are. This is something you’ve done beautifully with your channel. And yes, business skills are essential if you want to make a living from your art! I always tell my students that artists need to have a balance of 80/20 when it comes to creating a profitable career from their art. It’s important to spend 80% of the time creating great work/ improving your skills and the other 20% promoting your work online, connecting with people, and learning about business. The small 20% of time you take to put yourself out there and focus on the “business side” is what truly brings in the profits. This is a balance that any artist can achieve no matter what style they work in. Lastly, once you get to a level where you accept commissions and sponsorships it’s so important to have good negotiating skills. I know so many artists that have shared horror stories about being underpaid because they were too intimidated to negotiate with large companies. When you know your worth, you know how to negotiate, and you’re confident in your work you are unstoppable!

I luv e r g o j o s h His content is just so smooth and soft and let's not that about that voice

God, I have migraines from last 2 days and it's not going away but YOUR VOICE IS SO DAMN SOOTHING, this is the only video ima watch happily today 😭❤

This 1st time I watched you video, actually soo overwhelmed of so many Ideas comin out of your artistic mind of yours. Big fan here!!!

It took me SO long to realize the importance of branding 🤦🏾 no matter who you are or what it is, people want a narrative! 🤷🏾 Excellent video, thanks for sharing! I dont draw, but consider myself an artist so this was still very helpful 💚

I would love to see a Rothko in person - I heard that they have an amazing, emotive presence. Thank you for not immediately dismissing him but rather criticizing the horrid auctioning and selling of master pieces of - often - disenfranchised artists.

I have to say - you are very inspiring! Thank you! I watched your free video on the link after this, and it was so helpful. I've worked as an artist all of my life, but have not tapped into these ways of bringing in income. Thanks for all of your helpful information.

That Rothko comment was beautiful. Keep up the good work

When i stared drawing i wanted to draw pretty girls but now i love to design creepy characters and dark stuff, the bad thing is that there is not as much audience as for pretty girls portraits...

7:28 the second you said ''her'' i instantly knew who you were talking about, lol. Sakimichan is such a big name

Holy Fudge! I could listen to you talk all day! Your voice is so smooth!!!

I appreciate this video going to the point. I love it. No unnecessary cliche intros. Much love 💘 ❤

Giving likes to everyone who came here a day early

His voice sounds like hes recommending me a list of the top 10 anime shows to watch on youtube

Dude I love the way you talk and the content you make!!! Keep hustling! ❤️

Thanks brother! great info gonna look into it all and use it!

Well if you want to go the freelancer road I would say it's pretty important to learn unique set of skills that not many people have. That was actually my road to build fully functioning studio out of my pc and drawing tablet in the bedroom. Also, connections before everything else. Set hard rules of working with you and people will respect you. Be polite and always try to find good sides even from your failures or nasty clients. Try to deliver something extra for your clients. Not really in the matter of art or project that you are hired for, but in terms of social skills and advice. Conect with people at personal level and thay will come back to you even if there are better options on the market. It's bumpy road at the start, but after 4 years I would say it became pretty easy and satisfying way of living :)

Thanks for the tidbit about trying to learn to recognize trends. Failing to is a weakness of mine. Another thing's that I experiment with different things and styles all the time, and I think this confuses people who come across my art and as such, I hardly retain their interest in my work. Basically for every 2 new people interested in my work, I lose 2 that are no longer interested.

Great info!!! I will try to follow as much as I can. You also gave great resources as outlets for my art, Thank you!!! Best wishes in 2020

Thank you so much for this video! Also your voice is so soothing!

Abstract art has it's place too. I know lots of artists who do very well selling there abstract paintings. Believe it or not people still like handmade art.

This video quality is so sharp, I received several paper cuts by the end of it.

ur voice is so soothing. also thank you for this video🖤 i really needed to hear this!

yes yes yes, loved this, 100%. Ive been thinking so much lately about art and business/entreprenuiship

I post my art to reddit, it seems fairly popular and people have been asking to buy art prints so I might go that route, it sucks when you tell them I don't have any for sale.

I have a final about database tomorrow, and now I'm thinking about painting ..

Thanks for the great insight, your voice is calming and gives such comfort in the topic.👍🏼✨