How does one continue to keep drawing when you don't get any money from doing it, & almost nobody noticed it?
Trying to get back into art, but it's difficult to due to not getting anything from it, especially tips after gifting many drawings of their characters as well. Plus being unemployed, I kinda have to rely on getting money for it. Thanks.
One more question from April 11th. Sorry for the delayed answer, I took my time to write out a response for this one. Just to note, I work a day job so I may not be able to give a fully informed answer on what an artist should do when they don't have a job and do art to make money. But I'll try my best and I'll include some tips that might help in getting more commission work.
For me, I find motivation just from enjoying the process of art itself, playing around with my characters and thinking of different scenarios. I also like to think of art as a way to speak my mind on something, a self-meditation, or a mental exercise in trying to figure out how to improve a drawing or improve a comic idea. I like learning from my favorite cartoonists like Jim Davis or Walt Kelly, learning new things, or trying different styles. So approaching art as a form of self-improvement can be one way of staying motivated.
Another thing that keeps me motivated is interactions or compliments I get from my followers. At PAW Con 2025 last November I had a table in the artist alley, but I didn’t make a lot of sales. I felt disappointed and wondered what I could have done better. But then a few days after the con had concluded, one person that bought a button of my platypus character Shank tagged me on Bluesky, saying Shank was one of their favorite characters and was glad they finally got to meet me. Even though I didn’t make a lot of money at the con, getting a compliment like that made it worth it for me, knowing that I had enriched someone’s experience and that my art impacts people. However, I realize seeing art as a self-improvement exercise or giving yourself and other people good feelings aren’t going to pay the bills, since you said that you rely on art to make money. So I’ll include some advice on how to increase business as well.
Joining some art Telegram or Discord groups and sharing your art with other people can be a good way to get more recognition, especially if they have channels where you're allowed to advertise when you're open for commissions. By talking and socializing with friends and announcing when you’re taking commissions, maybe you’ll find more people interested in getting art from you. I’ve gotten followers on Twitch just from watching other streamers, chatting with other users, and joining some streamer discords. If you go to in-person artist meetups or conventions, keeping some business cards with your socials and exchanging them with other people can help you get more notice. I asked some friends for more suggestions on getting more attention, and they suggested drawing fan art or things that are popular are also a good way to get more views. Like focus on something niche and then branch out. Participating in art contests could get you some more attention, like the recent Mega Man Dual Override boss design contest that Capcom did a few months ago. There were you tubers who would go on Twitter/X and look at all the different submissions and comment on them. While the chances of actually winning the contest are slim, you can get exposure in smaller ways like being featured in someone’s video.
Volunteer projects can also help get your name out. A few months ago, a friend of mine was cast in a play at a local theater. He thought it would be neat if I could get involved too, and asked if I could contribute by doing a painting that would be used as a prop in one scene. I did the painting, and afterward my friend introduced me to the theater, which led to me helping in other ways like filming promos and painting their set for another one of their other plays. I’ve had my name in a couple theater programs, and now my friend is trying to help find opportunities where I could get some paid work. Family and friends might know of some local projects around town that could use an artist. Make sure you document the work you do as well, like if you paint a set for a play, take some photos of yourself working on the theater set. That way, you could build a portfolio and show future employers or commissioners what you’ve done.
I hope this answer helps.
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