Let’s be honest, my childhood dream wasn’t to become a blogger. It was to have an infinite supply of sketchbooks and gel pens. Ever since I could hold a crayon without trying to eat it, drawing was my thing.
It was my escape during boring classes, my companion on lazy Sunday afternoons, and my secret world where I could create anything I wanted. My notebooks were filled with crooked superhero sketches, dreamy landscapes, and more portraits of my cat than I can count.
This was my passion, pure and simple. The idea of earning money from it felt as realistic as finding a unicorn. But life has a funny way of surprising you.
This is the story of how that simple, private love for drawing accidentally blossomed into a blog that now generates a consistent monthly income.
I’m not famous. I don’t have a massive studio. For a long time, my “art desk” was a cluttered corner of my dining table. But I figured out what works, and I made a ton of mistakes along the way.
So, grab a coffee, get comfortable, and let me walk you through exactly how it all happened. I’m sharing everything—the cringey first steps, the “aha!” moments, and the strategies that actually put money in my bank account.
The Day I Decided to Start an Art Blog
The blog wasn’t my first “let’s get serious” moment. That came earlier. After years of just drawing for myself, I built up a bit of courage and thought, “Hey, maybe someone would actually buy one of my pieces?”
With shaky hands and a heart full of hope, I dove into the world of selling art online. I opened up shops on platforms like Etsy and Redbubble, carefully taking photos of my best work and writing descriptions.
I even have a whole post detailing that rollercoaster of an experience—the thrill of the first sale and the crushing silence of the weeks with no orders.
You can read about my journey of selling art on Etsy and Redbubble here.
That process taught me so much more than just how to list a product. I learned about digital files, marketing, and dealing with customers. And something unexpected happened: people started asking me questions.
Not just “Can I buy this?” but “How did you draw that?” “What kind of markers do you use?” “How do you get your lines so clean?”
A lightbulb went on.
I realized there were countless people just like me, trying to figure things out. They didn’t need a lecture from a world-famous artist; they needed advice from someone who was just a few steps ahead in the journey.
The idea for the blog was born from a simple desire: to create the resource I wish I had when I started. A place to share my wins, my failures, and teach others everything I was learning in a real, honest way, helping them go from beginner to confident artist.
My goal wasn’t to make money from the blog. My goal was to help. I never imagined my random drawing blog, started to answer a few questions, would one day pay my bills.
How I Set Up My Art Blog (No Tech Expert Here)
If the thought of setting up a website makes you want to run for the hills, I get it. I was terrified. Words like “hosting form hostinger,” “domain,” and “WordPress”based; sounded like a secret, nerdy code I’d never crack.
But here’s the secret: you don’t have to be a tech genius. You just have to be willing to follow a few instructions.
Choosing a Simple Platform
I knew I needed something that wouldn’t make me want to throw my laptop out the window. My main goal was long-term control and keeping costs ridiculously low.
After some research, I narrowed it down to two choices: Blogger or WordPress.
Learn More: WordPress Tutorial
Blogger is free and easy, which was tempting. But it felt a bit like renting an apartment—you can live there, but you can’t knock down any walls.
I chose Self-Hosted WordPress (WordPress.org). This felt like buying my own house. It cost a little bit upfront, but I owned it completely.
I could paint the walls any color I wanted, build an extension, or even rent out a room later (that’s the monetization part!).
I found a web host that offered a super cheap introductory plan—we’re talking about $3 a month, less than a fancy coffee.
I bought my domain name for about $12 for the whole year. I spent a whole weekend watching YouTube tutorials, learning how to install WordPress (most hosts have a one-click install button now, thank God!), and picking a free theme.
My first design wasn’t pretty, but it was mine.
My First Posts — Just Sharing What I Knew
Staring at that first blank “New Post” screen was intimidating. “Who am I to teach anyone anything?” that little voice of doubt whispered.
I decided to punch that voice in the face. I didn’t need to be a master. I just needed to be helpful. My content strategy was simple: answer the questions people were already asking me.
- Simple Drawing Tips: My first tutorial wasn’t some grand masterpiece. It was a step-by-step guide on how I practice drawing circles and ovals to improve my hand control. It was basic, but it was a problem real beginners face.
- Sketchbook Peeks: This was my easiest and most popular content. I’d just take some nice photos of a recent page in my sketchbook and tell the story behind it. People love seeing raw, unfiltered work; it makes the artist feel more human.
- Honest Tool Reviews: I wrote a review of the first “expensive” set of pencils I ever bought. I talked about whether they were worth the money for a beginner. Because I was writing from the perspective of a fellow learner, not a professional, people trusted my opinion. You can find my detailed review of those pencils here.
When I Realized My Blog Could Earn Money
For months, the blog was purely a passion project. I was getting a small but steady stream of visitors and loving the comments and emails from people I was helping.
The idea of money was completely off my radar. Then, two things happened in the same month that blew my mind.
The First $1 from Google AdSense
I’d read about Google AdSense in a forum. The concept sounded easy enough: put some code on your site, and Google shows ads. If someone clicks, you make a few cents.
“What’s the harm in trying?” I thought. I applied, got approved after a week, and promptly forgot all about it.
A few weeks later, I was cleaning out my email inbox and stumbled upon a welcome email from them. On a whim, I decided to log in to my AdSense dashboard, fully expecting to see a big, fat $0.00.
My eyes scanned the screen. And there it was. $1.03.
I actually laughed out loud. One dollar and three cents. I immediately took a screenshot and sent it to my best friend with the caption, “I’M RICH!!!” It was, objectively, a tiny amount of money.
But subjectively, it was the most exciting dollar I had ever made. It was proof. This little website I built, these words I wrote, these tips I shared… they had value in the real world. That feeling was intoxicating.
The First Affiliate Click That Paid
This is where things got really interesting. That same month, I learned about affiliate marketing.
The idea is simple: you recommend products you already use, and if someone buys through your special link, you get a small commission. It felt so much more authentic than random ads.
I signed up for the Amazon Associates program. I went back to an old post where I raved about my favorite Copic markers for blending. I added my new affiliate link to the post and, once again, forgot about it.
About a week later, an email with the subject line “Notification of an order placed through your affiliate link” landed in my inbox.
My heart skipped a beat. I opened it, and sure enough, someone had read my post and bought a set of markers. My commission was $2.40.
My brain basically short-circuited. You mean to tell me that I can earn money just by genuinely recommending the art supplies I already love and use every day?
This wasn’t selling out. This was helping people make good buying decisions. It was a total game-changer.
The Strategies That Grew My Income (And How You Can Use Them)
That first ~$3 proved the concept. Now, I wanted to see if I could do it on purpose. I shifted from being a “hobby blogger” to an “accidental business owner.”
Here are the strategies that took me from a few bucks to a few hundred bucks a month.
I Focused on What People Search For
This was the single biggest shift I made. I stopped writing about whatever I felt like that day and started thinking like my reader.
I imagined the beginner artist sitting at their desk, frustrated, and typing a question into Google. What were they asking?
- How to draw realistic eyes step by step
- Best budget sketchbooks under $10
- Eeasy shading techniques for pencil sketching
- What do i need to start digital art
This is the heart of Search Engine Optimization (SEO). It’s not some dark art; it’s just about creating the best, most helpful answer to the questions people are already asking.
I started using these exact phrases in my blog post titles and throughout my articles.
Simple Art Tips = Big Traffic
It turned out that my most basic, beginner-focused posts were the ones that brought in the most traffic from Google. Why? Because there are way more beginners looking for help than there are experts.
I doubled down on creating ultra-clear, step-by-step guides. For every tutorial, I would include lots of photos, clear instructions, and a “Common Mistakes” section.
I wanted my post to be the only one a beginner would need to read on that topic.
I Joined Affiliate Programs Naturally
My rule for affiliate marketing is simple: I only recommend products I have personally used and would genuinely recommend to a friend.
This builds trust, which is everything. If you start promoting junk just to make a buck, your audience will see right through it.
Amazon: This is the easiest place to start. They sell everything, so you can link to specific pencils, paints, books, and even tech like tablets and cameras.
Creative Market / Gumroad: Fantastic for digital products. I would often buy Procreate brushes or e-books from other artists. If I loved them, I’d join their affiliate program and share them.
Specialty Art Stores: Places like Blick Art Materials or Jackson’s Art Supplies often have affiliate programs with better commission rates than Amazon.
AdSense Became a Small but Steady Earner
As my traffic from Google grew, so did my AdSense income. It was beautiful passive income. The progression looked like this:
- First few months: ~$5/month
- After focusing on SEO: ~$50/month
- After one year of consistent posting: ~$300/month
On its own, it wasn’t enough to live on, but combined with affiliate income, it started to become a significant, reliable part of my monthly earnings.
My Monthly Earnings After a Year — Real Numbers
I believe in transparency, so let’s talk numbers. This wasn’t an overnight success. This was the result of one year of consistent effort, publishing one or two detailed posts every single week.
| Income Source | Average Earnings (per month after one year) |
|---|---|
| Google AdSense | $300-$350 |
| Amazon Affiliate | $100-$150 |
| Other Affiliates (Blick, Creative Market, etc.) | $100–$150 |
| Occasional Collaborations / Sponsored Posts | $50 |
| Total | $500-$700 |
Note: This income was generated with just a few thousand visitors per month. You do not need to be a huge, famous blogger to achieve this. It was enough to cover my rent some months, and it completely changed my financial stress levels—all from my hobby.
Mistakes I Made (So You Can Avoid Them)
Oh, I made so many mistakes. Please, learn from my face-plants.
Ignoring SEO at First: For six months, I was a slave to social media. If I didn’t post on Instagram or Facebook, my traffic was zero. It was exhausting. Focusing on Google traffic changed everything. It’s passive. People find you while you sleep.
Waiting Too Long to Join Affiliate Programs: I probably wrote 30 posts where I mentioned products I loved before I even signed up for an affiliate program.
That was literally thousands of dollars in potential commissions left on the table over time. Sign up from day one.
Obsessing Over Social Media: I spent way too much time trying to create the “perfect” Instagram grid. The reality? Instagram brought me almost zero blog traffic. The people who did come from IG would glance at one page and leave.
My Google visitors were my real audience—they were actively looking for solutions and would often read 3-4 posts in one visit.
What I Learned About Growing Traffic for an Art Blog
Getting traffic really boils down to two key areas for an art blog.
SEO Basics Anyone Can Do
Don’t let the acronym scare you. SEO is simple.
Use Titles People Actually Search For: Don’t call your post “My Floral Musings.” Call it “How to Draw a Simple Rose for Beginners.”
Answer the Question Better Than Anyone Else: When you write a post, Google your topic and look at the top 3 results. Your mission is to create something more detailed, more helpful, and easier to understand than all of them.
Keep it Beginner-Friendly: Never assume your reader knows anything. Explain terms. Show every step. Be the ultimate guide.
Pinterest = My Traffic Booster
For a visual niche like art, Pinterest is your secret weapon. It’s not social media; it’s a visual search engine. I started creating 2-3 vertical “Pins” for each blog post using Canva (which is free).
I’d upload them to Pinterest with a good description and a link back to my post.
I created one pin for a post on “Easy Watercolor Techniques.” For a month, nothing. Then, it started to get a few repins.
Then a few hundred. I logged into my Google Analytics one day and my jaw hit the floor. That one pin was bringing over 10,000 visitors to my blog every month. It was an absolute game-changer.
My Favorite Types of Posts (That Get Views + Earn)
✅ Drawing Tutorials: The absolute king of search traffic. Why? They directly solve a “how-to” problem.
✅ Sketchbook Tours: These build your brand and community. They show your personality.
✅ Tool Reviews & Recommendations: The powerhouse for affiliate income. “Best Pens for Inking” or “Is the iPad Pro Worth It for Artists?” are goldmines.
✅ Tips for Beginners: These posts establish your authority and rank very well. Think “10 Mistakes Every New Artist Makes.”
✅ Time-lapse Videos: Embedding a short video of your process makes your post “stickier.” People stay on your page longer, which Google loves.
Can You Really Make a Living From an Art Blog?
Yes. But not tomorrow. It is a slow, steady build. The people who succeed are the ones who fall in love with the process, not just the potential payout. They are driven by consistency.
Posting once a week for a year—even when you feel like no one is reading—is what separates the successful blogs from the ones that disappear after three months.
The joy you get from a comment saying, “You helped me so much!” has to fuel you through the early days. The money is the incredible, wonderful, life-changing bonus that comes from that dedication.
My Advice If You Want to Start Today
If you’re on the fence, let me give you a gentle push. Here’s what you need to do:
Just Start. Now. Don’t wait until you’re a “better” artist or have a “perfect” website. Your first posts will suck. Mine did. Post them anyway.
Be Endlessly Helpful. Obsess over your reader’s problems and solve them with your content.
Mix It Up. Write tutorials for traffic, reviews for income, and personal stories for community.
Monetize from Day One. Sign up for AdSense and Amazon Associates immediately. It’s easier to build a house with plumbing already installed than to try and add it later.
Focus on Google & Pinterest. Spend 80% of your time creating amazing content and 20% creating pins for it. That’s it.
Your Art Blog Questions, Answered (FAQs)
Here are a few questions I get all the time.
1. How much does it really cost to start an art blog?
Honestly, very little. You can get a domain and a year of hosting for under $50. The rest—WordPress software, themes, plugins—can all be found for free. Your biggest investment is your time.
2. How long does it realistically take to make money?
You might make your first dollar in the first few months, but don’t expect significant income ($100+/month) for at least 6-12 months of consistent posting. SEO takes time to kick in.
3. Do I need to be a great artist to have a successful art blog?
Absolutely not! You need to be a great teacher. People are looking for relatability, not perfection. As long as you are one step ahead of your audience and can explain concepts clearly, you can be incredibly successful.
4. What if I run out of post ideas?
Go to Google and Pinterest. Type in “how to draw…” or “art tips for…” and look at the autocomplete suggestions. That’s a list of exactly what people are looking for. You will never run out of ideas.
Final Thoughts — Your Art Could Pay You Too
That kid who just loved the smell of a new sketchbook never would have believed this future was possible. But it is.
The internet has created this incredible opportunity for us to turn our passion into our profession, not by chasing fame, but by embracing helpfulness.
If my little corner of the internet, born from a messy desk and a love for sketching, can earn real money, then yours can too. Someone out there is waiting to learn from you. They are waiting to be inspired by your art. You just have to start sharing.
Important Note: I’m an artist first, not a tech expert. Everything in this post about websites and marketing comes from my own messy, trial-and-error experience. I’m simply sharing the story of how my passion for art started paying the bills.