Can i make a living out of painting?

Answer 1

Think creatively, when there's a will there's a way. I've seen really nice pictures in cafes, restaurants with the artists name & number & price of painting on the art work. So if people like tem, they contact the painter. But your work needs to impress.
You could also look into illustration...design for children's books, book covers, covers...or you could paint murals..there's hardly any people paiting beautiful murals anymore.
I agree have a day job to keep you going while you develop your ideas.
Also, have you looked at the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook 2007 (c link)..check it out at library first, it might have some guidlines.
You have endless possibilitis...think positive!
If you do something with love, not thinking of the money but of the spirit it brings to life, expressing your Spirit within, you'll succeed.
do you think Van Gogh or any of those brilliant artists were thinking of how much money they'll make when they painted? it was just in their heart & they did it.
lots of luv

Answer 2

Yes, definitely. The demand for fine art around the globe is tremendous. The reason for so many starving artists is that so few are well trained and talented. I suggest you first study at a top notch Atelier such as the Florence Academy of Art. http://www.florenceacademyofart.com/
Art Colleges and Universities do not offer this type of training. Hook up with the leading galleries in your field, enter contests, and get publicity. Also you can sell etchings, portrait commisions, corporate art, paintings, and start an Atelier of your own once you are trained. For any artist that is very good there are plenty of galleries that will take you on. Also I hear there are some trendy art programs such as at Yale that the grads get top dollar upon graduation for their work.

Answer 3

funny you should ask that I am going back into that full time again the last time I did it I did fine but had partners, read ex-wife and ex-gf now without any "help" I will do fine again because I have what it takes to do the work and the ability to get it sold..... off the web and out of galleries..... you have to know your market, work it ....and be reasonable ....above all lower your expectations, and then lower your standard of living to fit the level of income that you make and enjoy the ride. Some make it and some don't ..... worklike hell on being one of the ones that make it ... with work being the operative word here as in artwork... do it every day and make it the best you can every minute..... then don't be afraid to talk about it to anyone who will listen ....you could care less what they think about you doing the promoting because eating is a hard habit to break..... good luck.... keep in touch if you need a kick in the butt from time to time to keep going .... people ***** about artistist ego but who else is going to pat you on the back at three in the morning and tell you to keep going just a bit more and you will have a good piece on your hands only you baby only you .....unlss your other half is an angel and keeps very late hours.

Answer 4

No.

You can only make a living out of selling paintings (or other art work or art related services).

I found this out to my cost (pun intended!) a few years ago. I found that while I am creative, I neither like 'selling' myself, nor really talking about my inspiration.

Which was a bit of a death knell for my career prospects I found.

So now my paintings (well, most of them, I did sell a couple) lounge in my garage (formerly 'the studio') and I release my creative energy by doing a bit of craft work for a friend who runs a business.

Good luck (and I hope you're a better sales person than me!)

Answer 5

Likely, no.

Your best bet is to find some kind of day job you don't hate that allows enough time for you to work on your painting. I'm in a similar situation, in that I'd like to make a living singing.

Welcome to the world of a starving artist.

Answer 6

I think you have to die in order to sell anything. :) Seriously though, I've tried selling my paintings but no such luck. Doesn't it drive you insane how no matter how well you paint, unless you're "popular," you're never going to get a good buy?! AGH!

I think you're best bet is to start giving paintings away to family and friends. Start getting your paintings out there. Eventually someone is going to see one and decide they want one. Word of mouth may eventually supplement your income a bit, but odds are, you're going to need a steady job to survive.

Answer 7

You can make the best work in the world, but at the end of the day, it's all about networking. High end of the market colleges like the ones in Florence and Yale mentioned by another answerer are excellent when it comes to teaching the art; their extra boost is that they are 'high end', because of the cachet of being attached to them, a lot of the slog covered by a few years of active networking is covered.

Answer 8

You can make a living painting houses, however you can't make a living as an artist-painter. Be an artist-painter as a hobby. If you have artistic talent then go into advertising, or architecture in order to make a living.

Answer 9

To make a living ou of painting, you have to be REALLY good in making them,and also have to have a bit of good luck.

Answer 10

yes if you are good and passionate about it you cna then have exhibitions and sell a few of them. You cna sell them via your firneds or the internet too. if they're good. and I'm sure they are my frined.