What is DeviantArt?

DeviantArt is an online community of artists and art enthusiasts, which was launched in August 2000 by Angelo Sotira, Scott Jarkoff, and Matthew Stephens. It is considered to be the largest online social network for artists and art lovers, providing a platform for both emerging and established artists to exhibit, promote, and share their work. With over 61 million registered members and over 45 million unique visitors per month, DeviantArt has become a go-to place for artists and art enthusiasts.

Features and Benefits of DeviantArt

Art Sharing and Promotion

Artists can create their own profile pages, upload and promote their works through various channels, such as social media, groups, and galleries. DeviantArt also provides tools to help artists sell their artwork and monetize creative endeavors.

Community and Collaboration

The website offers various tools and resources to help artists connect with others, collaborate on projects, and receive feedback on their works. DeviantArt also hosts regular events and contests to encourage artists to showcase their skills and engage with the community.

Inspiration and Discovery

The website features a wide range of art forms, from digital art to traditional art, photography, literature, and more. DeviantArt also provides various tools and features to help users explore and discover new artworks, such as the “Daily Deviations” feature, which showcases a selection of top artworks each day.

Education and Learning

DeviantArt features various tutorials, resources, and forums to help users improve their skills and knowledge. They have various groups and communities focused on specific art forms and topics.

How to Get Noticed on DeviantArt?

Submit Your Artwork to Groups

One effective way to get your artwork seen by more people on DeviantArt is to submit your work to groups. Look for groups that align with your art style or subject matter and submit your artwork for consideration. If your work is accepted, it will be featured in the group’s gallery and potentially seen by a wider audience.

Post Artwork Regularly and Strive to Improve

When you post artwork, be sure to include relevant tags so that your work appears in searches for specific keywords. Additionally, it’s important to strive to improve with each piece you create.

Engage with the DeviantArt Community

Leave comments on other artists’ work, participate in groups and forums, and share your knowledge and experiences. Building relationships with other artists can lead to opportunities for collaboration and exposure.

Participate in Challenges and Contests

Look for contests that align with your art style or subject matter and submit your best work. Winning a contest or even being recognized as a finalist can give you valuable exposure.

How to Make Money on DeviantArt

Selling Your Artwork on DeviantArt

There are several ways to sell your artwork on DeviantArt, including setting up shop on your page, joining groups, selling commissions, and utilizing its subscription program.

Setting up Shop on Your Page

This option is available for all registered users, and it allows you to list your artwork for sale. To set up a shop, go to your profile page, click on the “Shop” tab, and select “Open a Shop.” From there, you can upload your artwork and set your prices. DeviantArt will take a commission on each sale, and you will receive your earnings via PayPal.

Joining Groups

Many groups on DeviantArt allow artists to submit their artwork for consideration, and if accepted, the artwork will be featured on the group’s page. This exposure can lead to sales or commissions. It is essential to research and join groups that align with your artwork’s style and genre.

Selling Commissions

Commissions are requests made by clients for custom artwork. To sell commissions, an artist must be skilled enough to deliver quality artwork that meets the client’s specifications. Before selling commissions, it is essential to determine your pricing and the type of commissions you will offer.

Making Use of DeviantArt’s Subscriptions

DeviantArt’s Subscription program allows artists to monetize their work by offering exclusive content to their subscribers. Subscribers pay a monthly fee to access the artist’s exclusive content.

1. Create the Content: You need to create exclusive content that your fans will be willing to pay for. This can be in the form of digital art, tutorials, behind-the-scenes content, or personalized commissions. The more unique and valuable your content is, the more likely your fans will subscribe.
2. Set up a DeviantArt Subscriptions Account: Once you have a Core Membership account, you can enable Subscriptions on your profile by going to the “Edit Page” section and selecting “Enable Subscriptions.” You can then set up different tiers of subscription levels, each with its own perks and content.
3. Promote Your Subscriptions: This can be done by creating a journal post, submitting your content to groups, or by advertising your subscriptions through social media.
4. Engage With Your Subscribers: This can be done by creating polls, responding to comments, or sending personalized messages. By engaging with your subscribers, you can build a loyal following that will continue to support your work.

Promoting Your Artwork on DeviantArt

Understanding Deviations and Tags

In DeviantArt, each piece of artwork is called a “deviation,” and you can add tags to your deviations to help categorize them.

Classify your deviations by tags that are clear, concise, and relevant to your art. Avoid using irrelevant tags and be strategic. Try to use keywords that accurately describe your artwork.

Joining and Utilizing DeviantArt Groups

Groups are communities of artists who share similar interests or styles, and they can be a great way to connect with other artists, get feedback.

To join a group, simply search for groups that match your interests or style, and click “Join Group” on the group’s page. Once you’ve joined a group, you can submit your deviations to the group’s gallery and participate in group activities, such as contests or collaborations.

When submitting your deviations to a group, it’s important to read the group’s rules and guidelines to ensure that your artwork meets the group’s standards. Be sure to follow the group’s submission guidelines and tag your deviations appropriately, so that they can be easily found by other members.