Is being an artist a real career in 2025? Let’s find out.
Is the artist usually poor?
That’s one of the first questions people ask when they hear you draw for a living.
In this article, we’ll dive into the real numbers, what jobs pay best, and how AI is changing the game. You’ll also get a secret list of wealthy artists you've probably heard of—and yes, we’ll joke a little along the way.
Hello, it’s Punny here.
Let’s break down the myths and realities.
When you come across an artist with 100,000+ followers, you might think:
“Wow, they must be rich and famous.”
But here’s the truth: Visibility doesn’t always equal stability. Many artists are still fighting for reader attention, and that means creating content that feels personal—relatable situations, moments people wish would happen, fan art of beloved games or animation characters, popular influencers, or launching a unique project in your own style.
That's exactly what I’m doing with my comic series Witch’s Pie—a magical world full of drama, betrayal, and friendship. Think Studio Ghibli meets action-packed web manga. Want to read it? The first chapters are free, and the rest unlock with a small subscription.
📖 Check out Witch’s Pie click
Not really—but it depends on your path.
Let’s look at three main paths:
This is where long-term money lives. You:
Build your own brand
Sell prints, books, comics, or courses
Offer custom art or design services
Create passive income with digital downloads or memberships
But—it’s also the hardest route at first. You have to learn marketing, sales, and keep evolving your style.
Many artists dream of working at Pixar, Riot, or Disney, but those jobs are:
Highly competitive
Often short-term contracts
Frequently affected by layoffs (like Pixar’s 14–20% cut in 2024)
Full-time roles with benefits do exist, especially at smaller studios or publishers. But you’re still creating someone else’s vision—not yours.
Illustrators for books, children’s media, or advertising often work project to project.
You’ll need a strong portfolio and contacts, but this can provide steady, medium-level income if you’re in the right niche.
Freelance beginners: $5–$20 per hour
Mid-level professionals: $25–$70/hour
Top illustrators & concept artists: $100+/hour
Digital creators with large followings (on Patreon, Gumroad, YouTube, etc.): can earn $2,000–$20,000/month, depending on their fanbase and content type
Secret: Want to feel better?
Here’s a short list of famous, wealthy artists and illustrators:
Loish – $10,000+/month from art books, workshops, and Patreon
Sakimichan – Over $50,000/month on Patreon at peak
Ross Tran (RossDraws) – Massive merch sales, YouTube monetization
Kim Jung Gi – High-paid live demos and commissions (RIP)
James Jean – Fine art, fashion collabs, gallery representation
Art has never been just about money—but if you play your cards right, you can absolutely earn a six-figure income as an artist.
Let’s be real. In the next 5–8 years, AI will be able to:
Draw better than 90% of human artists
Make all client changes instantly
Generate dozens of styles in seconds
AI models are already being used by companies for character design, animation keys, marketing graphics, and even storytelling.
But there’s a twist…
Just like vinyl records and analog photography became luxury items, true hand-drawn work will become rare and premium again.
Fewer people will take the time to study art the hard way—and that makes your traditional skills more valuable, not less.
Historically, artists were elite. You needed:
Expensive oil paints, animal-hair brushes
A decade of master training
Family wealth or royal patronage
The stereotype of the "poor artist" came later—during the 20th century—when cheap supplies, political upheaval, and mass printing made art more accessible but harder to monetize.
So... What Should You Do?
Yes, it’s scary. But it’s also empowering.
Don’t wait for Pixar to call. Create your own universe, like I did with Witch’s Pie. Write the stories you care about. Build your email list. Launch a store. Start small and stay consistent.
And when the world asks:
“Can artists make money?”
You’ll answer:
“Yes—and I’m proof.”
📌 Bookmark this site if you want to:
Learn how artists earn money
Stay ahead of AI
Build a fanbase for your art
Read magical comics like Witch’s Pie
See you in the next post,
Punny
