Sell Your Pencil Art Online

Turning my pencil art into an online business has given me the freedom to share my work with people around the globe. Selling art online can be both a rewarding side income and, with enough effort, a full-time gig. If you want to make the leap, or just bring your creative passion into the world and earn some extra income, here's my guide on how I started selling my pencil art online. I'll share what works, what to expect, and some practical ideas to help you start your own creative adventure.

The Potential Earnings From Selling Pencil Art Online

When I first considered selling my pencil art, I had lots of questions about pricing and what was realistic. To size things up for myself, I laid out the numbers like this:

• Average pencil drawing sale price: $40 (for small, original drawings or signed prints).
• To earn $10,000 a year: I'd need to sell 250 pieces (250 × $40 = $10,000).
• Monthly goal: About 21 pieces every month.
• Daily average: Roughly five pieces per week.

At first, these numbers felt huge, but mixing in originals, prints, digital files, and reaching buyers through lots of platforms made it doable over time. Small wins add up quickly; sometimes a single bulk order for prints or a few digital downloads in a day moved me closer to my goals without noticing at first.

Your results can vary, but having targets helped me stay motivated and track my growth. Understanding your own pricing, setting achievable milestones, and celebrating each sale are all part of the climb.

Where to Sell Your Pencil Art Online

Picking the right place to sell is key because it connects your art with buyers most likely to value and purchase it. Here’s a breakdown of the sites I’ve used, along with what I learned:

1. Etsy: One of my favorites for hand drawn art and prints. Buyers on Etsy love unique, handmade work. Using detailed tags and clear photos helps my art pop up in searches.
2. Redbubble and Society6: These print on demand sites let me sell pencil drawing designs on everything from prints to stickers and t-shirts. They handle printing and shipping, freeing up time for creativity.
3. eBay: For original sketches, eBay draws in a wide crowd. Auctions there can drive prices up, especially for trending subjects or high demand styles—sometimes even more than fixed price listings elsewhere.
4. Personal Website: With my own site, I steer every aspect—branding, pricing, and customer experience. It’s the best place to showcase my full portfolio, create a mailing list, and tell my story directly to buyers. I added a simple shop using platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce as my audience grew.
5. Instagram and Facebook Shops: I share my process and finished work on Instagram to reach new fans. Adding Instagram Shop or using Facebook Shops lets folks buy directly or visit my website in just a few clicks.

The combo of established marketplaces for visibility, plus building my own site for long-term growth, helped me expand my audience and create lasting connections with collectors and fans.

How I Create and Prepare My Pencil Art for Online Sales

Selling pencil art online isn’t just about the drawing itself—the way you present it can make all the difference. Here’s how I ensure my pieces catch buyers’ attention and are ready for sale:

• High Resolution Scans: For prints or downloads, I scan originals at 300 DPI or higher so the sharp details hold up even when the image is printed large.
• Editing and Cropping: I use simple editing tools to correct brightness, contrast, and erase any messy borders or background smudges. Keeping the look true to the original is important for trust.
• Packaging for Originals: Shipping is a big deal; acid free sleeves or glassine paper, stiff backing, and sturdy mailers keep my work safe. This extra care protects art and leads to glowing reviews.
• Listing Variations: I sell one of a kind originals, open edition and limited edition prints, plus digital files. Having options reaches more budgets and buyer types. Digital downloads especially appeal to customers overseas or those who want instant access.

Professional presentation, accurate colors, and sharp photos all help attract buyers. I also try to show scale by photographing drawings next to pencils or hands so buyers know what to expect. Good reviews almost always mention packaging and presentation, so don’t skip these steps!

For digital files, I use watermarks on previews and write clear notes in the description about permitted use—personal or commercial. That avoids confusion and possible copyright headaches.

Effective Marketing Strategies for Selling Pencil Art Online

With so many artists online, standing out means getting your art in front of more people and giving them a reason to care. Here's what I found most useful for marketing pencil art online:

• SEO for Listings: Adding descriptive keywords like “realistic pencil portrait” right in product titles and tags puts my work in search results on Etsy, Google, and other shop platforms. Looking at trending tags also helps.
• Consistent Social Posts: I post process videos, time-lapses, and before-and-afters to build my audience and make my art more relatable. Explaining the story behind each drawing creates connection and turns viewers into buyers.
• Email Newsletters: Collecting emails (with permission) lets me reach buyers directly with new listings, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive sales. Email is still one of the best ways to get repeat purchases.
• Collaborations and Challenges: Teaming up with other artists or joining online art challenges (like #Inktober) gets my pencil art seen by whole new groups. Plus, it keeps things fun and fresh.
• Special Offers: Limited time discounts, multi-buy bundles, or free shipping promos can help boost sales during slow months or around holidays.

Bringing value with helpful info—like showing sketching techniques, answering questions, or sharing materials I use—helps build trust. In art, the more you share your process and personality, the easier it is for fans to connect with you and your work. Plus, being active and responsive on social media lets you know what buyers want most.

How I Set Prices and Manage Sales for My Pencil Art

Setting the right price can be tricky when you start out. Here’s my approach:

• Originals: For one of a kind or custom pieces, I set a price that compensates my effort and skill, usually starting at $40 and going higher based on detail and size.
• Prints: Open edition prints get lower prices to sell in greater numbers. Limited edition prints are more exclusive—signed, numbered, and higher in price.
• Digital Files: Digital downloads allow me to set lower prices, since the same file can go to more buyers. I clarify license terms in each listing to avoid confusion.
• Shipping and Packaging: Sometimes I roll shipping costs into the list price, or calculate them based on the buyer’s location. Being upfront about timelines and tracking on higher value items is essential.

I review my pricing every few months. Researching similar artists and checking in with customers for feedback helps me spot trends and make sure I’m pricing fairly. Don’t be afraid to adjust with experience.

Building a Loyal Following and Encouraging Repeat Buyers

Making your first sale feels great, but building a loyal group of fans who keep coming back tops it. Here’s how I encourage repeat business and word of mouth:

• Personal Thank Yous: I include handwritten notes or a bonus mini print in orders. This personal touch means a lot and sometimes gets shared on social media, bringing in new fans.
• Request and Show Off Reviews: Encouraging happy customers to leave reviews (and then highlighting their kind words) boosts trust. I display reviews on my website and product pages.
• Custom Commissions: Offering personalized art—like pet or family portraits—brings customers back for special gifts and new occasions. Many start with a single piece and end up coming back for more.
• Memberships or Patreon: Running a Patreon page or offering subscription art boxes gives superfans ways to support my work and receive monthly art, sneak peeks, or behind-the-scenes access.

It takes time and consistency, but happy buyers really do spread the word and help your brand grow. Many of my best customers are referrals from previous buyers, so don’t underestimate the power of delivering a great experience.

Another tip: share progress and news even when you’re not actively selling. Sending updates about works in progress, studio news, or even inspirational quotes creates ongoing connection.

My Top Tips for Beginner Pencil Artists Selling Online

My journey has been full of learning moments. Here are my top beginner tips that made a real difference:

• Begin with a handful of your strongest, best photographed pieces. Put your best work forward, rather than uploading dozens of lower quality drawings.
• Read all platform guidelines and policies. Understanding the rules saves a lot of headaches, especially on copyright or file size limits.
• Stay patient and keep posting. It can take weeks or months, but every listing or social post builds momentum over time.
• Use watermarks or lower-resolution images for online sharing to protect your originals.
• Connect with other artists. The online art community is full of helpful advice, encouragement, and honest feedback.
• Keep records—track your expenses, sales, and popular pieces. Seeing the numbers grow is motivating and helps your business decisions.

However tough it feels at first, stick with it. Each drawing, listing, or post is another step forward, and every sale builds confidence. Remember, even professional artists started where you are now.

Ready to Start Selling Your Pencil Art Online?

If you’re excited to show your pencil drawings to a wider audience, dip your toe in with sites like Etsy or Redbubble to get started. As your fan base grows, building your own website becomes a natural step. You'll also find dedicated online communities, YouTube channels, and forums full of guides—everything from scanning tips to art business marketing.

Jump into this all-in-one tutorial at Skillshare: How to Sell Your Art Online if you want step-by-step guidance through the process.

Gaining the confidence to put your work up for sale takes a bit of time, but remember: every small milestone counts. With patience, smart strategy, and a focus on growth, making money from your art is well within reach—and brings your pencil art to fans everywhere.

Share Your Story

If you’ve started selling your pencil art, want to ask questions, or wish to help other artists, I’d love to hear your experiences. Feel free to leave a comment below. Swapping stories helps all of us learn and succeed together.