How to make a living as an artist • Hacker News Board

Re: How to make a living as an artist

#111

Post by WalterBright » Thu, Feb 12, 2026, 7:03 PM UTC

toofy wrote: post #50

WalterBright wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Writing a song is just the beginning. Then there is all the massive effort with the arrangements and polish for it (see George Martin). I doubt the Beatles would make the effort unless they thought a song was worth it.

being “worth it” and being “a hit” are two different things. the parent is trying to point out they made songs knowing full well those particular song would never be a hit, but they definitely thought it was “worth it.” many artists do things often knowing they won’t make money from that piece. and some artists believe money should never drive why you create a piece of art, different reasons should be at the forefron…

but they definitely thought it was “worth it.”

How do you conclude that? Is it hard to believe that Paul would write a song, and then realize it wasn't good?

> some artists believe money should never drive why you create a piece of art

Yes, and I'm acquainted with a few of those. They are proud that their art is something nobody else likes. They criticize others for "selling out", meaning making art that others like enough to be willing to pay for it.

They're just trying to justify their lack of talent.

I'm not impressed.

BTW, the Beatles very much enjoyed their money and success.

Re: How to make a living as an artist

#112

Post by WalterBright » Thu, Feb 12, 2026, 7:04 PM UTC

Trellat wrote: post #48

WalterBright wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Writing a song is just the beginning. Then there is all the massive effort with the arrangements and polish for it (see George Martin). I doubt the Beatles would make the effort unless they thought a song was worth it.

Of course, but ‘worth’ does not encompass only monetary worth!

If nobody wants to pay for X, then X is worthless.

Re: How to make a living as an artist

#113

Post by snowwrestler » Thu, Feb 12, 2026, 7:41 PM UTC

arty_throwaway wrote: post #51

Contemporary artist here, with gallery representation. I also teach on, arguably, the best undergrad "fine art" program in the world. It is worth pointing out what this artist's practice actually is. The audience here might be afraid of conjectures around the subjective phenomena of "taste", so let me propose this: That thing that everyone complains about here when you make an interesting app, put it up, and there's…

You’re making a point mostly about aesthetics. But regardless of aesthetics, to be a working artist, the artist needs to make money.

Sounds like you make money partially by teaching and partially by gallery sales. Which are two of the commercially viable paths that are mentioned in this essay.

> Then over time, if you get paid for the art, cut down on the part-time job, and repeat.

The point of this article is simply that the above will not happen by accident.

Re: How to make a living as an artist

#114

Post by snowwrestler » Thu, Feb 12, 2026, 8:03 PM UTC

staticman2 wrote: post #110

shubhamjain wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The article does point out exactly this problem, but glosses over the fact that most artists don't want to change to popular art. Only a few can, and most don't want to. I don't think author hides the fact. It's plain as day that to make a living, you need to sell art which resonates with people. You can still find room to be creative within that constraint, but you can't ignore the audience. Artists should quit th…

Encyclopedia Brittanica defines "popular art" as art that resonates with ordinary people in modern urban society. I'm sure we could point to examples of people earning a living at non popular art.

For sure, but those people need to make sales too, otherwise they are not “earning a living.”

Re: How to make a living as an artist

#115

Post by lurn_mor » Thu, Feb 12, 2026, 8:04 PM UTC

cryber wrote: post #100

this person's art is..... dismal

Everyone's a critic.

Re: How to make a living as an artist

#116

Post by lurn_mor » Thu, Feb 12, 2026, 8:05 PM UTC

paganel wrote: post #45

So he's basically saying that artists should use vandalism to become successful? Kind of a very bold proposition.

Worked for Bansky, to great success, I might add.

Re: How to make a living as an artist

#117

Post by reactordev » Thu, Feb 12, 2026, 8:22 PM UTC

When I was 16, I had already graduated high school but wasn’t quite ready for college due to the age gap so I started a punk rock band. Toured around the east coast with my band mates. Met a relatively successful musician and asked how he is able to earn a living making music.

His response still resonates with me after 30 years.

It’s the same for starting a winery: “If you want to make $1M, start with $10M.”

He basically said the same only it was the record labels that footed the bill. I enrolled in college the end of that summer.

Moral of the story, don’t be on the fence. Commit. The part about it being a business, fact. That’s the only way you’re going to make a living with your art.

Re: How to make a living as an artist

#118

Post by onraglanroad » Thu, Feb 12, 2026, 8:36 PM UTC

WalterBright wrote: post #112

Trellat wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Of course, but ‘worth’ does not encompass only monetary worth!

If nobody wants to pay for X, then X is worthless.

I wouldn't pay anything for any of your family. Or for you.

I'm not sure that's a good measure of worth. Unless you think others would? What's the market value for your family?

Re: How to make a living as an artist

#119

Post by nitwit005 » Thu, Feb 12, 2026, 9:00 PM UTC

> Artists Are Solopreneurs

They make that assumption throughout, but the most straight forward way to make a living as an artist is to apply for a job.

For some types of art, the norm is to be an employee. It's mostly game studios that need people who can make nice 3D models.

Re: How to make a living as an artist

#120

Post by fitsumbelay » Thu, Feb 12, 2026, 9:22 PM UTC

smokel wrote: post #12

While this advice may work for some, I would like to point out that this person is making very popular art. This type of art is most likely easier to sell than what most contemporary artists produce. Also, this remark is giving away a fairly limited view on art appreciation: > While you can learn from failures, only sales strengthen the muscle because only they show that someone actually cares about what you are maki…

great point but I think that even people who create "difficult" art can derive some sort of income from it. in fact, the solopreneurs section points to an opportunity for AI to be a helpful co-pilot on each of those mundane and dreaded tasks listed there. In additional fact, I asked Gemini Pro a while a go to spell out the steps to a successful fine arts career and the output was very similar to this blog's so square-one/concept validation, decision making (eg. given this list of business-relevant events and attendees, which should I prioritize and prepare for) are actions it can take on your behalf or help with. That said, once a critical number of people start getting the same advice, take the same action then you have another issue to navigate but it would be the same with any tech advancement, eg. the first artists to get their own phone line or a fax machine or a computer ...