How I built a 5k/month art business + so can you!

[@SajiriArt]

For anyone on the fence, I started a mentorship with Sean a bit over a year ago. I went from struggling to get $50-60 commissions to having a steady stream of $500+ commissions. A lot of advice I thought wouldnt work but it absolutely did. It was one of the best decisions of my life. Also, the discord server is friendly and helpful even if you dont join the mentorship.

[@Wydrolak]

I've seen your art, it's awesome. I'm surprised you neded Sean at all.

[@SajiriArt]

@@Wydrolak Thank you! But there was a huge improvement in my art once I started with Sean :)

[@TheArtMentor]

Thanks for your kind recommendation! You're a pleasure to work with, and I'm so so proud of your accomplishments!! BTW everyone check out this user's YT channel as well for great advice 👍

[@TrishhMakes]

Where dou you get them from¿ your following is very small

[@SajiriArt]

@@TrishhMakes Twitter, tumblr, reddit, discord. A lot of word of mouth. You dont need a huge following to get work. People with 10k followers struggle to get $30 comms. Not to mention, when you have higher prices, you dont need as many clients

[@nintai6656]

Being an artist is exploring your humanity. You explained it perfectly.

[@TheArtMentor]

It's so easy to forget or overlook that isn't it? We tend to hyperfocus on the image and not the person behind the making of the image, don't we?

[@magnus1383]

I love seeing how your speed drawings have evolved over time. I don't usually care for speed drawings, because they are too fast and hard to follow, but you use tools that I can keep track of and actually learn from. I don’t do commissions anymore, for a mix of reasons, but I am happy to see that you are still going strong after so many years. I do look forward to picking things up again once I get stuff sorted offline.

[@TheArtMentor]

Oh thanks so much for your kind words! I'm happy to hear that. Sometimes I watch these back and try to learn from my own process as well lol. When do you foresee yourself restarting commissions?

[@scribblerjones]

This was just what I needed to hear, right when I needed to hear it! Thanks again, Teach - you're a lifesaver!

[@TheArtMentor]

Awesome to hear! What advice here was the most valuable for you in this video for your business?

[@curtis5799]

Ive watched dozens of art motivation videos. This one made it to the top 5 in my book. Nice talk my guy.

[@TheArtMentor]

Wow that’s a great honor! Thanks so much for your kind words 😁 what did you enjoy the most in this video?

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

23:30 love the choice of brush work on that lamp light

[@TheArtMentor]

oh thanks so much! It's one of my custom brushes for fire. Glad you enjoy!

[@HannahMorenDraws]

I related to this so much! I had the worst job of my life in South Korea at an english kindergarten. It destroyed me, it's been about 2 years since that job and I still get stress dreams about it. My why became - I can never be stuck in another situation like this (they wouldn't let me quit - visa etc.) ALSO I relate so much to the always in "sketch / practice" mode. After I quit that job I started a 100 day project of drawing people but my RULE was each one had to be a finished composition - a finished idea not a "sketch" a "study" It had to be something cool I WANTED to make trying a new style I wanted to draw. Without it even being my intention, it gave me a portfolio of work that I could finally start sending to editorial clients. And I got my first magazine commission ever for 1,000 USD the same year I quit that job. I've slowed down recently, I have a lot of fear of cold emailing companies and I kind of diverted attention to my youtube channel. But this has REALLY fired me up! Thank you!

[@TheArtMentor]

That’s a powerful motivating factor! I’m proud of you for discovering your deep reason for your favorable future, and I wish you best of luck in all endeavors! How’s your KZbin channel going now btw?

[@HannahMorenDraws]

@@TheArtMentor Thanks so much for the reply! My youtube channel is still small, but I've had a couple of successful videos where I tour art supply stores - one in Seoul and one in Osaka. They perform better than EVERYTHING else on my channel. But frankly I don't want to be just a tour channel, or art supply channel, I want to be able to show my art and myself - to connect on other things too - so I'm still trying to figure that part out...

[@TheArtMentor]

It takes time! I pivoted several times on my channel, so keep consistent and experimental

[@artbymadeleiine]

Some seriously great advice here - thanks art mentor ! :)

[@TheArtMentor]

Thanks so much watching! What did you find helpful I. This video?

[@KimAllenAnima-Saurus]

Tip 5! Totally agree with that. Especially coming from experience where you worked in a different industry (I came from manual labour), I always look at the creative work that I get to do now and are very appreciative of the oppotunity to be able to do it. It has taken me years to have the confindence in skills to be able to create stuff, but now after years of creating I am so thankful for every new challenge and project that I do get to work on. Great video, thanks for sharing.

[@TheArtMentor]

My pleasure, and thanks so much for watching! What kind of art business do you have?

[@cerysimebeest6333]

your advice is absolutely amazing, it's helped me a lot. thank you for spreading this knowledge !!

[@TheArtMentor]

My pleasure! What helped you in this video?

[@guccisgooch9661]

Dude thank you so much. Literally said everything I needed to hear

[@TheArtMentor]

My pleasure! Happy to hear this helped you 💪 what art business do you have or want?

[@guccisgooch9661]

@@TheArtMentor I’ve always had a passion for illustration, but pursued graphic design and went to school for it because it seemed like the more viable career. I’ve done one off commissions here and there, but nothing consistent. I do enjoy graphic design, don’t get me wrong, but my passion project behind the scenes has been a comic book. I love character, and set design, cool perspectives and cinematography. Just being able to create a whole world out of nothing but an idea is really fun to me.

[@TheArtMentor]

that's awesome! Keep up your outstanding efforts!

[@jademcl4727]

Man, you should do voice work 😂 Your voice is incredible 👌

[@TheArtMentor]

Haha you think so? Thanks for the tip

[@heyrei316]

Thank you for the lesson, Teacher

[@TheArtMentor]

My pleasure! What did you enjoy the most about this content?

[@Bulborb1]

Invaluable public service, the advice given on this channel. ❤

[@TheArtMentor]

You're too kind! Thanks so much for your support. What was most helpful for you in this video?

[@GUSLOL161]

I have followed your channel since I saw your content against the AI gen image. and this video is touching!! when you said you start at Deviantart and the Job offer forum. that's exactly what I did 10 years ago and it's my Job to this day!! 😚

[@TheArtMentor]

I'm so thrilled to hear this video resonated with you 😁 It's awesome that you're still in it after all this time. Not many of us freelancers do, you know?

[@GUSLOL161]

@@TheArtMentor I have a lot of friends on this career line ^^ thank you.

[@Sb129]

I don't think I'd ever be good enough to actually sell anything.

[@SoulfulArt.]

Not with that mindset !

[@TheArtMentor]

Can I tell you that I also said and thought that and so did everyone else who ever tried to sell their art?

[@MyNameisRevenant]

@@SoulfulArt. Pretty expected answer.

[@MyNameisRevenant]

What leads you to think that way?

[@TheArtMentor]

You’re right if you think you can’t, and you won’t because you don’t think you’re able to

[@ywlumaris]

Saving to watch(well, listen lol) while I work my 9-5 cause I desperately need to get my art to earn more if I’m to keep up with cost of living without having to go back to factories 😅

[@TheArtMentor]

Definitely let me know what you think of it when you do! I’d love to hear your thoughts

[@dragonvenomventuresllc3660]

How much does it cost to sign up for your mentorship?

[@TheArtMentor]

Thanks for your interest! So if you’d like to fill out the form for a call on my website (link in description), that is part of what we will discuss as I intend to deliver you value that far exceeds the price. It is, however, something that I feel is more appropriate to discuss in dialogue. Hope to talk to you soon!

[@nomenbeb5747]

what's the price for the art membership? I can't find it on the site, I would like to know it before applaying so I can see if I actually can do it or not.

[@TheArtMentor]

Thanks for your interest! That’s one of the topics we discuss after you fill out the google form and we schedule our discord call. Looking forward to talking to you soon!

[@nomenbeb5747]

@@TheArtMentor can I have an idea, like I don't think I can pay more than 100€/$ I'm still 17 almost 18

[@nomenbeb5747]

@@TheArtMentor and also now I'm making a motion comic and I don't have time for commissions for now, but later on yes, like in a couple of months

[@HipposHateWater]

@@nomenbeb5747 Not to necessarily answer for Sean, but generally it's best to just have a conversation about this with a human rather than taking some cut-and-dry pricing for face value like it's an Amazon listing. (Who knows? The quote could often be in your favor)

[@nomenbeb5747]

@@HipposHateWater I just think it would be more appropraite to have an idea about the pricing wrote in the site. Since there are coaches, even art coaches online, that require ups from 600 to over 1000 dollars for call and I just can't afford that.

[@towarlock]

Even with my quite good portfolio , more than 20 years art experience I can not get even 30 usd commission that is all and watching tone of video about art advices and understand , if you are unknown is so hard

[@TheArtMentor]

Why do you think that's the reason? I work with artists all the time that you've never heard of but command $100's in pricing. Can I ask you a few questions? I bet I can narrow down the real issue really quickly

[@towarlock]

​​​@@TheArtMentor sure i will be happy to answer you anythings, even i try for weeks, Reddit (no read pm but answer even on the topic . Facebook group just SCAM or no answer ( Freework ok haa), upwork till no credit for answer (no viewed message ) Instagram only got Fews followers afters likes... Da not so mutch job in fact. Artstation one answer about WE got 500 answer already and you arent the chosed one ( at least one answer) ...

[@towarlock]

​@@TheArtMentor sure any question, i try so hard for weeks i need to know

[@ZenchiArts]

Strongly disagree, i've literally nearly starved to death because I refused to give up on this. $5000 is a worlds difference than $500, and to say it's not is kinda ignorant, no offense.

[@TheArtMentor]

What are you disagreeing to? Did you perhaps take something I said about it of context or mishear some part of this video?

[@YumegakaMurakumo]

Hi, can you elaborate more on your comment, @ZenchiArts? The obsession of getting 5K or $500 to do an art piece is a detriment to an artist's health which is what was talked about in this video.

[@guccisgooch9661]

Homie obviously life comes first. You can’t just 100% focus on this from nothing without another source of income. Thats like setting yourself up for failure, even if you are a talented artist. I’m out here working 7am-6pm 5 days a week at a job that I absolutely fuckin hate. If you’re committed you just gotta find time to do your art on the side, despite having another job n other things going on in life. Shits hard. Not recommended for everyone at all.

[@TheArtMentor]

Yeah I’m thinking they misheard what I said entirely 😅 I’m glad you received this well!

[@guccisgooch9661]

@@TheArtMentor yeah I hope everything works out for them. Some people just need some life smarts and common sense I can’t lie tho😂like it’s a fun idea to jus drop everything and follow your dreams, but majority of the time life just doesn’t work that way unfortunately.

[@YumegakaMurakumo]

*GRATITUDE* 💜🙏🏼💜 You got it. My first commission I did was for someone in another country. He gave me $45 when the price was $25. Amazing feeling. Had lots of gratitude and blessed this person. My first ever client. A stranger on a livestream, and the feeling for getting paid doing what I enjoy doing is a feeling I want for the rest of my life, however, getting paid because people like my art and want to see MORE of it is what I strive to do. Like you said, paid for experience not art. I can see myself getting burnt out by commissions after awhile.

[@TheArtMentor]

Why do you fear burnout though? If you only made what you love to do, would that produce the same effect?